Crude oil inventories in the United States increased by 1.232 million barrels in the week that ended November 29, beating expectations, the American Petroleum Institute’s (API) private data reportedly showed on Tuesday. Reserves in Cushing, Oklahoma, were said to have risen by 112,000 barrels. Gasoline reserves grew by 4.623 million barrels. Meanwhile, distillate stocks went up by 1.014 million barrels.
The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) announced the destruction of multiple weapon systems in eastern Syria near Military Support Site Euphrates. The strike eliminated three truck-mounted rocket launchers, a T-64 tank, an armored personnel carrier and mortars, allegedly used to fire on US troops. “The US mission in Syria remains unchanged,” CENTCOM stated, reaffirming its focus on defeating terrorist threats. It added that current operations and support for regional partners are also “unrelated to recent events in northwest Syria.” NN: With Trump warming up in the wings, US military “men” are starting to let the hair on their balls grow back. Time the commanders stop concentrating on the latest WOK lecture, the asses of the troops in the shower and reclaim their status as the worlds foremost fighting machine.
The prices of crude oil futures rose by 1% on Tuesday as traders awaited the meeting of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its partners (OPEC+) scheduled for Thursday, December 5. The organization is widely expected to extend its latest round of production cuts until the first trimester of 2025 due to the oversupply outlook, which has dragged prices down. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for deliveries in January climbed by 1.13% to $68.87 per barrel at 6:27 am ET. A minute later, Brent for February settlements jumped by 1.04% to go for $72.60 per barrel.
Syria-based rebel forces are seeking to build on recent gains and capture more territory controlled by the government, raising the question of whether President Bashar Al-Assad can hold onto power. There are a lot of unknowns in how the latest twist in Syria’s 15-year conflict will play out, and much depends on the agendas of powerful external actors as much as the internal enmities that have influenced events. For Assad, 59, that means Iran, which considers Syria part of its so-called axis of resistance against Israel and the West and has for years provided the bulk of ground forces, and Russia, an old Cold War-era ally that stepped in to save him in 2015. A major game changer would be if Russia, which has an airbase in the country, commences a sweeping aerial bombardment against the rebels like it did nine years ago. The difference this time is that Russia is occupied with its war in Ukraine. Assad has ground Syria down with its population struggling with poverty, shortages and power outages. The conflict so far has left between 300,000 to 500,000 dead, more than 7 million internally displaced, at least 6.4 million refugees and caused almost half a trillion dollars of damage, according to United Nations agencies and Syrian NGOs. The main rebel offensive known as Operation Deter Aggression is led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a former affiliate of al-Qaeda that’s designated a terrorist organization by the US and others. It’s believed to have 15,000 fighters and has experience in local governance in parts of northwest Syria that have stayed outside Assad’s control. Joining HTS are thousands of fighters from the Turkey-backed and funded rebel umbrella group known as the National Liberation Front. The Syrian National Army, another group supported by Turkey, has launched its own operation, mainly in the north against US-backed Kurdish militias. The most worrisome development for Assad is that thousands of former rebels who had been displaced to the north after the government recaptured territory are picking up arms again and joining the offensive. Rebels in the south of the country, mainly in and around the city of Daraa, are also starting to agitate. HTS appears to have put aside past differences with rival rebel factions and is downplaying its Islamist leanings. So far, Iran has shown a determination to do everything to prop up Assad, and there are reports on social media of Tehran-backed Iraqi militias being mobilized in the direction of Syria. The country is crucial territory for the Islamic Republic’s so-called forward defense doctrine, which relies on regional proxies in the confrontation with Israel and the US. Turkey is the dominant player in northern Syria, and initially opposed the HTS-led offensive, according to two people with direct knowledge of the situation. But Ankara changed its calculus after Assad refused to meet with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to discuss political reforms and the return of Syrian refugees — Turkey hosts more than 3 million — and the rebel gains, the people said. Turkey has also been heartened by how the rebels have pushed out US-backed Kurdish militias, considered terrorists by Ankara, from inside Aleppo and the town of Tal-Rifaat without much bloodshed. The US, meanwhile, has partnered with Syrian Kurds for almost a decade in the fight against Islamic State and maintains 900 soldiers in the country. Arab states, which have forged a rapprochement recently with Assad in the hope he may rely less on Iran and reconcile with the opposition, are along with the Americans adopting a wait-and-see approach in the face of the fast-moving events. And so is Israel, which significantly stepped up its targeting of Iran and Hezbollah in Syria after the Oct 7, 2023 attack by Hamas. Both Hezbollah and Hamas are designated terrorist organizations by the US and others. NN: The slaughter continues. The savages are turning on each other. Russia, Iran and their proxies are in a weakened state. Be aware of the Iraqi northern pipelines they go through Syria to the export hub in Turkey.
United States President-elect Donald Trump issued a warning concerning the hostages held by Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip by declaring that there would be severe consequences in the Middle East if these captives are not freed before his inauguration, scheduled for January 20, 2025.
“If the hostages are not released prior to January 20, 2025, the date that I proudly assume Office as President of the United States, there will be ALL HELL TO PAY the Middle East, and for those in charge who perpetrated these atrocities against humanity,” Trump wrote in Truth Social.
