I know it’s a bit of a joke, but it really could be true that there is space laser capability.
US NRO and USSF have classified satellites that very easily could have a destructive laser targeting system.
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Ask Saladin.
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1700 people in Lebanon have registered with DFAT seeking assistance to fly home. They were able to secure 80 seats out of Lebanon today.
Only 35 took up the offer.
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Wong announced today that Australia had secured 80 seats on commercial flights. So far 35 of the seats had been taken up.
80 seats today and 500 on Saturday.
Only 35 of the 80 taken up today at the time and I’d be willing to bet all 80 seats weren’t filled. I hope I’m wrong but wouldn’t be surprised if Saturday’s flights don’t happen
How many flights today? Were the 80 seats spread over different flights?
2 flights this evening
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I wonder how much notice was given of availability.
Capitalism at its finest.
The wealthiest people in America have never been wealthier. Here’s who’s up, who’s down and who’s new.
The 400 richest people in America are having a rollicking time in the roaring 2020s. In all, they are worth a record $5.4 trillion, up nearly $1 trillion from last year. A dozen have $100 billion-plus fortunes, also a record. And admission to this elite club is pricier than ever: A minimum net worth of $3.3 billion is required, up $400 million since 2023. Despite the high bar, 23 newcomers managed to break into the ranks, having grown their fortunes in everything from mundane plastic pipes to cutting-edge artificial intelligence.
I give thanks to the weak willed Guy of Lusignan , and the fanatically stupid Gerard de Ridefort for delivering us a successful invasion on a platter at Hattin.
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Now reported that 41 were able to leave overnight. Do you know the destination of those flights?
Both to Larnaca, Cyprus
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Beirut is being absolutely hammered overnight, with the new head of Hezbollah reportedly getting hit during the meeting where the other remaining leaders elected him to the position. Indicative of how strong the Mossad intelligence network must be.
Reportedly a seriously intense aerial bombardment, but I haven’t caught up on much more detail than that.
Israel has made a series of small raids over the border into Lebanon, with substantial casualties to both sides of the fighting. I’m expecting larger incursions as Israel has mobilised substantial forces to that border.
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Despite a truly impressive fireworks display, Iran failed to destroy a single aircraft in their strike on the F-35 base. The guidance systems of these missiles seems fairly sub-par.
https://x.com/armscontrolwonk/status/1841985294368964944?s=46
I recall someone posting that Russia and Israel had an understanding in Syria, to the effect that Russia would give a head’s up to Israel of Iran attacks on Israel via Syria.
It was reported a day or so that Israel had struck near a Russian base in Syria, which allegedly was being used to send arms to Iran.
There are now reports that Russia is supplying S-400 aircraft to Iran.
It’s murky. I think Israel struck a munitions storage depot near the Russian base after a plane landed from Iran loaded with weapons for Hezbollah. May not have directly targeted Russia, but definitely a shot across the bow to Putin.
Israel is shifting into DGAF mode, so diplomatic constraints from the past aren’t holding.
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Putin once had an agreement with Israel but that ended quite a long time ago (after Bibi lost an election). Russia has been supplying and allowing the supply of Hezbollah. Israel released pictures yesterday showing caches of Russian weapons in Lebanon. Obviously there are a lot of Iranian weapons. Israel has also been blowing up a lot of tunnels that had been built under the border of Lebanon, a lot of them.
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There is a substantial Russian Jewish population that pulls the two countries together and additionally Russia can cause significant harm to Israel if Putin so decrees. For those reasons Israel has generally tried to stay neutral towards Russia, but with the alliance forming with Iran there is little downside remaining for Israel to take the gloves off.
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Biden has stated that the US advises Israel, but does not tell it what to do.
He appears to have ruled out any attack on Iran nuclear facilities, but in an off the cuff remark, he has triggered concerns at strikes on Iran oil installations and oil fields ( some of which are in the Red Sea)
In response to Qs on the possibility of strikes on Iran’s oil infrastructure, Biden is quoted as saying ‘ We’re discussing that. I think that would be a little…anyway’
Iran is the world’s seventh largest oil producer. His comments sparked a rise in oil prices. There are also consequences for LNG transported through the Red Sea, particularly if the Strait of Hormuz is blocked.
As to timing of any Israel action, there are suggestions that nothing will happen before the end of Rosh Hashanah ( nightfall Friday).
IDK the extent to which the Egyptian economy is affected with the sharp turn down in commercial shipping through the Suez Canal due to Houthi action.
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Yes they have been quite close and Netanyahu and Putin have had a close relationship. But that seems to have broken down a bit and, as you have identified, Russia has moved to closer ties with Iran but also with Turkey. Those three are controlling Syria and the Israeli strikes have been very impactful. They recently appeared to have killed Assad’s brother.
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