This Week in the World Affairs Brief

THE MINNESOTA REBELLION AGAINST ICE

There are five major issues that have led up to the current rebellion in Minnesota against the Trump administration: 1) Minnesota is a hard core Democrat-dominated state because of the heavy Left/liberal bias of its major metro areas (where Somali refugees and illegal aliens congregate). 2) the massive welfare fraud involving Somalis, which was partially facilitated by State officials looking the other way—forcing federal officials to concentrate enforcement resources in MN. 3) The actions of Minnesota leaders to create a sanctuary state for illegals, including hostile policies meant to impede deportation of illegals by ICE. 4) The mounting organizational effort by professional agitators, funded by far Left sponsors to create daily confrontational protests with ICE agents. And 5) the wearing of masks to conceal identities of ICE agents coupled with excessive police violence such as what led to the death of two protestors. Finally, the administration’s efforts to justify and excuse these unnecessary shooting deaths has only exacerbated the crisis and given further justification for violent protests. To receive a free one-time copy of the Brief, along with options on how to subscribe, click on Request a sample on the left.

Also:
  • Gearing Up for an Attack On Iran
  • The CFR’s Comments on Trump at Davos
  • Update on Russian and Chinese War Preparations

Daily News

Making Sense of “Silver Friday’s” Utterly Rigged Nonsense

Von Greyerz Gold

On Friday, January 30, 2026, the world learned (or rediscovered) just how grotesquely rigged the paper gold and silver markets truly are.... But was it really any “magical” coincidence that JP Morgan was able to exit its massive (and fatally stupid) short exposure at the absolute bottom/floor of the silver price on Friday? That is, at the perfect moment? Was it also any coincidence that the London Metals Exchange went completely dark on that very same day? And was it just an equal coincidence that HSBC, the second largest silver short holder on the LBMA, went completely offline as the choreographed Friday massacre in silver took place?

The Arrest Of Don Lemon: Journalists Cannot Also Be Activists

ZeroHedge

Just because someone declares they are a "journalist" does not mean they're protected from consequences if they commit a crime. Furthermore, the political left seems to believe that the 1st Amendment gives them the right to disrupt the free speech of others as long as they are protesting: This is a dangerous fallacy.

Democrat Wins Texas Special Election, Shrinking GOP’s Slim House Majority

The Epoch Times

Menefee, 37, the former Harris County attorney, won a runoff election against fellow Democrat Amanda Edwards, 44, a former Houston city council member. The two were seeking to replace late Rep. Sylvester Turner (D-Texas) in the state’s solidly Democratic 18th congressional district, which includes most of Houston’s inner city and the surrounding areas.

US, India to Slash Tariffs Under New Trade Deal, Trump Says

The Epoch Times

As part of the deal, the United States will cut its reciprocal tariff rate from 25 percent to 18 percent, Trump wrote on Feb. 2 in a post on Truth Social. In exchange, he said, India has agreed to “move forward to reduce their Tariffs and Non Tariff Barriers against the United States to ZERO.”

New Footage Appears To Show Alex Pretti Spit At ICE, Break SUV Tail Light In Prior Minneapolis Confrontation

ZeroHedge

The video, verified by the BBC, captures what appears to be Pretti screaming at federal agents while they were driving away during a Jan. 13 protest. As their SUV leaves, he kicks the taillight - breaking it, causing agents to exit the vehicle and tackle him to the ground. The agents continue to hold him down until he retreats and joins a crowd shouting at agents, as his gun is visibly tucked into the back of his pants.

Iran Threatens To Sink The USS Abraham Lincoln As The Middle East Edges Closer To A Cataclysmic Showdown

The United States has gathered more firepower in the Middle East than we have ever seen before. It exceeds anything that we witnessed during Operation Desert Storm, it exceeds anything that we witnessed during the war in Afghanistan, and it exceeds anything that we witnessed during the war in Iraq. That doesn’t necessarily mean that war is imminent. President Trump could ultimately decide not to pull the trigger. But without a doubt, at this moment we are exceedingly close to a cataclysmic showdown in the Middle East.

5 Key Findings From the Pentagon Report on China’s Military

The Epoch Times

For its third aircraft carrier, Fujian, China built its first flat-deck ship, complete with an advanced electromagnetic catapult. The Pentagon report assessed that the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy has plans for six more aircraft carriers by 2035, bringing their total to nine within the next decade.

Director Kash Patel Fires FBI Agents Linked to Lawfare Against Trump

Breitbart

Patel forced out field office leaders and other senior agents connected to the two criminal investigations of Trump, including the special agent in charge in Atlanta, the acting assistant director in charge of the New York field office, and the former special agent in charge in New Orleans who had recently moved on to another job, MS Now reported and two senior administration officials confirmed to Breitbart News. As many as six agents in Miami were forced out over their connection to the FBI’s raid of Mar-a-Lago, conducted by over 30 agents accompanied by CNN cameras.

Trump threatens Canada with 100% tariff if it completes China trade deal

AFP

During a visit to Beijing last week, Carney hailed a "new strategic partnership" with China that resulted in a "preliminary but landmark trade agreement" to reduce tariffs -- but Trump warned of serious consequences should that deal be realized. If Carney "thinks he is going to make Canada a 'Drop Off Port' for China to send goods and products into the United States, he is sorely mistaken," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

War Drums In Gulf: US Armada Arrives As Saudi Arabia, UAE Deny Airspace Access

ZeroHedge

Things between Tehran and Washington are moving fast according to an eerily familiar pattern hearkening back to the lead-up to the 12-day June war, when there was some wrangling over negotiations - and talk of good faith efforts at dialogue - just before the US greenlighted a surprise Israeli attack which also saw US entry into the conflict by the close of it (whereupon nuclear facilities were hit by American bombers).

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