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In an official statement, Hezbollah mourns Commander Haitham Ali al-Tabtabai, assassinated by Israel:

"In the name of God, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate

“Among the believers are men who have been true to their covenant with God; some of them have fulfilled their vow, and some are still waiting — but they have never changed in the least.”

With pride and honor, Hezbollah announces to the people of the resistance and to our Lebanese people the martyrdom of the great jihadi commander Haitham Ali al-Tabtabai (Sayyed Abu Ali), who rose to martyrdom in sacrifice for Lebanon and its people following a treacherous Israeli attack on Haret Hreik in Beirut’s southern suburb.

This great commander has now joined his fellow martyrs after a long wait to meet God Almighty, following a life filled with jihad, sincerity, devotion, firmness on the path of resistance, and tireless work confronting the Israeli enemy until the very last moments of his blessed life. He never knew exhaustion or hesitation in the defense of his land and his people, dedicating his life to the resistance since its earliest days. He was among the leaders who laid the foundational stones that made this resistance strong, dignified, and capable — defending the nation and achieving victories.

God has honored him with the noble medal of martyrdom. His great martyrdom will bring renewed hope, determination, and strength to his brothers in the resistance, just as he was, in life, a source of power and inspiration for them. The fighters will carry his pure blood, as they carried the blood of every martyr commander before him, and they will move forward with steadfastness and courage to thwart every project of the Zionist enemy and its patron, America.

We extend our condolences and congratulations to the Master of the Age (may God hasten his reappearance), to his fellow fighters and resistance members, to our steadfast and patient resistance supporters, and to all free people in the world on the martyrdom of this great jihadist commander and the martyrs who rose with him. We also address their honorable families, asking God Almighty to grant them patience and comfort, and to grant the wounded a speedy recovery."

Lebanon's Hezbollah mourns its fighters, Mustafa Asaad Berro, Qassem Hussein Berjawi, and Rifaat Ahmad Hussein, who were assassinated alongside Chief of Staff Haitham Ali Tabtabai in Israel's strike on Haret Hreik in Beirut's southern suburb.

U.S. Expanded Drug-Cartel Target List to Include Colombian Sites Amid Rubio Push for Venezuelan Regime Change

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has expanded his push for regime change in Venezuela to include cartel-linked targets in Colombia and Mexico, according to sources in the Trump administration and on Capitol Hill with knowledge of the unfolding situation.

https://www.dropsitenews.com/p/rubio-venezuela-trump-colombia-war-diplomacy-drug-cartel

Now an update from Grim;

Strong confirmation of previous reporting from me and @esaagar that Trump was briefed on bombing targets inside Mexico and Colombia

https://x.com/ryangrim/status/1990620390754828740

The Guardian: What does the left want? A wealth tax. What will that accomplish? Very little

https://archive.is/m4uXA

Source (Video)

Trump on Bolsonaro's arrest:

I don't know anything about that. That happened?

Too bad.

Washington cancels Lebanese army chief's visit for condemning Israeli attacks: Report – the cradle

Going forward, US support for the Lebanese army will depend on its alignment with Washington’s positions – particularly on border issues, Hezbollah’s weapons, and any statements perceived as contradicting Washington’s policy toward Israel

Summers To Step Back from Public Commitments Amid Epstein Scandal

He never says what "Public Commitments" actually means. I'm assuming he will continue working for CAP and stay on OpenAI's board. Even teaching is not a public commitment according to him LMAO.

https://archive.is/W5FM1

Zelensky getting pressured by the US to surrender via accepting a peace agreement that accepts most Russian demands

According to people with knowledge of a document about the draft plan, it would require Ukraine to cede the remainder of the eastern Donbas region — including land currently under Kyiv’s control — and cut the size of its armed forces by half.

Crucially, it also calls for Ukraine to abandon key categories of weaponry and would include the rollback of US military assistance that has been vital to its defence, potentially leaving the country vulnerable to future Russian aggression.

Additionally, no foreign troops would be allowed on Ukrainian soil and Kyiv would no longer receive western long-range weapons that can reach deep inside Russia.

The plan would also stipulate that Russian be recognised as an official state language in Ukraine and grant formal status to the local branch of the Russian Orthodox Church — provisions echoing long-standing Kremlin political objectives.

Axios's Israel shill, Barak David broke this story and his version includes this note:

"The Qatari and Turkish mediation helped in ending the war in Gaza and could help in ending the war in Ukraine," one of the sources said.

A senior Qatari official participated in the talks between Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's national security adviser Rustem Umerov last weekend, the sources said.

