“This is what acceleration of atmospheric CO₂ increase (second order derivative) looks like.
“More and more carbon sinks are turning into carbon sources. Notably the Amazon and Boreal forests.” [Leon Simons]
[Graph by Prof Eliot Jacobson]
https://x.com/LeonSimons8/status/2040081629419352286
“Barents Sea Tied to Low Arctic Sea Ice [NASA Observatory]…
“Previous years, such as 2021 and 2025, also saw especially thin ice around the time of the maximum. “What was striking this year, however, was that the ice was also completely melted away in more of the Barents Sea, in addition to areas of thinning spreading northward,” Kurtz said.”
https://science.nasa.gov/earth/earth-observatory/barents-sea-tied-to-low-arctic-sea-ice/
“March in Kyiv was the driest in 135 years of record-keeping.
“At the same time, the air temperature was 4.2 °C above the seasonal average The first month of spring this year turned out to be abnormal for the capital in terms of all climatic parameters. Unseasonably warm weather was accompanied by a near-total lack of precipitation.”
https://ecopolitic.com.ua/en/news/march-in-kyiv-was-the-driest-in-135-years-of-record-keeping/
“This March Became the Warmest in the Entire History of Meteorological Observations in Belarus.
“March 2026 was the warmest and driest in the entire history of meteorological observations in Belarus. This was reported by the Republican Center for Hydrometeorology, Control of Radioactive Contamination and Environmental Monitoring of the Ministry of Natural Resources.”
https://nashaniva.com/amp/en/391915
“Houses in France are breaking: How climate change is weakening the ground beneath millions of homes.
“According to the European Environment Agency, it is estimated that roughly 10.4 million individual homes in France are located in either ‘medium’ or ‘high’ risk to shrink-swell soils. This depicts approximately 50 per cent of the housing stock (detached) within the country.”
“The cost of climate change is ‘hitting homes’ this Easter. Your lamb roast dinner is proof…
“In mainland Europe, meat prices have …soared, with some nations seeing increases of more than 20 per cent. According to Eurostat data, overall food prices rose by 3.3 per cent last year, slightly above the bloc’s average inflation rate of 2.5 per cent.”
“Cape Verde’s largest poultry and egg producer, Sociave has suspended production through the end of April 2026 due to severe flooding—not in Cape Verde itself, but in Portugal.
“Sociave, which is based in São Vicente, relies on imported fertilised hatching eggs from the Leiria region of Portugal to produce chicks.”
https://cabo-verde.cv/cape-verde-poultry-giant-halts-production-amid-portugal-floods/
“A rescue mission was launched after a bridge in Italy collapsed and a motorist went missing…
“The highway had been shut on Wednesday when the bridge was placed under observation after the Trigno River swelled and burst its banks amid torrential rain. Italian Politician Angelo Primiani said: “We’re seeing provincial and municipal roads crumbling under the weight of rain.”“
“Italy is hit by landslides and floods while deadly storm lashes Greece…
“A massive landslide has left around 90 people stranded in Italy, while a man has died near Athens as erratic storm ‘Erminio’ lashed Greece with gale-force winds and massive waves, causing localised floods and disrupting transport.”
“A landslide triggered following torrential rain in Equatorial Guinea killed a mother and her six children, the central African country´s rescue services said on Friday.
“The bodies of the victims buried by the landslide were recovered on Friday, including that of the 36-year-old mother, who was eight months pregnant.”
https://www.thenews.pk/print/1408043-landslide-kills-mother-and-six-children-in-equatorial-guinea
“ENDLESS RECORD HEAT IN SOUTH AFRICA.
“More records of April Highest Minimums: 22.1 [71.8F] Brandvlei, 20.2 Ngqura, 20.1 Joubertina, 19.4 Swellendam, 19.1 Willowmore, 17.8 Noupoort, 17.1 Sutherland.”
[Extreme Temps]
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2040022705307877697
“Exceptional heat on the RED SEA.
“After maximums up to 45C [113F] in Sudan and 43C in Egypt, MINIMUM Temperatures remained near 30C even in the Northern Coast of Saudi Arabia: Exceptional Min. 29.3C at Red Sea int. Airport -Unprecedented for early April.”
