#Finance and Operations Coordinator

[jobsnotices]

Plan International Vacancy in Nepal 2024: Project Officer, Finance and Operations Coordinator, Project Coordinator

Plan International Vacancy in Nepal 2024: Project Officer, Finance and Operations Coordinator, Project Coordinator. Interested and eligible candidates can apply till 25th July 2024. CAREER OPPORTUNITY Plan International Vacancy in Nepal 2024: Project Officer, Finance and Operations Coordinator, Project Coordinator Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organization…

[mostlysignssomeportents]

No, “convenience” isn’t the problem

I'm touring my new, nationally bestselling novel The Bezzle! Catch me in CHICAGO (Apr 17), Torino (Apr 21) Marin County (Apr 27), Winnipeg (May 2), Calgary (May 3), Vancouver (May 4), and beyond!

Using Amazon, or Twitter, or Facebook, or Google, or Doordash, or Uber doesn't make you lazy. Platform capitalism isn't enshittifying because you made the wrong shopping choices.

Remember, the reason these corporations were able to capture such substantial market-share is that the capital markets saw them as a bet that they could lose money for years, drive out competition, capture their markets, and then raise prices and abuse their workers and suppliers without fear of reprisal. Investors were chasing monopoly power, that is, companies that are too big to fail, too big to jail, and too big to care:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/04/04/teach-me-how-to-shruggie/#kagi

The tactics that let a few startups into Big Tech are illegal under existing antitrust laws. It's illegal for large corporations to buy up smaller ones before they can grow to challenge their dominance. It's illegal for dominant companies to merge with each other. "Predatory pricing" (selling goods or services below cost to prevent competitors from entering the market, or to drive out existing competitors) is also illegal. It's illegal for a big business to use its power to bargain for preferential discounts from its suppliers. Large companies aren't allowed to collude to fix prices or payments.

But under successive administrations, from Jimmy Carter through to Donald Trump, corporations routinely broke these laws. They explicitly and implicitly colluded to keep those laws from being enforced, driving smaller businesses into the ground. Now, sociopaths are just as capable of starting small companies as they are of running monopolies, but that one store that's run by a colossal asshole isn't the threat to your wellbeing that, say, Walmart or Amazon is.

All of this took place against a backdrop of stagnating wages and skyrocketing housing, health, and education costs. In other words, even as the cost of operating a small business was going up (when Amazon gets a preferential discount from a key supplier, that supplier needs to make up the difference by gouging smaller, weaker retailers), Americans' disposable income was falling.

So long as the capital markets were willing to continue funding loss-making future monopolists, your neighbors were going to make the choice to shop "the wrong way." As small, local businesses lost those customers, the costs they had to charge to make up the difference would go up, making it harder and harder for you to afford to shop "the right way."

In other words: by allowing corporations to flout antimonopoly laws, we set the stage for monopolies. The fault lay with regulators and the corporate leaders and finance barons who captured them – not with "consumers" who made the wrong choices. What's more, as the biggest businesses' monopoly power grew, your ability to choose grew ever narrower: once every mom-and-pop restaurant in your area fires their delivery drivers and switches to Doordash, your choice to order delivery from a place that payrolls its drivers goes away.

Monopolists don't just have the advantage of nearly unlimited access to the capital markets – they also enjoy the easy coordination that comes from participating in a cartel. It's easy for five giant corporations to form conspiracies because five CEOs can fit around a single table, which means that some day, they will:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/04/18/cursed-are-the-sausagemakers/#how-the-parties-get-to-yes

By contrast, "consumers" are atomized – there are millions of us, we don't know each other, and we struggle to agree on a course of action and stick to it. For "consumers" to make a difference, we have to form institutions, like co-ops or buying clubs, or embark on coordinated campaigns, like boycotts. Both of these tactics have their place, but they are weak when compared to monopoly power.

Luckily, we're not just "consumers." We're also citizens who can exercise political power. That's hard work – but so is organizing a co-op or a boycott. The difference is, when we dog enforcers who wield the power of the state, and line up behind them when they start to do their jobs, we can make deep structural differences that go far beyond anything we can make happen as consumers:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/10/18/administrative-competence/#i-know-stuff

We're not just "consumers" or "citizens" – we're also workers, and when workers come together in unions, they, too, can concentrate the diffuse, atomized power of the individual into a single, powerful entity that can hold the forces of capital in check:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/04/10/an-injury-to-one/#is-an-injury-to-all

And all of these things work together; when regulators do their jobs, they protect workers who are unionizing:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/09/06/goons-ginks-and-company-finks/#if-blood-be-the-price-of-your-cursed-wealth

And strong labor power can force cartels to abandon their plans to rig the market so that every consumer choice makes them more powerful:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/10/01/how-the-writers-guild-sunk-ais-ship/

And when consumers can choose better, local, more ethical businesses at competitive rates, those choices can make a difference:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/07/10/view-a-sku/

Antimonopoly policy is the foundation for all forms of people-power. The very instant corporations become too big to fail, jail or care is the instant that "voting with your wallet" becomes a waste of time.

Sure, choose that small local grocery, but everything on their shelves is going to come from the consumer packaged-goods duopoly of Procter and Gamble and Unilever. Sure, hunt down that local brand of potato chips that you love instead of P&G or Unilever's brand, but if they become successful, either P&G or Unilever will buy them out, and issue a press release trumpeting the purchase, saying "We bought out this beloved independent brand and added it to our portfolio because we know that consumers value choice."

If you're going to devote yourself to solving the collective action problem to make people-power work against corporations, spend your precious time wisely. As Zephyr Teachout writes in Break 'Em Up, don't miss the protest march outside the Amazon warehouse because you spent two hours driving around looking for an independent stationery so you could buy the markers and cardboard to make your anti-Amazon sign without shopping on Amazon:

https://pluralistic.net/2020/07/29/break-em-up/#break-em-up

When blame corporate power on "laziness," we buy into the corporations' own story about how they came to dominate our lives: we just prefer them. This is how Google explains away its 90% market-share in search: we just chose Google. But we didn't, not really – Google spends tens of billions of dollars every single year buying up the search-box on every website, phone, and operating system:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/02/21/im-feeling-unlucky/#not-up-to-the-task

Blaming "laziness" for corporate dominance also buys into the monopolists' claim that the only way to have convenient, easy-to-use services is to cede power to them. Facebook claims it's literally impossible for you to carry on social relations with the people that matter to you without also letting them spy on you. When we criticize people for wanting to hang out online with the people they love, we send the message that they need to choose loneliness and isolation, or they will be complicit in monopoly.

The problem with Google isn't that it lets you find things. The problem with Facebook isn't that it lets you talk to your friends. The problem with Uber isn't that it gets you from one place to another without having to stand on a corner waving your arm in the air. The problem with Amazon isn't that it makes it easy to locate a wide variety of products. We should stop telling people that they're wrong to want these things, because a) these things are good; and b) these things can be separated from the monopoly power of these corporate bullies:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/11/08/divisibility/#technognosticism

Remember the Napster Wars? The music labels had screwed over musicians and fans. 80 percent of all recorded music wasn't offered for sale, and the labels cooked the books to make it effectively impossible for musicians to earn out their advances. Napster didn't solve all of that (though they did offer $15/user/month to the labels for a license to their catalogs), but there were many ways in which it was vastly superior to the system it replaced.

The record labels responded by suing tens of thousands of people, mostly kids, but also dead people and babies and lots of other people. They demanded an end to online anonymity and a system of universal surveillance. They wanted every online space to algorithmically monitor everything a user posted and delete anything that might be a copyright infringement.

