The Dumbest War in Living Memory

There are wars fought for survival. There are wars fought for resources. There are wars fought, however misguidedly, for ideology. And then there is Donald Trump's illegal war against Iran, a war so bereft of coherent justification, so naked in its opportunism, and so catastrophic in its execution that future historians will struggle to find a category in which to place it. The dumbest war in living memory has found its author, and he is currently sitting in the most powerful position, explaining that he knows nothing about a bombed school or a destroyed desalination plant, and that Iranians are in any case, according to him, "among the most evil people ever on earth."

Let us dispense, first, with the pretexts.

This is not a war for security. The Arms Control Association has noted plainly that such a war of choice against Iran, without congressional approval, violates the Constitution and the 1973 War Powers Act, as well as Article 2(4) of the UN Charter, which prohibits the threat or use of force in international relations. Iran was, by all credible accounts, still engaged in diplomatic talks on the very day the US and Israel missiles began to fall on civilian targets.

IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said on 2 March 2026 that the agency had found no evidence of "a structured program to manufacture nuclear weapons" in Iran, and when asked directly whether Iran was "days or weeks away from building a bomb," his response was simply "no." Iran was still engaging in reportedly productive diplomatic talks over its nuclear program the day before the United States unleashed its weaponry. Security was never the point. If it were, you do not blow up the table at which the other party is prepared to sit.

This is not a war for oil, at least not in the way that cynics once imagined. American and Israeli strikes have, for the first time, targeted oil storage and refining facilities in Tehran. You do not secure a resource by incinerating it. What you do achieve, however, is a surge in global oil prices that enriches investors (including Trumps family members) and producers elsewhere, rattles markets, and inflicts immediate pain upon ordinary consumers, including New Zealanders whose import-dependent economy has absolutely no insulation from such shocks.

This is not a war to free the Iranian people either. The liberation narrative has long served as the humanitarian mask of American imperialism, and it fits no better here than it did in Iraq. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed that the United States attacked a freshwater desalination plant on Qeshm Island, with water supply to thirty villages impacted. You do not liberate a population by destroying the infrastructure upon which their survival depends. The Geneva Conventions are unambiguous: targeting facilities indispensable to civilian survival constitutes a war crime.

When Trump was asked about the desalination plant, he offered this remarkably incoherent response: "I know nothing about a desalinisation plant, other than to say, if they're complaining about..." He then trailed off into fresh denunciations of October 7, conflating Iran and Hamas as though the distinction were a bureaucratic inconvenience rather than a basic fact.

Bombing schoolchildren does not liberate them. Bombing desalination plants does not free people. It starves them, and it breeds a generation for whom the word "America" will forever cause resentment and anger across the entire world.

What this war actually is becomes clearer the more one examines the timeline. Whenever new material surfaces connecting Trump to the Epstein files, fresh documents, flight logs, or witness testimony implicating powerful men in the sexual abuse and torture of children, the news cycle conveniently fills with explosions. The pattern has become so reliable that it scarcely requires elaboration. A political war, then, fought as distraction. A racist and religious war, in which an entire nation of 90 million people is reduced by its attackers to a single, dehumanised caricature.

Trump has described Iranians as among "the most evil people ever on earth," a statement of breathtaking historical ignorance and moral vacancy from a man who has spent years cultivating relationships with some of the most genuinely evil figures of modern times.

From the moment Operation Epic Fury was launched, Trump's messaging has oscillated between outright fabrication, dealmaking and the wholesale destruction of Iran. He has called on the IRGC to surrender in exchange for immunity. He has asked Iranian diplomats to switch sides. He has declared that the new Supreme Leader will "not last long" without American approval. These are not the utterances of a statesman prosecuting a considered strategy. They are the improvisations of a man who began a war without a plan to end it, and who is now making his endgame up as the west loses allies and the body count climbs.

OMG a reporter confronts Donald Trump about Iran bombed its own elementary school with an American Tomahawk missile ridiciliously 😂🤣😭 pic.twitter.com/k7ld66Xk9W

— Furkan Gözükara (@FurkanGozukara) March 9, 2026

The war is not supported by the American people, and the Trump administration has done and said little to justify its belligerent actions. The varying and contradictory rationales from Trump's useful idiots have only offered the public simple incoherent jargon, and run contrary to available evidence.

New Zealand cannot afford to observe this catastrophe with the polite detachment of a small nation that prefers not to make a fuss. The economic consequences of a destabilised Middle East, surging oil prices, disrupted shipping lanes, and rattled global markets, land here with the same weight as anywhere. But beyond the economic, there is a moral obligation that this country has historically been willing to honour. We have a tradition of independent foreign policy that this moment demands we exercise again. But sadly our current spineless leadership is so vacuous as to appear like they're in support of Trump and Netanyahu's illegal war of annihilation.

Every missile that falls on a school, every village left without clean water, every use of illegal weapons, every civilian death that Trump waves away with a fresh denunciation of people he knows nothing about, each of these is a brick in the wall of resentment that will define how the world regards complicit Western nations for decades to come. History is not made only by those who pull triggers. It is also made by those who stay silent while the triggers are being pulled.

This is the dumbest kind of war: illegal, unjustified, racist, politically motivated, and conducted by a man who cannot name the school or desalination plant he has just ordered destroyed. New Zealand should oppose this war. Our politicians should say so, clearly and without any apology. 

