Good morning. Here’s your Daily Situational Awareness briefing for Friday, 06 August 2021. You can receive this daily intel brief by signing up at https://forwardobserver.com/daily-sa
TODAY’S BRIEFING:
- Situational Awareness
- Infrastructure bill gets weekend vote
- Troops expect vaccine mandate
- Long Beach Port instability
- Senator wants more special agents
- Natural gas price increases
Subscribers can also watch the full briefing starting at 10am Central here: https://forwardobserver.com/early-warning-show/
SITUATIONAL AWARENESS
INFRASTRUCTURE: The Senate has until Monday to hold a vote on their infrastructure bill. Majority Leader Schumer (D-NY) said his intent is to hold a vote over the weekend. While mostly political theater, this will send the bill formally to the House which is expected to mount fierce opposition to any bipartisan legislation. Far Left members of the House have stated they will use the reconciliation process to approve nearly $4.7 trillion in new spending. Despite everything being “paid for”, the Congressional Budget Office announced the Senate’s plan will increase the deficit by $256 billion, jeopardizing bipartisan support. (AC: These two bills are separate from annual funding requirements and Republicans are expected to be quickly sidelined in favor of party-line votes. These bills will likely be rushed through under the auspices of a looming government shutdown. – D.M.)
DELTA: Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is expected to announce mandatory vaccines for active-duty troops today. The move follows a White House order functionally requiring federal employees to get vaccinated or face significant work disruptions and social ostracization. While the experimental vaccine was never mandatory for troops, several reports of coercion, discrimination, and manipulation came out over the summer. An estimated 70% of active-duty forces are vaccinated already, often requiring it before overseas duty or training. (AC: The active-duty distinction is important, for now, as the Reserve and National Guard forces are sure to follow. While states may push back, the Defense Department is likely to simply withhold funding from noncompliant units. – D.M.)
LONG BEACH: The Port of Long Beach reports strong consumer demand is driving high cargo volumes. Mike Schuler of G-Captain said, “Imports last month grew 1.6% year-over-year to 382,940 TEUs, while exports decreased 20.7% to 109,951 TEUs. Empties moved out of Long Beach ballooned 22.8%, to 291,955 TEUs.” West coast U.S. ports are still recovering from the Yantian closure last month and more delays are expected as Vietnam and China grapple with outbreaks and factory closures. (AC: Typhoons in China are also disrupting shipping operations, with some bulk carriers requiring reinspection following rough seas and shifting cargo. Expect consumer product availability to be limited this fall and winter. – D.M.)
SHADOW WOLVES: The Department of Homeland Security Investigations’ (DHSi) tactical patrol units which work on tribal lands are often referred to as Shadow Wolves. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) reintroduced S-2541 which allowed the officers to gain special agent status through increased professional education. A notable provision would allow Shadow Wolves to operate outside tribal lands on “historically and culturally significant areas for Tribal communities”. (AC: Recent issues regarding tribal lands, jurisdiction and treaties in other states like Oklahoma means DHSi could patrol essentially the entire state. DHSi could find its jurisdiction waxing and waning from a territorial standpoint depending on the political party in power. More likely is the assessments will expand ad Infinitum as tribes push for restored cultural recognition. – D.M.)
NATURAL GAS: The price of natural gas is expected to increase throughout 2021 and the first half of 2022. The increases are due to expanded exports of liquid natural gas and increased consumer use. The Energy Information Agency said spot prices to average $3.07/MMBtu this year in its June Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO), an increase of $1.04 from the lows of 2020. As prices rise, utilities are expected to cut usage in favor of other energy blends which may stabilize costs in the second half of 2022. (AC: Many states using natural gas for utility-scale power are also dependent on hydroelectric dams which are bordering on closure due to drought. The strategy may work in the short term but as Mike explained on yesterday’s show, the U.S. is looking at extended periods of drought for years to come. – D.M.)
HAZARDS WARNING
HURRICANE SEASON: The area of low pressure near the Lesser Antilles remains disorganized and is not expected to consolidate over the weekend. The low pressure trough in the mid-Atlantic has a higher likelihood of turning into a depression next week as the system crosses a tropical wave and gains momentum.
In today’s Early Warning briefing, Max examines apparent impunity afforded to the Far Left by activist DAs and upcoming Far Left activity this weekend. Upgrade your Situational Awareness to Early Warning here: https://forwardobserver.com/subscribe