Ignoring The Elephant
Painfully Aware,
The Great Schism - Will it be Quietly Ignored? Alastair Crooke
We must re-configure our thinking – onto the longer plane – to take account of the intrusion of shifting dimensions in consciousness.
The situation in the Middle East has radically transformed. Whereas Palestine was about national liberation, today Palestine is the of the symbol of a wider civilisational re-awakening – the ‘end to centuries of Regional humiliation’.
Equally, whilst Zionism in Israel was largely a secular political project (Greater Israel), today it has become messianic and prophetic.
The point here is that we continue to think about the Gaza issue in the ‘old way’ – through the prism of secular material rationalism. This leads to conclusions such as ‘Hamas objectively is weaker than Israel’s IDF’, and therefore rationally the latter must prevail as being the stronger party.
In this way of thinking, though, there is only ‘one single reality’ with only the descriptions and interpretations of this ‘reality’ differing. Yet there is demonstrably more than ‘one reality’ as collectively, we progress from one consciousness to another. In one consciousness, for example, ‘Hamas is destined to fail’, and the discussion turns to US and Israeli notions of ‘what follows in Gaza’.
In another state of consciousness however – one becoming ever more prevalent in the region – the ‘reality’ is that any ‘rationally’ negotiated compromise between two clashing eschatological structures is impossible. The more so should the conflict escalate horizontally – overflowing the boundaries of Gaza.
Other ‘fronts’ likely might open, as Gaza is seen – whether or not Hamas is crushed – as the revolutionary spark lighting a transformation in the Middle Eastern and the Global South’s consciousness (note the list of Global South states now cutting diplomatic ties with Israel).
The West however, has opted to back itself in a silo of its own making – as defined by its demand for a singularity of messaging that all of Europe ‘stand with Israel’; refusing any ceasefire; and saying ‘no limit’ to Israeli action (subject to law). https://strategic-culture.su/news/2023/11/06/the-great-schism-will-it-be-quietly-ignored/
John Helmer , The Politics of the Slaughter of Everybody
Religious fundamentalists think that because God is on their side – more, that God has Chosen Them to be His People — they can leave it to Him to keep tabs on history, remember the lessons of the past, count the years, tote up the gains, costs, and losses. So long as God doesn’t issue any red alerts or insolvency notices during their prayers, when the Chosen People get up they can concentrate their minds and resources on preparing for the future. When the murder of a million or two Palestinians is the future which the Israelis and Americans are concentrating on now, it’s obvious that they and their God have not been re-reading the Melian Dialogue, if He did in the first place.
That’s Sections 84 to 116 of Book Five of Thucydides’ History of the Peloponnesian War, which he wrote over twenty years of the war, from 431 to 411 BC, leaving off before Athens and its army were defeated and lost everything they thought they had won.
It was in 416 that the Athenian army laid a starvation siege to Melos; then when the Melians surrendered, the Athenians murdered every man and enslaved every woman and child. After that, the Athenian empire of Melos lasted just eleven years before the Athenians were driven off the island by a Spartan force the Hellenes had become too weak to resist...
..The Melians said they had decided not to surrender their seven-hundred year old city state. “We put our trust in the fortune that the gods will send and which has saved us up to now, and in the help of men — that is of the Spartans; and so we shall try to save ourselves.” They added they were still open to negotiating terms of “a treaty which shall be agreeable to both you and us”. One condition was non-negotiable — the Athenians must “leave our country”.
The Athenian negotiators stood up. “As you have staked most on and trusted most in Spartans, luck, and hopes, so in all these you will find yourselves most deluded.”
The Athenian army built a new wall completely cutting off the Melians inside their city from the outside. Several months of siege followed while the Athenians withdrew their heavy forces to fight elsewhere. The Melians made sallies to capture food. Then the Athenians returned in force; but even then they didn’t risk a frontal assault. Instead, they bribed several Melians inside the city to betray the others. “As there was also some treachery from inside,” Thucydides concluded his account without more detail, “the Melians surrendered unconditionally to the Athenians, who put to death all the men of military age whom they took, and sold the women and children as slaves. Melos itself they took over for themselves, sending out later a colony of 500 men.” Book Five ends at this point.
That was almost two thousand five hundred years ago.
It’s near-certain that Biden and Netanyahu haven’t read the Melian Dialogue. If men like US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and National Security Adviser Jacob Sullivan were required to read the book during their undergraduate studies at Harvard and Yale, they have forgotten that after the genocide of the Melians, the Athenians were defeated – first their army and foreign empire, then their domestic democracy.