People Linked to Jeffrey Epstein Who Have Died

The web of Jeffrey Epstein’s criminal network and its ties to powerful figures continues to unravel, revealing a chilling pattern of suspicious deaths, allegations of intelligence connections, and unanswered questions. From Epstein’s own mysterious death in 2019 to the unsolved murders of Barry and Honey Sherman, the apparent suicide of key witnesses like Virginia Giuffre, and the overdoses of victims like Carolyn Andriano and Leigh Skye Patrick, a trail of tragedy surrounds those linked to the disgraced financier. Allegations of Mossad involvement, elite blackmail operations, and systemic abuse persist, fueled by figures like Robert Maxwell and claims of espionage. 

This post explores the lives, deaths, and connections of deceased individuals caught in Epstein’s orbit, shedding more light on a scandal that refuses to fade.

Jeffrey Epstein, Age 66, Financier and Convicted Sex Offender: Epstein supposedly died by suicide by hanging in his cell at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York City on August 10, 2019, while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. As the central figure in a sprawling network of sexual abuse and trafficking, Epstein was convicted in 2008 for soliciting prostitution from a minor, though his plea deal sparked controversy for its leniency and apparent coverup to protect the powerful. His 2019 arrest revealed allegations of trafficking dozens of underage girls, with victims like Virginia Giuffre detailing systemic abuse at his properties. 

Speculation about his death being a murder rather than suicide persist, fuelled by lapses in prison protocol, such as guards failing to check on him and malfunctioning cameras. Some, including former intelligence operative Ari Ben-Menashe, have claimed Epstein worked with Mossad, leveraging his connections to powerful figures to gather compromising material for blackmail. His death silenced a key figure in an international scandal, leaving many questions unanswered about the extent of his criminal network and its protectors.

Barry Sherman, Age 75, Canadian Pharmaceutical Billionaire: Barry Sherman and his wife Honey were found dead in their Toronto home on December 15, 2017, initially considered a murder-suicide but later investigated as a targeted double homicide, which remains unsolved. Sherman, founder of Apotex, was linked to Epstein through elite financial and social circles, though no direct evidence confirms a close relationship. His wealth and influence placed him in networks where Epstein operated, raising questions about potential overlap in their business dealings. The mysterious nature of the Shermans’ deaths, with no arrests made years later, has led to speculation of foul play tied to their high-profile connections. 

The lack of resolution in the case continues to fuel theories about targeted killings within elite circles.

 

Honey Sherman, Age 70, Philanthropist and Wife of Barry Sherman: Found dead alongside her husband Barry on December 15, 2017, in their Toronto home, Honey’s death is part of the same unsolved double homicide. As a prominent philanthropist, she moved in the same elite social circles as her husband, which indirectly connected her to Epstein’s network, though no specific ties to his criminal activities are documented. The suspicious circumstances of her death, including the staging of the bodies to initially suggest a murder-suicide, have prompted speculation about motives related to the Shermans’ wealth or connections, but no evidence points to direct Epstein-related criminality. The ongoing mystery of their deaths keeps them in the orbit of conspiracy theories surrounding powerful figures.

Virginia Giuffre, Age 41, Victim and Accuser: Giuffre, a prominent survivor of Epstein’s sexual abuse, died by suicide on April 24, 2025, at her farm in Neergabby, Australia. Her testimony was pivotal in exposing Epstein’s trafficking network, accusing him, Ghislaine Maxwell, Prince Andrew, and Jean-Luc Brunel of abusing her as a minor. Giuffre’s allegations detailed a sophisticated operation where she was coerced into sexual acts with high-profile figures, implicating Epstein’s use of his wealth and connections to exploit vulnerable girls. 

After years of legal battles and public advocacy, her suicide came amid a marriage breakup, reported struggles with the psychological toll of her trauma and relentless scrutiny. Some online discussions have questioned whether her death was truly self-inflicted, citing her role as a key witness, but no direct evidence supports claims of foul play. 

Her death marked a tragic loss for survivors seeking justice.

Daniel Anderl, Age 20, Son of Federal Judge Esther Salas: Daniel Anderl was shot and killed on July 19, 2020, at his family’s home in New Jersey by Roy Den Hollander, a lawyer with a personal vendetta against Judge Salas. Salas was overseeing a case involving Epstein’s financial ties to Deutsche Bank, which examined suspicious transactions potentially linked to his trafficking operations. Den Hollander, a self-proclaimed men’s rights activist with a history of misogynistic writings, killed Anderl and wounded Salas’s husband, targeting her for her judicial role. While no direct evidence ties Epstein pedophile network to the attack, the timing and Salas’s involvement in an Epstein-related case sparked speculation of a deeper connection. 

 

Jean-Luc Brunel, Age 75, Modelling Agent and Epstein Accomplice: Brunel, a French modelling agent, died by apparent suicide in his cell at La Santé Prison in Paris on February 19, 2022, while awaiting trial for rape of minors and sexual harassment. Accused by Virginia Giuffre and others of scouting underage girls for Epstein’s trafficking network, Brunel was a key figure in supplying victims under the guise of modelling opportunities through his agency, MC2. His death, like Epstein’s, raised suspicions of foul play due to its timing and the high stakes of his upcoming trial, which could have exposed further details about Epstein’s operations. While no confirmed Mossad connections exist, Brunel’s role in Epstein’s network, which some allege had intelligence ties, keeps such speculation alive. 