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2040038787674472688
“Oman’s water reserves surge following record rainfall…
“According to data released by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, Ibra recorded the highest rainfall during the period with 356mm [14 inches], followed by Wadi Al Maawil with 289mm, and Yanqul with 276mm.”
https://www.zawya.com/en/economy/gcc/omans-water-reserves-surge-following-record-rainfall-b50vsl05
“Afghan authorities say 14 more people die as a result of extreme weather and flooding.
“Extensive flooding in many parts of Afghanistan has killed a further 14 people in the past 24 hours, authorities said Tuesday, bringing the total number of deaths over the past five days to 42 with more heavy rain forecast.”
https://apnews.com/article/afghanistan-floods-extreme-weather-rain-c98d649128d4f08ff96ce33ce227b278
“Karachi records highest-ever April rainfall as Pakistan’s weather toll tops 50…
““Our stations recorded 38.7 mm of precipitation within a single day [on Thursday], surpassing the previous long-standing record of 37 mm established on April 2, 1985,” Chief Meteorologist Ameer Hyder told Arab News over the phone, describing the rainfall as a “historic weather event.””
https://www.arabnews.pk/node/2638679/pakistan
“The Dalbandin area in Pakistan’s Baluchistan region was hit by a massive and terrifying dust storm on Thursday, April 2, 2026.
“Giant “sand walls” formed, as seen in the video, sweeping through the city and bringing life to a complete standstill, along with power outages.” [Arab Storms]
https://x.com/Arab_Storms/status/2040170296544841852
“Pune [Maharashtra, western India] Records Highest April Rainfall in 128 Years, Floods and Chaos Follow.
“Shivajinagar recorded 65 mm of rain in just two hours, while NDA reported 84 mm and Hadapsar 42.5 mm. The India Meteorological Department confirmed that the previous record stood at 51.1 mm in April 1896.”
https://pragativadi.com/pune-records-highest-april-rainfall-in-128-years-floods-and-chaos-follow/
“Central Taiwan’s Miaoli battles torrential rain.
“Miaoli County Magistrate Chung Tung-chin (鍾東錦) said he had ordered government officials to interrupt their holidays to fight the floods. Saturday is the second day of the four-day Tomb Sweeping holiday.”
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6334543
“Residents of Guiyang (Guizhou Province, SW China) were dumbfounded. They had never seen such a big hailstorm.
“Residents in Guiyang, Guizhou Province, were indeed left in shock on 2 April 2026, when a sudden and massive hailstorm transformed the city into a scene many described as an “Ice Age”.”
https://www.sinchew.com.my/news/20260404/international/7393970
“Over 1000 years of Kyoto Cherry Blossoms reveals what we already know. The climate is changing and nature feels it.
“Bloom average used to be mid April, now it’s trending into late March.”
[Jeff Berardelli]
https://x.com/WeatherProf/status/2039807469816549818
“Southern Vietnam is bracing for a continued streak of sweltering weather, with temperatures in several provinces forecast to climb beyond 37 degrees Celsius (98.6 degrees Fahrenheit).
“According to the Southern Regional Hydrometeorological Center, the region is currently gripped by a heatwave that shows little sign of relenting.”
“Record-breaking heat in Thailand is stunting livestock growth and reducing the quantity and size of eggs, leading to a drop in the food supply.
“Farmers are facing soaring operational costs due to the increased use of water and electricity for round-the-clock cooling and ventilation systems.”
https://www.nationthailand.com/business/economy/40064665
“Yenangyoung opens heatwave shelter amid soaring Magway temperatures [Myanmar].
“As Magway Region has recently been listed among the hottest places in the world, a heat relief shelter has been opened in Yenangyoung Township to assist those who find it difficult to remain in their homes and need to escape the extreme heat.”
https://www.gnlm.com.mm/yenangyoung-opens-heatwave-shelter-amid-soaring-magway-temperatures/
“INDONESIA doesn’t miss a day! 35.2C [95.4F] at Palembang today is a record of April highest temperature.
