⚓️ 🇺🇸 🇮🇱 And just like that, the United States gets stretched even thinner and Western forces have now been drawn into direct combat on Israel's behalf. | Armchair Warlord

🔶️ This fleet tracker is from the 11th, before the Eisenhower transited back out of the Persian Gulf and started heading for the Red Sea. You notice that with a powerful CSG-ARG task force tied up dealing with the Houthis and another carrier monitoring things off Israel, we have absolutely nothing to even threaten Iran with short of having the Carl Vinson strike group steam over from WESTPAC where it's keeping an eye on Taiwan?

🔶️ I'm sure the Chinese will be absolutely thrilled to see us blowing our limited stock of SM-2 missiles on Iranian moped-drones and our limited stock of Tomahawks on random buildings in Yemen, by the way.

📎 Armchair Warlord

⚓️ 🇺🇸 🌍 Three US destroyers entered Mediterranean Sea via Strait of Gibraltar recently.

⬛️USS Laboon (DDG-58): Dec. 11
⬛️USS Delbert D. Black (DDG-119): Dec. 14
⬛️USS The Sullivans (DDG-68): Dec. 17

🔶️ US officials would not comment on if they are heading to Red Sea.

https://www.politico.com/news/2023/12/16/houthi-attacks-red-sea-u-s-warships-00132146

📎 Ryan Chan 陳家翹

Venezuelan Armed Forces are prepared for any scenario in dispute with Guyana

The Minister of Defense of Venezuela, Vladimir Padrino, reiterated this Sunday that the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB) is "prepared" for "any scenario" in the midst of the dispute with Guyana over the Essequibo, after both countries met on Thursday and agree not to threaten each other or use force.

«It was possible to return to the path of dialogue to resolve the conflict over the Essequibo territory. "This (...) does not mean at all a minimal renunciation of our claim, of our non-recognition of the International Court of Justice in this matter and much less does it mean that the Bolivarian National Armed Force is not prepared for any scenario," Padrino said.

🇮🇶 — Results in some areas of Nineveh province are as follows:

In early special votes, KDP: 15,624; PUK: 3,236.

In Gwer, KDP: 1,469; PUK: 206.

At some Makhmour stations, KDP: 2,101; PUK: 915.

In Qaraj, KDP: 2,100; PUK: 280.

🇮🇶 — Unofficial results from the predominantly Turkmen polling station in Bağlar in Kirkuk:

Turkmen Front: 537 votes
PUK: 381 votes
KDP: 99 votes

🇮🇶 — The Kirkuk Provincial Council comprises of 15 seats.

Based on unofficial results, the PUK appears poised to win 5 to 6 seats; KDP: 1 to 2 seats; and New Generation: 1 seat.

Note the Iranian ties held by the head of the PUK, Bafel Talabani, since the PUK's fifth congress.

🇮🇶 — The KDP has garnered over 70% of the Yezidi votes in IDP camps and also leads in three published polling stations within Sinjar.

The KDP is currently competing with 'Ninawa li-Ahliha,' an Arab list led by the recently resigned Mosul governor, Najem al-Jibori, for the top vote in the province.