text: At a minimum, this week likely marks the point when China commences its forced reunification of Taiwan, a process that will likely occur over many months of information operations, military provocations and operations, as well as political warfare within the borders of Taiwan. – M.M.)SOURCE: JAPAN-BASED KYODO NEWSCHINA HALTS FOOD AND CONSTRUCTION TRADE WITH TAIWAN: Early today, China announced it would halt trade with Taiwan in construction materials and certain food products, including citrus and fish. China’s Taiwan Affairs Officer also announced prohibitions on financial dealings with the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy and the Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund. These measures follow similar ones imposed Monday by China’s customs agency that blacklisted more than 100 Taiwanese food brands. China is Taiwan’s largest trade partner, with over $188.9 billion in exports to the mainland and Hongkong last year. (AC: China is flexing its economic might against Taiwan to incrementally apply pressure to Taiwanese businesses and, ultimately, the political officials driving Taiwan’s defense and foreign policy decision-making. Expect further sanctions on Taiwan businesses and commodities as China continues to ratchet up tensions ahead of a move at reunification with the mainland. – M.M.)RUSSIA ACCUSES U.S. OF “DIRECT INVOLVEMENT” IN UKRAINE: According to a recent interview with a senior Ukrainian military intelligence official, the United States actively supports targeting efforts against Russians in the war in Ukraine. Following the report, Russia’s Defense Ministry accused the U.S. of “direct involvement” in the war, saying the U.S.-backed strikes caused “mass deaths of civilians”. (AC: By its own account, the U.S. is directly involved in the war in Ukraine. Anonymous intelligence community officials boasted to the New York Times in May of this year that they were providing targeting for Ukrainian strikes against high-profile Russian military targets as well as the sinking of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet flagship, the Moskva. The continued supply of advanced weaponry and cash to Ukrainian officials, as well as media reports of the U.S. “advisors” working with Ukrainian defense officials, is another indicator of direct involvement that the U.S. seems willing to publicize despite the secrecy typically associated with covert support to a friendly belligerent. Regardless of the U.S.’s inability to keep its secrets secret, Russia will continue to leverage U.S. involvement in the conflict as a strategic error that could expand the war into western Europe and beyond. – M.M.)MOSCOW STARTS SELLING BONDS DENOMINATED IN YUAN: A Moscow financial exchange is now selling yuan-denominated bonds for Russian companies. (AC: The aim is to gain foreign investment in the Chinese yuan, which is seen as safer than the Russian rouble. It’s also a potential sign of growing monetary cooperation between Russia and China, while China is happy to expand the yuan’s international appeal. – M.S.)LOW INTENSITY CONFLICT INTSUMACTIVISTS LOOT ATLANTA TOW TRUCK: Far Left activists associated with Defend the Forest movement in Atlanta, Georgia, looted a tow truck, removed its doors, slashed its tires, smashed the windshield, and spray painted “ACAB” (All Cops Are Bastards) and other slogans on a truck sent to clear the area of activists’ vehicles. (AC: Activists remain engaged in the Defend the Forest movement, which seeks to block the development of a “cop city” tactical training area for the Atlanta Police Department. Vandalism and property destruction is baseline activity. – M.S.)North Coast, CASize: TBDActivity: Earth First Journal organizes a five-day festival to offer workshops to far left activists and allies. Workshops include: direct action, decolonization, tree climbing, tactics, etc. To gain the exact location of the festival, they are requesting an email to filter out undesirables. Location: North Coast, CATime: 04-09 AUGOrlando, FLSize: TBD