These practical men can hear the political clock ticking. They can’t hear the gods counting down. https://johnhelmer.net/the-politics-of-the-slaughter-of-everybody/
Best explanation of Friday's speech that I have yet seen: Nasrallah & the Future of the War
The Hizbullah leader all but made it clear that a larger war is inevitable but he did not want to be the one to announce it.
Nasrallah, it must be pointed out, is now probably the most senior figure in the “axis-of-resistance” in the Middle East. Even Qassim Suleimani (murdered by the U.S.) was lower in rank than Nasrallah ( footage of meetings between the two men confirm that Nasrallah was the senior person in the relationship). Photos of family mourning in Suleimani’s home show a picture of Nasrallah in the house).
Even Ayatollah Khamenei, who is the most senior religious figure in the hierarchy of the axis, defers to Nasrallah on strategic matters (Iranian officials regularly briefed Nasrallah on nuclear negotiations with the West)...
Nasrallah did not declare war, but sent out these important signals:
He made it clear that the planning and the timing of the Hamas operation was entirely Hamas and Hamas alone. He said that not even allies of Hamas in Gaza (clearly a reference to Islamic Jihad) knew of the operation because Hamas maintained absolute secrecy. Iran was not involved and that was important to stress because in the Western media all Iranian allies are presented as mere puppets of Iran. The picture is more complicated. In 2011, Hamas supported the Syrian revolt against the Syrian regime although the regime provided Hamas with sanctuary and military support. That stance poisoned the relationship between Hamas and Iran, and even between Hamas and Hizbullah. Hamas later reconciled with Hizbullah, but the Hizbulalh leadership still refuses to meet with Khalid Mishal, the leader behind Hamas’ decision to support the Syrian armed rebellion (he took that decision consistent with the stance of Qatar and Turkey, with which he is very close). Moreover, even the US has finally concluded (according to CNN) that Hizbullah does not merely follow Iranian orders in its decision making.
Nasrallah wanted to make clear that the front from Lebanon to Syria to Gaza is one and that all members of the resistance camps will be fighting together. He made a reference to the Iraqi allies of Hizbullah.
Nasrallah was preparing the Lebanese for the next phases of the war. He all but made it clear that a larger war is inevitable but he did not want to be the one to announce it, thereby opening the door for the Gulf-paid media to blame him for that decision. He spoke about phases of this war and reminded the audience about Israeli losses and Hizbullah’s successes in clashes in South Lebanon.
Nasrallah sent a message to the U.S.: His group won’t be intimidated by the presence of the fleet in the Mediterranean and reminded the U.S. that some of those who fought against the U.S. in Lebanon in 1982-84 are still alive and trained others. He made it clear that Hizbullah would retaliate against U.S. forces if the U.S. strikes Lebanon.
It was not Nasrallah’s best speech, and it did not meet the very high expectations by many. But it achieved what he wanted from the occasion: to put the enemy on notice that Hizbullah would not rule out a major confrontation with Israel and that such eventualities are related to developments on the ground in Gaza. https://consortiumnews.com/2023/11/04/asad-abukhalil-nasrallah-the-future-of-the-war/
Jeremy Corbyn recalls his visit to Gaza a decade ago, and wonders about the school, the children and their teachers.
The ICC must investigate the crime of genocide in Gaza , We need a ceasefire. The existence of the Palestinian people is at stake. https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2023/11/6/the-icc-must-investigate-the-crime-of-genocide-in-gaza
‘Operation Al-Aqsa Flood’ Day 32: UN warns Israel has turned Gaza into “graveyard for children” as attack enters second month
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) says that Gaza received only 570 aid trucks in the past month, which is roughly what Gaza required daily prior to October 7.
Gaza’s Ministry of Interior says that almost 900,000 people are still in northern Gaza, where most of the armed clashes between resistance fighters and Israeli soldiers are taking place.
World Health Organization (WHO) says Israel carried out 229 attacks against hospitals and healthcare centers, which resulted in the death of 509 patients and medical staff and injured 447 people.
Israel destroys the solar panels on the roof of Shifa Hospital, the largest medical center in the Gaza Strip, which is still operating despite shortages of staff and fuel to operate electricity generators.
Almost 70 percent of the Gaza population is internally displaced, 710,000 of them sheltering in UNRWA facilities.