“Indonesia has been breaking heat records ever day for over 1000 consecutive days and ongoing…”
[Extreme Temps]
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2040069155978871263
“Have you ever heard of triplet cyclones?
“This weekend and next week, three tropical cyclones may form in the West Pacific. One of them looks particularly powerful, near eastern Papua New Guinea. Devastating rainfall of 50 to 100 inches may occur there as that storm stalls.” [Ben Noll]
https://x.com/BenNollWeather/status/2040048227584733679
“This is one of the craziest tropical cyclone tracks I’ve ever seen.
“In five days, the storm near Papua New Guinea is forecast to be about 30 miles from where it started. Weak atmospheric steering currents make a nearly stationary storm.” [Ben Noll]
https://x.com/BenNollWeather/status/2040293792147013650
“EXTRAORDINARY HEAT IN OCEANIA:
“We are witnessing something beyond any imagination: every single country in Oceania is smashing in pieces every record. There had never been anything like this in history. Insane MINIMJM 27.9C [82.2F] at Faleolo is HOTTEST NIGHT EVER RECORDED IN SAMOA.”
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2039897364312584540
“Just for some perspective, the difference between a weak El Niño and weak La Nina state in the Equatorial Pacific is roughly 1C or so.
“We’ve observed mean SST & Temp (z) changes as large or larger than that in just 3 weeks.” [Eric Webb]
https://x.com/webberweather/status/2039730674668855668
“Avalanche of records in SOUTH AMERICA:
“ARGENTINA April Highest Minimums (see list); tons of records also in URUGUAY, BRAZIL; also in PERU (min 24.6C Tarapoto). Dozens of records will fall until Monday with MAXES up to 41C [105.8F] in PARAGUAY! Extraordinary for April.”
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2039779756087140649
“‘If they pollute our rivers, what will become of us?’: the town divided between hope and fear in Brazil’s Amazon oil rush…
“At the northern edge of Brazil’s coastline, Oiapoque has been transformed into an operational base for Atlantic Ocean ultra-deepwater drilling by state-controlled company Petrobras – one of the probable new energy frontiers of Brazil.”
“Rainfall emergencies in Medellín: child dies after tree falls [Colombia].
“The heavy rains also generated flooding and falling trees on El Poblado and Las Vegas avenues, seriously affecting mobility in these important road corridors.”
https://consultamonterrey.mx/ultima-hora/emergencias-lluvias-medellin-nino-fallece-arbol/
“Caribbean hurricanes getting substantially stronger due to warming waters: study…
“Hallam analysed hurricanes going back to 1965 and found that hurricane intensity is increasing at an average of 6 mph per decade. That’s 30 mph stronger in 50 years, a substantial boost! Hallam said the cause appears to be ocean warming, but not just surface temperatures, also subsurface temperatures…”
“EXCEPTIONAL APRIL WARM SPELL – an avalanche of records of April high Minimums rewrites US climatic history.
“AUGUST-LIKE MINIMUMS: TN 75 [23.9C], KY 72, MO 70, IL,IN and OH 68. April records pulverized in Oklahoma, Tennessee, Kansas, Ohio and Indiana. HUNDREDS MORE coming on the weekend. HISTORIC.”
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2040124013926863081
“This is absurd.
“Satellite data (UAH) confirms March 2026 shattered the all-time US record, coming in ~1.5°C warmer than March 2012, which was already legendary. We didn’t just break the record. We obliterated it; source Dr Roy Spencer. [The Global Warmer].”
https://x.com/TheGlobalWarmer/status/2040061158007112178
“See where flowers and leaves are emerging early after record-warm March.
“Temperatures were a whopping 7 degrees above average across the country during March, and it was shockingly toasty in the West, where temperatures were summerlike. That means flowers are blooming in the Mid-Atlantic and Central states…”
“Utah breaks record for lowest April snowpack in nearly a century by ‘a wide margin’.
