[Breitbart] Approximately 34.3 tons of fentanyl that made it to the United States via the southern border have been seized since President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris took office — enough to kill more than all the people on Earth.
The Republican National Committee (RNC) released the shocking statistics on Thursday, using data from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
CBP, which began tracking seizures of all kinds of drugs in FY 2021, said they seized about 37.4 tons of fentanyl in total within the last four fiscal years — “enough to kill roughly 15.6 billion people,” according to the RNC’s figures.
The deadly synthetic opioid is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. Just just two milligrams of it — similar to 10 grains of table salt — is considered a lethal dose by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.
The amount of fentanyl seized across the United States in September alone was the equivalent of roughly 491 million lethal doses, the RNC said.
One person dies of a fentanyl overdose in the United States every seven minutes on average, the Washington Post reported.
The number of Americans killed by the drug has jumped 94 percent since 2019, according to the publication.
According to the Biden-Harris administration’s own DEA administrator, Anne Milgram, cartels are “killing Americans with fentanyl at catastrophic and record rates like we’ve never seen before”:
See also here for an extensive round-up of the Iran side of the exercise, and note here that Iraq closed their airspace and here for the Daily Mail’s extensive report from the Israeli side. Go Team!
[X]
The Mystery of today’s Tanker Activity over the Mediterranean has been Solved, with U.S. Central Command announcing the arrival of F-16CJs with the 480th Fighter Squadron from Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany to Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia. F-16CJs and the 480th… pic.twitter.com/jDtcNGfrZJ— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) October 25, 2024
From another tweet
💥 Ah, the pieces are coming together now. The tanker activity over the Mediterranean was all about getting these F-16CJs from the 480th Fighter Squadron safely into position at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia. And these aren’t just any F-16s—these are SEAD specialists, tasked with the Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses. When the 480th shows up, it means the U.S. is gearing up to neutralize potential anti-air threats, clearing the skies for further operations if necessary.
🌌 This deployment is a clear message to Iran and its regional allies. With tensions skyrocketing, the arrival of SEAD-capable aircraft tells everyone that the U.S. isn’t merely monitoring the situation; it’s prepared to act decisively to protect American and allied interests. By placing these jets in Saudi Arabia, the U.S. is strategically positioning its forces to respond to threats across the region, from the Persian Gulf to Syria to Israel’s northern border. The 480th’s F-16CJs will be ready to dismantle surface-to-air missile systems, radar installations, and other defensive assets if hostilities break out.
🚨 And let’s be clear: this move is as much about deterrence as it is about preparation. SEAD operations are among the first steps in any air campaign, signaling that the U.S. is ready to create an environment where its aircraft can operate freely. Iran and its proxies have significant air-defense capabilities, and the arrival of SEAD specialists suggests the U.S. is prepared to neutralize those defenses if red lines are crossed.
So, what’s the takeaway? With these F-16CJs now in place, the U.S. has upped the ante. This is a powerful show of force that should make any adversaries think twice about escalating. The skies over the Middle East just got a lot more complicated—and a lot more dangerous for anyone who might challenge U.S. or allied aircraft.
Posted by: 3dc ||
10/26/2024 00:00 ||
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#1
Sooo…let me get this straight, when the Iranians find out about this maneuver, will they call off their joint Gulf of Oman patrols with said…Saudi Arabia?
Photos, videos, tweets, a map — click on the headline to see all that the Daily Mail does so well. See also here for an extensive round-up of the Iran side of the exercise, and note here that Iraq closed their airspace and here that America sent the 480th fighter squadron to Saudi Arabia — it seems they specialize in enemy air defence suppression, which is interesting. Go Team!
[MAIL] Israel launched a series of retaliatory strikes on Iran early on Saturday morning, while blasts also reportedly hit Syria and Iraq.
IDF forces announced on social media it was conducting 'precise strikes' on military targets in Tehran in response to what it called 'the continuous attacks from the regime in Iran against Israel.'
Several hours later, the Israeli military announced that it has completed its strikes on the Iranian capital, saying: 'Our planes have safely returned home. The retaliatory strike has been completed and the mission was fulfilled.'
The strikes hit roughly 20 sites over the course of the night, according to the New York Times.
It came in retaliation for Iran's attack on October 1, in which around 200 ballistic missiles were fired at Israel - in Iran's second direct attack on Israel in six months.
Hot Air has more about the targets here, with multiple updates.
