Bethany cox #

Have you heard about the curse of the 8th decade? Isrealis have, and it terrifies them more than meeting Hamas on a sabbath. The modern application: Since Israel was founded in 1948, its 80th year falls in 2027–2028, making it the "third attempt" to break the pattern. The emphasis in most tellings is on internal division — political polarisation, judicial reform conflict, societal fracture — as the mechanism of collapse, not external enemies. Key figures who've invoked it: Ehud Barak (former PM) — published the most prominent warning in Yedioth Ahronoth in 2022, explicitly naming the 80-year threshold. Naftali Bennett (former PM) — warned in 2021 that both prior states failed to complete the 8th decade "because of internal wars and baseless hatred." Benjamin Netanyahu (PM) — has also referenced the pattern, framing it as a reason to maintain political continuity. It's invoked from both sides of the conflict: Israeli leaders use it as a warning about internal cohesion, while adversaries (including Khamenei and Hamas spokespeople) use it as a prediction of inevitable collapse. The Jerusalem Post was still referencing it as recently as November 2026 in the context of the Israeli elections. Anyone seen the reports from the Knesset? Israel, 10 November 2026 The 26th Knesset was sworn in today — 120 MKs, including dozens of first-timers (bereaved parents, hostage relatives, former security chiefs). It was a chaotic, contentious session: Netanyahu gave a furious speech demanding a "unity government" while accusing the Arab-led parties (Ra'am and the Joint List) of seeking Israel's destruction, and warning his rivals against relying on their support. Eisenkot's Yashar party cancelled scheduled negotiations with Likud in direct response to what they called a "divisive speech." Right-wing protesters warned of "civil war" if a government is formed with Arab-party support. Time to sit back with a large bucket of popcorn.

The UN’s 10 November update reports an infant drowning and five people—including three children—killed when a sand dune collapsed onto tents near Deir al-Balah.

Ammunition overpayments Over $20 million 1. The $1.1 billion problem In October 2024, Pentagon auditors reported that, of $2.1 billion in payments examined, approximately $1.1 billion lacked sufficient documentation to establish their purpose or accuracy. These were American Defence Department accounting failures, not findings that Ukrainian officials had stolen the money. American defence contractors An August 2025 investigation identified up to $828.5 million in unsupported contractor costs. The Pentagon Inspector General recommended reviewing the contracts and recovering any amounts found to exceed fair and reasonable prices. Unsupported does. It raises important questions about how American contracts were negotiated and approved. Paying too much for ammunition In November 2025, auditors found that the US Army had overpaid by more than $20 million on ammunition purchases, sometimes paying as much as 245% above the necessary price. They also found that the Army had failed to collect over $1 million in penalties from contractors for late or missed deliveries. What has Hesketh failed to do? Do you remember Trump blagging about missing funds in Ukraine? Hesketh told him a story and he belived it. But contractor overcharging, unsupported payments and failures to enforce contracts are different matters. They concern American procurement decisions and the possibility of financial losses before equipment ever reaches Ukraine. Andriy Yermak Former head of Zelenskyy's presidential office. In May 2026, Ukrainian anti-corruption investigators formally identified him as a suspect in an alleged $10.5 million money-laundering scheme involving luxury property near Kyiv.A former business associate of Zelenskyy, accused of organising a corruption network involving Ukraine's state nuclear energy company, Energoatom. Investigators allege contractors were required to pay kickbacks of 10–15%, with the broader scheme involving approximately $100 million Oleksii Chernyshov Former deputy prime minister, also implicated in the alleged laundering arrangements. Investigators have linked the property scheme to proceeds from the wider energy-sector corruption investigation. from 4 November 2026: Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau announced that its main Operation Midas pre-trial investigation had been completed. Investigators identified more than $111 million and €12 million in funds allegedly channelled through the organisation. It gets interesting because two central figures in Ukraine's Operation Midas investigation have Israeli citizenship. Timur Mindich: A businessman and former associate of Zelenskyy, accused of organising the alleged kickback operation involving Ukraine's state nuclear company, Energoatom. Oleksandr Tsukerman: Alleged to have helped organise the operation and manage the movement of money. Both were identified as Israeli citizens in Ukrainian sanctions documents. They left Ukraine before the investigation became public in November 2025. The ship was sinking so the rats went back to isreal . Where are they now? The American connection — a defence company and Mike Pompeo Mike Pompeo, Trump's former Secretary of State, joined the advisory board of Ukrainian defence manufacturer Fire Point. Fire Point produces long-range drones and the Flamingo cruise missile. Investigators identified cryptocurrency, securities, foreign companies and an overseas investment fund among the laundering mechanisms. They have seized assets both inside and outside Ukraine. However, the latest official summary does not identify American or Israeli defence suppliers as participants in the money-laundering network. Well that's weird! There is also a separate Ukrainian drone-procurement investigation involving allegedly inflated prices and more than $4 million seized from accounts abroad. Again, the published findings don't establish that American suppliers were involved. More weird stuff! Where does the trai end up? ..... here 🏹