His apparent suicide prevented further testimony that might have implicated other powerful figures in the scandal.

Carolyn Andriano, Age 36, Victim and Witness: Andriano died of a drug overdose (methadone, fentanyl, and alprazolam) on May 23, 2023, in a West Palm Beach hotel room, ruled accidental. She testified against Ghislaine Maxwell, describing how Epstein abused her starting at age 14, with Maxwell facilitating the encounters. Her testimony helped secure Maxwell’s 2021 conviction for sex trafficking. 

The overdose, occurring in an area tied to Epstein’s activities, has been called suspicious by some online commentators, who note the pattern of deaths among Epstein’s victims. No evidence links her death to targeted foul play, but her history of trauma and addiction, exacerbated by her abuse, highlights the lasting impact on Epstein’s victims. 

Her death silenced another voice that could have shed light on the network’s inner workings.

Pedro Gaspar, Age 29, Model and Party Promoter: Gaspar died on August 6, 2012, of a suspected drug overdose in a Manhattan apartment owned by Epstein’s brother, Mark. Associated with Jean-Luc Brunel’s MC2 Models, Gaspar was reportedly involved in Epstein’s social scene, which allegedly included procuring girls for his trafficking network. The overdose’s suspicious nature, given his proximity to Epstein and Brunel, has led some to question whether it was accidental or tied to efforts to silence those with knowledge of Epstein’s activities. No direct evidence of a targeted killing exists, but his death in a property linked to Epstein’s family and his role in the modelling world raise lingering doubts about the circumstances surrounding this young mans death.

Bill Richardson, Age 75, Former Governor of New Mexico: Richardson died in September 2023 of natural causes. Virginia Giuffre accused him of being one of the individuals Maxwell directed her to give a massage to, implying sexual activity, though Richardson vehemently denied meeting her and was never charged. As a prominent political figure, his inclusion in Epstein’s contact book and Giuffre’s allegations placed him under scrutiny, but no concrete evidence of criminality or pedophilia emerged. Speculation about Epstein’s network having intelligence ties, including to Mossad, occasionally touches figures like Richardson due to his elite connections, but no specific Mossad link is substantiated. 

His death, reported as natural, closed a chapter on one of Epstein’s more contested associations.

Marvin Minsky, Age 88, MIT Scientist: Minsky, a pioneering computer scientist, died in January 2016 of a cerebral hemorrhage, considered natural causes. Virginia Giuffre claimed Maxwell directed her to engage in sexual activities with him, an allegation, which led to no criminal charges, that surfaced after his death. Minsky’s association with Epstein came through his visits to Epstein’s private pedophile island and funding from Epstein for AI research at MIT, raising questions about the financier’s influence in academic circles. His connection to Epstein underscores how the pedophile financier cultivated ties with intellectual elites, potentially for leverage or blackmail.

Leigh Skye Patrick, Age 29, Victim: Patrick, an Epstein survivor, died in 2017 from a drug overdose in a West Palm Beach hotel room, the first of two Epstein victims to die of overdoses in the area. Her being a victim of Epstein’s abuse made her a key witness in his trafficking network, though specific details about her experiences or testimony are scarce. The overdose, like Carolyn Andriano’s, occurred in a region closely tied to Epstein’s operations, prompting speculation about whether such deaths were truly accidental. The pattern of overdoses among Epstein’s victims raises questions about the long-term impact of their trauma and potential vulnerabilities exploited by others.

Alfredo Rodriguez, Age 60, Former House Manager: Rodriguez, Epstein’s house manager in Palm Beach, died in January 2015 from mesothelioma, a fast acting cancer caused from exposure to asbestos. He was sentenced to 18 months in prison for attempting to sell Epstein’s “black book,” a contact list detailing the financier’s network, which included names of victims and high-profile figures. Rodriguez’s insider knowledge made him a significant figure in early investigations into Epstein’s activities, and his attempt to profit from the book suggests awareness of its value in exposing criminality. 

His death from natural causes occurred before Epstein’s 2019 arrest, but some speculate he faced threats due to his possession of sensitive information. Epstein’s alleged intelligence ties keep such theories in circulation.

Stephen Hawking, Age 76, Scientist: Hawking, a renowned theoretical physicist, died on March 14, 2018, of natural causes related to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). His name appeared in Epstein’s contact book, suggesting a social or professional connection, possibly through Epstein’s funding of scientific endeavours or events like a 2006 conference Hawking attended on Epstein’s island. No allegations of pedophilia or criminality have been made against him, but his presence in Epstein’s orbit reflects the financier’s efforts to align with intellectual giants, potentially for influence or credibility. 

His death, expected due to his long-term illness, has not been tied to foul play.