Posted by: Besoeker ||
10/26/2024 00:00 ||
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[11135 views]
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[ENGLISH.ALMANAR.LB] The Israeli occupation forces stormed the Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gazoo
...Hellhole adjunct to Israel and Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, inhabited by Gazooks. The place was acquired in the wake of the 1967 War and then presented to Paleostinian control in 2006 by Ariel Sharon, who had entered his dotage. It is currently ruled with a rusty iron fist by Hamas with about the living conditions you'd expect. It periodically attacks the Hated Zionist Entity whenever Iran needs a ruckus created or the hard boyz get bored, getting thumped by the IDF in return. The ruling turbans then wave the bloody shirt and holler loudly about oppression and disproportionate response... on Friday morning. According to the Ministry of Health, the forces detained hundreds of patients, medical staff, and displaced civilians who had sought refuge in the hospital to escape the relentless shelling.
Hush, children. Daddy is busy working — he’ll play with you little brats later.
[ENGLISH.ALMANAR.LB] The Islamic Resistance® in Iraq has announced responsibility for a series of dronezaps against Israeli targets in the occupied territories. In a statement, the group said it had conducted three separate drone attacks by dawn on Wednesday.
The first strike hit a vital target in the occupied Golan Heights, while two additional drone attacks were carried out on sites in the Israeli-occupied city of Eilat, known to Paleostinians as Umm al-Rashrash.
Later, the Resistance® announced that its fighters had launched a drone assault on a key target in the center of occupied Paleostine, as well as another attack on the occupied Syrian Golan Heights.
Posted by: Fred ||
10/26/2024 00:00 ||
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[11127 views]
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Whew! So many submissions on this story, and some duplicates. I recommend taking your time to open the links at the bottom to see what updates each has added, and then review our comments to see what more our commenters have brought back to the Burg to share. :-) See also here for the Israeli side of things, now that the exercise is complete, and note here that Iraq closed their airspace and here that America sent the 480th fighter squadron to Saudi Arabia — it seems they specialize in enemy air defence suppression, which is interesting. Go Team!
[ZeroHedge] Israeli Forces Attack Iran With "Precise Strikes On Military Targets" In Retaliatory Response
Israel attacked Iran early Saturday morning local time with what it's referred to as "precise strikes on Iranian military targets," weeks after the Islamic Republic fired around 180 ballistic missiles towards Israel on Oct. 1. Blasts were reported near the headquarters of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.
In a rare announcement, the Israeli military said its strikes are underway, and that their "offensive and defensive capabilities are fully mobilized," while the WSJ reports that Israel gave the US advance notice.
"We were aware in advance," said a US official.
The Israel Defense Force has confirmed the start of Offensive Operations against Iran. pic.twitter.com/g5vtzRtVM9
According to unconfirmed reports, several explosions have been heard in Tehran. According to journalist Reza Rashidpour, five large explosions were heard in the city within around 10 seconds, while Iranian Air Force jets have taken off in the western part of the country, the NY Times reports.
Huge explosions in Tehran! pic.twitter.com/sMQoPdB7JI
— Israel News Pulse (@israelnewspulse) October 25, 2024
According to the Times:
Residents of Tehran reported hearing multiple explosions in and around the Iranian capital, and Iranian state media sites said the explosions were near or at Imam Khomeini international airport.
Maryam Naraghi, an Iranian journalist, said she heard large explosions in the eastern part of Tehran, where she lives. “It was the sound of bombs and explosions,” she said. “It was very close to where I am in the eastern part of the city.” The area includes military bases and the secretive military site Parchin.
Another Iranian journalist, Reza Rashidpour, said five massive explosions were heard in Tehran within about 10 seconds. He said Iranian air force jets had taken off in the western part of the country.
Iranians have also reported hearing explosions in Isfahan, Mashhad, and Kurdistan province, while two senior Arab officials told NBC News that the initial strike on Tehran targeted barracks and a weapons depot.
Tehran has threatened to target Gulf states and other US allies if their territories or airspace are used to attack Iran - while Israel assured the US that it wouldn't strike Iran's oil or nuclear facilities.
As Axios reports, US and Israeli officials believe Iran will respond military - but hope it will be 'constrained' in order to put an end to the tit-for-tat (ok).
Driving the news: The U.S. military boosted its forces in the region in the last few weeks ahead of Israel's possible attack on Iran.