These were the problems with the music cartel: they suppressed the availability of music, screwed over musicians, carried on a campaign of indiscriminate legal terror, and lobbied effectively for a system of ubiquitous, far-reaching digital surveillance and control:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/02/02/nonbinary-families/#red-envelopes

You know what wasn't a problem with the record labels? The music. The music was fine. Great, even.

But some of the people who were outraged with the labels' outrageous actions decided the problem was the music. Their answer wasn't to merely demand better copyright laws or fairer treatment for musicians, but to demand that music fans stop listening to music from the labels. Somehow, they thought they could build a popular movement that you could only join by swearing off popular music.

That didn't work. It can't work. A popular movement that you can only join by boycotting popular music will always be unpopular. It's bad tactics.

When we blame "laziness" for tech monopolies, we send the message that our friends have to choose between life's joys and comforts, and a fair economic system that doesn't corrupt our politics, screw over workers, and destroy small, local businesses. This isn't true. It's a lie that monopolists tell to justify their abuse. When we repeat it, we do monopolists' work for them – and we chase away the people we need to recruit for the meaningful struggles to build worker power and political power.

If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/04/12/give-me-convenience/#or-give-me-death

Image: Cryteria (modified) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:HAL9000.svg

CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en

[ciceroprofacto]

A General's Staff

Adjutant, Staff Secretary, and Aide-de-Camp are NOT the same thing!

Adjutant- primarily manages personnel administration throughout the organization (duty rosters, reenlistments, unit assignments, etc); chief officer in charge of finances; final processing on awards, recommendations, and other correspondence; leads the staff in unit ceremonies; performs other administrative tasks as required.

Staff Secretary- primarily manages personnel tasking within the Commanding Officer's direct staff (including function areas); manages the schedule; coordinates travel plans for members of the staff and unit; conducts financial oversight with Adjutant; assists in correspondence

Aide-de-Camp- primarily a personal assistant to the Commander; acts as a liaison between the commander and subordinates; manages the Commander's personal schedule and travel; assists in correspondence; has a role in ceremonies; performs other tasks as required.

Other Staff: Modern staffs include officers and senior enlisted planners in "functional areas": Logistics, Operations, Intelligence, and Administration (Adj, Staff Sec, and ADC fall under the Administration function). Historically, the distinction between these functions was more murky than it is today.

[darkeagleruins]

Presenting the King and Queen of the criminal illegal invasion, Samantha Power (born in the UK) and her husband Cass Sunstein.

GPS—they met together and separately at Barack Hussein Obama II’s war room/mansion in Washington, DC hundreds of times during the Biden/Harris Regime, 19 times since the election and 4 times since President Trump took office.

The circumstances surrounding the controversial financial and political of Samantha Power, a former USAID administrator, and her significant increase in net worth during her tenure in public office. Power’s wealth reportedly surged from $6.7 million in 2021 to $30 million by 2024, raises questions about how such a dramatic increase occurred despite her official annual salary of $180,000.

This financial growth has led to public scrutiny and allegations of financial misconduct within USAID under Power's leadership.

USAID, an organization tasked with managing billions in global funding, under audit for alleged misuse of funds, including spending on contentious programs like transgender initiatives and cultural projects abroad.

These programs served as conduits for financial kickbacks to lawmakers and officials, enriching them at the expense of American taxpayers. Powers funneled billions into NGOs financing the criminal illegal invasion of America.

Power’s husband, Cass Sunstein, also plays a key role in this narrative. Sunstein, a senior adviser on immigration policy at DHS during the Biden administration, allegedly shaped policies that created the “open-border” system.

This was seen as complementary to Power’s role at USAID, with Power funding programs to facilitate immigration while Sunstein ensured these policies were implemented. This was a coordinated “one-two punch,” enabling illegal immigration while circumventing any accountability or transparency.

Sunstein’s academic and professional background, citing his 2008 white paper, Conspiracy Theories, which advocated for government infiltration of online movements to neutralize narratives that could undermine U.S. military and diplomatic efforts.

This idea extended to behavioral influence strategies outlined in his book, Nudge, which became a foundational text for professionals working in counter-disinformation and media literacy.

The book emphasized shaping public behavior without overt coercion, using techniques like algorithmic manipulation, social media deplatforming, and other indirect methods to discourage dissent.

USAID’s role in psychological (gaslighting) operations was engaged in misinformation campaigns both domestically and abroad. Coupled with Sunstein’s advocacy for “raising the cost” of dissenting behavior, contributed to an erosion of free speech protections. Examples included penalties for questioning COVID-19 policies, such as job loss, social media bans, and reputational damage, all designed to discourage opposition without resorting to legal consequences.

There are even broader concerns about the interplay between government roles and private-sector enrichment, with a pattern of officials transitioning from public service to lucrative positions in finance or industry.

This “blob-to-banker pipeline” allows individuals to leverage insider knowledge for personal gain. For instance, Jared Cohen, a former State Department official, having transitioned to roles at Google Jigsaw and later Goldman Sachs, where his government connections reportedly informed investment strategies.

The current system has zero transparency, accountability, and erodes public trust.

USAID’s misuse of funds, coupled with Power’s rapid wealth accumulation, exemplifies the broader issue of financial exploitation within government institutions.

Word needs to get out. Share this post, do your own research, engage in discourse, and hold public officials accountable.

[zxxyue]

Gakushū's Business Acumen: Class 3-A's Event Cafe

Analyzing Gakushu's school festival business plan from a comprehensive finance and psychological perspective reveals several key strengths and potential risks. I'll delve into the intricacies of the revenue model, cost structure, operational efficiency, and psychological tactics for a nuanced understanding of his business strategy and its implications. (This may get wordy.)

The event cafe's primary revenue source is the 500 yen entrance fee, which provides attendees with free food, drinks, and access to performances. This model banks on repeat visits, assuming high engagement levels. The psychological underpinning here is the ‘fear of missing out’ (FOMO), as events are scheduled at one-hour intervals, creating urgency and encouraging multiple payments.

Examining the cost structure, Gakushu’s reliance on free performances by pop stars pals and comedian buddies significantly cuts entertainment expenses. This cost-saving measure, however, hinges on personal relationships, posing sustainability risks. If these relationships wane or if performers seek compensation in the future, it could disrupt the cost structure. Since this is a fictional case scenario, I'm going with the possibility that Gakushu's network can be relied on.

The endorsement deal with Suzume Izakaya food services provides substantial financial support and in-kind contributions. This sponsorship not only reduces operational costs but also enhances the festival’s credibility, as Suzume Izakaya’s brand reputation can attract more visitors who trust the quality of the food and beverages.

Offering free food and drinks is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it is an attractive feature that can draw a large number of attendees, enhancing perceived value and satisfaction. On the other hand, it presents a significant cost burden. Effective inventory management and supplier negotiations are crucial to balance cost and supply. There is also a risk of overconsumption, which must be managed to avoid resource depletion.

Operational efficiency is another critical component of Gakushu's plan. Organizing events at one-hour intervals on different stages maximizes space and time utilization, keeping the audience engaged and minimizing downtime. This continuous engagement strategy ensures that attendees are constantly entertained, increasing the likelihood of repeat entrance fee payments. The immediate start of subsequent events also helps maintain a steady flow of visitors, reducing congestion and enhancing the overall customer experience.

Psychologically, the one-hour event intervals create a sense of urgency and scarcity, compelling attendees to make quick decisions to attend multiple events. This tactic leverages the psychological principle that limited availability increases perceived value, driving higher engagement and repeat visits.