Michael Jackson, Age 50, Celebrity: Jackson, a global music icon, died on June 25, 2009, from a drug overdose involving propofol and benzodiazepines, administered by his physician, ruled a homicide due to medical negligence. His name in Epstein’s contact book and reported visits to Epstein’s Palm Beach property was likely a social connection, driven by Jackson’s celebrity status and Epstein’s pursuit of influential figures. Accusers in Jackson’s separate allegations of child sexual abuse, including Jordan Chandler in 1993 and Gavin Arvizo in 2003, claimed he molested them during sleepovers at his Neverland Ranch, though these cases were settled out of court for $22 million and acquitted in 2005, respectively. Posthumous claims by Wade Robson and James Safechuck in 2019 alleged prolonged abuse, but were dismissed due to statutes of limitations. 

No evidence directly ties Jackson to Epstein’s pedophilia or trafficking network, and his death is unlikely to be linked to Epstein-related foul play, though his presence in Epstein’s orbit fuels speculation about his elite connections.

Ted Kennedy, Age 77, Former Senator: Kennedy, a long-serving U.S. senator, died on August 25, 2009, from brain cancer. His name in Epstein’s contact book suggests a social or political connection, likely due to Kennedy’s prominence and Epstein’s cultivation of powerful allies. No allegations of pedophilia or direct involvement in Epstein’s criminal activities have been substantiated, though Kennedy’s past controversies, such as the Chappaquiddick incident, have long fuelled scrutiny of his personal conduct. 

His death from a well-documented illness is not considered suspicious, though his elite status made him a target for Epstein’s networking.

Ivana Trump, Age 73, Former Spouse of Donald Trump: Ivana Trump died on July 14, 2022, from accidental blunt impact injuries after a fall at her New York City home. Mentioned in Epstein-related files, likely due to her high-profile social connections in New York and Palm Beach elite circles, she had no direct allegations of involvement in Epstein’s criminal activities. Her ex-husband Donald Trump’s documented ties to Epstein, including flights on his "Lolita Express" airplanes, place her in proximity to his pedophile network. However, no evidence suggests foul play beyond the accidental nature of her death. 

Her presence in Epstein’s orbit likely reflects his access to prominent social and political figures.

David Koch, Age 79, Businessman: Koch, a billionaire industrialist and philanthropist, died on August 23, 2019, from prostate cancer. Although some sources claim they had a close friendship, his name in Epstein’s contact book points to a connection through elite financial and social circles, as Koch’s wealth and influence aligned with Epstein’s network of powerful figures. No allegations of pedophilia or direct criminality tied to Epstein have been made against him, and his death from a long-term illness is not considered suspicious. Epstein’s cultivation of billionaires like Koch suggests strategic networking, possibly for financial or social leverage.

Ethel Kennedy, Age 96, Widow of Robert F. Kennedy: Ethel Kennedy died on October 10, 2024, of natural causes. Mentioned in Epstein-related files, likely due to her prominent social and political connections as a Kennedy family matriarch, she had no direct ties to his criminal activities. Her advanced age and public profile made her a peripheral figure in Epstein’s network, with no allegations of pedophilia or Mossad involvement. 

Her death, expected due to her age, has not been linked to foul play, but her inclusion in Epstein’s files underscores his networks reach into America’s political dynasties.

Robert Maxwell, Age 68, Media Tycoon: Robert Maxwell, father of Ghislaine Maxwell, died on November 5, 1991, after falling from his yacht near the Canary Islands, officially ruled an accidental drowning. His connection to Epstein is through Ghislaine, a key figure in Epstein’s trafficking network. Maxwell, a British media mogul, was widely alleged to have been a Mossad agent, with former Israeli intelligence officer Ari Ben-Menashe claiming he facilitated the sale of bugged PROMIS software to governments and institutions, enabling espionage. His financial empire, riddled with fraud and embezzlement, collapsed posthumously, revealing he had misappropriated pension funds. 

His mysterious death has fuelled theories of Mossad assassination, with suggestions he was killed after attempting to blackmail the agency for financial aid to cover debts. While no direct evidence ties him to Epstein’s pedophilia, his intelligence connections and Ghislaine’s role raise questions about the family’s broader ties to covert operations.

John Tower, Age 65, Former U.S. Senator: John Tower died on April 5, 1991, in a plane crash near Brunswick, Georgia, officially attributed to mechanical failure. His connection to Epstein is indirect, through Robert Maxwell, with whom he was allegedly involved in the PROMIS software scandal. Authors like Gordon Thomas claim Tower facilitated the sale of bugged software, allegedly modified by Mossad for espionage, to U.S. institutions, including nuclear research facilities. The crash that killed him and his daughter has been speculatively linked to Mossad by some, who argue his knowledge of the software’s backdoor capabilities made him a liability, though no definitive evidence supports this. 

No allegations of pedophilia or direct Epstein-related criminality exist, but Tower’s death, occurring months before Maxwell’s, adds to speculation about intelligence-related eliminations within elite networks.

Unresolved Questions About Epstein's Paedophile Network

Jeffrey Epstein’s criminal enterprise represents one of the most sophisticated pedophile and blackmail operations in modern history, facilitated by an extensive surveillance network that recorded illicit activities across his Manhattan townhouse, Palm Beach mansion, Little St. James island, New Mexico’s Zorro Ranch, and the New Albany estate.

Despite numerous investigations and document releases, critical aspects of this extensive operation remain unexamined, including the technical infrastructure that enabled it, the individuals who implemented these systems, and the apparent institutional failures that have allowed key evidence to disappear or remain hidden.

