EPOCH TIMES:

The United States is deploying about 3,000 troops to Eastern European ally countries, the Pentagon announced on Wednesday. This decision comes amid ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine.

The deployment includes about 2,000 troops going to Germany and Poland and a 1,000 troop mounted cavalry unit moving from Germany to Romania, Pentagon press secretary John Kirby told news outlets Feb. 2.

Kirby said that these are “not permanent moves” and the forces are “not going to fight in Ukraine, but are going to ensure the robust defense of our NATO allies.” He added that the troops are trained for a “variety of missions,” including to “deter aggression.”

“The current situation demands that we reinforce the deterrent and defensive posture on NATO’s eastern flank,” Kirby said. “President Biden has been clear that the United States will respond to the growing threat to Europe’s security and stability.”

Kirby added the U.S. commitment to NATO Article V defense remains “iron clad.”

Russia has amassed tens of thousands of troops along its border with Ukraine in recent weeks, as well as in Russia-annexed Crimea and Belarus. The Russian troop count, along with heavy artillery and anti-aircraft weaponry, in these locations has increased as recently as this past weekend, Kirby said Monday.

In a series of ongoing talks between Russia and the United States, U.S. officials have threatened to coordinate with allies to impose “severe” sanctions against Russia if it invades Ukraine. For weeks, the Biden administration has said “other measures” could include additional defensive material to the Ukrainians and the fortification of NATO allies on Russia’s eastern flank with additional capabilities.

The Pentagon announced last week that it placed 8,500 American troops at a “heightened readiness to deploy” in support of Eastern NATO allies should the ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine warrant.

U.S. officials have said sanctions will be more severe than what was imposed against Russia when it invaded the Crimean Peninsula in 2014.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Monday that sanctions would extend to individuals in Moscow’s inner circle as well as major parts of the financial system in the event of a Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Over the weekend, at least two U.S. senators said the Senate is close to reaching a deal on legislation that would preemptively sanction Russia over its actions on Ukraine, whether Moscow moves to invade or not.

Russia, meanwhile, has made demands that include NATO not allowing Ukraine to join as a member.

The United States responded in writing to these demands last week. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the response “sets out a serious diplomatic path forward should Russia choose it.”

Moscow then sent its own written response to the United States ahead of a planned phone call between Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov Tuesday.

At a news conference in Kyiv Friday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged the Russian escalation, but also called on mass media and Western leaders to tone down the rhetoric that suggests an imminent Russian invasion.

“The image that mass media creates is that we have troops on the roads, we have mobilization, people are leaving places. That’s not the case,” said Zelensky. “We don’t need this panic.”

CHIPPING AWAY AT THE FIRST AMENDMENT:

“State Rep. Steve Holt, R-Denison, the chairman of the Iowa House Judiciary Committee, is the sponsor of the bill.

IHRA defines antisemitism as “a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.”

They also state:

Manifestations might include the targeting of the state of Israel, conceived as a Jewish collectivity. However, criticism of Israel similar to that leveled against any other country cannot be regarded as antisemitic. Antisemitism frequently charges Jews with conspiring to harm humanity, and it is often used to blame Jews for “why things go wrong.” It is expressed in speech, writing, visual forms and action, and employs sinister stereotypes and negative character traits.

Contemporary examples of antisemitism in public life, the media, schools, the workplace, and in the religious sphere could, taking into account the overall context, include, but are not limited to:

Calling for, aiding, or justifying the killing or harming of Jews in the name of a radical ideology or an extremist view of religion. Making mendacious, dehumanizing, demonizing, or stereotypical allegations about Jews as such or the power of Jews as collective — such as, especially but not exclusively, the myth about a world Jewish conspiracy or of Jews controlling the media, economy, government or other societal institutions. Accusing Jews as a people of being responsible for real or imagined wrongdoing committed by a single Jewish person or group, or even for acts committed by non-Jews. Denying the fact, scope, mechanisms (e.g. gas chambers) or intentionality of the genocide of the Jewish people at the hands of National Socialist Germany and its supporters and accomplices during World War II (the Holocaust). Accusing the Jews as a people, or Israel as a state, of inventing or exaggerating the Holocaust. Accusing Jewish citizens of being more loyal to Israel, or to the alleged priorities of Jews worldwide, than to the interests of their own nations. Denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination, e.g., by claiming that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavor. Applying double standards by requiring of it a behavior not expected or demanded of any other democratic nation. Using the symbols and images associated with classic antisemitism (e.g., claims of Jews killing Jesus or blood libel) to characterize Israel or Israelis. Drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis. Holding Jews collectively responsible for actions of the state of Israel. The legislation also states that this chapter in the Iowa Code, once adopted, shall not be construed to diminish or infringe First Amendment rights. The bill requires the state to consider the definition of antisemitism when investigating an alleged violation of any relevant policy, law, or regulation prohibiting discriminatory acts. Finally, the bill states that the IHRA definition of antisemitism shall also be used when providing state personnel anti-discrimination and anti-bias training.

The subcommittee included State Reps. Skyler Wheeler, R-Orange City, Brian Meyer, D-Des Moines, and Sandy Salmon, R-Janesville.

“Antisemitism can sometimes be hard to define. This bill simply uses a definition that is accepted by so many in the Jewish community to help ensure that we can identify antisemitism and act accordingly,” Wheeler told The Iowa Torch.

Salmon pointed out that the federal government uses the IHRA definition and that antisemitism is rising, especially on college campuses.

“Antisemitism is the leading form of religious-based hatred in the US. According to the FBI, 60 percent of religious bias incidents were anti-Jewish, and this despite Jews making up only 2 percent of the US population,” she told The Iowa Torch. “Defining antisemitism is necessary to be able to combat it.””

-THE IOWA TORCH

King Louis XVI of France was executed on this day, 21st January, in 1793.

➕ Requiescat in pace ➕

The Masonic States that were born in the 18th century from the destruction of Christendom eventually went on to unite under U.S. domination in the 20th century. And under U.S. domination the political, cultural and economic hegemony of the Masonic project known as 'The West' came into being. Yet the Masonic powers, under the spearhead of 'the West,' have never quite reached their goal of completely creating a New World Order.

When they do it will be under the reign of the Antichrist.

But until such time the blood of the Christian martyrs continues to be the seed of the Church. We can expect an almost miraculous revival of a united Christendom to arise from the ruins of an anti-Christian world as foretold by the Holy Mother of God at Fátima.

"In the end my Immaculate Heart will triumph."