“Federal hydrologists scrambled to find records of anything remotely close to the type of snowfall Utah’s mountains were receiving about this time three years ago. Just three years later, they found themselves doing the same to describe how little snowfall the mountains had received…”
“It’s been the worst year for Colorado’s snowpack in recorded history. A striking new map shows why…
“Denver and surrounding communities rely heavily on snowmelt from the South Platte, Colorado, and Arkansas river systems to fill their reservoirs. With this historic low snowpack, water managers are bracing for potential conservation orders and restrictions…”
“Pasadena, California just had a monthly average high temperature above 85.00°F in March.
“This is hotter than the current average JUNE high temperature even with climate change, and 3°F hotter than any APRIL on record! Insanity doesn’t even begin to describe it.” [Edgar McGregor]
https://x.com/edgarrmcgregor/status/2040279834019172843
“Evacuations ordered as two wildfires break out in southern California…
“The Springs fire in Riverside county has grown to 4,127 acres, prompting local authorities to issue several evacuation orders. The fire is concentrated in an area mostly north and east of Lake Perris, burning portions of the surrounding state recreation area, according to CalFire.”
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/apr/03/wildfires-southern-california
“Massive budget cuts for US science proposed again by Trump administration…
“The plan proposes cuts to federal agencies that fund or conduct research on health, space and the environment. Some of the steepest cuts would be made to the National Science Foundation and the Environmental Protection Agency: the budgets of both would fall more than 50% in 2027…”
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-026-01105-7
“Canadian muskoxen hit by double punch of novel diseases and climate change.
“An emerging pathogen, dubbed Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae Arctic clone, was linked to widespread muskox mortalities on Victoria and Banks islands from 2009-14. Another outbreak was identified on Ellesmere Island in 2021. Brucellosis, a zoonotic disease, is now appearing…”
“Wisconsin-sized swath of Alaskan permafrost thawing, warming climate in ‘vicious’ loop…
“The permafrost along Alaska’s North Slope has an “active” layer that freezes and thaws each year, with organic carbon trapped inside, according to a statement from UMass. In recent decades, this active layer of permafrost has been expanding because of the warming climate, the study said.”
“Forest carbon credit program may reward deforestation, not stop it…
“The researchers found that the way some jurisdictional REDD+ programs calculate baselines can create incentives that favor places already on a downward deforestation trend while discouraging places where forest loss is rising and funding is most urgently needed.”
https://www.earth.com/news/forest-carbon-credit-program-may-reward-deforestation-not-stop-it/
“Climate change will push venomous snakes towards highly populated coastlines, study finds…
“Globally, the highest overlaps between snake and human populations exist in Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia and Southeast Asia, regions that already bear the greatest burden from snakebite.”
https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/venomous-snakes-climate-change-b2950023.html
“Cumulative change in the mass of glaciers from all around the world – preliminary data just updated through 2025. 🙁
“Information on methods at https://wgms.ch/products_ref_glaciers/”
[Zack Labe]
https://bsky.app/profile/zacklabe.com/post/3miki7jr7kk22
I rely on donations and tips from my readers to keep the site running. Every little bit helps. Can you chip in even a dollar? Buy me a coffee or become a Patreon supporter. A huge thank you to those who do subscribe or donate.
You can read the previous “Climate” thread here. I’ll be back on Monday with an “Economic” thread.
What a nightmare!
Truth.
Like Kiev, here in my part of North Carolina formerly known as a semi tropical rainforest, we have had way warmer temps than usual and way less rain. The burn bans are already in place. 😬
As for slashing budgets of the National Science Foundation and the EPA, killing civilians and destroying schools, hospitals and homes in Iran takes priority and the money has to come from somewhere. /sarc (just in case it wasn’t clear)
Cassandra, no danger of wildfires here.
Storm Dave is rolling in as I type and the rain has been relentless all day. Winds not too intimidating though, luckily.
https://www.irishnews.com/news/northern-ireland/2000-homes-in-northern-ireland-left-without-power-after-storm-dave-strong-winds-GU4HZJSMQBBBHPEYGV2PJCZJ6Y/
It blew the cover off our trampoline and the ferries were cancelled but that was about the extent of the drama here, Flippr.