At least 163 Palestinians have been killed in the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem. Four Palestinian prisoners arrested after October 7 died in Israeli custody.
Hundreds of Lebanese walk in the funeral procession of three girls and their grandmother in the village of Blida on Tuesday morning.
The Israeli army says it has fired back at Hezbollah sites in Lebanon and that it intercepted two drones in the Upper Galilee.
The U.S. deploys a nuclear submarine to the Red Sea on Sunday, the latest in its show of force in the region. https://mondoweiss.net/2023/11/operation-al-aqsa-flood-day-32-un-warns-israel-has-turned-gaza-into-graveyard-for-children-as-attack-enters-second-month/
"Give us everything and we might let some of you live." Hamas Political Wing Offered 'Clemency' for Hostage Release - Seymour Hersh
In secret talks with Israel, the political leadership of Hamas has been offered “clemency” in return for a release of the Gaza-held hostages, US investigative journalist Seymour Hersh wrote in an article on Substack.
The offer was extended to the group’s political wing, who claim to have not been directly involved in the planning for the October 7 Hamas attack, sources told the journalist.
“The thought was that if they agree to try their own people and order them executed, they will be given their lives while also exonerating Israel for the war,” an American official was quoted as saying...
..In a “significant stage” in Israel’s war against Hamas, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have claimed it has encircled Gaza City, and divided the besieged enclave into two. It touted its looming operation to destroy the tunnels and Hamas' military and civilian institutions. At the same time, it is estimated that militants are holding hostage over 248 soldiers and civilians, including foreign nationals. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231106/hamas-political-wing-offered-clemency-for-hostage-release---seymour-hersh-1114766570.html
Aleks @ Black Mountain Analysis (Serbian perspective) Geopolitics Update [i] , Situation in the Middle East and Ukraine
If the start of the Russian Special Military Operation marked the historical beginning of the end of Western Hegemony, then October 7 was a highly potent fire accelerator. Today I’m going to give an update about both Ukraine and the Middle East. Moreover, I’m going to further frame the emerging and ongoing Wars of Liberation…which also could be called World War Three...
..Russia and China started encouraging all kinds of nations and western vassals to free themselves both from Western occupation, and the need of perpetual war. In other words, to free the world and to bring peace.
Peace between nations is an absolute horror for the Western Oligarchs. The West is not even remotely strong enough, neither economically nor militarily, to keep the whole world under control when the world is united and not artificially divided by occupation troops.
The Western advantages in trade would vanish overnight. The West would be forced to suddenly pay actual market prices. With an excess of Dollars resulting from a growing use of alternate currencies, hyperinflation would kick in for Western countries...
..The entirety of all these conflicts will be an ongoing World War Three, which I call Wars of Liberation.
I have always said that it is not likely that we will witness a hot shooting World War between the great powers, and I still hold that viewpoint. Instead, we will have the Wars of Liberation. “Small” fires everywhere, which are absolutely unfavorable for the West...
..There is a huge potential for millions of dead within the next several years if the situation spirals out of control. Still, I maintain my conviction that the great powers won’t clash directly, unless an incident happens. Remember the 15% probability for an incident?
Moreover, the situation for Western countries appears to be approaching a critical point. If things continue to develop as they do, the biggest enemy and threat to the West will be the West itself.
Ukrainian Army Has 'Run Out of Cannon Fodder' - Former US Envoy https://sputnikglobe.com/20231106/ukrainian-army-has-run-out-of-cannon-fodder---former-us-envoy-1114755419.html
In the first 5 minutes it is made clear that Ukraine is now a dictatorship. March 2024 elections are cancelled, and General Zaluzhni's assistant is murdered with a hand grenade at his birthday party (presumably as a warning).
Ukraine Started A Purge In Military Circles | Zaluzhny Is In Danger. Military Summary For 2023.11.07
US to Transfer $320 Million in Precision Bomb Kits to Israel , The news comes as Gaza's death toll surpasses 10,000 https://news.antiwar.com/2023/11/06/us-to-transfer-320-million-in-precision-bombs-to-israel/
Celia Farber , Thoughtcrime Arrests In Israel: "People Have Been Arrested For Saying Their Heart Was With The Children of Gaza"
It's all following the algorithm—same as Canada, same as US—you MUST agree with your STATE
US diplomats condemn Israel policy – Politico , In a leaked memo, State Department staffers argued that Washington must condemn Israel’s killing of civilians https://www.rt.com/news/586707-us-diplomats-condemn-israel/
Jewish Voice for Peace "occupied" The Statue of Liberty yesterday, in support of Palestinian Rights
Yesterday, hundreds of Jews and allies took over the Statue of Liberty with a clear demand: Ceasefire now.
