| Jan 18, 2020 |
Threat Journal is a weekly supplement to the AlertsUSA National Threat
and Incident Notification Service for Mobile Devices |
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WEEKLY THREAT AND ALERT ROUNDUP
Published Each Saturday Afternoon |
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NCTC / DHS / FBI Warn Police They Remain
Key Terror Targets
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Jan 18, 2020 |
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On Jan 15, the following
related Flash SMS
message was sent to AlertsUSA subscriber mobile devices: |
1/15 - Nat'l Counterterrorism Ctr warns law enf nationwide that police & emerg services remain key targets for terrorists, incl by luring into ambush. Vigilance urged.
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What You Need To Know |
On 8 occasions this week AlertsUSA subscribers have been notified via SMS messages to their mobile devices regarding safety and security matters.
On Wednesday (1/15), subscribers were notified of of the release of a joint intelligence bulletin to law enforcement issued by the National Counterterrorism Center, Dept of Homeland Security, and FBI warning police departments across the country to maintain a heightened state of awareness for the potential for ambush-style attacks against officers and other first responders. The tactic’s appeal to terrorists likely stems from the nature of the target, the attack concealment, and the element of surprise. In addition, the suddenness of an ambush attack may limit reaction and response by first responders, potentially providing the attacker with a tactical advantage.
According to a police study, an ambush falls into one of two categories:
- A LURING AMBUSH, also known as an entrapment ambush, is a premeditated attack in which the offender lures an unsuspecting target to a location to execute the attack.
- An OPPORTUNISTIC AMBUSH, also known as a spontaneous ambush, is an unprovoked attack–without long-term planning–that the offender considers a crime of opportunity and makes the decision at the time of the target’s approach to surprise the target.
Due to their high visibility and 24/7 accessibility, on-duty first responders are susceptible to becoming victims of ambush attacks. According to a joint study by the FBI and a US university on ambush and unprovoked attacks, researchers determined that law enforcement officers identified numerous contributing factors to their attacks, including responder distraction, underestimation of threat, and a lack of awareness or alertness.
According to a Uniform Crime Report by the FBI, from 2014 to 2018 ambush attacks were ranked the second most common circumstance encountered by law enforcement officers upon arrival to the scene of an incident. The same report identified 53 law enforcement officers as victims of an ambush attack.
AlertsUSA strongly encourages law enforcement and other first responders to reach out to their commands and acquire a copy of this intelligence bulletin, entitled, Persistent Threat of Terrorist Ambush Attacks on First Responders (NCTC 036695 ID 1-20). Therein you will find a list of 18 response considerations to help officers and other first responders make a preemptive assessment of the environment, establish baselines of normalcy, spot possible anomalies, and recognize tactical disadvantages, thereby increasing the chances of preventing and surviving a potential ambush attack.
AlertsUSA continues to monitor the domestic and international threat environment around the clock and will immediately notify service subscribers, via SMS messages to their mobile devices, of new alerts, warnings and advisories or any developments which signal a change the overall threat picture for American citizens as events warrant.
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AlertsUSA.com
OTHER SMS ALERTS FROM THIS WEEK
NOT DETAILED IN THIS NEWSLETTER ISSUE
1/17 - CDC begins enhanced health screenings at LAX, SFO & JFK to detect ill travelers on flts direct from / through Wuhan, China due to new coronavirus. See email.
1/15 - AlertsUSA monitoring ongoing lockdown of McGhee Tyson Airbase in Knoxville,TN amid unconfirmed reports of person with a rifle. Add'l alerts as warranted.
1/14 - NSA discovers major security vulnerability in Windows 10, as well as Windows Server 2016 & 2019. DHS urges installation of MS security patch. More via email.
1/14 - WHO warning hospitals worldwide of poss spreading of novel SARS-like China coronavirus. Chinese New Year approaching. Links to clinical guidance via email.
1/13 - DOJ says Dec 6, 2019 shooting by Saudi trainee at Pensacola NAS "was an act of terrorism." 21 add'l Saudi cadets removed from training and are returning to KSA.