“This is hotter than the current average JUNE high temperature even with climate change, and 3°F hotter than any APRIL on record! Insanity doesn’t even begin to describe it.” [Edgar McGregor]
The real crackdown on illegal immigration happens outside US borders, not inside them. That is the open secret of US immigration policy no one talks about, because policies that turn the levers of the world must be protected from the chaotic free market of moral posturing that is 21st century “politics”. Similarly, the real impact of the California heat will be felt in the barrios, maquiladoras and landless/land-poor farmers of Mexico. Each year thousands of acres will be lost and the shortfall offset by increased costs mitigated by squeezing “undocumented” transient slave labour even harder. But that won’t stop them chasing the American dream, because Mexico will lose tens of thousands of acres and do nothing about it. Mitigation here, fuelled by disintegration there.
Meanwhile, college radicals will bleed their guilty-privileged little hearts out screaming bloody murder at the red herring of “anti-immigration” and whatever right-wing bogeyman happens to be personifying it any given election cycle. When they’re bored of that they’re gonna go out there and have some fun in the warm California sun. Until one day, to their white surprise, the whole damn system will go straight to hell.
Jupiviv, I’m sure these higher fuel and fertilizer prices are already causing discomfort to Mexican farmers and El Nino tends to mean drought for central and southern Mexico; not a good combination.
There are whispers that Mexico itself might have a deportation deal with the US:
“Migrants march in southern Mexico to denounce immigration restrictions. The march comes as a court in the US suggests there may be a secret deportation agreement between the US and Mexico.”
https://www.aljazeera.com/gallery/2026/3/25/migrants-march-in-southern-mexico-to-denounce-immigration-restrictions
Jebus Crispies. It’s “Mud Season” in Maine and we’re still in a severe drought.
I hate to think about fire season starting next month.
Thanks for the heads up on that, Mike. I’ve been so focused on the low snowpack and drought in the SW I’d forgotten about the NE.
https://wgme.com/news/local/drought-update-03-26-2026
South of Mike in Massachusetts it’s not as bad but definitely on the dry side:
https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/CurrentMap/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?Northeast
Thanks for that website. Very informative.
Globalization’s Mobilizations.
Burnt Carbon is prone to long lingering:
Could the Planet be warming from warmongering?
Since this is the age of De-industrialization
Why’s the earth’s heating in acceleration?
Have you heard it asked, or have you ever pondered,
Seen it on the news or secretly wondered,
If all the world’s a post industrial age
Could warming be the result
of the wars that we wage?
Is it possible blowing to bits countries’ infrastructures
Laying waste to lands with bunker busters
Might have a place, claim a well-deserved stake,
In the doom we seem determined to bake into this cake?
As the arms build up to a dizzying height,
supporting all kinds of military adventure
The Debts they rack up are kept out of sight
Yet bind us all in bonds of indenture.
Is it fair to ask,
Mayn’t I a venture a Query,
And take you to task:
“Not even slightly War-weary?”
NO! Comes the answer,
Make AMERICA GREAT!
Let our Necromancer contrive to inflate
With even more militancy Our hyper-armed State.
Bomb back to the stone-age enemies of Democracy
While simply ignoring We’re a Keptocracy,
Ruled by a minority of Crashing bores,
Their trophy wives, and their tricked-out whores.
We’ll give our lives for their future welfare,
Sell our own wives, live in constant warfare,
While watching the pace of accelerating heat
Build up as ominously as our Navy’s fleet.
But those two foreboding accumulations
We’ll never be able to ever connect
For like humans in air
or fish underwater,
we fail to detect
We’re surrounded by slaughter.
https://robertlowrey.blogspot.com/2018/09/globalizations-mobilizations.html
Thanks Rob, well done Sir. I’m hereby nominating you as the C&E poet laureate!
Masterful stuff, Rob. 🫡
Quark’s latest is titled “Total War”.
Direct link: https://tinyurl.com/bdet92pu
Google translated, copied and pasted, no images today:
Yesterday Trump reiterated his ultimatum: if Iran has not reopened the Strait of Hormuz by April 6, he will send the country back to the “Stone Age”.
