Originally published at: Taiwan’s Defense Woes; Arizona’s ‘Death Camps’ Alarm – Peak Prosperity
Geopolitics
In Taiwan, the new TV drama “Zero Day” has sparked discussions about the island’s preparedness against potential Chinese aggression. President Lai Ching-te, who assumed office in May, is tasked with enhancing Taiwan’s defenses amid Beijing’s frequent military probes. Taiwan has extended mandatory military service and revamped reservist training, but progress has been hampered by a lack of equipment and instructors. Defense Minister Wellington Koo acknowledged the need for rapid improvements, aiming to create a professional backup force to support 155,000 active-duty soldiers. Despite public support for lengthening mandatory service, only 6% of eligible conscripts participated in the new 12-month program this year, with many deferring service for university. Concerns about the effectiveness of current training programs persist, with many reservists reporting inadequate instruction. The U.S., while legally required to help Taiwan strengthen its defenses, maintains a policy of “strategic ambiguity” regarding direct intervention. As tensions with China rise, Taiwan’s military readiness remains a critical issue.
Politics
In Arizona, former Governor Doug Ducey was granted authority to establish medical martial law, allowing the creation and management of camps for handling deadly pathogens. These measures permit the governor to mandate medical examinations, ration medicines and vaccines, and transport ill or exposed individuals. Critics argue that these camps, referred to as “death camps,” lack legitimate medical oversight and could be used for political persecution. Arizona’s statutes allow the governor to isolate and quarantine individuals based on suspected exposure to diseases without initially requiring a court order, raising concerns about potential abuses of power. The statutes also grant immunity to those enforcing these measures, leading to fears of significant civil liberties violations.
A significant revelation about the ATF’s gun registry was supposedly inadvertently confirmed by CNN. In its quest for information about a shooter at a Trump rally, CNN revealed that the ATF identified the shooter within 30 minutes using a gun’s serial number. This quick identification suggests the existence of a searchable gun database, contradicting the ATF’s claims of not having such a registry. Gun Owners of America and Representative Clyde highlighted that the ATF has a digital, searchable database of one billion records, which they argue is illegal. Despite ATF Director Steve Dettelbach’s statements that records are manually searched, the rapid identification process raises questions about the ATF’s actual capabilities. This inconsistency suggests that the ATF might be misleading the public about its database capabilities.
Economy
The financialization of markets and the collapse of the debt market have significant implications for gold and silver. Analysts predict a rapid decline in the debt market, likening it to a snapped cable elevator, which could drive investments into gold and silver. The U.S. economy, described by some analysts as being in a debt-based collapse, has seen the end of a 40-year bull market in financial assets. The unsustainable nature of the U.S. government’s debt issuance, creating a trillion dollars in new debt every 100 days, exacerbates the situation. International buyers are reportedly losing faith in U.S. debt, potentially leading to a lack of buyers and a forced increase in interest rates. In contrast, Japan has managed its debt by keeping interest rates low and allowing its currency to devalue. The implications for gold and silver are significant, with these metals expected to benefit from the collapse of the debt market. Analysts advocate for holding physical assets like gold and silver to navigate the coming financial turmoil.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics has confirmed an unemployment recession, with the unemployment rate rising to 4.3% and the underemployment rate (U6) increasing to 7.8%. Economic indicators have been weak since last September, leading to discussions about a potential soft landing, which now seems unlikely. Jobless claims have surged, and labor market indicators point to a worsening situation, potentially leading to a GDP recession. Consumers, burdened by debt and rising expenses, are in a precarious position as their savings dwindle. The July payroll report showed only 114,000 new jobs, far below expectations, causing market reactions. The Federal Reserve, led by Jerome Powell, may eventually resort to rate cuts to address the recession. However, historical data suggests that rate cuts alone are insufficient to reverse a recession. As the recession deepens, the focus will shift to its severity, with rising delinquency rates and strained household balance sheets indicating a bleak economic outlook.
Sources
Taiwan’s “Zero Day” Drama Highlights Real-Life Military Readiness Concerns Amid Rising China Threat
Taiwan’s government has been trying to improve its defenses by extending mandatory military service and revamping ongoing training for reservists as part of a broader shift in defense strategy designed to make Xi think twice before taking a gamble on use of force.
Source | Submitted by Mysterymet
Arizona’s Medical Martial Law: Concentration Camps and Controversy
Arizona granted former governor, Doug Ducey, the authority to create, operate and maintain concentration camps.
Source | Submitted by irenelekkas
The Debt Market Collapse: A Snapped Cable Elevator Ride for the Global Economy
Well, with the financialization of everything and the debt market collapsing, it took 40 years to get to that apex point of super low rates and that hypervaluation.
Source | Submitted by rhollenb
ATF’s Alleged Gun Registry Exposed: CNN Report Sparks Controversy
We just proved that the ATF absolutely has a gun database, absolutely has a gun registry, and the best part is CNN proved it.
Source | Submitted by Friedrichs_teeth
Unemployment Recession Confirmed: U.S. Economy Faces Full-Blown Downturn
The unemployment rate jumped by another two-tenths of a percent to 4.3%, strongly implying the US economy has indeed finally met its point of full-blown recession.
Source | Submitted by rhollenb