Perhaps some quid pro quo for Russia abstaining on the recent Gaza security council resolution

First

Also, death to Israel and Amerikkka

Denmark's ruling Social Democratic Party suffered big losses in municipal elections, official results showed on Wednesday, less than a year before a national vote, amid public discontent with the cost of living and eroding welfare services. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen's SDP, long the dominant force in Danish politics and the architect of its cradle-to-grave welfare state, retained its position as the largest party with 23% of votes, down from 28% in the last municipal election. But it lost mayoral seats in at least a quarter of constituencies, most strikingly in Copenhagen after an unbroken 87-year tenure, exposing the party's increased vulnerability ahead of a national election due by October 31, 2026.

But her 2022 decision to form a centrist coalition with the centre-right Liberal Party and Moderates fractured party unity, alienating some traditional Social Democratic voters. The coalition partners also performed poorly in Tuesday's elections. The government has also faced a backlash for scrapping a public holiday to boost defence spending, which resonated poorly with voters wrestling with rising living costs.

https://www.reuters.com/world/danish-social-democrats-lose-ground-local-polls-cost-of-living-welfare-concerns-2025-11-19/

UN News, LIVE.^[This concerns the 10046th meeting of the United Nations Security Council, on adopting resolution S/2025/748 (document not yet publicly available) | WebTV recording]

The Security Council has passed a US-backed resolution which will establish for an international force to restore order in Gaza, protect civilians and open the way for large-scale aid and rebuilding. There were 13 votes for, none against – while Russia and China abstained amid concerns that Russia might veto the text. US ambassador Mike Waltz thanked ambassadors, hailing it as an “historic and constructive resolution” which charts a new course for the Middle East.

Earlier:

The Security Council will vote today on a resolution authorizing a Board of Peace and an International Stabilization Force in Gaza, as outlined in a United States “Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict”.

The plan’s first phase established a fragile ceasefire, the release of hostages and detainees, a partial withdrawal of Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and increased humanitarian aid.

The second phase calls for Hamas to disarm, further IDF withdrawal, the deployment of the Israel Security Forces and the creation of an interim technocratic government under the Board of Peace before eventual Palestinian Authority control. The plan envisions a 20,000-troop enforcement mission by 2026.

Interest rates are relatively low, this guy just got ~$10 billion from investors in Q4 and Softbank is giving him another $30 billion;

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman says he’s bracing for possible ‘economic headwinds,' per Reuters.

Ukraine's PATRIOT air defence system upgrades: what do they mean?

Today it was announced that Ukraine was receiving upgrades to it's PATRIOT air defence systems, worth over 100 million USD.

So why now and what are the upgrades?

To answer the second part of the question first, there's a key hint: the upgrade of the launchers from M901 to M903 configuration. This is important, as the M901 only allows for the loading of PAC-2 variant missiles/interceptors. The M903 launcher allows for the loading of the latest PAC-3 MSE and regular PAC-3 CRI hit to kill/kinetic anti ballistic missile interceptors. Because of the altitude control system (consisting of 180 lateral thrusters in the nose of the interceptor), PAC-3 interceptors can engage ballistic targets at significantly higher altitudes than PAC-2 interceptors, as they can still maneuver with a high amount of authority in the upper atmosphere, where the air is thinner and aerodynamic control surfaces have less authority. This will significantly increase the maximum range of the upgraded PATRIOT batteries against ballistic missiles, as to engage a ballistic target at greater range, you have to engage it at greater altitude due to the nature of a ballistic trajectory. Public numbers for maximum range against ballistic targets: PAC-2: 15km, PAC-3 CRI: 45km, PAC 3 MSE: 60km. So this upgrade will effectively triple or quadruple the range of the upgraded PATRIOT batteries against ballistic missiles, significantly increasing their defended area. Magazine capacity is also tripled or quadrupled vs PAC-2. An M901 launcher can carry 4x PAC-2, an M903 can load 16x PAC-3 CRI or 12x PAC-3 MSE, or a combined loadout. Classified upgrades are likely to do with the radar and command systems to support the new interceptors.

PATRIOT PAC-3 flight test. Note the lateral thrusters

In case anyone is wondering, the Russian S-400 works in a similar way. You need the new launchers, called 51P6A, to launch the 9M96 family of anti ballistic interceptors, which also feature an altitude control system of many lateral thrusters, and are miniaturised to increase magazine capacity. The new launcher is also needed to launch the longest range missile, the 40N6, similar to the USA's SM-6. This is why initially the S-400 was called the S-300PMU-3, as the first units were delivered without the new launchers, and the new launchers are required to launch the new missiles. Almost all photos you'll see online of the S-400 are of the old launchers. So I'll post some of the few with the new launchers below:

S-400 in Turkish service. Older 5P85SM2-01 launcher on the left, newer 51P6A launcher on the right. Note the quad packed 9M96 missiles:

51P6A in Russian service, quad packed 9M96 missiles and possibly a single 40N6:

9M96 missile launch video, note the lateral thrusters re-orientating the missile

So why now, don't Ukraine's PATRIOT batteries already have this capability? Yes, those delivered earlier. We have seen PAC-3 debris in Ukraine and videos of hit to kill intercepts and attempts. So Ukraine has already got this capability for some of it's PATRIOT batteries. This is not a new weapon being delivered. However, Ukraine recently received new PATRIOT batteries. Some from Israel and 2 from Germany. The Israeli batteries were not capable of loading PAC-3 interceptors, they were PAC-2 only. I'm unsure about Germany's contribution, but it's possible that they only sent over older batteries with M901 launchers as well. So these batteries are likely being upgraded to use the PAC-3 interceptors, as it's the cheapest way to increase Ukraine's capacity to defend against ballistic missiles given the systems they have currently. This is relevant because Russia is firing a lot of ballistic missiles at Ukraine in recent air raids, lots of Iskander-Ms and Kinzhals. And PATRIOT is the only system Ukraine really has to defend against ballistic missiles, outside of a very small number of S-300V batteries still operational with very limited ammunition from Soviet era stockpiles. Purchasing a brand new PAC-3 MSE capable PATRIOT battery would be significantly more expensive than upgrading existing batteries/fire units Ukraine got from Israel or possibly Germany to PAC-3 MSE specification.

Former Prime Minister of Bangladesh sentenced to death after the coup last year

https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/bangladesh-tribunal-sentence-exiled-hasina-9.6981196

She's currently in India so it's unlikely that this sentence will be carried out

Re: COTW

Western Sahara: Colonialism, Settler-Colonialism and Resistance with Garazi Hach Embarek

I listened to this episode a while back, but I found it incredibly informative and a good Marxist take on Western Sahara. I don’t think you can access the actual episode from there, but you can use the info there to listen to it on your podcast app of choice.

https://www.intellinews.com/macro-advisory-will-dark-water-take-the-shine-off-kyrgyzstan-s-golden-growth-412521/

archive: https://archive.is/bENzO

bne intellinews on how Kyrgyzstan's rapid economic growth is linked to energy availability, the vast majority of which comes from hydroelectric power off of the Toktogul reservoir. water level in the reservoir is directly linked to how much electricity can be generated, and this reservoir is stressed by general resource management challenges as well as climate change. I wonder how much chinese solar could help here. Reservoirs plus hydropower work great as batteries by using pump back systems and could be coupled to intermittent solar/wind generation.

@carpoftruth@hexbear.net effort post for you bb

Here as its own post: The Global Political Significance of Venezuela's Socialist Construction: thoughts on "Commune or Nothing!" by Chris Gilbert

Reposted in thread:

On US activities and relations in the Middle East:

Trump says that he intends to sell Saudi Arabia F-35 5th generation stealth fighter aircraft - video

As part of Bomber Task Force 26-1, two nuclear capable B-52H bombers carried out exercises in the region, registrations 60-0059 and 60-0062.

PDF Document on identifying nuclear capable B-52Hs, by registration and presence of "New START" fins

60-0062, callsign "GRIM97", refueled over Qatar while conducting an exercise with transponders on, and did a fly by at the Dubai air show, UAE.

The timing of all this today seems intentional with the vote in the UN security council, and MBS' (Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia) visit to the United States tomorrow. But definitely could be wrong on that. Saudi Arabia's price for all of this seems to be getting F-35s, and the inclusion of Qatar in Bomber Task Force 26-1, with nuclear capable bombers, sends a message. When similar exercises were conducted close to Russia last week, a conventional only B-52H bomber was used. The choice of aircraft seems deliberate, to avoid unnecessarily inflaming tensions with Russia while still assuring eastern European NATO members, and to assure Qatar as much as possible, with regards to Qatar's lastest security agreement with the United States.

A Republican congresswoman just admitted something totally unsurprising to any of us, but still interesting that she actually came out and said it:

"GOP Senators trying to destroy Trump’s peace deal between Russia, the United States, and Ukraine who have stock portfolios heavily invested into the defense contracting industry is a prime example of why insider-trading cannot continue in Congress and yes, it’s happening even though it’s super illegal." -- Anna Paulina Luna

https://sputnikglobe.com/20251123/gop-senators-vow-to-derail-ukraine-settlement-due-to-defense-industry-bets---congresswoman-1123157071.html

AN EXCLUSIVE FROM SOUTHERN BUSINESS & DEVELOPMENT

Project activity in the South so far in 2025 has been so disastrous that totals are on track to mark the worst SB&D 100 in its 31-year history by a significant margin.