We know Trump has postponed the final date twice, but this time it will be more difficult for him to delay it again. He has probably waited to buy time for all his troops to arrive and be positioned according to his military objectives.
The buildup of troops suggests the start of a global operation, which may include ground attacks. A full list of their military deployment includes:
1. US Navy and Naval Force
The naval presence is massive, with two carrier strike groups operating simultaneously to ensure control of the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman .
Aircraft carrier:
USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78): The world’s most advanced aircraft carrier, positioned in the Eastern Mediterranean/Red Sea to cover the western flank.
USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72): Operating directly in the Arabian Sea and adjacent Gulf areas.
Support and Attack Ships:
Approximately 17 warships in total, including 12 Arleigh Burke -class destroyers equipped with Tomahawk missiles and Aegis defense systems.
Littoral Combat Ships (LCS): At least 3 units operating in shallow waters of the Persian Gulf.
Amphibious Forces: * USS Tripoli (LHA-7), USS Boxer (LHD-4), USS Portland, and USS Comstock. These ships carry thousands of Marines and are equipped with F-35B vertical takeoff fighters.
2. Aviation (US Air Force and Navy Air Wing)
Air strike capability has been doubled through the deployment of fifth-generation fighters and electronic warfare aircraft.
Fighter Jets:
F-22 Raptor: Deployed mainly to bases in Israel and forward operating bases in the region.
F-35 Lightning II (A and C): Operating from both land bases and aircraft carriers.
F-15E Strike Eagle and F-16 Fighting Falcon: Located at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base (Jordan) and at bases in Saudi Arabia.
Electronic Warfare and Support:
EA-37B Compass Call: Operationally deployed for the first time in April 2026 for the suppression of Iranian air defenses.
EA-18G Growler: Carrier-based radar jamming systems.
KC-135 tankers: Massive fleet to enable long-range missions from Diego Garcia and bases in the United Kingdom (such as RAF Fairford).
3. Infantry and Ground Forces (US Army and Marines)
It is estimated that the number of personnel on the ground exceeds 40,000 to 50,000 military personnel in total throughout the region (counting permanent and reinforcement personnel).
Elite Units:
82nd Airborne Division: Between 3,000 and 4,000 soldiers recently deployed from Fort Bragg.
101st Airborne Division: Air Assault and Support Elements.
Marine Corps: * 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU): 2,500 personnel arriving from Okinawa.
11th MEU: In transit or position on board the USS Boxer amphibious group.
Full deployment: Plans are being considered to increase the number of ground troops to 17,000 additional reinforcements if fighting intensifies.
4. Air Defense and Missiles
Given Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities, the US has significantly strengthened its defensive “umbrella”:
Patriot missile batteries (PAC-3) and THAAD systems deployed at key bases in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait.
Deployment of the Rapid Sentry system in Kuwait to intercept long-range drone attacks.
Considering the type of accumulation, what this development implies suggests a complete operation, with several factors to take into account.
1. Transition from “Deterrence” to “Total Offensive”
Unlike previous crises where the deployment aimed to make Iran “think twice,” the presence of F-22 Raptor fighter jets in Israel and the attacks already launched under Operation Epic Fury (February 28) indicate that the objective is the complete suppression of Iranian air sovereignty . Two aircraft carriers and hundreds of fifth-generation aircraft are not deployed merely for surveillance; they are deployed to saturate and destroy air defenses (S-300/S-400) in the opening hours of a conflict.
2. Preparation for a Ground Incursion (Selective Invasion)
The mobilization of the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions , along with Marine units, suggests a plan for ground incursions at key points .
Likely targets: Kharg Island (vital oil terminal) and the shores of the Strait of Hormuz .
Strategy: The goal is not necessarily to occupy all of Tehran, but to take control of the points of economic strangulation and the ballistic missile launch sites in order to force a surrender or the collapse of the system.
3. Taking advantage of the “Power Vacuum” in Iran
Intelligence suggests the US is exploiting internal instability following the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei (reported on February 28, 2026). The troop buildup aims to:
Supporting internal insurgencies: Providing a military umbrella for the protests that have shaken the country since 2025.