Recent developments have added new complexity to the case. The United States DOJ is apparently still reviewing materials from the FBI investigation into Jeffrey Epstein as Attorney General Pam Bondi supposedly wants to release more files. However, Bondi’s public statements have created confusion rather than clarity.


On Wednesday, Stuff reported:

Mystery surrounds the Jeffrey Epstein files after Bondi claims 'tens of thousands' of videos

It was a surprising statement from Attorney General Pam Bondi as the Trump administration promises to release more files from its sex trafficking investigation of Jeffrey Epstein: The FBI, she said, was reviewing “tens of thousands of videos” of the wealthy financier “with children or child porn.”

The comment, made to reporters at the White House days after a similar remark to a stranger with a hidden camera, raised the stakes for President Donald Trump's administration to prove it has in its possession previously unseen compelling evidence. That task is all the more pressing after an earlier document dump that Bondi hyped angered elements of Trump’s base by failing to deliver new bombshells and as administration officials who had promised to unlock supposed secrets of the so-called government “deep state" struggle to fulfill that pledge.

Yet weeks after Bondi’s remarks, it remains unclear what she was referring to.

...

The filing suggests a discovery of recordings after the criminal cases had concluded, but if that's what Bondi was referencing, the Justice Department has not said.

The department declined repeated requests from the AP to speak with officials overseeing the Epstein review. Spokespeople did not answer a list of questions about Bondi’s comments, including when and where the recordings were procured, what they depict and whether they were newly discovered as authorities dug through their evidence collection or were known for some time to have been in the government's possession.

“Outside sources who make assertions about materials included in the DOJ’s review cannot speak to what materials are included in the DOJ’s review,” spokesperson Chad Gilmartin said in a statement.

What the Stuff article fails to mention is that Bondi, in April 2025, was secretly recorded claiming the FBI was reviewing “tens of thousands of videos” of Epstein “with children or child porn,” statements that were later contradicted by FBI Director Kash Patel. Patel then appeared on the Joe Rogan show, claiming that the delay was because of the amount of evidence they were having to look through. 

Patel's appearance was likely due to Bondi’s February 2025 release of “declassified” Epstein files, 200 pages of public flight logs and a heavily redacted contact book, which received substantial backlash from observers, with most of the material having already been released and used in the trial of Epstein associate and abuser, Ghislaine Maxwell. 

The limited nature of these releases, combined with contradictory statements about video evidence, has fuelled speculation about continued cover-ups. This analysis examines some of the systemic failures that continue to obstruct justice for the victims of Jeffrey Epstein and his pedophile accomplices.

Representatives Robert Garcia and Stephen F. Lynch have demanded answers from Attorney General Pamela Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel about whether the Epstein files are being withheld because they personally implicate President Trump. Senator Marsha Blackburn has requested the FBI Director release complete, unredacted Epstein records. These congressional actions highlight the political dimensions of the case and the continuing pressure for transparency, while also revealing the extent to which partisan considerations may be influencing investigative decisions.

Allegations of Jeffrey Epstein’s connections to Mossad, Israel’s intelligence agency, have emerged from multiple sources, suggesting his blackmail operation may have served geopolitical interests. Former Israeli intelligence operative Ari Ben-Menashe alleged in 2020 that Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell acted as Mossad assets, using their access to influential figures to collect compromising material for strategic leverage. 

Court documents from Virginia Giuffre reference Epstein’s ties to international networks, potentially including foreign intelligence, while former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak’s documented visits to Epstein’s properties raise questions about their relationship. The Tel Aviv branch of Jean-Luc Brunel’s MC2 modelling agency, linked to Epstein’s victim recruitment network, further confirms an Israeli connection. Although no definitive evidence has been made public, the FBI’s failure to investigate these international ties, combined with missing surveillance data, leaves critical questions unanswered about whether Epstein’s operations intersected with Mossad’s objectives.

Another largely unexplored aspect of Epstein’s criminal enterprise was his comprehensive surveillance network, which was professionally installed. A surviving victim, Maria Farmer, in her first television interview, alleged that Epstein had extensive surveillance inside his home, including tiny pinhole cameras, and that Epstein showed her cameras throughout his house. Now deceased victim, Virginia Giuffre’s memoir describes a room equipped with monitors displaying real-time footage from throughout the properties, suggesting a centralised monitoring system. 

The 2006 Palm Beach police raid uncovered multiple hidden recording devices, while court documents reference compact discs labeled with “young" victims names discovered in Epstein’s safe, indicating systematic cataloging of recorded material. Conservative radio host Buck Sexton correctly noted that “Epstein was running a blackmail operation based on surreptitious video, as evidenced from the extensive surveillance set ups in his various mansions”.

The scale and sophistication of Epstein’s surveillance network required professional-grade information technology infrastructure. Such systems demanded secure data transmission, encrypted storage, and remote access capabilities, features consistent with enterprise solutions like those offered by Citrix Systems, technology mentioned in Jeffrey Epstein’s released files. Products such as Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops, Workspace, or NetScaler provide the encryption and remote access functionalities necessary for managing sensitive surveillance data across multiple properties while maintaining operational security. 

The technical complexity of managing surveillance systems in New York, Palm Beach, and Little St. James simultaneously would have required specialised expertise in network architecture, data storage systems, and security protocols, expertise that Jeffrey Epstein was reported to not have himself. This level of sophistication suggests the involvement of experienced IT professionals with access to enterprise-grade technology platforms.