U.S. officials said the goal was to deter Iran from responding and help Israel defend itself from another Iranian missile barrage.
President Biden and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin decided to deploy a THAAD missile defense system in Israel with a crew of U.S. military operators.
That means U.S. soldiers could actively engage in the fighting between Israel and Iran on Israeli soil.
On Friday, several hours before the Israeli strike, CENTCOM announced that U.S. Air Force F-16s from the 480th Fighter Squadron based at Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany had arrived in U.S. Central Command's area of responsibility.
Meanwhile, the FBI is investigating a leak of top secret US intelligence documents that revealed part of Israel's upcoming strike on Iran.
Israel struck several targets across Syria and Iraq as part of its wide-reaching response to Iran on Saturday.
In Syria, Israel struck military targets across the center and south of the country, Syrian media confirmed.
There were early reports of explosions outside Damascus, which the Syrian Military said was a result of Syrian air defense interceptions.
"Around 02:00, [Israel] carried out an air strike against several military sites in the southern and central region of Syria. The air defense confronted the missiles and shot down some of them. Tests of the results of the attacks are still ongoing."
The attack was reportedly an attempt to "blind" Iranian early warning radars.
EXPLOSIONS IN IRAQ
Explosions were reported in Basra, in southern Iraq, but soon after, Iraqi officials denied this, saying that they had actually occurred across the border in Iran.
Basra is a stronghold for Iraqi Shia, having been the site of numerous Shia uprisings during the Saddam Hussein era.
The Iraqi Transportation Ministry announced it was suspending all air traffic until further notice, following the reports of strikes.
Courtesy of GeoffroNagelo, Fox News has a long report with videos and photos:
Intense Air Defense Activity including Surface-to-Air Missiles and Anti-Aircraft Guns seen over Tehran, as Israeli Strikes against Iranian Military Targets continue. pic.twitter.com/weNWlKjL87
— The Mossad: Satirical and Awesome (@TheMossadIL) October 25, 2024
Both the Headquarters and a Barracks of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) have reportedly been Targeted by Israeli Strikes on the Iranian Capital of Tehran. pic.twitter.com/ZlFNZUQ3Ix
And more:
Over 100 Israeli Aircraft participated in tonight’s Series of Precision-Strikes against Military Targets inside Iran, including F-35 Stealth Strike Fighters, according to the Jerusalem Post. This would be the Largest Attack by Israel against Iran in History.
The Fars News Agency is reporting that Iranian Military Base to the West and Southwest of Tehran have been Targeted by Israeli Strikes, with Air Defenses claimed to have been Active attempting to Intercept the Attacks.
According to the Washington Post; tonight’s Israeli Precision-Strikes inside Iran are targeting Iranian Military Assets, mainly Missile Manufacturing Facilities and Air Defense Sites, with them expected to last several more hours
What is in Semnan Iran that is causing Israel to bomb it quite heavily? Okay I found the answer: Their Space Launch Center
IDF: The Chief of the General Staff, LTG Herzi Halevi, is currently commanding the strike on Iran from the Israeli Air Force underground command center in Camp Rabin (The Kirya) with the Commanding Officer of the Israeli Air Force, Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar.
Its been confirmed F35's used into the first WAVE, they have KC135's for refueling in the area. Jordan, has opened its airspace to Israel!
Possible first wave target list:
It appears like the first rounds of Israeli strikes in Iran are focusing on military targets in Tehran and around the country. This @FDD map marks some of the likely targets. We will know more in the coming hours. pic.twitter.com/f0wCutjZQs
U.S. and Israeli officials said that three waves of strikes took place. The first waves focused on Iranian air defense system and the second an third waves focused on missile and drone bases and productions sites
Tonight’s attack by Israel on Iran suggests the use of radar spoofing, as evidenced by the Iranian anti-aircraft guns (SPAAG) engaging with no visible targets in the air. The SPAAG's attempts to engage nonexistent threats indicate a potential manipulation of its radar systems, likely designed to create confusion and divert attention from actual incoming threats.
As of now, multiple Iranian military positions/bases have been struck by Israel as the attack continues.
several Strikes reported against Dezful Military Airport and a
nearby Surface-to-Air Missile Site
Smoke seen rising from an IRGC Air Defense Base near the Town of Khojir in the Tehran Province.
According to Israeli Defense Officials; tonight’s Strike Campaign against Military Targets inside Iran has now Ended, with over 20 Sites being Targeted in Three Waves carried out by the Israeli Air Force.