1/12 - US Embassy Russia issues security alert flwg unspecified "security incident and threat" related to US Consulate Gen. Yekaterinburg. Vigilance urged. See email. |
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Virginia Governor Declares State of Emergency
for Gun Rights Rally |
Jan 18, 2020 |
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On Jan 15, the following
related Flash SMS
message was sent to AlertsUSA subscriber mobile devices: |
1/15 - VA Gov. Northam declares State of Emergency over potential civil unrest culminating on Jan 20, 2020 at the Virginia State Capital. See email for more info.
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What You Need To Know |
On Wednesday (1/15), AlertsUSA subscribers were notified of a State of Emergency declaration by Virginia Governor Ralph Northam over potential civil unrest at the upcoming January 20th Second Amendment rally in support of gun rights in Richmond, Virginia. The declaration bars any weapons from the Richmond’s Capitol Square from Friday to Tuesday.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, FBI and National Counterterrorism Center, recent threat reporting suggests some domestic violent extremists (DVEs) may attempt to engage in violence ranging from non-lethal assaults targeting individuals
with opposing views, to lethal violence involving the use of firearms or explosive devices.
Federal, State and municipal law enforcement remain concerned that the volume of threatening language related to this event, and publicized incidents of violence at demonstrations, may lead to lone offender violence, which is difficult to detect due to the individual nature of radicalization and mobilization.
It is important to note that entire event and the State of Emergency Declaration are heavily politicized, with most of the reporting by mainstream media painting pro-Second Amendment groups as being the greater danger.
Readers are reminded that it is most often left-wing groups such as Antifa and the myriad of related, loose-knit organizations and birds of a feather anarchist flocks that are at the heart of violence, clashes with police, and property damage during public demonstrations and rallies across the United States. Examples include incidents in Berkeley, Portland, Tacoma, Minneapolis, Binghamton, Dayton, Philadelphia and elsewhere.
It is widely expected that efforts will be made to provoke violence clashes at this and related events. Extreme caution is urged.
Read the Full Emergency Declaration (PDF).
AlertsUSA continues to monitor the domestic and international threat environment around the clock and will immediately notify service subscribers, via SMS messages to their mobile devices, of new alerts, warnings and advisories or any developments which signal a change the overall threat picture for American citizens as events warrant. |
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Commentary / Analysis / Research |
Jan 18, 2020 |
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Esmail Qaani: Soleimani’s Discreet Successor
Esmail Qaani, the man appointed by Iran to succeed the charismatic Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani, is expected to bring his experience in cultivating regional militias to the IRGC’s external operations arm, and most critically, to further the Supreme Leader’s goal of ridding the region of US troops.
~ READ MORE HERE ~
Trade, Tech … And Now the Arctic?
The Next Frontier In The China-US Struggle For Global Control
China and the United States have been diplomatically banging heads over trade disputes for the best part of the last 18 months, while elsewhere their rivalry is playing out as a global grappling match for power and influence from the South China Sea to Africa. The Arctic may be next on the list.
~ READ MORE HERE ~
How Would The Space Force Wage War?
A recent article in Defense One suggests that while the United States Space Force knows how it will fight wars beyond the atmosphere, those plans are so highly classified that industry is not able to build the things that will make war in space possible. The article does provide a hint, however.
~ READ MORE HERE ~
How the Army Is Training European
Militias to Stop a Russian Invasion
Washington is hoping that armed and trained civilians could spot and help stop a Russian invasion before it seized territory. Ever since Russia attacked Ukraine, American soldiers have been training NATO allies on how to counter such a surprise and unofficial attack.
~ READ MORE HERE ~ |
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| USNI Fleet and Marine Tracker |
Jan 18, 2020 |
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These are the approximate positions of the U.S. Navy’s deployed carrier strike groups and amphibious ready groups throughout the world as of Jan 13, 2020 based on Navy and public data provided by the U.S. Naval Institute. In cases where a CSG or ARG is conducting disaggregated operations, the chart reflects the location of the capital ship.