Preventing succession: Preventing the Revolutionary Guard (RGG) from consolidating a new strong leadership.
4. Absolute Control of Crude Oil Prices
By securing the Strait of Hormuz with an armada of destroyers and aircraft carriers, the US seeks to dictate the flow of global energy. The massive naval presence is intended to neutralize Iran’s only real strategy: closing the strait and mining international waters.
5. Warning to Third Parties (Russia and China)
This deployment also functions as a strategic blockade . By saturating the region, Washington sends a clear message to Moscow and Beijing: any attempt to intervene to save the Iranian government will face a wall of American fire already in place.
Before beginning the final phase, they carried out an internal restructuring with several “resignations” of important high-ranking military officials , including the Army Chief of Staff, General Randy George. And not just at the last minute; Hegseth has been reorganizing the military leadership since he took office as Secretary of Defense.
The request for another $200 billion from Congress to fund Iran’s campaign suggests something more than strategic bombings.
If we consider the massive military deployment, the resignation of high-ranking officers, and the need for significantly more funding, along with the threats made and the military actions that began on February 28, we can conclude that a huge operation is being prepared, which may include a ground attack, in addition to the destruction of Iran’s main infrastructure, including its energy sector. The plan from the outset appears to have been to annihilate Iran or achieve regime change .
“ Trump’s hesitation in trying to articulate the objectives of the war in Iran is pure acting, a blindfold to hide his true and unwavering objective: simply the annihilation of Iran as a functioning state, the infliction of the greatest possible number of deaths and damage to infrastructure, the reduction of Iran to the condition of Libya.
It is clear that the United States’ takeover of Iranian hydrocarbons is the ultimate goal of this destruction, just as in Libya and Iraq. But a crucial and related objective is the elimination of the only physical resistance to Israeli expansion. Iran and its allies in Yemen and Lebanon have been the Palestinians’ only support for years .
Where this “total war” might lead, if it starts, is unknown, but it is clearly very dangerous not only for the conflict zone but also for the rest of the world. Of course, an attack of this kind would cause irreversible damage and cross the infamous point of no return.
Tomorrow is April 6th, we’ll see what happens in the end…
Flipper, that was a revealing look at the preparations and overall “strategic objective”, if one may call it that in the context of reason. Symbolically, just leaving for Easter service at the place of worship. Will listen to the Easter message by the Minster.
Too bad the”No Kings” day rally was not today with 50 to 70 million marching in streets for no war. But that is wishful thinking on my part. The “fog of war” is upon us, may we weap for those innocent victims that will perish for our folly and self centered madness
The irony is extra thick. A day 2.6 billion Christians celebrate the resurrection of the Prince of Peace (hope I got that right) as the evil empire prepares for even greater violence and horror. I hope the service buoys up your soul a bit, VPK, at this terrible time.
I forget who it was but someone commenting here turned me onto No1 on Substack. He has a daily digest that summarizes things pretty well for those who don’t want to spend hours a day trying to understand what’s happening. It’s not the be all and end all of course.
https://open.substack.com/pub/no1sdailydigest/p/daily-digest-2026-04-05
He also has a Gold and Geopolitics substack. He is quite a wordsmith and master of sarcasm. I think his posts there become freely available a day after he posts them for his paying subscribers.
Speaking of gold, Bob Shaw, I hope your closing and subsequent move is going well! Let us know when you can.
And thank you, Flippr, for posting Quark.
Thank you Cassandra…seems millions are protesting, just not here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qkket0hApvU
I’m sure you’ve all read Trump’s latest Truth Social post by now:
“Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!! Open the Fuckin’ Strait, you crazy bastards, or you’ll be living in Hell – JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah. President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
Not, er, very statesmanlike.
The World is a Corporation” (Network, 1976)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RujOFCHsxo
202,641 views May 20, 2024
Network – I’m Mad As Hell: Howard Beale (Peter Finch) is mad as hell and wants the world to know.
Fitting for us here and now