Is there something that they know that they aren't telling the rest of us?  As I discussed yesterday, things in the Middle East are really heating up, and the conflict in Ukraine has reached a very dangerous stage.  If negotiations with Russia fail, both sides are likely to significantly escalate matters in a desperate attempt to win the war, and the Russians could come to the conclusion that a final showdown with NATO has begun.  We do not want the Russians to view the conflict in Ukraine in those terms, because they are already extremely paranoid and it wouldn't take much to push them over the edge.  Unfortunately, NATO countries continue to do things that will raise tensions instead of easing them.  The following are 7 actions that NATO countries are taking which indicate that something really big is coming…

#1 France is getting ready to distribute a 20 page survival manual that instructs citizens what to do if a full-blown war erupts…

France is the latest country set to issue an invasion survival how-to guide for its citizens.

The 20-page booklet will give advice to French civilians on how to defend the republic in the face of an invasion by signing up to reserve units or local defence efforts.

It will also have tips on how to create a survival kit with essentials including six litres of water, canned food, batteries, and basic medical supplies.

#2 The French government is also telling their citizens to leave Iran "immediately"…

French authorities on Thursday requested its citizens to immediately leave the territory of Iran.

The French Foreign Ministry has issued a warning to its citizens amid the release of one of its nationals who had been imprisoned in Iran for over 880 days.

#3 It is being reported that military planners in the UK have ordered special forces units to get ready to be sent to Ukraine…

Special Forces units were told to prepare for mobilisation to Ukraine by military planners tasked with readying forces by the Cabinet Office, according to two military sources with knowledge of the directive.

The command centre for UK military planning, the Permanent Joint Headquarters (PJHQ), was sent directives last week to begin the process for the deployment of personnel and resources.

The orders, which also applied to Special Forces reservists, put personnel on standby in order to ensure military equipment is in working order before receiving a notice to mobilise to Ukraine.