The action marked a sharp escalation, one month into Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza. Over 10,000 Palestinians have now been killed, among them over 4,000 children.
The takeover on Liberty Island was led by JVP-NYC. Hundreds of us — young people and elders, rabbis, descendants of Holocaust survivors, elected officials — sang “Ceasefire now” and carried banners that read “The world is watching”, “Palestinians should be free”, and “Never again for anyone.” https://www.jewishvoiceforpeace.org/2023/11/07/wire-statue-of-liberty/
Israel to take over ‘security’ in Gaza – Netanyahu , Washington had warned that a new “occupation” of the Palestinian enclave would be a “big mistake”.
Speaking to ABC News for an interview published on Monday, Netanyahu was asked about Israel’s long-term plans for the territory should it succeed in dismantling Hamas, suggesting the need for a lengthy deployment.
“I think Israel will, for an indefinite period, have the overall security responsibility [in Gaza] because we’ve seen what happens when we don’t have it,” he said.
“When we don’t have that security responsibility, what we have is the eruption of Hamas terror on a scale that we couldn’t imagine.” https://www.azerbaycan24.com/en/israel-to-take-over-security-in-gaza-netanyahu/
Kunstler, The Four Wars
China’s grand strategy to take its turn at dominance over the global scene depends on bogging down the USA in four wars at once. How’s it working so far? Pretty darn well. Amazingly, China hardly had to lift a finger to make it happen — though it did write some bank checks to the soulless old grifter sitting in the White House. Our country has arranged its collapse and downfall masterfully on its own.
War No. 1: There was absolutely no need to start the war in Ukraine...
War No. 2: Little more than a month ago, the Middle East was thought to have reached a moment of praiseworthy stability...
Bringing us to War No. 3: The US Government’s war against its own citizens...
..A big part of the government’s war against US citizens has been the bizarre Covid-19 episode and the long-running effort by public officials to deceive the population about it, including lockdowns and destruction of small businesses, the dishonest suppression of viable treatments, gross censorship about the harms of the mRNA vaccines, and trickery around the origins of the vaccines in the back rooms of our Department of Defense.
Another front of this war is the wide-open Mexican border, a lawless state of affairs created as deliberate policy by our cabinet secretaries, and done at a time when there is tremendous animus against the US from many other nations who send thousands of sketchy young men into our country with no attempt by our border officials to determine who they are...
Which brings us to War No. 4: The American peoples’ war against a government gone rogue. Obviously, it is not underway yet, but it’s easy to see how it might develop. I think it could commence in the aftermath of a financial calamity that is visibly brewing in the debt markets. The net result will be a collapsed standard-of-living for everyone in the USA, the breakdown of supply lines and daily business, and a very sharp loss of legitimacy for the people who have been in charge of anything in this country. https://kunstler.com/clusterfuck-nation/the-four-wars/
'Terrorism Leads To Lockdowns Leads To Martial Law' - Martin Armstrong Warns Of Deep State Plan To Hold On To Power https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/terrorism-leads-lockdowns-leads-martial-law-martin-armstrong-warns-deep-state-plan
Meryl Nass MD's Congressional Breakfast Briefing outline: The Fundamental Transformation of the W.H.O. from Health Advisor to Global Dictator
It is disappointing to see that the (profitable) investment-funding of the WHO by Bill Gates greatly exceeds the US Govt. funding, to the point that "defunding the WHO" would not impact the WHO, and would not impact compliance with the WHO. Only leaving the WHO would work.
Meryl Nass MD , The Virginia Medical Freedom Association prepared the following astute legal analysis of the WHO power grab and how the US might escape the WHO's tightening grip
Sasha Latypova , Washington County, Idaho, Signed the Resolution to Advise AGAINST Genetic Covid-19 "Vaccines" on Child Schedule
Ugo Bardi , Gaia's Life History: 4.5 Billion Years in a Single Image
Mother Nature's Foundling (pictured tidying-up fall garden)
I like how you keep gardening through it all - and I am going to do just that!
In France we say that "cultiver ton jardin" ie, to cultivate your garden, is to develop your self. And we certainly need strong souls for what we have to watch. Thanks for all the research you do, much appreciated.