https://www.thedefensepost.com/2021/05/05/us-space-chief-human-augmentation/
The reason this is being discussed is because it's probably
already happening. Either the West is already involved in human augmentation,
the Chinese are doing it – or probably a bit of both.
It is tragic to watch yet another chapter of violence unfold in the Southern Levant. Israel and Hamas are at war again. People are dying in Gaza. Homemade rockets, the paltry weapons of a desperate people are fired into Israel and yes, some have died. We've seen this play out before. But in this case, there's an extra layer of cynicism and depravity at work as all this centers around the evil that is Benjamin Netanyahu, the current and longtime prime minister of Israel.
https://armenianweekly.com/2021/02/17/turkeys-pivot-in-central-asia-a-calculated-risk/
Under Erdogan's leadership the Turkish state has shifted from being a Western-oriented and zealous member of NATO to a position often described as Neo-Ottomanism. Related to the Byzantine heritage, Neo-Ottomanism seeks to straddle the East-West divide and utilise its central geographic position as a means economic and geopolitical leverage. Instead of embracing the secularist nationalism of Kemalism, Erdogan has sought to rekindle the Islamic identity of the Ottomans.
https://www.lewrockwell.com/political-theatre/woman-arrested-at-bofa-for-no-mask/
I do not endorse Lew Rockwell's website. I visit it just to
see what's being said in those circles. On occasion there's some foreign policy
insight but generally speaking the Libertarianism of the site is contrary to
New Testament doctrine and ethics.
And yet, there are many Christians taken in by their ethos
and values. It's a bit of strange brew – a lot of Traditionalist Catholicism,
Bircher-types, sometimes beyond-the-pale conspiracy stuff, mixed with
Neo-Confederatism and a lot of other things. Sometimes there's something interesting
but often it's more of an occasion to shake one's head.
In 1998 the Wilson Center concluded that the many
longstanding claims regarding American use of germ agents during the Korean War
were not only not credible, they were based on a hoax. In response to this I
would argue that anyone who has spent any time looking into the Wilson Center
would have known the germ warfare denial was all but an endorsement of its
reality. In other words if the Wilson Center is denying it – it probably happened.
https://thegrayzone.com/2021/04/08/pentagon-vietnam-military-china-us-war/
Just a few years ago it seemed the Hanoi and Washington were
on the cusp of becoming formal allies. The controversy that surrounded Bill
Clinton's restoration of diplomatic relations with Vietnam in the 1990's is
long past. Though Vietnam still suffers the effects of the US war in terms of
Agent Orange and the like, they are clearly a resilient people and have moved
on – ready to deal with contemporary realities. The American War now belongs to
another generation. The fear today is with regard to the ancient enemy – not
the Americans across the ocean but the neighbour across the northern border,
China.
https://news.antiwar.com/2021/04/16/pentagon-unclear-if-contractors-will-leave-afghanistan/
The US strategy to secure Afghanistan has failed. A continued
combat troop presence will only further tie down Washington and leave it
committed to the internal politics of the country. The plans for pipelines have
been abandoned – for now.
https://www.thedefensepost.com/2021/04/06/us-army-facial-recognition-bases/
One might call this The China Effect. Already the UK is using
facial recognition software and US law enforcement agencies are certainly using
the software to scan through ID photo databases and social media.
I must say that I have a special loathing of all the 'Home
and Garden'-type television programmes. I don't have regular television but
I've seen them on occasion and I've seen clips via YouTube and the like. As one
who has connections to the world of home remodeling I can say the effect of
these shows has been disastrous. It has been very beneficial for the Big Box
outlets and the industry which sponsor the shows but in terms of society and
ethics – they have been destructive.
Israel and Jordan have had unofficial relations since the 1970's and formal relations dating back to the 1990's. Jordan's King Abdullah is pro-West, a friend to both Israel and Washington.
