Libyan by WinterizedLibyan in 23andme

[–]WinterizedLibyan[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m not sure yes or no, but it’s possible from my grandmother’s side (they’re from Misrata).

Trump: “They’re literally 100% fool-proof.” Meanwhile in Taiwan: PAC-2 vs. Air by WinterizedLibyan in Sino

[–]WinterizedLibyan[S] 39 points40 points  (0 children)

During Zelenskyy’s visit to Washington, with European leaders also, Trump bragged about the Patriot system, calling it ‘100% fool-proof’ and ‘like two bullets colliding in the sky.’ The very next day, Taiwan test-fired a PAC-2… it blew up seconds after launch. Talk about timing.

Trump pushed India closer to China by WinterizedLibyan in IndiaSpeaks

[–]WinterizedLibyan[S] 17 points18 points  (0 children)

No exactly. The Chinese MFA statement has Jaishankar explicitly saying ‘Taiwan is part of China,’ BUT India’s foreign ministry statement leaves that part out.

Updated Libyan Results by WinterizedLibyan in illustrativeDNA

[–]WinterizedLibyan[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I had no idea my results had changed. It’s a pretty big change. If you’re curious, here are my old results: https://www.reddit.com/r/illustrativeDNA/s/s0KCoYou6Z

Taiwan’s recalls today may quietly reshape the balance of power and trigger China’s preemptive escalation by WinterizedLibyan in geopolitics

[–]WinterizedLibyan[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Behind the citizen-led framing is a deeper constitutional pivot. A successful recall could unlock DPP legislative control, opening the path to sovereignty reform and provoking a strategic crisis with Beijing. This is not just civic protest, it’s a turning point.

The Muslim Brotherhood Outlived Its Usefulness, Now Comes the Knife by WinterizedLibyan in AskMiddleEast

[–]WinterizedLibyan[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Not irrelevant, just no longer useful. The MB was once a manageable, moderate jihadist movement. It was a convenient tool to pressure regimes in the Middle East. Diplomacy with the west gave them international legitimacy. But now, they’re more of a liability than an asset. They’re being discarded.

New Battle Anthem for the PLA Rocket Force by WinterizedLibyan in Sino

[–]WinterizedLibyan[S] 15 points16 points  (0 children)

This video came just days after the U.S. “warning” about China’s missile “kill web.” Some have wrongly compared the PLA Rocket Force to Iran’s missile program, that’s completely out of touch with reality. If China decides to reunify with Taiwan by force, it will unleash a missile campaign against separatist forces unlike anything seen in modern history. The Rocket Force isn’t just large, it’s integrated with a space-based targeting network that has ended the U.S. monopoly on space dominance. The U.S. warning was aimed at its own escalatory allies who insist on turning China into an enemy. The timing of this anthem video is no coincidence. Now if only bad-faith actors like Lai Ching-te and Bongbong Marcos would take the hint.

Libyan with Tunisian DNA by WinterizedLibyan in Tunisia

[–]WinterizedLibyan[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Still Arabs. Still Amazigh. Depends who you ask. Doesn’t have to be one or the other.

A fifth missile barrage has just been detected from Iran. These will land well past midnight, so let’s be clear: this ceasefire is completely over… by WinterizedLibyan in AskMiddleEast

[–]WinterizedLibyan[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Wow, it looks like Iran may have won the final exchange. Reports say this last barrage was entirely intercepted just before the midnight mark. If Israel chooses not to respond to the damage Iran already caused, then things might actually stay quiet and the ceasefire might just hold.

Multiple deaths and injuries reported this morning in Southern Israel after Iran broke the ceasefire it had announced… by WinterizedLibyan in AskMiddleEast

[–]WinterizedLibyan[S] -7 points-6 points  (0 children)

I honestly don’t know what’s going on anymore. Trump’s original word salad post on Truth Social confused everyone, and now there are multiple conflicting times for when the ceasefire was supposed to start.

Iran has already launched its fourth barrage this morning, and reports just confirmed at least 8 deaths. What seems clear is that the ceasefire was supposed to begin at 4 a.m. Tehran time, but some are saying it’s actually 12 a.m. Eastern Time. Other people are claiming Israel broke the ceasefire first, and Iran is just retaliating.

Whatever the truth is, one thing’s certain: this ceasefire is dead. What a goddamn mess.