The use of celebrity performances taps into social proof and authority. Featuring well-known pop stars and comedians draws their fan bases and generates buzz, enhancing the festival’s attractiveness. This social influence can significantly boost attendance, as people tend to follow the actions of those they admire. The endorsement by Suzume Izakaya also adds an element of authority and trust, reassuring attendees about the quality and safety of the festival’s offerings.

The all-inclusive 500 yen entrance fee creates a high perceived value, making attendees feel they are getting a good deal. This pricing strategy increases their willingness to pay, especially when considering the continuous entertainment and free provisions. The plan also aims to foster customer loyalty by ensuring a captivating experience that encourages repeat visits.

Quoting what the Virtuosos said, such a complex and multifaceted plan is particularly challenging for a third-year junior high student. The management skills required to coordinate performances, manage resources, negotiate partnerships, and ensure operational efficiency are significant. Gakushu’s ability to pull off this plan and win the school festival showcases exceptional organizational and leadership skills. This ability to leverage personal networks and psychological principles to drive engagement and revenue are commendable. Successfully managing such a demanding project at 15 could be foreshadowing of his future as an executive when he started a business in Silicon Valley after receiving an MBA at MIT.

[theconstitutionisgayculture]

The families allege that as Hamas launched its brutal attack, where the terror group killed about 1,200 people and kidnapped 251 others, it put out a message abroad for it’s supporters to “join the battle in any way they can.” The lawsuit accuses Khalil, Kiswani, Alwan and Jones of taking up the call and preparing to launch anti-Israel rallies at Columbia University. “Associational Defendants have distributed pro-terror propaganda produced by and literally stamped with the logo of the ‘Hamas Media Office,’ ” the filing claims. ... “Three minutes before Hamas began its attack on October 7, Columbia SJP posted on Instagram ‘We are back!!’ and announced its first meeting of the semester would be announced and that viewers should ‘Stay tuned,'” according to the suit.

One can infer a connection between these groups and the terrorists from the proximate response to these various calls from Hamas to "join the battle." If the SJP began that effort before the attacks took place, a judge or jury may well conclude that these groups have a closer relationship than just fanboyism. Bear in mind that it took more than a few minutes for the first reports to get out from Israel about the October 7 attacks, so that makes this look even more suspicious -- assuming the timing can be verified.  Is it conclusive proof of coordination? No, but it would be the kind of circumstantial evidence that doesn't allow for any other reasonable conclusion other than sheer coincidence, which beggars belief. And bear in mind that the legal standard for Khalil and for these lawsuits will not be "beyond a reasonable doubt" because neither of these proceedings is criminal. The legal standard for civil lawsuits is usually "preponderance of evidence," and it's likely to be lower than that for Khalil's deportation under current statute, which gives Rubio plenary authority to determine a risk to national security in revoking visas and permanent-resident statuses.  The plaintiffs will have to present evidence to substantiate all of these allegations, including and especially that the activists had started publicizing the attacks before they began. If they can prove that these messages did go out before the attacks, and these groups disseminated propaganda labeled "Hamas Media Office," the preponderance of evidence will definitely lean in the plaintiffs' favor.  What will that do? Presumably, the plaintiffs will want damages large enough to cripple the operations of these groups and force their collapse. If and when a judge sees enough evidence to proceed to trial, discovery will likely get ordered that will allow the plaintiffs a close look at the finances of these groups. And that might lead them in all sorts of different paths, including more respondents to the lawsuit as well as money sources that might prefer to keep operating under the radar.  Khalil will likely be watching this from Syria by that time, of course. And the rest of us will pop more popcorn as all of these machinations get exposed. 

Trump needs to direct the FBI and DHS to start investigating these student propal groups as potential domestic terrorist groups.

[lightsaber-dorphin]

Jedi Order Bureaucratic Structure

I’ve been working for a while on worldbuilding the inner workings of the Jedi Order. Below is a flowchart of the administrative bodies, their duties, and any other admin bodies they oversee. More details on each below the cut.

These are different groups involved in running the Jedi Order. For different roles within the Jedi, see my Jedi Order Corps and Subdivisions.

High Council: (Finance, bylaws, PR, major trials)

Determines the budget(s)

Relations with the Senate

Only body that can expel members

Librarian's Assembly: (Ensures knowledge is available to Jedi)

Fund academic researchers (many Jedi researchers work directly for the assembly)

Archives: (Run the Archives & research)

Host academic conferences

Protect important artifacts

Run basically directly by the Librarian's Assembly

Department of Classes: (Adult education)

Organize all classes that aren't geneds

Set criteria for certifications/ degrees

Help members get degrees from external organizations

Council of Reassignment: (Oversees transfers & is Jedi CPS)

New Initiate paperwork

Transfers between corps and/or branches

Helps members leave the Order

Checks the CoFK when necessary

Padawanship paperwork filed here (crèchemasters sign off, padawan signs off, check master for red flags/ not allowed to take apprentice, sometimes mind healer signs off)

Council of Justice: (Attourneys & internal justice system)

Try & punish cases committed by Jedi & internal to the Jedi Order

Mediate interpersonal disputes

Lawyers for the Order

Cannot expel members

Council of Outreach: (Manages outposts & patrols)

Assigns Jedi to satellite locations or watchfolk posts

Hires other outpost staff

Ships supplies to & from outposts

Tracks the locations of missions & sends Vanguards to areas that haven't been visited recently

Council of Temple Maintenance: (Oversees internal services and temple upkeep)

In charge of the cleaning droids

Coordinates trash & recycling with Coruscant government

Has the occasional member who can do specialized maintenance (ex. plumber, electrician)

Volunteers sign up to fix things

Hires outside contractors when there isn't a Jedi with the necessary skills

Assigns Jedi to living quarters

Interior decor

Delegates chores such as taking out the trash, mopping, dusting, etc.

Padawans and initiates are often assigned these chores as punishments

Kitchenmasters: (Mess halls)

Make & serve food in the mess halls

Label the food with which species can eat it

Order food supplies

Supervise initiate clans helping in the kitchens

Quartermasters: (Distribute supplies & manage finances)

Bulk-order supplies for the Order

Provide mission allotments

Desk operators help members pick up supplies

Accounting

Transport Office: (Run the hangar bay & speeder pool)

Responsible for the Order's vehicles

Mechanics

Vehicles are checked in & out like a library for cars & ships

Hire external staff when there aren't enough Jedi

Temple Guard: (Security & emergency response)

Guard against exterior threats to the temple

Security during criminal situations

Really good at sensing danger to temple inhabitants

First responders (fire & police-- MedCorp handles EMS)

Change lightbulbs and smoke detector batteries

Odd jobs on behalf of the CoTM

Uses the lore by Adsecula in "Nameless"

Council of Reconciliation: (Central hub of Jedi outreach & diplomacy)

All aid requests go through them

Sets mission objectives

Approve or deny aid/ mission requests

Reviews behavior of Jedi on missions when there are issues

Mission Consignment: (Assign Jedi to approved missions)

Desk jockeys

Not officially divided by type of mission/ Jedi role needed, but missions will be passed to people who are more familiar with the experts required

Organizes specifics for missions such as transportation and housing

Council of First Knowledge: (Runs Initiate & Padawan dorms, clans, & childhood education)

Initiate clans members live together with their crèchemasters rotating out night shifts

Padawans & Senior Initiates live in individual rooms in designated halls with some crèchemasters living in each hall

Department of Seekers: (Regulates conduct of Seekers)

Create regulates for what Seekers can & cannot do & how they should act

Investigate reported misconduct by Seekers

Crèche: (Organizes care for Initiates)

Sort Initiates into clans

Run events/ field trips/ etc.