Longtime readers will know that I've discussed Chris Arnzen's
Iron Sharpens Iron in the past and
will know that I'm something less than a fan of him, his work, or his
associates.*
https://thegrayzone.com/2021/02/20/reuters-bbc-uk-foreign-office-russian-media/
The greatest irony surrounding this story is that it reveals
the British government is actively engaged in the very sorts of activities they
repeatedly accuse Russia of. And don't think for a moment the US government is
any different. I guarantee the campaign is actually on a more massive scale.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/4/8/northern-ireland-unrest-four-key-questions-answered
Everyone who has followed the news surrounding Northern
Ireland and Brexit has dreaded this moment. Hopefully, things will calm down
but there's another element to the story the Al Jazeera article fails to
pursue.
Trinity Broadcasting Network or TBN is the haunt of Evangelical apostates. No serious Biblically-minded Christian would have anything to do with that highly corrupt and heretical organisation and in saying so I do paint with a broad brush.
The hypocrisy of this story beggars belief. While this
Vatican-connected website is sometimes the source of interesting news, at
others time it becomes nigh on ridiculous – and this is one of those times.
https://www.rferl.org/a/russian-court-jails-mother-and-son-jehovah-s-witnesses/31120167.html
The US-affiliated RFERL just wants to take shots at Moscow
and as such their coverage is disingenuous. It's merely part of a large
coordinated campaign to paint Russia in a negative light. In truth, the US
Establishment hates Jehovah's Witnesses and doesn't care about them but in this
case it's good to remember what's happening in Russia.
Evangelicals are facing bureaucratic hardship but since 2017,
the Watchtower folks are enduring outright persecution.
Nika Melia who is connected to Mikheil Saakashvili's ENM was
arrested in a February raid. The nation is in a state of political upheaval and
turmoil as it is caught in a proxy struggle between pro-Washington forces and
those who would either seek a pro-Europe but not necessarily pro-Atlanticist
position, and those who would seem what is tantamount to a Non-Aligned position
and the restoration of the Orthodox-rooted monarchy. There is also a small but
vocal pro-Russian faction that seeks to break all ties to the West.
This was a disappointing read to say the least, all the more
when one considers this woman is an Evangelical (whatever that means anymore)
and has even been placed into a position of semi-leadership within the Church –
how else should one understand the contrived extra-Scriptural office of Worship
Leader?
Her Atlantic article is a case of The Accommodationist Triad (see
below) at work. In this case, feminism and psychology are being applied and leading
to theological liberalism and ultimately the abandonment of Christian ethics.
And don't think divorce isn't in the cards for this woman. A Biblical case to
the contrary would carry very little weight with her.
It's not too often that the Grey Wolves make it into mainstream
news circles. The Turkish nationalist (and by all accounts) fascist movement
has often been utilised by the United States – especially during the Cold War.
There are many clear cases of US intelligence collaborating with the group.
https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/short_news/bulgarian-corruption-leads-to-us-russia-clash/
As suggested last year, Bulgarian Prime Minister Borissov has
turned a corner and the US is starting to move against him. They tolerated him
and even utilised him but on critical points (such as energy) he has proven
unreliable. Given the corruption and outside influence within Bulgaria it's
hardly difficult to find scandals to amplify his 'unworthiness' and thus
Washington is beginning a campaign to oust him.
I first encountered Baucham about fifteen years ago. He was
unique because it's unusual find conservative Black voices within Calvinist
circles – in this case Calvinistic Baptist. He came onto the radar (as it were)
alongside the New Calvinist movement but clearly he was not one of them. Like
Paul Washer he seemed to partner with and associate with some Theonomic types
which always gave me occasion to pause, but generally speaking I would have
said he was a pretty solid guy, a good teacher who for most part stood for
Biblical thought and ethics.
While reading an article concerning the latest shake-up associated with Liberty University I was struck by this statement concerning their politically motivated think-tank, The Falkirk Center.
The Falkirk Center spearheaded an
aggressive, no-holds-bared approach to the culture war.
“Bemoaning the rise of leftism is no
longer enough,” its website read. “Although we do,
as Jesus taught, turn the other cheek in our personal relationships, we cannot
abdicate our responsibilities on the cultural battlefield. There is too much at
stake in the clash for the soul of our nation. Bold, unapologetic engagement
and initiative is needed on the part of every conservative American.”
