Things are Heating up in Saudi Arabia

"Regime Change" in Saudi Arabia since the quiet coup-de-tat.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5108651/American-mercenaries-torturing-Saudi-princes.html

The Quiet Coup in Saudi Arabia and the True Effect Fracking has had on the Kingdoms Economy

The quiet coup that is happening in the Kingdom has gotten almost no airplay on any of the major News Outlets including FOX. Mohammed bin Salmin, originally 3rd in line to the throne is to become the defacto ruler in a few weeks. The current King will remain as figurehead while the true power goes to MBS (as Mohammed is referred to).

Last week over 200 royal family members. ministers, military officers and prominent businessmen
were arrested on charges of corruption. All part of the movement for MBS to consolidate power. Now the intrigues of Middle Eastern Politics notwithstanding, there are numerous factors at play here.

Prominent is the issue of the rise of Natural Gas Fracking around the world. Last year the Kingdom recorded a 79 billion dollar deficit. Not enough to cripple them, but enough to make them realize just how badly they've been hurt the Natural Gas boom. In any event the Kingdom's soon to be new ruler is willing to forgive and forget if the 200 "detainees" agree to hand over 70% of their assets back to the kingdom's coffers. This is estimated to be at least 100 billion dollars, and is expected to be far more in actuality.

Add into the mix that Israeli and Saudi security forces have agreed to share intelligence on Iranian activities is another sign that the times are a changing in the potluck stew that is the Middle East.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/nov/16/saudi-offer-in-corruption-crackdown-cough-up-the-cash-and-go-home


AND ON THE SUBJECT OF STRANGE BEDFELLOWS

Israel and The Kingdom to share intelligence, with most people thinking it pertains to their mutual distrust of of Iran.

Oh yeah, interesting times indeed.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-israel-iran/israeli-army-chief-says-ready-to-share-information-with-saudi-arabia-idUSKBN1DG29N?il=0

John Robb & The Global Guerillas Blog

John Robb is a retired USAF Lt. Col. who runs a blog called Global Guerillas. I've mentioned him and his Blog before and if you guys haven't checked it out yet, you should. There is a direct link to his Blog at the right side of this page. A lot of the content deals with how economic, technological, social and media changes and pressures are impacting all aspects of modern warfare, guerilla activity and old political/economic alliances.

In light of the level and tactics of terrorist activity in the world today, US, UK, Europe, Africa, etc., I'm providing a link to an article that he wrote that I think is worth reading. And just in case you don't notice when you read it, it was published in 2007.

A full decade ago.

https://www.city-journal.org/html/coming-urban-terror-13026.html

So not only is Big Brother Watching, But The Chinese as Well

As I stated in my other post -- http://wwwblackthorn.blogspot.com/2017/08/this-is-what-happens-when-you-outsource.html -- on outsourcing where the US Military buys their equipment, what are their procurement people doing?

Again, welcome to the 21st century, just check your brains at the door.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/surveillance-cameras-made-by-china-are-hanging-all-over-the-u-s-1510513949

Apparently Edward Snowden Has now been demoted to Amateur Status

This is absolutely unbelievable. Where the fuck is this going to end?

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/12/us/nsa-shadow-brokers.html

The Historical Pre WW2 Photo that Volkswagen Hopes NEVER goes Viral

Talk about a Public Relations nightmare!!

Ever Wonder how Facebook Really Works?

Here's an interview with Facebooks founding president, Sean Parker;

https://www.axios.com/sean-parker-unloads-on-facebook-2508036343.html

October 8, 2017 Misc. Stick & Unarmed Self Defense Training

Hooked up with my friend and Instructor Ralph and a few other guys today out in Queens. Best training session I've had in a while. We covered;

Basic 2 handed long stick strikes
Drilled with opponents
Used 2 handed stick work against an opponent closing with boxing type strikes
Worked with both baton length and cane length sticks
Some basic unarmed strikes, chokes, eye gouges, and bear hug & headlock escapes

I'm feeling it in my legs today. They're stiff and feel worn out. Ralph sets a good pace but knows when to call breaks. When we put on the headgear and gloves for the stick vs boxer drill I was a little concerned about my stamina/wind. I held up better than I thought, but it's apparent that being over 60 is not to be brushed off. I was glad I'd been doing some interval drills the last couple of months.

I have to say though that it (stick vs boxer) was my favorite drill of the day.

This drill was essentially force on force for 20 to 30 seconds at a time. This goes back to what I have said in reference to a small knife class I went to about a year and a half ago run by Chris Fry from MDTS training.

I had tried some different interval work for a while after that class, but had gotten away from it. As I said above I had started up again and now I'm glad I did. Nothing like actually trying to either chase down or get away from an opponent while either attacking or defending to work your footwork, balance, speed, and cardio/stamina. BOBs and heavy bags are great to hit, but they don't move around or try to hit back.

As for the drill, nothing complicated. The stick guy has a stick (PVC pipe core with closed cell foam wrapping with a nylon casing over it), protective gear not needed. The attacker wears a padded helmet with face-guard, and a pair of Lacrosse gloves. The attacker comes in throwing conventional punches while the stick guy delivers two handed strikes (think Kendo grip) to the head, hands, and legs until Ralph calls a stop. As I said, generally about 20 to 30 seconds. The idea is to keep the attacker off of you using stick strikes and footwork.

Ralph described the drill as;

“The drills are live drills. The boxer will eventually get you because he has a helmet on and lacrosse gloves and can take a pounding to get in. However the test is for the stickfighter to see how many damaging shots he can deliver before the boxer gets in. If there were no helms/gloves and the stick wielder was using a wooden cane, the boxer would be busted up after 1-3 good hits. The drill tests your footwork, stamina, and the ability to get in multiple hits.”

A good time was had by all.

Ever Wonder How The USA got so Screwed Up?

Here ya' go....
(Don't forget to click on the picture to get all the dialog)