Based on raw but triple-checked data, this is the worst six-month period in the South’s modern economic development history regarding job- and investment-generating deals announced publicly by a corporation. By rule, if the deal is not publicly announced by a member of the company making the investment, it is not a deal to SB&D. It’s a dog.

https://sb-d.com/news/article/1041

Last. Also death to the west, to israel and, considering the COTW, the moroccan client state.

Interesting thread about a potential split in the Venezuela opposition:
https://xcancel.com/OllieVargas79/status/1992219728899981393

🚨🧵There's a serious split within the Venezuelan opposition and among US sponsors.

It's a conflict between some 🇻🇪 political leaders who want to cancel Maduro era debt after invasion vs. US finance capital (bondholders) who want to start looting as soon as Maduro is gone. (1/6)

There are numerous US-based bondholders of 🇻🇪 debt who bought at big discounts and expect a Machado govt to honour it. Regime change would boost their bond values and allow them to cash in when state assets are "restructured" (sold off/looted).

The right-wing @HRF (attached to opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez) has started attacking these bondholders and claiming that the debt they hold is illegitimate (since it was issued under Maduro govt) and that it should be canceled post-war so the country can rebuild.

The Lopez faction is trying to frame the bondholders as "pro-Maduro" because they would lose more if debts were cancelled than if Maduro stays. But obviously, the real prize for bondholders is a Machado govt for full looting, they can't touch state assets while Maduro stays.

Bondholders are hitting back at Lopez faction and calling them wreckers, because if financial interests are spooked by possible debt cancellation post-Maduro, then US capital will stop lobbying for regime change, meaning it won't happen and Maduro stays.

Another piece of context is that Maria Corina Machado is an extremist to the right of the traditional opposition leadership around Lopez etc. She's happy to let the country be gutted (I would say r*ped) by US finance capital, but not everyone in opposition is on board.

Fleurus, Belgium

Pickets have started to appear at the postal sorting center in Fleurus, Belgium, in anticipation to the (reconductible) 3 days of national strike that will start on monday to wednesday. A feminist protest is also set to happen on sunday. The light reds (parti socialiste, reformists) left the negotiation table for the Brussel governement, after the liberals called them "public fund alcoholics". The negotiations are getting more and more fruitless. The federal governement is also under pressure to pass the budget, and the main nazi in charge (literally, NVA have ties with the flemenpolitiek) announced his resignation if negotiation wouldn't succeed in the next 30 days.

https://www.rtl.be/actu/regions/hainaut/trois-jours-de-greve-nationale-un-depot-bpost-wallon-bloque-par-des-travailleurs/2025-11-21/article/771244

I've listened to/read a couple good things by Greg Grandin on Venezuela recently:

Chapo episode 985, an interview with Greg Grandin: in which Greg describes the history of the Monroe Doctrine, use of the war on drugs as cover for foreign/domestic intervention, and most interesting to me, situating Maduro as successor to Chavez's policies. He talks about material reasons for intervention in Venezuela (Chevron wants the oil) as well as the ideological reasons for neocons (stepping stone towards Cuba/Brazil, similar to the way toppling Iran is the long term goal in West Asia).

this article by Grandin recapping recent American interference in Latin America under the last 50 or so years of presidents.

Can't big Satan just disable all of their big weapons in Ukraine? What's Europe going to do in that case?

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio apparently spoke with U.S. Senator for South Dakota Mike Rounds, and confirms (if you believe him) what most have suspected, that the "Ukraine - Russia peace plan", was a leak from Russian sources to the media.

Source

Rubio did make a phone call to us this afternoon. I think he made it very clear to us that we are the recipients of a proposal that was delivered to one of our representatives. It is not our recommendation, it is not our peace plan. It is a proposal that was received. And as an intermediary, we have made arrangements to share it. And we did not release it. It was leaked. It was not released by our members or our representatives... This is an opportunity to receive it and that it has been utilized and delivered to the Ukrainians, and that they will have an opportunity to respond. And in doing so, you now have one side being presented and the opportunity for the other side to respond.

"The leaked 28-point plan, which, according to Rubio, is not of the administration's position--it is essentially the wish list of the Russians."

"This was a proposal which was received by someone who has identified and they believed to be representing Russia in this proposal. It was given to Steve Witkoff.

With regard to the discussion that there would be threats of items taken... information being withheld and so forth-Rubio did say that he was not aware of any of that.

Looks like Rubio is putting his foot down, distancing himself and the United States from the "peace plan". Witkoff again, looks like a complete idiot. Also saying, importantly, that Rubio is unaware of any threat by the US to stop intelligence sharing with Ukraine.

As a reminder:

Update: As expected with stuff like this, the denial and walk back from Rubio himself, who publicly states that the plan was authored by the USA.

The peace proposal was authored by the U.S.

It is offered as a strong framework for ongoing negotiations

It is based on input from the Russian side. But it is also based on previous and ongoing input from Ukraine.