Central to understanding Epstein’s technical infrastructure is Tim Newcombe, aka Tim Newcome, listed on page 95 of Epstein’s contact book with two Columbus, Ohio telephone numbers identifying him, despite an extensive attempt to scrub the internet of any leads. Jeffrey Epstein’s house manager Alfredo Rodriguez identified Newcombe as a “Citrix Systems programmer” likely responsible for IT and surveillance systems across Epstein’s numerous properties. Newcombe’s professional associations include Newcome Corp./NES and Digital Interiors, Ohio-based firms specialising in fibre optics and home security systems. Additionally, Newcombe appears to have connections to Ambassador Software Works, a company funded by Rev1 Ventures, an investment fund with ties to Leslie Wexner’s extensive Ohio State University network.

This connection is particularly significant given Wexner’s central role in Epstein’s operations and the billionaire’s influence within Columbus’s technology and the US business ecosystem.

Wexner’s relationship with Epstein from the mid-1980s through 2007 provided the foundation for much of Epstein’s wealth and operational capacity. As Wexner’s financial manager with power of attorney, Epstein controlled significant assets including the New Albany estate where Maria Farmer alleged abuse occurred in 1996. Newcombe’s Columbus base suggests Epstein leveraged local technical expertise to maintain IT systems at Wexner-connected properties, potentially utilising Citrix tools to secure surveillance feeds and manage encrypted data. 

The geographic concentration of technical resources in Columbus, combined with Wexner’s institutional connections, created an environment where sophisticated surveillance systems could be implemented and maintained with minimal external oversight. This local network effect may have facilitated the blackmailing and pedophilia operation’s longevity through technical sophistication. It may also explain why evidence is still only now being decrypted.

Despite the apparent significance of Newcombe’s role, several critical questions remain unanswered: What specific technical services did Newcombe provide to Epstein’s properties? How extensively was Citrix technology utilised in the surveillance infrastructure? Why has Newcombe’s involvement not been subject to a formal investigation? 

The absence of investigation into these technical enablers represents a significant gap in understanding the full scope of Epstein’s pedophile and blackmailing operation.

FBI agents and FOIA analysts have been holed up in the bureau’s sprawling Central Records Complex in Virginia as they process thousands of documents of Jeffrey Epstein files, yet critical evidence appears to have been compromised or lost. Surveillance video taken outside of the Manhattan jail cell of accused child-sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein during his apparent first suicide attempt was permanently deleted, raising questions about the bureau’s evidence preservation protocols. The video cameras being turned off when Epstein apparently did commit suicide is also questionable. 

The FBI’s 2019 raid on Epstein’s Manhattan townhouse reportedly uncovered extensive photographic and video evidence, but the current status and contents of these materials remains unclear. Why were authorities so unprofessional in gathering evidence or securing crime scenes? Journalist Michael Wolff and others have noted the apparent disappearance of substantial evidence collections, suggesting either systematic destruction or deliberate concealment.

The failure of US law enforcement is equal to that of New Zealand's apparent lack of concern for an international pedophile ring. Epstein’s international "model" recruitment network extended beyond Jean-Luc Brunel’s MC2 agency, located in New York City, Miami, and Tel Aviv, to include an unnamed New Zealand "mother" modelling agency linked to Brunel’s recruitment operations. This connection suggests a systematic approach to international trafficking that utilised legitimate business fronts to identify and recruit victims. 

The New Zealand connection remains uninvestigated, potentially shielding additional accomplices. Adding to the New Zealand connections, Karen and Brice Gorden, New Zealanders who managed operations at Epstein’s Zorro Ranch, represent another unexplored dimension of his international pedophile network that may still be operating to this very day.

Epstein’s financial dealings are another unresolved area that's crying out for further investigation. The convicted pedophile used complex networks of banks, investment funds, and financial institutions to hide and embezzle his wealth. Bank of America, for instance, processed $170 million for billionaire Leon Black in connection with Epstein-related transactions, while investments in Liquid Funding Ltd. and Bear Stearns hedge funds remain opaque, much like Donald Trumps earlier financial fraud that he's still to face any consequences for. 

These financial networks enabled the operation’s scale and sophistication while providing mechanisms for money laundering and asset concealment. The institutional failure to fully investigate these financial enablers represents another significant gap in accountability efforts.

Last year, the Guardian reported:

Donald Trump ordered to pay over $350m in New York financial fraud case

Donald Trump, his eldest sons and associates have been ordered to pay over $350m plus pre-judgment interest by a New York judge who found them guilty of intentionally committing financial fraud over the course of a decade.

Federal agencies’ focus on consumer-grade platforms and social media monitoring overlooks the sophisticated enterprise technologies that likely enabled Epstein’s operations, both in money laundering and blackmail through recording child sex abuse. The FBI’s Operation Innocent Images and similar initiatives target generic platforms while ignoring enterprise-grade solutions like Citrix systems that could have secured blackmail operations and facilitated encrypted communications. 

This technological blind spot in federal investigations reflects broader institutional limitations in understanding and investigating sophisticated criminal enterprises that utilise legitimate business technologies for illicit purposes.

