Unusual, but persistently present theory known as "Pentagon petagon pizza watch" (Petagon Pizza Watch) stirred up the public again.
According to this informal index, the spike in pizza and takeout orders near the Pentagon, White houses i CIA-e often precedes major geopolitical crises or military operations of the United States of America.
This time, social media users are speculating that the sudden increase in pizza orders is related to a potential offensive on Iran.
The January increase in orders and Trump's moves
Since the beginning of January, this unconfirmed rule was activated during the US attack on Venezuela and the kidnapping of the president Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores.
Now, pizzerias around the Pentagon are recording a big jump in orders - just a few hours after Donald Trump posted a photo from the roof of the White House on social media with the short message: "Coming soon".
Such a message, Trump's latest moves and current events in Iran and US announcements to take over Greenland and attack Cuba, combined with the "activation" of the pizza index, fueled speculation that the US is preparing for a new big move on the world stage.
According to data from the Pentagon Pizza Company, Papa John's Pizza (3,7 km from the Pentagon) recorded a high activity increase of 192 percent. Picato Pizza (3,5 km from the Pentagon) also reports a 145 percent increase.
The question is whether Trump's "soon" refers to Greenland, Cuba or Iran.
What is Pentagon Pizza Fruit?
The Pentagon Pizza Watch is an unusual, unofficial theory that suggests that spikes in pizza or takeout orders for government buildings like the Pentagon, the White House, and the CIA can signal major geopolitical events or crises.
The phenomenon was first observed near the end of the Cold War and in the midst of Operation Desert Storm.
Then, on August 1, 1990, Frank Meeks, owner of a Domino's franchise in Northern Virginia, noticed a sudden increase in deliveries to CIA buildings. It was speculated that the Central Intelligence Agency ordered 21 pizzas that night. The next day, Iraq invaded Kuwait.
Meeks later said in a statement to the Los Angeles Times that he "saw a similar pattern in December 1998 during the impeachment hearings against President Bill Clinton," according to Forbes.
Later, this theory was confirmed several times in the crises that followed.
Iran: Old Enemy, New Crisis
Iran is currently in a deep internal crisis. Mass protests against the government, economic sanctions and clashes with security forces have brought the country to the brink of serious destabilization.
Trump has repeatedly said that the US "will not stand by" if Tehran continues its violence against protesters and the development of its military and nuclear programs.
In Washington, there is open talk about new sanctions, cyber-attacks, and even possible military strikes. Iran, on the other hand, warns that any direct American attack would have serious consequences for the entire Middle East.
US President Donald Trump said on Sunday (January 11th) that Iran has asked to open negotiations with the United States, as the country faces mass protests that have left hundreds dead.
Trump said that the Iranian leadership contacted him the day before "for negotiations". He added that a meeting with Iranian representatives could be arranged, but warned that Washington could be forced to act even before then, given the continued protests.
Social network users are now wondering if the new "pizza signal" this time hints at a new escalation on the Iranian front.
Greenland: A point of great ambition
Another topic that Trump has brought back to the center is Greenland. Although it sounds like a geopolitical exotic, this huge island has enormous strategic importance due to its Arctic routes, natural resources and military position between America, Russia and Europe.
Trump has previously spoken publicly about the idea of the US buying Greenland from Denmark, and now the topic is reappearing in a harsher tone.
He continued his threats to Greenland, insisting that if the United States does not act, Russia or China could occupy it in the future, writes CNN.
Trump said that if he is unable to reach an agreement on taking over the territory "the easy way", he will have to "do it the hard way", according to CNN.
"We're going to do something about Greenland, whether they like it or not, because if we don't, Russia or China will take over Greenland, and we won't have Russia or China as a neighbor," Trump told reporters at the White House on Sunday.
The American interest is causing concern in Copenhagen and among local authorities, who say that Greenland is not for sale and that its future is decided solely by its people.
The leaders of the Greenlandic parties issued a joint statement stating: "We don't want to be Americans, we don't want to be Danes, we want to be Greenlanders. The future of Greenland must be decided by the citizens of Greenland."
Cuba: The return of the policy of pressure
On the other side of the world, Cuba again found itself under strong American pressure. Trump renewed the rhetoric of "maximum pressure", increased sanctions and restrictions, accusing the authorities in Havana of violating human rights and collaborating with US adversaries.
On Sunday, he called on Cuba to reach an agreement with the US, warning that the island nation would no longer receive oil and money from Venezuela.
"No more oil or money coming to Cuba - zero," Trump wrote on the Truth Social social network. "I strongly suggest they make a deal before it's too late."
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel rejected Trump's threat, adding that the US has no moral authority to force Cuba into any deal.
Does "soon" mean a new conflict?
When the messages and moves of the American president intersect, the increase in activity in the Pentagon and heightened tensions with Iran, interest in Greenland and pressure on Cuba, it is not surprising that there is talk of Pentagon pizza again.
Although it is a half-joking theory, history has repeatedly shown that serious decisions are often hidden behind increased activity in the American security apparatus.
In all of this, Trump's "soon" could mean a new diplomatic offensive, new sanctions or even military action.
Source: Vreme/Forbes/CNN
Big holiday discount on "Vreme" - subscriptions 25 percent cheaper until mid-January. Give it away subscription to yourself or to someone else, read what matters.