Set educational standards

see my post about Living Quarters in the Jedi Temple

Department of Primary Classes: (Classroom education for younglings)

Standard elementary school operation stuff

Provides the general education classes all Jedi take as younglings

Circle of Healers: (Sets certification requirements)

Certified to train medical professionals for a variety of degrees

Determines when Jedi have fulfilled requirements for medical certifications

Sets the qualifications for Force-specific medical degrees

Halls of Healing: (Healthcare within the Order & internal outreach)

Like a local hospital but also has general practitioners

IRB: (Reviews research for ethical concerns)

Institutional Review Board

"Under FDA regulations, an Institutional Review Board is group that has been formally designated to review and monitor biomedical research involving human subjects. In accordance with FDA regulations, an IRB has the authority to approve, require modifications in (to secure approval), or disapprove research. This group review serves an important role in the protection of the rights and welfare of human research subjects."

IRB for the entire Order, not just the MedCorps

[lovetei]

I have an AU and I enjoy sharing so. Gift, from a (semi-?) writer to writer I suppose

but Swapped Obey me Au

where the brothers and side characters are humans- here’s the dynamic simplification;

Humans (Solomon / MC) : Cryptids

Demons (The Brothers / Diavolo / Barbatos) - humans/humanoids

Angels (Luke / Simeon) - Monster hunters

Maybe a modernish Victorian era, with castles and monster stories and that fun stuff + technology. Prince Diavolo starts a school to hopefully make peace between the three tribes of being.

So Solomon the Land siren (maybe a Lamia/Naga?) and MC the Mutt sheep cryptid. Where invited to the human school,

I can go on for hours- but hope this helps with ideas! I’d love to hear ya take. I love the way you write Obey me so yeah!

I'm so sorry this took so long, I need to create a visual in my head first and it takes long to write an AU :')

--------------------------------------------------

Swapped Alternate Universe

Swapped Universe: Introduction

Warnings:

Links: Masterlist

--------------------------------------------------

You were just going around the forests beside fields, feeding on whatever there is

But all of a sudden

An entitled prince, randomly sent you a letter saying you're invited into this type of program

But it's suspicious

The incentives favors the participants way too much...

What could possibly be the catch?

ROLES: Cryptids

MC MCLN

TYPE: Cryptid (Mutt sheep)

It is rumored that the "Mutt-Sheep" cryptids are a cross between lambs and canines, and are known to be found in areas with dense forests. Some describe them as a cross between a sheep and a dog, with a thick sheep-like coat covering their body, large claws on their paws for digging in the forest floor, and a canine's nose and teeth for hunting small animals. However, the exact origin and nature of the Mutt-Sheep cryptids are still unknown and shrouded in mystery. Despite this, sightings of these creatures have been reported by people who claim to have seen them lurking in the forest.

SOLOMON

TYPE: Cryptid (Naga)

They are described as having a human upper body, often with arms and chest, and from the waist down, they have the tail and scales of a snake. The Naga are said to be intelligent and powerful beings, capable of controlling the elements of nature and using their powers to influence the world around them. Many people believe that the Naga possess magical abilities that they use to protect their territory and the creatures that live there.

ROLE: Humans

DIAVOLO

JOB: President of RLD

The Royal Lab of Diavolo (RLD) is a highly advanced underground research facility with top-notch equipment and state-of-the-art technology. The lab is focused on developing peace between different races, such as humans, humanoid, cryptids, and monster hunters. The primary goal of the lab is to find ways to bridge the gap between the different races, and to create an environment where all beings can live together in harmony. The lab is led by a team of highly skilled scientists and researchers who work tirelessly around the clock to advance their research and find solutions to the world's problems.

BARBATOS

JOB: Vice president of RLD

The vice president of the Royal Lab of Diavolo is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the lab, including the management of staff, the supervision of research projects, and the coordination of activities with external partners and stakeholders. The vice president also plays a key role in managing the lab's finances and ensuring that resources are being used effectively and efficiently. Additionally, they may be involved in developing and implementing strategic plans for the lab's long-term growth and success. Therefore, the vice president plays an important role in the lab's success and helps to ensure that its mission of promoting peace and unity among different beings is achieved.

LUCIFER

JOB: Chief Fiance Officer (CFO)

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is a high-level executive position that is responsible for overseeing the financial operations and strategy of an organization. He works for the government and is supporting the current king.

MAMMON

JOB: Actor

He is the most famous actor out there starring in every genre whether it may be romance, comedy, action or adventure. He also stars in his own TV show series that broke multiple records and nominated multiple times on award show as well as receiving hundreds of awards.

LEVIATHAN

JOB: Programmer and Developer

A famous IT that works for the government and helps maintain government systems and Technologies, being one of the most trusted and talented worker in this field he has access to everything that can be found online.

SATAN

JOB: Proffesor

The youngest and top proffesor of one of the best schools found in the world, being the charming and mysterious proffesor whose world seems to revolve around books and his well known addiction, cats.

ASMODEUS

JOB: Model

The jewel of the human world, modeling for every possible brands to exist. He's known for his unforgettable face and his unmatched charm that helped him rise to the top of the world of fashion.

BEELZEBUB

JOB: Chef

A world-class chef that cooks for the king, known for his unique skills and for his beautiful physique. A man that made multiple woman swoon because of his looks and cooking skills.

BELPHEGOR

JOB: Doctor

A mysterious Doctor who seems to enjoy cutting things up and inventing antidotes or medicines against viruses and diseases that does not have a cure yet. He seems to be passionate about his job but the reason why he entered this field is still unknown.

ROLE: Hunters

SIMEON

RANK: A

A Rank A monster hunter is one of the best, most skilled and experienced monster hunters out there. They have exceptional abilities and skill in fighting and defeating monsters, as well as an in-depth knowledge of different types of monsters and how to defeat them.

Rank A Monster hunters are highly skilled and experienced in the art of hunting monsters. They are sought after for their exceptional abilities and knowledge. Their skill and experience have earned them a reputation as some of the finest monster hunters in the world.

LUKE

RANK: C

A Rank C monster hunter is considered an entry-level monster hunter. They are relatively new to the field and are still developing their skills and gaining experience. While they may have some basic knowledge of monster hunting techniques, they lack the advanced abilities and knowledge of higher-ranked Hunters. Nonetheless, they can still be an asset to a team and can perform certain tasks with supervision and guidance.

Overall, Rank C monster hunters are still learning and gaining experience. They are not always ready to handle high-level or dangerous missions, and are often assigned tasks and roles under the supervision and guidance of

[darkmaga-returns]

Mike Benz, founder of the Foundation for Freedom Online, exposes Obama-era USAID corruption on The Joe Rogan Experience

$1.2 billion in taxpayer money allegedly funneled through Cayman Islands to finance covert protest movements abroad

Zunzuneo, a Twitter clone, was used to manipulate Cuban dissent, mirroring tactics seen in the Arab Spring

USAID contractors trained activists in social media manipulation, protest coordination, and astroturfing

Wall Street Apes and other platforms amplify the bombshell revelations, sparking outrage over government deception

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Noah Hurowitz at The Intercept:

Donald Trump has made no secret of his desire for revenge.

On the campaign trail, he joked about being a dictator on “day one” in office, pledged to jail journalists, and threatened to retaliate against political foes who he felt had wronged him. Now, just days after he secured a second term in the White House, Congress is already moving to hand a resurgent Trump administration a powerful cudgel that it could wield against ideological opponents in civil society. Up for a potential fast-track vote next week in the House of Representatives, the Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act, also known as H.R. 9495, would grant the secretary of the Treasury Department unilateral authority to revoke the tax-exempt status of any nonprofit deemed to be a “terrorist supporting organization.” The resolution has already prompted strong opposition from a wide range of civil society groups, with more than 100 organizations signing an open letter issued by the American Civil Liberties Union in September.