The systematic loss or destruction of surveillance evidence suggests either incompetence or deliberate concealment within federal agencies, further eroding the public's trust in these institutions. The technical complexity of Epstein’s surveillance systems required specialised expertise to properly investigate and preserve evidence, yet there is little indication that federal agencies brought appropriate technical resources to bear on the case, or investigated all potential leads.

This will be a sort of #EpsteinBlackBook cheat sheet. I've tried to id the correct people, although some are more difficult than others because of the lack of details provided.

Will put an * next to the ones circled in the book.https://t.co/L6ZCffGcM2https://t.co/ANcZlE2mgJ

— Agenthades (@Agenthades1) July 20, 2019

As well as numerous pedophiles in positions of power, the Epstein case reveals fundamental weaknesses in federal agencies’ capacity to investigate technologically sophisticated criminal enterprises. Future investigations must include comprehensive examination of enterprise-grade systems used to facilitate criminal operations, investigation of IT professionals and technology contractors who enabled criminal infrastructure to be installed and maintained, robust procedures for preserving and analysing digital evidence in complex cases, and enhanced cooperation with international partners to investigate transnational criminal networks.

Twelve Epstein accusers have sued the FBI for allegedly failing to protect them, with the complaint filed in federal court alleging the FBI “turned its back on survivor victims”. This legal action highlights the need for institutional accountability and reform within federal agencies responsible for investigating complex criminal enterprises. The systematic failures in the Epstein case, from evidence preservation to witness protection, require comprehensive review and reform of federal investigative procedures.

The Epstein surveillance network represents a case study in how sophisticated criminal enterprises can exploit legitimate technologies and institutional weaknesses, as well as compromising corruptible powerful people, to operate with relative impunity. The unresolved questions surrounding technical infrastructure, the role of IT professionals like Tim Newcombe, and the systematic failures in evidence preservation highlight the need for more comprehensive and technically sophisticated approaches.

Until authorities confront these systemic weaknesses and pursue the unresolved leads in the Epstein case, the full scope of the operation will remain obscured, and justice for victims will remain incomplete. The shadows that continue to shroud critical aspects of the Epstein blackmailing and pedophile operation are not merely the result of the case’s complexity, they reflect fundamental failures in how institutions investigate, preserve evidence, and pursue accountability in cases involving sophisticated technologies. Only by addressing these systemic failures can we hope to prevent similar operations in the future and deliver justice to those who've been victimised by them.

The Suspicious Death of Virginia Giuffre

The news of Virginia Giuffre’s untimely death has been a shock, especially for those still seeking justice for Jeffrey Epstein’s victims. Giuffre, a key figure in exposing Epstein’s depraved network and its ties to powerful figures like Prince Andrew, was reportedly struck by a bus in Australia. She then apparently took her own life.

 

The timing and circumstances of her death raise chilling questions, especially given her 2019 tweet declaring, “I am not suicidal. If something happens to me, don’t believe it was self-inflicted.” That statement, now looms large as yet another Epstein victim meets an untimely and suspicious end.

Giuffre’s courage in speaking out against the pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, and Prince Andrew made her a target. Her allegations of being trafficked to the British royal as a teenager were explosive, shaking the foundations of Buckingham Palace. Despite a settlement with Andrew, she never stopped advocating for justice. But her death (at the same time investigations into Epstein’s network continue to unravel) smells of foul play. Numerous people have echoed this sentiment, with many pointing to the “mysterious circumstances” surrounding her accident. A bus traveling at 110 km/h? Kidney failure and a four-day prognosis? The narrative feels scripted, and the public’s skepticism is warranted.

 

This isn’t the first time an Epstein associate or victim has met an untimely demise either. Epstein himself was found dead in his cell in 2019, officially ruled a suicide, though the circumstances (disabled cameras, absent guards) screamed cover-up. Jean-Luc Brunel, a modeling agent linked to Epstein’s trafficking ring, also died in a French prison in 2022, another “suicide” that raised eyebrows. Now Giuffre joins this grim list, her voice silenced without closure on the Epstein files which remain partially sealed.

But if that wasn't bad enough, Virginia Giuffre's death has been met with cruel mockery from an Epstein associate, "Lady" Victoria Hervey, sparking widespread outrage. Hervey, a British socialite, friend of Ghislaine Maxwell and ex partner of Prince Andrew, celebrated Giuffre getting into a terrible car crash, saying it was "Karma" and then posted a meme on Instagram after her death depicting Giuffre as a Domino’s Pizza box with the caption “When You’re Supposed to Be Delivered in 30 Minutes But You End Up Killing Yourself.” These insensitive acts, ridiculing Giuffre’s death at 41, have drawn sharp criticism for their callousness.

 

The establishment has a vested interest in burying the Epstein scandal. Prince Andrew’s settlement with Giuffre, reportedly funded by the Queen, was a desperate attempt to keep him out of court. Yet the questions linger: Who else was complicit? What did the FBI know, and why have key documents been withheld? Giuffre’s death only amplifies these concerns. Her tweet wasn’t just a precaution; it was a very real warning about what happens to people who speak out against pedophiles.