This
only further exemplifies a point I've been trying to make for many years. In
the realm of ethics (which includes economics) the Evangelical movement as a
whole (and the broader category of Christian Sacralism) rejects the teachings
of Christ and in many cases does so knowingly.
https://www.vcyamerica.org/crosstalk/2021/03/03/american-heritage-girls/
This is yet another example of the Accommodationist Triad
(see below) at work within Evangelicalism. Posing as cultural conservatives and
traditionalists, they assume one-time liberal (now Right-wing) arguments in
order to score their political victories. And yet the assumptions they have
embraced represent a fatal compromise of the very conservative values they
claim to uphold. Their arguments are ultimately self-defeating. It's a case of fighting
off an acute poison by the utilisation of a long term cancer.
Romania has been transformed. Once a stalwart member of the
Warsaw Pact, during the post-Cold War epoch Bucharest has become a functional
satrap of the American Empire – even allowing Washington to base missile
systems and troops within its borders.
https://www.euractiv.com/section/energy/news/croatia-kicks-off-lng-terminal-in-north-adriatic/
Rising from the fragmented war-torn disaster that was
Yugoslavia, Croatia has been attempting to break with any 'Eastern' association
and root itself firmly in the Catholic-Enlightenment West. This is essential to
the Croat identity. Though of the same genetic stock as the Orthodox Serbs and Muslim
Bosniaks, their history has been defined by alliance to the Habsburgs – in
other words to the Latin West.
The Roman Catholic Church was keen to utilise Western
Liberalism in its fight with the government of communist Poland. Backing Solidarity
and the democratic movement, the papacy of John Paul II played a significant
role in the Cold War struggle.
This was a fascinating if unsurprising piece written by one
formerly on the inside of the Dutch Calvinist and Evangelical world. One need
not agree with all of the author's views or conclusions to acknowledge that
Abraham Kuyper's ghost haunts and overshadows the Evangelical edifice that
began to emerge in the post-WWII period. While few know his name or are
familiar with his Stone Lectures at Princeton, his influence is pervasive.*
https://www.euractiv.com/section/justice-home-affairs/opinion/the-slow-death-of-schengen/
Already under significant strain due to the immigration
crisis and growing nationalist concerns, the Schengen Area of uninhibited
visa-free travel and trade which began to be implemented in 1995 is under
growing threat – and one greatly exacerbated by the Covid crisis.
There have been repeated hints made in Western media that Beijing is somehow behind the coup in Myanmar (Burma). While the ruling party (CCP) of China is undoubtedly an evil organisation, I was immediately sceptical of the claims. Once again, just because Xi Jinping is an evil persecutor of the Church does not mean that we as Christians need to hop on to the Western propaganda bandwagon. We need to hold the truth and remember that just because the Chinese government is evil – it does not follow that Western powers like the US or UK are somehow 'good'.
https://www.mintpressnews.com/americas-half-century-war-somalia-comes-end-sort/274956/
I was pleased to see a connection made with the Cold War and
the fact that the US has been involved in the Horn of Africa since that time. Overall
the article is excellent, a concise and yet probing and even poignant summary
of events, and most importantly it provides the larger context that helps to
explain the US role in the region and the cynicism the people of the Somalia
and the larger Horn must feel toward Washington.
https://billmuehlenberg.com/2020/11/22/the-whole-world-is-turning-toward-evil/
Was all well prior to November 2020? Was Paul mistaken when
he characterised this period as a present evil age? Is that only a reality when
certain political parties are in power? Are the Scriptures in error when they
speak of Satan as the god of this world?
This move would have hardly required some kind of great
effort on the part of the Trump administration. Kosovo wears its Islam rather
lightly and while threatened by a growing Salafist movement (one sometimes
utilised by US intelligence) the establishment of relations with Israel is a
win-win from the standpoint of the Tel Aviv and Washington Establishments.
Despite the disinformation campaign waged by the media, Trump never really 'let up' on Russia. In fact in many respects his administration took more actions against Moscow than the Obama administration ever did.