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| World News Roundup |
Jan 18, 2020 |
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Other Developments We Are Following |
AMERICAS
Trump approved Soleimani's killing last June: report
Trump to divert an extra $7.2 billion from military for border wall, reports say
21 Saudi Cadets Being Expelled From U.S. Over Extremist, Child Porn Content
DoD Fears Falling Behind ‘Fast-Moving’ Russia, China Despite Record Budget
Canadian PM promises 'justice' for Iran plane downing
Counting the cost of US military bases around the world
US officials cite deterrence to defend lethal drone strike
Russia's hypersonic missiles are not 'game changing,' says Army Chief of Staff
Mexico mass grave holding 29 bodies found near Guadalajara
Guatemalans demand arrest of outgoing president for corruption
US Army to field Israeli-made long-range missile on helicopters
US warns vessels transiting Gulf amid tensions with Iran
Venezuela’s Countryside Is Collapsing. The Capital Hums, on the Pres Orders
EUROPE
EU prepares for migration wave amid Libya crisis
US Envoy In Germany Warns Iran Over Call To 'Chop British Amb. Into Pieces
France agrees to send more troops to West Africa to fight terrorism
Britain, France, Germany vow conditional support for Iran nuclear deal
Sweden to Revive Cold War-Era Military in Prep n for Potential 'Armed Attack'
Putin: Five nuke-armed states must work together to end threat of ‘global war’
German police raid 'Islamists' suspected of planning attack
Germany investigates 3 people suspected of spying for China
Thousands of asylum seekers waiting in streets, makeshift camps around Paris
Is Germany Considering Maritime Missions in Asia?
Space shock: NASA reveals top-secret Russian spy sat ‘exploded in space’
MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA
Danger tomorrow’: Iran’s Rouhani makes veiled threat to US and EU troops
ISIS 'caliphate' crumbled in 2019, but terror group remains forceful threat
While you were focused on Soleimani, Israel became a natural gas superpower
Iran warns it is enriching more uranium now than before nuclear deal
Iran rejects idea of 'strange' new 'Trump deal' to end nuclear dispute
Iranian leader: Nuclear accusations putting European troops in danger
Hezbollah: It's time for Iran's allies to start working to avenge Soleimani
Islamic State kills almost 100 soldiers in Niger
Israeli army ‘had no role in Soleimani killing,’ IDF tells FRANCE 24
Demonstrators in Beirut target banks in continued protests.
King of Jordan says ISIS on the rise,
2,000 Syrian fighters deployed to Libya to support government
How terrorists are taking power in Mali, Niger and the region as a whole.
US wants to reduce presence in Africa, warns top officer.
ASIA
China could flex military muscles to pressure Taiwan post-election
Taiwan: Beijing must face reality that ROC is ‘an independent country already’
China's growing influence rattles Southeast Asia as U.S. retreats, survey shows
China wants to use its 'biggest and most powerful destroyer' to deter the U.S.
China sees Myanmar as stepping stone to Indian Ocean, energy security
China is global threat to individual freedoms, says new Human Rights Watch
Thai Army Chief Signs Intelligence Pact With Indonesia
China Discovers Underwater Spy Drones In Its Waters
Japan says Middle East mission in self-interest as crude importer
China conducting 'intense' global attack on rights: HRW
South Korean President Moon: Door not closed on U.S.-North Korea dialogue
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Travel Security
The U.S. Dept. of State Travel Website is the authoritative federal source for information on the security situation at travel destinations worldwide. With tensions rapidly increasing in most regions, readers planning international travel, even to such common destinations as Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean Islands, are strongly encouraged to do a little research on the security situation at your destination well prior to departure.
The Department of State’s Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) provides a variety of resources to enhance the safety and security of the U.S. private sector businesses and organizations operating abroad.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website is the authoritative federal source for information on current health issues related to specific destinations worldwide. These issues may arise from disease outbreaks, special events or gatherings, natural disasters, or other conditions that may affect travelers’ health.
Foreign Sources of Travel Guidance
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Take Advantage of These Resources
Our social media channels provide a steady steam of important news and resources between issues of Threat Journal with little or no overlap of content. Combined with the AlertsUSA service for instant mobile notification of the really bad developments, you have an unmatched set of tools to keep yourself fully up to speed on the nation's threat environment. With times getting worse by the day, we urge you to utilize these resources.
  
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