[...]

No Evidence Needed

Under the bill, the Treasury secretary would issue notice to a group of intent to designate it as a “terrorist supporting organization.” Once notified, an organization would have the right to appeal within 90 days, after which it would be stripped of its 501(c)(3) status, named for the statute that confers tax exemptions on recognized nonprofit groups. The law would not require officials to explain the reason for designating a group, nor does it require the Treasury Department to provide evidence. “It basically empowers the Treasury secretary to target any group it wants to call them a terror supporter and block their ability to be a nonprofit,” said Ryan Costello, policy director at the National Iranian American Council Action, which opposes the law. “So that would essentially kill any nonprofit’s ability to function. They couldn’t get banks to service them, they won’t be able to get donations, and there’d be a black mark on the organization, even if it cleared its name.”

The bill could also imperil the lifesaving work of nongovernmental organizations operating in war zones and other hostile areas where providing aid requires coordination with groups designated as terrorists by the U.S., according to a statement issued last year by the Charity & Security Network. “Charitable organizations, especially those who work in settings where designated terrorist groups operate, already undergo strict internal due diligence and risk mitigation measures,” the group wrote. “As the prohibition on material support to foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs) already exists, and is applicable to U.S. nonprofits, this proposed legislation is redundant and unnecessary.” If it proceeds, the bill will go to the House floor in a “suspension vote,” a fast-track procedure that limits debate and allows a bill to bypass committees and move on to the Senate as long as it receives a two-thirds supermajority in favor. [...]

Pro-Palestine Groups at Risk

In the past year, accusations of support for terrorism have been freely lobbed at student protesters, aid workers in Gaza, and even mainstream publications like the New York Times. In unscrupulous hands, the powers of the proposed law could essentially turn the Treasury Department into an enforcement arm of Canary Mission and other hard-line groups dedicated to doxxing and smearing their opponents as terrorists. With very few guardrails in place, the new bill would give broad new powers to the federal government to act on such accusations — and not just against pro-Palestine groups, according to Costello. “The danger is much broader than just groups that work on foreign policy,” said Costello. “It could target major liberal funders who support Palestinian solidarity and peace groups who engage in protest. But it could also theoretically be used to target pro-choice groups, and I could see it being used against environmental groups.

HR9495 needs to be opposed, as this civil liberties-violating bill could broadly define any organization a “terrorist supporting organization”, such as pro-reproductive rights/abortion access, pro-LGBTQ+, pro-Palestine, and progressive groups such as Indivisible.

[darth-mortem]

This is a first chapter of my COD fic "At the Crossroads of the Worlds" translated bu @g8se.

Task force "141" was sent to clean up a secret laboratory, the research of which was financed by states recognized as sponsors of terrorism. The soldiers broke into a bunker located in the Caucasus Mountains on the Russian-Georgian border. At first, everything went according to plan, but after the fighters split up, Ghost came across a strange room, the door of which locked automatically the moment he was inside. Without knowing it, Simon Riley had set off an experiment that had been brewing here for years, and now he would have to be very strong to finally return home.

Chapter 1 of 6. 2084 words.

Past character death, angst, action, secret lab, experiment, parallel worlds

August 15, 2030. Georgian-Russian border. Caucasus Mountains. Coordinates classified. Experiment status: Prepared for the first stage. Research No. 16/3. Reality LW-414/2030. Attempt to transport into reality LW414/2016.

Captain Simon "Ghost" Riley walked slowly down the corridor, illuminated by the bright, cold light of built-in lamps on the walls and ceiling. He held his assault rifle at the ready and listened to the conversations of other members of Task Force 141 through the earpiece of his radio. The unit had split up ten minutes ago, and its members were now inspecting all levels of the bunker, each carrying out their assigned tasks. Some engaged in clearing operations, facing armed guards head-on, while others searched for information and civilian personnel in this classified scientific facility funded by the budgets of several countries - sponsors of terrorism, including Russia, Iran, Palestine, and several others.

Ghost inspected this level of the bunker alone. The commander of Task Force 141, Major Price, had ordered the soldiers to form groups of two or three, but Simon didn’t follow this order. He hadn't followed them for seven years since that fateful day, when a bullet from the Russian terrorist Makarov's pistol took the life of Sergeant John "Soap" MacTavish.

For Ghost, John wasn't just a partner or a fellow soldier; he was the one who saw beyond the terrifying skull mask and recognized a human in him. He made Simon feel alive again. John reminded him of how to be happy, laugh, and love. He was Ghost's personal ray of sunshine, and when he was gone, the light went out forever.

Riley couldn't come to terms with it and continue to live a full life. He kept his distance from everyone and didn't even try to socialize with the new members of the unit. People came and went, and Simon didn't even bother to remember their faces. At some point, he considered leaving the army altogether, but then he realized that he didn't know how to do anything else, so he stayed. The only person Simon occasionally spoke to outside of missions was Price. He knew that Simon felt guilty for John's death, which is why he turned a blind eye to Ghost's insubordination, especially considering that he was still the most effective member of Task Force 141.

The doors to his right of swung open, and his reflexes kicked in before his brain. The man in a white lab coat received a devastating blow to the face with the butt of the rifle and fell like a felled tree. Captain Riley dragged him into the room he had emerged from and quickly secured him to a pipe using plastic ties.

“Bravo 0-7, took another one,” Ghost reported over the radio. “Checking the last rooms on the sixth level.”

“Copy, Bravo 0-7,” he heard Price's response. “Try to find out what they were up to. We're almost done clearing the fifth level and heading down to you. Copy?”

“Crystal clear,” Ghost frowned, and the corners of his lips under the mask drooped. “Bravo 0-7, out.”

He didn't need assistance. Riley could handle it on his own and escort the captives. But he never argued with Price during missions. Ghost might not follow his orders, but for other soldiers, the authority of the major had to remain unquestionable.

After surveying the room, Ghost went out and headed towards the last set of doors at the end of the corridor. Behind them, was a desolated room in absolute chaos. Chairs were scattered on the floor, papers strewn about, monitors partially turned off, only a few displaying some unintelligible numbers and symbols that constantly changed each other. There could be something useful here, but before sitting at the computer and attempting to extract information, Ghost moved towards another set of doors in the far corner of the room. These were massive air-tight doors with a complex opening mechanism. Opposite them stood a table with several monitors, and looking at them, Simon understood that one of them seemingly transmitted views from several cameras installed in the room behind the mysterious doors. Why this was necessary, the captain did not understand, as the small room behind the doors was absolutely empty. Its walls were covered in some silvery material, thick wires protruding in places. Also, Riley noticed several panels with small screens and numerous LED indicators.

“Bravo 0-7,” Ghost spoke, examining the locking mechanism of the air-tight doors on the room's interior monitor, “it seems I've found something.”

“What exactly, Bravo 0-7?” Price asked.

“Don't know yet,” Riley replied. “Trying to figure it out.”

“Be careful,” the major said. “Bravo 6, out.”

Simon glanced at the other monitors. Two code designations immediately caught his eye: LW414/2030 and LW414/2016. A progress bar flickered between them, showing ninety-eight percent, followed by calculations of adjustments in meters and, for some reason, in hours. Simon couldn't comprehend what it was exactly because everything was encrypted. He tried to look at the papers, but it was even worse, so without further delay, Riley approached the air-tight doors and pulled the lever of the opening mechanism.