Trump has repeatedly claimed that the attack on Israel by Hamas on October 7, which ignited the current conflict in the Gaza Strip and heightened tensions throughout the Middle East, would not have occurred if he had been in office. He also promised to bring the war to an end before he is sworn in.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Monday its troops are “now attacking targets in Lebanon” in what could signify an end to the recently agreed ceasefire with Hezbollah. The move came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and IDF Chief of the General Staff Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi said their country will respond to Hezbollah’s earlier firing at the area of Shebaa Farms, also known as Mount Dov. The border zone between Lebanon and Syria, the region is currently under Israel’s occupation. Both parties previously accused each other on various occasions of violating the truce. NN: Its time to wait and watch, Many pieces are in motion
US regulators have green-lit some of SpaceX’s plans to supplement T-Mobile US Inc.’s cellular network using its Starlink satellites, expanding the Elon Musk-led company’s communications capabilities in a bid to reach more customers. In a Tuesday filing, the Federal Communications Commission granted SpaceX approval to provide some coverage to consumer mobile phones. The direct-to-cell capabilities that SpaceX is deploying splice satellite service into the more traditional over-the-airwaves mobile networks. SpaceX has partnered with T-Mobile US Inc. to reach customers’ cell phones in dead zones with its growing Starlink system, which has more than 6,700 satellites in orbit. Customers can also purchase a dish from SpaceX to tap into the Starlink system for home broadband. Newer phones typically have the ability to work on both traditional terrestrial and satellite networks but the satellite-to-cell capabilities have not been widely commercially deployed yet. NN: Subscribers the StarLink systems we provided you allows cell phone access. If you would like a free StarLink contact Jim.
United States President Joe Biden has signed a “full and unconditional” pardon for his son, Hunter Biden, who was convicted earlier this year of federal gun and tax crimes and was scheduled to be sentenced this month. “Today, I signed a pardon for my son Hunter,” Biden said, reversing his past pledge not to use his executive authority to pardon his son or commute his sentence. Biden stressed that he wiped away the criminal convictions due to his son being “selectively, and unfairly” prosecuted. “In trying to break Hunter, they’ve tried to break me – and there’s no reason to believe it will stop here,” he stated. Hunter was scheduled to face sentencing for his conviction on federal gun charges on December 12 and was also set to be sentenced on December 16, after pleading guilty to federal tax evasion charges. NN: Justice for all my ass.
Commenting on United States President Joe Biden’s decision to grant a pardon to his son Hunter, President-elect Donald Trump wondered whether it included those who were convicted for their participation in the January 6 riots at the Capitol Building in Washington DC.
In a post on TruthSocial, Trump called those involved in the Capitol attack “hostages who have now been imprisoned for years” describing it as an “abuse and miscarriage of Justice.”
During his election campaign, Trump promised he would pardon “a large portion” of those involved in the events at the Capitol Building on January 6, 2021, stating that he would do so “early on” into his second term in office. NN: I wonder if i could get one of these?
According to the report, the call comes as Syrian government forces face renewed attacks in the Aleppo and Idlib provinces by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a group linked to Jabhat al-Nusra. The Syrian army has responded with force, allegedly inflicting losses on the militants. Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas , met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus, reaffirming Iran’s unwavering support for Syria amid ongoing insurgent violence. Araghchi stressed that Iran views the Israeli regime and Takfiri terrorist groups as equally dangerous, stating that both aim to destabilize the region. Iran’s foreign minister pledged continued military and strategic backing for Syria, vowing to support the Syrian army in its fight against insurgents. Araghchi’s visit highlights Iran’s commitment to its long-standing alliance with Assad’s regime, particularly in the face of mounting challenges from various militant groups.
Iran has issued a sharp warning to Israel, accusing the country of instigating turmoil in Syria following the fall of Aleppo to rebel forces. Iranian IRGC Chief Hossein Salami criticized Israel for its role in the Syrian conflict, linking it to the “strategic defeats” Israel faced in Gaza and Lebanon. Watch Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei denounced in a post published on X Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) militants and other Syrian anti-regime groups “as enemies of the world of Islam.” “Exactly at a time when all Islamic Ummah’s attention is focused on the issue of Palestine, Takfiri groups, instead of concentrating on Zionist regime’s malevolent nature, draw the attention to other places,” he wrote. On November 27, HTS militants and rebel groups affiliated with the Syrian National Army (SNA) launched an offensive against forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Asad and captured significant parts of Idlib and Aleppo provinces and were said to have secured control over large areas of Aleppo city. Iran expressed support for Assad’s forces and promised to aid the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) in quelling the rebel offensive.
Russia’s Ministry of Defense announced on Sunday the capture of Illinka and Petrivka in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region. The ministry also reported shooting down 55 Ukrainian drones over 24 hours. These battlefield developments come amid escalating tensions and ongoing clashes. According to open-source data, Russian forces now control just under 20 percent of Ukrainian territory and have advanced in Donetsk at a pace unseen since March 2022. The troops are reportedly nearing Kurakhove and Pokrovsk, a key site for coking coal essential to Ukraine’s steel industry. NN: The Ukrainians need to make a deal before they are completely sliced and diced