More from Fred after 1:00 a.m.ET:
[PUBLISH.TWITTER]
🚨 Breaking: Sky News Arabic reports that Israel 🇮🇱 successfully destroyed most of Iran's 🇮🇷 advanced Russian-made air defense systems
Iran says Israeli attacks thwarted, caused 'limited damage'
[GEO.TV] Iran said on Saturday its air defence system successfully countered Israel's attacks but that "limited damage" was caused to some locations. In a statement, the Iranian air defence said Israel attacked military targets in the provinces of Tehran, Khuzestan and Ilam.
Israeli military confirms Iran attack finished
[GEO.TV] The Israeli military has ''completed the Israeli response to Iran's attacks against Israel'', according to Israel's military spokesperson Daniel Hagari, reported Al Jazeera. He said that if Iran carries out retaliatory strikes, Israel will be ''obligated to respond''.
Posted by: Skidmark ||
10/26/2024 00:00 ||
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[11135 views]
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#3
I'm waiting to see how the "Iranian in the street" responds - more support for the mullahs because the country was attacked or an uprising because the mullahs led them into this.
[ENGLISH.ALMANAR.COM.LB] Hezbollah denounced on Friday the deliberate targeting of guesthouses used by media in the southern Lebanese town of Hasbaya, which led to martyrdom and injury of a number of journalists.
In a statement, Hezbollah's Media Relations Office said: ''This new crime is added to the Israeli enemy's horrific and terrorist record of targeting journalists and media outlets in Gazoo
...Hellhole adjunct to Israel and Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, inhabited by Gazooks. The place was acquired in the wake of the 1967 War and then presented to Paleostinian control in 2006 by Ariel Sharon, who had entered his dotage. It is currently ruled with a rusty iron fist by Hamas with about the living conditions you'd expect. It periodically attacks the Hated Zionist Entity whenever Iran needs a ruckus created or the hard boyz get bored, getting thumped by the IDF in return. The ruling turbans then wave the bloody shirt and holler loudly about oppression and disproportionate response... and Leb ...an Iranian satrapy until recently ruled by Hassan Nasrallah situated on the eastern Mediterranean, conveniently adjacent to Israel. Formerly inhabited by hardy Phoenecian traders, its official language is now Arabic, with the usual unpleasant side effects. The Leb civil war, between 1975 and 1990, lasted a little over 145 years and produced 120,000 fatalities. The average length of a ceasefire was measured in seconds. The Lebs maintain a precarious sectarian balance among Shiites, Sunnis, and about a dozen flavors of Christians, plus Armenians, Georgians, and who knows what else? It is the home of the original Hezbollah, which periodically starts a war with the Zionist Entity, gets Beirut pounded to rubble, and then declares victory and has a parade. The Lebs have the curious habit of periodically murdering their heads of state or prime ministers... .''
Hezbollah called on media unions and syndicates to condemn the Israeli crime and to work in a bid to final criminal complaints against the Zionist enemy.
''We are fully confident that this crime won't prevent free and honorable media outlets from covering the Israeli aggression and revealing truth of the heroic epics secured by the resistance fighters,'' the statement read.
Hezbollah, meanwhile, offered condolences to al-Manar Channel and al-Mayadeen Network over martyrdom of their staff members, wishing speedy recovery for those who were maimed.
Al-Manar cameraman Wissam Qassem as well as camera operator Ghassan Najjar and engineer Mohammed Reda of al-Mayadeen Network were martyred at dawn on Friday in Israeli attack on their guesthouses in Hasbaya.
Posted by: Fred ||
10/26/2024 00:00 ||
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A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
...an Iranian satrapy until recently ruled by Hassan Nasrallah situated on the eastern Mediterranean, conveniently adjacent to Israel. Formerly inhabited by hardy Phoenecian traders, its official language is now Arabic, with the usual unpleasant side effects. The Leb civil war, between 1975 and 1990, lasted a little over 145 years and produced 120,000 fatalities. The average length of a ceasefire was measured in seconds. The Lebs maintain a precarious sectarian balance among Shiites, Sunnis, and about a dozen flavors of Christians, plus Armenians, Georgians, and who knows what else? It is the home of the original Hezbollah, which periodically starts a war with the Zionist Entity, gets Beirut pounded to rubble, and then declares victory and has a parade. The Lebs have the curious habit of periodically murdering their heads of state or prime ministers...