As soon as he entered the small square room, Simon smelled the electrified air. An orange light started flashing above the door, and instead of the voices of the soldiers he heard a buzzing noise of interference in his earpiece. Some contour that ran around the entire perimeter of the room opened after the doors were unlocked and now lit up in red. A mechanical female voice from a speaker hidden somewhere in the wall began to repeat something persistently in a language Ghost did not know, and then the doors automatically closed, and the lever of the mechanism moved into the "locked" position. The contour closed, its colour changed from red to green, and the voice from the speaker said something else, after which it started a countdown.

“Fucking hell,” Riley cursed, slinging his rifle over his shoulder and rushing towards the doors. “Bravo 0-7 calling Bravo 6! Bravo 6, can you hear me?”

There was no response. There wasn't even interference, just dead silence. Ghost grabbed the lever, tried to turn it, but all in vain, despite the fact that the captain was a very physically strong person.

The electrifying sensation intensified. The air distinctly smelled of ozone, and sparks began to run along the walls following complex and tangled contours. Riley retreated to the centre of the room, gritting his teeth. The room was too small to blast the doors, and they were so massive that it might not work anyway. The countdown continued, electrical discharges intensified, and then Ghost saw how the laces of his boots lifted into the air. The same happened with other elements of his gear – at first with smaller items, but gradually even heavier objects, like his assault rifle, which the lieutenant grabbed by the strap and pulled towards himself.

“Bravo 6,” Ghost tried once more without any hope, “John, can you hear me? Respond!”

The captain felt his feet lifting off the floor, where lines of contours were also glowing. Numbers and symbols appeared on the screens of the panels, all indicators lit up green, and then the accumulated static turned into a powerful electrical arc that pierced Ghost's body, sending him into oblivion.

Consciousness returned to him slowly but surely. Riley felt the cold wind piercing through his clothes and gear. Somewhere nearby, he could hear rumbling, and these sounds seemed familiar, but Ghost couldn't recall what exactly could be the source.

Captain Riley could only open his eyes on the third attempt. Above him was the overcast sky shrouded in led clouds. He lay on the ground, arms outstretched, listening to the rumbling of... the helicopter rotor!

Simon didn't understand what was happening. He remembered being trapped in a small room deep underground in the bunker. He remembered something strange happening to him, a jolt of wildly powerful electricity, and... he found himself here. And now, as he slightly raised himself and looked around, Ghost realized where exactly this "here" was. The landscape around him was familiar – it was what the members of Task Force 141 saw when they landed and headed towards the entrance to the bunker. Perhaps, Major Price or someone from the team managed to open those doors from the outside. They found Ghost in the blackout and brought him to the surface. So, the helicopter he hears is their evacuation transport.

Having reasoned this way, Ghost stood up, hoisted his assault rifle, and headed towards the sound. Of course, it was strange to be left alone here, but perhaps the soldiers were occupied with captives, and someone went for supplies. Captain Riley, however, felt better, and overall quite normal for someone who got electrocuted. The radio was still silent, but Simon had already climbed a small hill, saw the helicopter, and people around. Captain Riley was about to shout that he was okay when suddenly he realized that these people were not members of Task Force 141. Moreover, it seemed they were enemies. They surrounded two soldiers, one of whom seemed to be seriously injured. The other was supporting him on his shoulders and wouldn't have time to grab his weapon when one of the men – presumably the leader – pulled out his pistol and pointed it at his chest.

Simon didn't know what was happening, but he saw a patch with the British flag on the sleeve of the man the other was aiming at. Without thinking for another second, Captain Riley swung his assault rifle off his shoulder, released the safety, and, chambering a round, fired a short burst into the air, drawing attention to himself.

They started to shoot at Ghost, so he ran, ducking and returning fire, and when the distance closed, he pulled out and threw several metal knives one after another, reducing the number of enemies. The soldier with the British flag carefully laid his comrade on the ground and remained by his side, also starting to return fire. Now Ghost could see his balaclava with a skull print and the bald head of the enemy leader, who, realizing that something had gone awry, was trying to retreat to the helicopter.

"Hey, you!" Ghost found himself next to the guy in the balaclava and grabbed him by the shoulder. "Kill the pilot! Come on, let's go!"

He nodded and ran around the helicopter. Captain Riley stayed with the wounded soldier and quickly replaced the magazine in his rifle. Meanwhile, the bald man turned around, raising his pistol again, and Ghost froze, unable to believe what he was seeing.

"Shepherd?" he finally exclaimed. "It can't be!"

After Johnny’s death, Price himself killed the traitor of a general with his own hands, yet here he was, staring at Ghost with a cold gaze and aiming a pistol at him.

A gunshot echoed. The bullet hit Simon in the chest, but it didn't get through the armoured plate. Captain Riley, purely on reflexes, returned fire. A burst from his assault rifle tore through Shepard's body, and he fell. Another soldier in a balaclava was already running toward Riley, wielding his weapon.

"Shepard is a traitor!" he shouted. "I just received a message from the captain!"

"We need to get out of here," Ghost got up, rubbing his chest. "Let's carry your friend into the heli. Provide him with first aid. I'll take the pilot's seat. Just tell me where to fly."

Two soldiers, both hiding their faces behind skull masks, picked up the third one and brought him into the helicopter. The situation was strange, even wild, but Simon strangely felt neither suspicion nor doubt towards his new companion. On the contrary, this man seemed eerily familiar and inspired absolute trust in Simon. And it appeared that the guy in the balaclava felt the same way about Riley. He didn't ask who his unexpected rescuer was or where he came from, haven’t even asked for Ghost's name. However, Ghost didn't waste time on etiquette either. After receiving the coordinates for the flight, Riley focused on piloting the helicopter, glancing at the dashboard. Somewhere there, they would meet a captain, likely the leader of these two soldiers. Most likely, he could clarify the situation and provide Ghost with information about what happened to TF 141 and where to find them.

“We’re almost there,” Ghost reported, having replaced his dead radio with the one that belonged to the pilot of this helicopter. “How's your friend?”

“Solid,” came the response. “Our guys are already waiting, so land here!”

“Roger that,” Riley replied briefly and started to land, glancing at the two soldiers who were waving at the helicopter.

[octuscle]

Dear Chronivac Support

Our prison system in california is overstrained and really expensive for the people financing it. So we from law enforcement are looking for alternatives making bad guys to good ones serving the community. Is there a way for a collaboration testing the system on maybe 2 really bad inmates transforming them to good ones working in solid jobs, going back to college or something in this direction?

The whole thing was anything but simple. But we coordinated it with the Department of Justice and the California Supreme Court. On a transitional basis, Chronivac TFs can replace jail time. The following conditions must be met:

No use in homicides No use for aggravated and dangerous assault No use in security detention for mental disorders The TF must be humiliating The TF must be recognizable to the social environment of the offender. TF must be beneficial to society The offender must not derive any benefit from the TF after it has ended

There are three trial cases, if successful, the operation can be expanded.

Mike and Gary were accused of being members of a terrorist organization. Both belonged to an extreme left-wing circle that planned various attacks on infrastructure. The TF of the two begins during a meeting of the association. While everyone else is lounging around in their chairs, the two suddenly stand at attention. Their long and unkempt hair becomes fresh buzz cuts And the stubble beards become freshly shaved chins. You begin and end every sentence with "Sir". And they begin to talk only of law and order. Their scruffy hippie clothes become bright white and freshly ironed. Their comrades start calling them reactionary assholes. They call their former friends associative riffraff. The two leave the building to the jeers of their former friends. Over the next few weeks, you will work as good Marines with uncovering all of their plans.

These three are in jail for drug trafficking, weapons trafficking, and receiving stolen property. When the TF is started, they are just pumping with their buddies. Suddenly, their gym IDs become street cleaning IDs. And their muscles disappear. What's left behind are puny youngsters. In hi-viz clothing. Their show-off cars have become a garbage truck. None of their customers or business partners will take them seriously again, if they ever get back into business.