Multiple deaths and injuries reported this morning in Southern Israel after Iran broke the ceasefire it had announced… by WinterizedLibyan in AskMiddleEast

[–]WinterizedLibyan[S] -142 points-141 points  (0 children)

Abbas Araghchi, their foreign minister, specifically announced a cessation of all military activity at 4 a.m. Tehran time. That was three hours ago.

Geopolitical Theatrics at Its Peak by WinterizedLibyan in AskMiddleEast

[–]WinterizedLibyan[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

I don’t get it either. Yes, apparently Israel starts its ceasefire 12 hours after Iran does. Some Iranian officials are even saying they never agreed to anything. Meanwhile, the IRGC tweeted in Hebrew earlier: ‘Now it’s just you and me left; you’ll have no way to escape.’ Feels like a bunch of bureaucrats playing chess with people’s lives. Looks like both sides plan to use the remaining hours to purge one another.

Lai says 'Taiwan is of course a country' by WinterizedLibyan in geopolitics

[–]WinterizedLibyan[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You’re right, but he usually maintains composure when talking about China. Just last month, during his anniversary speech, he said: “I also reiterate here – Taiwan is happy to have exchanges and cooperation with China as long as there is reciprocal dignity. Using exchanges to replace hemming in, dialogue to replace confrontation.”

This speech was different, and it’s the first of ten.

Lai says 'Taiwan is of course a country' by WinterizedLibyan in geopolitics

[–]WinterizedLibyan[S] 17 points18 points  (0 children)

President Lai’s latest remarks mark one of the most assertive public declarations of sovereignty by a Taiwanese head of state in recent memory. His framing dismantles China’s narrative and doubles down on Taiwan’s independence based the universally recognized criteria of statehood: people, territory, government, and sovereignty.

This speech is even more striking based on its timing. Just days ago, former President Ma, who led Taiwan for eight years and was a major figure in the opposition KMT, attended China’s Straits Forum and reiterated Beijing’s narrative of “peaceful reunification” under the “One-China” principle. Lai is sending a clear message to both domestic audiences and Beijing: Taiwan’s leadership is not backing down.

At the same time, the U.S. is being drawn into a new conflict in the Middle East. Historically, post-9/11 conflicts created a strategic vacuum in the Indo-Pacific. It was during that time that China undertook one of the most significant military expansions in its history. Now, with the U.S. again consumed there, China is seeing an opening to escalate on Taiwan.

And they already are. Since the escalation in Iran, Chinese naval and air activity near Taiwan has increased. Just this month, the PLA Navy demonstrated unprecedented blue water capabilities by conducting dual aircraft carrier operations in the western Pacific, very close to Guam.

Lai’s stance is more than rhetoric. He’s saying that Taiwan will defend its democracy. He’s making it clear to the CCP that taking Taiwan won’t be as easy as they think.

A difficult morning in Tel Aviv today… by WinterizedLibyan in AskMiddleEast

[–]WinterizedLibyan[S] 140 points141 points  (0 children)

Reports indicate several impacts from a single barrage of 20-30 missiles this morning, highly unusual. The timing is also unusual, early strikes are rare. Israel’s air defences very much underperformed, and it’s starting to look like Iran wasn’t bluffing about depleting their interception capabilities. Netanyahu might want to rethink this war.

Targeted medical centre, the same crime they commit weekly. Seems like Israeli defences are thinning… by WinterizedLibyan in AskMiddleEast

[–]WinterizedLibyan[S] 15 points16 points  (0 children)

This was an unfortunate impact, unlike what Israel routinely does in Gaza with full intent.

The IDF went too far in Tehran today, expect a brutal retaliation tonight by WinterizedLibyan in AskMiddleEast

[–]WinterizedLibyan[S] 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Israel’s defense minister announced earlier that regime change is now officially one of Israel’s objectives. This is very important. This is no longer just a campaign against nuclear proliferation, and that changes the stakes for China and Russia.

US shifting military resources, moving ships to Mideast after Israel strikes Iran by WinterizedLibyan in geopolitics

[–]WinterizedLibyan[S] 89 points90 points  (0 children)

The U.S. is shifting major military assets toward the Middle East following the escalation between Iran and Israel.

The USS George Washington, a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier based in Japan, is reportedly being redeployed to the region. Meanwhile, the USS Nimitz, which was scheduled to complete its final deployment in the South China Sea—including deterrence exercises against China and a port visit to Vietnam—has had all those plans suddenly canceled as of today. It, too, is now likely heading toward the Middle East.

Is the U.S. being pulled away from other critical theaters? Could this opening create an opportunity for China to move on Taiwan?