However I expect Biden to be a bit different. Rather than
Obama 2.0, we're more likely to see what a Clinton administration might have
done. The Syria airstrike and the uptick in activity in the Black Sea is only
the beginning. Russia is to endure it even while the United States would hardly
tolerant such actions by either Moscow or Beijing in the Gulf of Mexico, Puget
Sound, or off the coast of California.
This is further evidence of the bureaucratic resistance to
Trump's haphazard drawdown of US troops. The order is given, feet drag, the
process is entangled and ignored – and then another administration comes to
power and slowly reverses the order and its momentum.
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20210107-the-432-year-old-manual-on-social-distancing
Historical ignorance and the bubble of modern Western life
have created our present state of affairs regarding Covid denial and resistance
to common sense neighbourly measures of arresting the spread.
It is right and just that Rick Snyder faces criminal charges
for his conduct with regard to the water system in Flint, Michigan.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/19/ghislaine-maxwell-court-proceeding-qanon
I found this report to be irritating on many fronts. On the
one hand the QAnon people are delusional, misled, and dangerous. On the other
hand there is most definitely a cover-up with regard to the whole Epstein
affair, including the events surrounding his death. His conduct and longtime
impunity indicate he had friends in high places that were either involved in
his business or knew full well what he was really about. This does not however
give credence to 'Pizzagate' style narratives or the absurdity that Trump was
somehow going to save the children from some kind of globalist elite paedophile
ring.
I remember years ago reading about the US electrical grid and how basically there's the Eastern United States, the West, and then there's Texas which is on a standalone grid.
https://www.persecution.org/2021/01/23/indonesia-appoints-christian-man-national-police-chief/
This is presented as some kind of victory, something to
celebrate. In truth it's tragic, a case of compromise on display. We have a
professed Christian who will now wield the sword of state – and what state? A
state with a horrific and bloody past that the present administration is
unapologetic about, a president who protects the criminals still living
associated with the American-backed genocide of the 1960's.
I heartily recommend this article which takes John Robbins to
task. The protégé of Gordon Clark, Robbins (who died in 2008) and the Trinity
Foundation have long promoted a particularly rabid form of Christian
Capitalism. In addition to his Clarkian projects, Robbins worked for Texas
congressman Ron Paul in the 1970's and 1980's and has connections to the
Heritage Foundation. He combines his Right-wing political and economic theories
with Clark's philosophical-theology labeled under the misnomer of
Scripturalism.
Stories surrounding investigations and reforms concerning the
Vatican Bank or IOR continue to appear in the news. There is an appearance of
due diligence as certain corrupt officials are removed but the systemic issues
are never tackled.
https://www.opc.org/nh.html?issue_id=288
I was more than a little disturbed when perusing the January
2021 New Horizons, the magazine of
the Orthodox Presbyterian Church. As I have explained in the past as a former
member of that faction I used to pick a copy every month from the back table of
the auditorium and over the years I still keep tabs on the OPC and some of the
people I used to know within its ranks.
It is tragic to me that this sort of politicising and
division has emerged within Italian Evangelicalism. When I lived in Italy in
the 1990's it seemed (at least to me) that Italian Christianity (by which I
exclude Roman Catholicism) was wonderfully free of political concern. A tiny
minority, there were no contrived narratives of a 'Christian Nation' or any
real concern for politics that I detected. Politics was inherently corrupt, had
nothing to do with the Church, and this was understood. Christians could go
about their lives and focus on Kingdom-related issues. They talked about the
Bible and life in a fallen world. Obsessing over politics and control of
government was not an issue for them.
And yet even then seeds (or more properly tares) had been
planted that were starting to bear fruit.