These two were Masters of the Universe before prison. Filthy rich investment bankers. Unfortunately, you did tax evasion on a very large scale yourself and for your clients.

Now they live in a trailer park and repair farm equipment when they're not wrenching on their monster trucks.

Your idea was really good, bro. Now it just has to prove itself in practice. Let's see if I can report on other cases soon.

[mariacallous]

In roughly two months, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump will take office and, according to his campaign promises, work to end the ongoing conflicts in Gaza, Lebanon, and the broader Middle East. On Iran, a second Trump term will look like his first, with the administration almost certain to reinstate its maximum pressure campaign to further weaken Tehran.

In all these instances, a key issue Trump will need to address is the revenue streams of the axis of resistance—Iranian-backed proxies operating in the region. Groups like Hezbollah, Hamas, Palestine Islamic Jihad (PIJ), the Houthis, and other Iran-backed factions remain surprisingly robust through their diverse financial streams—even after the first Trump administration successfully weakened the Iranian economy through extensive sanctions. This time, Trump will need to go beyond financial sanctions and target the full revenue portfolio of these groups, particularly Hezbollah. The Lebanese group has proven remarkably resilient through a diverse funding portfolio, which includes criminal enterprise. Multilateral cooperation will be the only way to dismantle this activity, which spans from Latin America to West Africa and beyond.

While most of the coverage of the post-Oct. 7, 2023, war in the Middle East has focused on the kinetic aspects of Iran’s proxy network, less attention has been paid to its financing. After months of imposing sanctions on the key players and revenue streams of Hamas and Hezbollah, Israel bombed al-Qard al-Hasan association this past October—Hezbollah’s main cash source. According to some researchers, the strikes have significantly impacted Hezbollah’s financial situation, and the group is also facing increasing difficulties accessing the Lebanese banking system.

Hezbollah owes the lion’s share of its budget to state sponsorship from Iran, which provides the “Party of God” with hundreds of millions of dollars per year—reportedly as much as $800 million, according to some estimates. But beyond that significant financial windfall, Hezbollah has cultivated a global network of money-making schemes, such as drug trafficking, fraud, and the abuse of cryptocurrencies. By “going global,” Hezbollah understands that it makes the group’s activities more difficult to trace, operating between the various seams of national laws, authorities, and policies.

The most crucial challenge awaiting the Trump administration in redressing this issue is getting countries that form nodes in the supply chain of Hezbollah’s criminal enterprise to help crack down on its illicit activities. For some countries, it may be a matter of political will; for others, capabilities; and for some, both. U.S. diplomacy should be able to address the matter of political will, while security cooperation, intelligence-sharing, and building partner capacity can help mitigate the capabilities challenge. But in an era of great-power competition, with rivalries trumping cooperation in many instances, Hezbollah is betting that the lack of international coordination will allow its criminal activities to continue unabated.

West Africa plays a crucial role in Hezbollah’s criminal activities beyond the Middle East, particularly through the significant Shiite Lebanese diaspora in Ivory Coast and Guinea. Elements within these communities are integral to Hezbollah’s lucrative operations, not just through the payment of zakat to the group—an annual charitable and religious payment that forms one of the five pillars of Islam—but also through aiding and abetting smuggling and money-laundering operations. This money can then be transferred through hawaladars, bulk cash smuggling, or front charities. In past Hezbollah money-laundering schemes in West Africa, money was funneled through networks of money couriers.

Profits from drug trafficking and diamond sales are, for example, funneled through Ivory Coast and Guinea to Hezbollah’s war chest, facilitating the laundering of funds and making it significantly more complex for law enforcement to track its financing streams. For instance, Hezbollah’s transnational drug trafficking network collaborates with South American cartels in Mexico and Colombia to route drug money through West Africa, the profits of which ultimately bolster the group’s finances. While it remains opaque how much of Hezbollah’s financing is derived from its money-laundering operations through West Africa, profits from drug trafficking are known to be a significant share of Hezbollah’s revenue. Roughly 40 percent of Hezbollah’s revenue is reportedly from its drug trafficking trade.

The transnational nature of its drug trafficking schemes is not new. In the 1990s, Hezbollah started to oversee the growth of illicit crops, particularly poppies used to produce heroin and hashish in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley, the profits from which it funneled to its operations. In the early 2000s, Hezbollah also worked with South American narcotics networks, gaining a significant foothold in the infamous Tri-Border Area, the largely ungoverned territory between Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay, where criminal groups take advantage of jurisdictional arbitrage. Also in the 2000s, profits Hezbollah reaped from cocaine trafficking in Latin America were funneled to its war chest by an elaborate scheme that included shipping secondhand American cars to Benin, which the local Lebanese diaspora then sold through car dealerships. The profits went from West Africa to Hezbollah in Lebanon through a network of money couriers.

Terrorist financing has long been connected to both the participation in transnational organized crime by terrorist groups and cooperation between terrorist and criminal organizations—the so-called “crime-terror nexus.” The go-to playbook of illicit narcotics trafficking has been repeatedly copied by terrorist groups in the region and beyond. Most recently, Captagon, a form of fenethylline of which about 80 percent is produced in Syria, has become vital in supporting the activities of Iranian-backed militias throughout the Middle East. This drug financially reinforces Iran’s axis of resistance through its trade, while simultaneously suppressing fear in militias committing atrocities through its abuse. It has spread quickly throughout the region. Multiple Hamas fighters captured and killed by the Israel Defense Forces allegedly had the meth-like drug on them, likely used to suppress fear as they killed and sexually assaulted civilians.

Captagon, the drug of choice by Islamic State terrorists during their caliphate, has become especially important for Hezbollah, supporting its operations and replenishing its weapons arsenal as the Israel-Hamas war rages on. In addition, Captagon has provided a financial lifeline for the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, whose brother Maher controls the trade. It has become a regional phenomenon that, according to experts, is poised to expand globally in the coming months ahead. Captagon facilities under Hezbollah’s control in the Bekaa Valley and southern Lebanon remain active and form a crucial lifeline after all the tactical setbacks Hezbollah has endured since the Israel-Hamas conflict kicked off more than a year ago.

Like Hezbollah, Hamas’s criminal activities are more complex than just money laundering through drug trafficking. The group has searched to hedge against risk by diversifying its funding operations. Hamas and PIJ, for example, have been actively abusing blockchain technology to solicit donations in cryptocurrency, which has drawn funding globally. The U.S. Treasury Department and other counterterrorism financing entities remain behind the curve when it comes to blunting terrorist groups’ use of virtual currencies, especially so-called “privacy tokens,” which are cryptocurrencies designed to make the tracing of transactions impossible by obfuscating the sender, receiver, and transaction amount.

While various counterterrorism financing bodies have sought to crack down on this issue, it is especially the U.S. Treasury and the Israeli National Bureau for Counter Terror Financing (NBCTF) that have seized crypto wallets from terrorist organizations and sanctioned cryptocurrency addresses used by terrorist financing schemes. Soon after the Oct. 7, 2023, attack, the U.S. Treasury Department, for example, sanctioned Buy Cash, a cryptocurrency exchange based in Gaza, for providing funding to al-Qassam Brigades. In March, the NBCTF published a January seizure order against Gaza Now, a media outlet that collected donations for Hamas, including in cryptocurrency.