The mainstream media’s reluctance to dig deeper is telling. Few outlets have reported on her tweet or connected the dots between Giuffre’s death and the broader pattern of suspicious fatalities. This isn’t conspiracy-mongering; it’s a demand for accountability. The powerful have long shielded themselves behind their wealth and influence, but the public’s patience is wearing thin. Giuffre deserved justice, not a tragic end. Until the Epstein files are fully released and those implicated are held to account, her death will remain a stain on the conscience of those who failed her...and a rallying cry for those who still seek the truth.

Is Trump being blackmailed by Mossad?

We all know that Donald Trump, the so-called leader of the free world, is a bit unhinged at the best of times. If he’s not rage tweeting about people like Hillary Clinton he’s firing anybody he finds even slightly distasteful, even those who appear to be on the embattled President's side.

Perhaps it's just nerves from the numerous articles of impeachment he’s facing and the apparent complete lack of any reasonable defence from his lawyers, but Trump’s actions often appear to be entirely inconsistent with what a normal person would do in his situation.

There is however another reason for Trumps recently increased instability.

Benjamin Netanyahu and Donald Trump

On January 27th, Trump held a press conference with the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, to launch a peace plan for Palestine. Of course it’s not really a plan for peace at all. Instead it grants Israel pretty much everything it wants while hindering the creation of a viable Palestinian state in return for no substantive concessions.

Trump and Netanyahu dictating the Palestinian’s surrender isn’t necessarily a good thing for Israel either. Although many have surmised that it will help Netanyahu’s prospects for re-election, the non-negotiated peace plan has already received some condemnation from other countries, with Israel set to become even further internationally alienated if it proceeds.

On Jan 29, the Guardian reported:

Doubts raised over workability of Trump's Middle East peace plan

For his part, the UN secretary general, António Guterres, issued a terse but polite rejection, that echoed the French statement pointing out that while he had “seen the announcement … the position of the United Nations on the two-state solution has been defined, throughout the years, by relevant security council and general assembly resolutions by which the secretariat is bound.” 

More heated language, was used by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan who described the plan as “absolutely unacceptable” ignoring Palestinians’ rights while “legitimising Israel’s occupation”. “The plan outlined,” he added, “will not serve peace or bring about a solution.”

So why would Trump support such an unrealistic plan?

It could just be a coincidence that the Israeli Prime Minister met Trump on the same day he was also impeached after he withdrew his request for parliamentary immunity from prosecution for the bribery, fraud and breach of trust charges he’s facing. But it’s more likely that both leaders staged the announcement and were simply attempting to take the focus off their impeachment proceedings.

This isn’t the only inconsistency with the US Presidents decision-making process of course. Even though Trump, just like the fake peace plan, appears to be a tool of Netanyahu’s campaign for re-election, he’s also recently provided Israel with increased military funding, presumably to help facilitate the annexation process through warfare. Clearly this increased military spend has nothing to do with peace in the Middle East at all.

There are of course numerous examples of Trump supporting Israel's objectives disproportionate to what is required, but one in particular springs to mind. Trump often justifies the assassination of Iranian military leader, Qasim Suleimani, because he allegedly threatened American diplomats and soldiers in Iraq. But Suleimani was more likely killed, and Trump has confirmed this, because he also posed a threat to Israel.

 Iranian military leader, Qasim Suleimani

Israel was of course one of the only countries to have advance notice of the drone attack. In contrast Trump didn’t even inform most of the United States' traditional allies, or the US Congress for that matter, of the politically motivated assassination, which was obviously undertaken to distract from his own impending impeachment.

These diplomatic inconsistencies, to put it lightly, should be raising a very large red flag for the good people of America right now. Likewise, diplomats from around the world should be questioning such military actions that are clearly in breach of international law.

So how can we reasonably explain such inconsistencies in the Presidents' leadership? Along with his unhealthy relationship with Netanyahu, Trump also used to hang out with the now deceased sex trafficker, paedophile and blackmailer, Jeffrey Epstein.

Last Saturday, the NZ Herald reported:

'My Super Bowl trophy': Epstein 'boasted' about selling Prince Andrew's 'secrets' to Mossad spy

Jeffrey Epstein's former "mentor" has revealed how the disgraced paedophile would boast to his friends about how he was going to sell Prince Andrew's secrets to Israel's intelligence agency Mossad. 

Steven Hoffenberg also revealed Epstein called the Duke of York his "Super Bowl trophy" and that the pair's friendship began years earlier than the royal claims. 

…  

Hoffenberg says Epstein's blackmail plots became more involved as time went on. 

He revealed Epstein's plane was known as the "Lolita Express" and there was a roster of underage girls for the parties Epstein threw for his friends, including Prince Andrew. 

Everything was recorded at those parties so that Epstein could then use it for some kind of financial gain, and also given to Mossad, which Maxwell was linked to, Hoffenberg said.

Jeffrey Epstein with Donald Trump

I don’t usually like conspiracy theories, but could the inconsistencies with Trump’s governance, particularly towards Israel, be explained by the Epstein Mossad blackmail connection?

Trump was known to have frequented Epstein’s parties that were attended by underage girls. Recently unsealed court documents also show that Trump was a guest on Epstein’s plane, a plane they called the Lolita Express for obvious reasons.

Trump is clearly compromised both by his actions and associations. He must not be allowed to destabilise the Middle East for his own political gain or be used as a tool by Israel to further their attempted conquest of Palestine.