Glenn Greenwald formerly of The Guardian and The Intercept, the latter of which he helped to found in the aftermath of the Edward Snowden revelations – has gone out on his own. One of the lone voices within anti-Establishment (Left-wing) journalism, he has made enemies by questioning the Russiagate narrative and has at times questioned some of the Left's narratives surrounding Donald Trump.
https://www.opc.org/feature.html?feature_id=504
According to the guidelines provided by the OPC, the pastor
is to be 'free from worldly care and employment'. And yet what this translates
into is that the pastor should make a salary commensurate with that of an upper
middle class professional.
https://apnews.com/article/christianity-capitol-riot-6f13ef0030ad7b5a6f37a1e3b7b4c898
The Christian angle to this story has generated a lot of
discussion. At one time I would have said the 'Evangelical' angle but in recent
years even this is changing. In terms of the socio-political sphere the
Evangelical and Right-wing Catholic lines are increasingly being blurred.
https://banneroftruth.org/us/resources/articles/2020/living-in-the-world/
The reader of this piece will certainly discover a lot of
interesting history to consider but the article-lecture is flawed in its
premise, its analysis, and thus in its worth.
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/cult-christian-trumpism/
Finally, there is a strong voice emanating from the Reformed
community that is willing to call a spade a spade. But because the voice is
that of Michael Horton and associated with Westminster California, it will be
dismissed and decried by many as yet another manifestation of 'Radical' Two
Kingdoms (R2K) thinking.
While the Istanbul-based Porte is no longer active, the
Erdogan administration in Ankara certainly has a vision of Neo-Ottomanism - the Neo-Porte is you will. On
the back burner for a season, it's back with a vengeance as Turkey attempts to
triangulate its alliances, play its opposition off against one another and
re-assert its unique geographical and cultural role. This is best seen in its
geo-strategic and economic policies within the Middle East, the Caucasus region,
Europe (particularly Germany and the Balkans) and the larger Mediterranean
region.
I hate to admit it but in this case Beijing does have a
point. Actually their statements are rather restrained – Beijing has only
touched upon the tip of the iceberg.
I have so many notes from the past couple of months and so little time that I've given up trying to write separate pieces on them all. Instead I've chosen to bundle a few together – some highlights if you will. There are a couple of things that I keep coming back to especially with regard to December of 2020.
With regard to the events of January 6, I have read and heard nothing but attempts by Christians to distance themselves from these events and place the blame on others.
This represents a further development of what I reported in
2018:
https://pilgrimunderground.blogspot.com/2018/06/atlantic-breakdown-in-slow-motion.html
http://proto-protestantism.blogspot.com/2018/04/cracks-in-atlantic-wall.html
Right wing commentators in the United States are focusing on
Europe's 'betrayal' – the fact that Europe is not bowing in every case to
Washington's instructions and desires. This has been a reality since the
fruition of the European Union project in the 1990's. At that time even the
continuation of NATO was an open question.
The article is co-written by an official affiliated with the
Pristina government – which is (functionally) an arm of the US State
Department. Kosovo has been called the Fifty-First state by more than a few
commentators.
The US has (since the Obama administration) openly declared
China to be an enemy, thus it should hardly surprise anyone that Beijing has
responded and the MSS (the Chinese intelligence agency) has invested
significant intelligence gathering assets within the United States itself.
When the reports broke on the morning of 25 December I was at first afraid that it was another Oklahoma City Bombing – another terroristic act perpetrated by a Right-wing activist – or worse, some kind of Trumpite-Christian fanatic. In some respects I'm surprised that more of such things haven't happened but then again, there are still many in those circles that seem to think Trump is somehow going to 'pull this one out' and retain the presidency. (I wrote this before the 6 January incident)
https://eurasianet.org/covid-and-the-new-debt-dynamics-of-kyrgyzstan-and-tajikistan
https://www.centralasianews.net/news/267339395/uzbekistan-attracts-usd-66-billion-fdi-in-2020
Articles such as these represent a signal to Western investment
– particularly the EU, that there is a need to infuse cash (and thus influence)
into the region. A failure to do so will lead to Beijing's increased power and
presence in the Central Asian and Eurasian theatres.
I cannot be sure what the true nature of this story is but
given the way it's being framed by RFE/RL and the involvement of outlets such
as Bellingcat I am led to believe that it is something of a false expose',
serving as a means of cover-up.
What about US blacklist – a list of firms with ties to the US
military? It would be the size of a metropolitan phonebook. This kind of
article is fundamentally deceitful and meant to prey on either those governed
merely by passions or the ignorant.