In September, federal police in Argentina arrested four people suspected of financing Hezbollah through cryptocurrency transfers, for a total of 1.8 billion Argentine pesos. Hamas has also used the guise of charitable foundations to fund its operations. For example, Italy-based Hamas member Mohammad Hannoun established the Charity Association of Solidarity with the Palestinian People to bankroll Hamas’s military operations. According to the U.S. Treasury, as of early 2024, Hamas may have received as much as $10 million a month in donations through its use of sham and front charities.

Iran, the grand benefactor of militant groups from Hamas’s al-Qassam Brigades to Hezbollah, is another case in point of the crime-terror nexus and the importance of its transnational scope. Tehran is also involved in extensive money laundering efforts through narcotics trafficking to fund militant groups under its patronage. Outside of the Middle East, in Europe, Iran is increasingly relying on criminal networks to carry out attacks against dissidents, journalists reporting in Farsi, Israeli citizens and diplomats, and Jews.

The topic of terrorist innovation is critical to understanding the resiliency of groups like Hamas and Hezbollah in continuing to target Israel after the elimination of much of their leadership. In response to the traceability of Bitcoin transactions, for instance, Islamic State in Khorasan has reportedly shifted to Monero as its cryptocurrency of choice to solicit donations due to its strict privacy features, and other groups will inevitably follow suit.

To effectively combat the finances of militant groups like Hamas and Hezbollah, policymakers must move beyond simply aligning with other nations that also classify these organizations as terrorist entities. Forming a coalition of the willing is naive at best, and counterproductive at worst. It is essential to engage with countries that are part of the supply chain of these organizations’ criminal activities. For example, to disrupt Hezbollah’s transnational funding networks, the United States, Israel, and others must engage with South American and West African countries that are used to funnel profits. This approach will require reciprocal, tit-for-tat diplomatic efforts to encourage these partners to assist in interrupting financial flows while also addressing their own domestic- or foreign-policy priorities to build goodwill. This could involve unfreezing certain assets currently held in abeyance by the U.S. Treasury, in exchange for measurable progress on anti-money laundering initiatives and counternarcotics programs. If the Trump administration follows the advice of some crypto supporters in dismantling or rolling back anti-money laundering and counterterrorism financing tools, it will lose credibility in pushing other countries to tighten restrictions and implement tougher laws.

There are some concrete, proactive steps, too: Hezbollah’s drug labs should not be able to continue production unfettered. In January, Jordan launched airstrikes inside Syria against suspected Tehran-linked drug warehouses. The drug labs in Bekaa Valley and southern Lebanon should also be forcibly closed. As long as the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) do not have the capabilities to do so, Lebanese allies need to reinforce the LAF and crack down where possible.

Only a combination of kinetic and non-kinetic activities, including diplomacy, intelligence-sharing, and building partner capacity, can succeed in putting a dent in Hezbollah’s vast financial network. Unless the United States and its allies can follow the money and then seriously disrupt it, Hezbollah and other Iranian proxies will continue to finance their organizations through the crime-terror nexus. The interconnected nature of the crime-terror nexus necessitates a coordinated, transnational response, proving that it takes a network to defeat a network.

[racefortheironthrone]

Could the Iron Throne be able to issue bonds, to finance its expenses, instead of going to the Iron Bank for a loan?

A government issuing bonds is the same thing as the government taking out a loan. The main difference is that, in the case of issuing a bond, the government is spreading out its borrowing between many lenders by selling bonds on the open market to anyone who wants to buy them rather than having that loan owed to a single entity like the Iron Bank. This means that the government is less beholden to any one creditor and it's less likely that the government's creditors can use their economic leverage to affect government policy.

The second advantage of structuring government debt through bonds is that it allows the government to break its total borrowing needs into smaller, more affordable units. Very few financial institutions would have had the capital to finance the £1,200,000 that made up the government's inaugural loan at the Bank of England in 1690 - but a lot more people could afford to lend the government £10, £25, £50, or £100 pounds.

Between this and later innovations in marketing bonds to the general public, the market for government debt was massively expanded. Not only did this create a class of rentiers who were now personally invested in the government's success, but it also immediately deepened the capital markets by creating a large supply of stable assets that could be bought and sold and borrowed against. While some of the shortcomings of the Hamilton musical and Chernow's biography have become more obvious in hindsight, they're not wrong about the impact of Hamilton's policies as Treasury Secretary on the development of the American economy.

The difficulty facing the Iron Throne in adapting an early modern system of government finance is that it doesn't have the state capacity to run this kind of an operation: it doesn't have a central bank to act as the government's marketer, issuer of banknotes, and lender of last resort; it doesn't have a sinking fund to manage the level and price of debt; it hasn't issued charters to merchant's guilds or joint-stock companies that could combine the small capital of individuals and thus more easily afford to buy bonds; and it doesn't have enough literate people who've studied accounting to staff a royal bureaucracy large enough to coordinate and keep records of all of this economic activity.

[foxspirit1928]

Miss Fisher Snippets (203)

Happy International Butler’s Day (July 29) to our beloved Mr. B. In Book 17, Murder on a Midsummer Night, Kerry Greenwood crowned Mr. Butler “Gem of the butlering profession”, and we couldn’t agree more.

Did you know that the word “butler” came from the old French, “bouteillier”, bottle or cup bearer in English? Of course, a professional butler’s responsibilities went way beyond serving drinks and meals. They ran the day-to-day operations of the home, including receiving guests, supervising the staff, coordinating dining and entertainment arrangements, managing household finances, etc. In classical literatures and pop cultures, they were often portrayed as highly competent and possessing infinite wisdom that served their employers well (e.g. Bunter to Lord Peter Wimsey by Dorothy Sayers, Alfred to Bruce Wayne in Batman), just like Mr. Butler to the House of Phryne Fisher.

(Posted 29-Jul-2024)

[ocdeeznut]

Some character tidbits for my upcoming fic >:3

(Early days, so this is all subject to tweaks and change.)

Lance Mcclain: - 21, recent graduate from the mammalian biology program at Zedtech. California living since he was 10, hobbyist swimmer who loves the heat but can’t take the humidity. Excitable, easy going and readily swept along, he's a fast thinker with a keen, sharp-witted understanding of the world.

Keith Kogane: - 22, part-time mechanic and a sanctuary employee at VOL. Responsible for collection operations and animal/ habitat structure transfer. Not as good with people as he is with cars and cats. Polite and (sometimes) punctual, he comes across quiet but well mannered. Struggles sometimes with being too passionate about the cause - he never knows when to quit.

Takashi Shirogane: - 28, long term employee of VOL and local legend in the West-Texan town he lives in. The man who befriended 'Di', a melanated mountain lion that took a dive in her health when her former sponsor abandoned her. The two have been fast friends for almost 10 years. Keith's Adoptive brother who strives always to not only see the best in people, but to nurture it.

Allura Alfor: 24, successor to her father's sanctuary. Former astrophysics student turned full-time business owner, finance manager and coordinator following a tragedy in her family. She struggles to find time to bond with the animals, and respects that their residing mountain cats simply don't know her well enough to enjoy her company. She leaves the hands-on work to her trusted employees.

Tsuyoshi ‘Hunk' Garett: 20, in his last year of college and currently on a year-long transfer to Massachusetts while he chases an engineering degree. He was Diagnosed late in life with dyscalculia, and possesses the uncanny ability to measure parts and tools down to the half-inch with just his naked eye. Theoretical mathematics is his jam. Sums.. sums are not his jam.

Katie 'Pidge' Holt: 18, gifted student in her last year of high school, aiming for placement in Zedtech's interface programming unit. An aptitude for coding and sums is challenged by her tendency to lose sight of the bigger picture. Met Hunk and Lance on an 'excelling students' tour of the university during their first year, where the work they were doing inspired her to follow her heart, despite her family's reservations about her moving out of state for college.