| Jan 25, 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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DHS Issues Bulletin Warning Public on Iran Threat |
Jan 25, 2020 |
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Between Jan 18-23, the following
related Flash SMS
messages were sent to AlertsUSA subscriber mobile devices: |
1/18 - DHS issues new Nat'l Terrorism Advisory System Bulletin warning Iran & partners have demonstrated the intent & capability to conduct ops in the US. See email.
1/19 - US military installations across Europe on high alert due to intel pointing to a potential imminent attack om MILPERS stationed in Germany. Monitoring..
1/23 - 3 Syrians linked to Al Qaeda arrested in Dallas, TX after arrival on int'l flight and presenting false Colombian passports. More info as details are clarified.
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What You Need To Know |
Just hours after our last weekly update and newsletter were published, the Department of Homeland Security issued a new National Terrorism Advisory System Bulletin warning of the potential and capability of Iran and its partners such as Hizballah to carry out both physical and cyber attacks in the U.S..
Quoting from the bulletin:
- In the near term, DHS remains concerned that violent extremist organizations tied to the regime, may continue to pose a general threat against American citizens and interests both overseas and in the homeland.
- Previous Homeland-based plots have included, among other things, scouting against infrastructure targets, assassination attempt against the Ambassador to Saudi Arabia in 2011, and cyber enabled attacks against a range of U.S.-based targets.
- Homegrown Violent Extremists sympathetic to Iran could capitalize on the heightened tensions to launch individual attacks, with little or no warning, against U.S.-based Iranian dissidents, Jewish, Israeli, and Saudi individuals, as well as against the U.S. Government infrastructure and personnel.
READ THE FULL BULLETIN HERE
So as to highlight the continued threat facing the U.S. homeland from major terror organizations, on Thursday of this week, AlertsUSA subscribers were notified of the arrest of 3 Syrians nationals in Dallas who are linked to Al Qaeda after they presented false Colombian passports. While limited information has been provided thus far by U.S. authorities, the three men appear to have entered Colombia through Venezuela, where they acquired Colombian residency paperwork, a government identification card, and a Colombian passport through an illegal documentation network.
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
1/18 - AlertsUSA monitoring response to reports of shots fired within Lenox Mall in Atlanta, GA. Heavy police presence. Add'l alerts as warranted.
1/19 - AlertsUSA monitoring response to reports of multiple shots fired in Honolulu near Diamondhead. Heavy police and ambulance presence. Add'l alerts as warranted.
1/19 - At least one officer killed, one injured in Honolulu incident. Multiple homes ablaze. Circumstances that led up to the shooting are unclear at this time.
1/21 - One dead, three injured in mass stabbing incident, Foothill Rd and Morning Dr, Bakersfield, CA. Limited info available. AlertsUSA monitoring..
1/21 - Shooting, Fashion Show Mall, 3200 S Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas, NV. Multiple casualties reported, heavy police presence. Add'l alerts as warranted.
1/22 - One killed and 7 injured in a shooting near Pike Place Market in downtown Seattle. The gunman remains at large. AlertsUSA monitoring..
1/24 - Naval Station Great Lakes (N. Chicago) is currently on lockdown following gate ramming incident. Heavy police presence. Add'l alerts as warranted.
1/24 - Strong, shallow M6.8 EQ strikes eastern Turkey, being felt in Kurdistan region, Iraq, Syria and Lebanon. AlertsUSA monitoring.. |
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EXCLUSIVE PODCAST INTERVIEW:
Leading Virologist Discusses Coronaviruses
and the New
China Outbreak
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Jan 25, 2020 |
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Between Jan 20-25, the following
related Flash SMS
messages were sent to AlertsUSA subscriber mobile devices: |
1/20 - Wuhan, China Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) spreading w/ at least 230 cases incl 14 med staff, 4 deaths, human to human transmission. AlertsUSA monitoring..
1/21 - CDC confirms first US case of China Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in Seattle, WA. Patient is resident of the US and entered the country via an indirect flight.
1/21 - CDC expanding airport surveillance for China Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) to Chicago O'Hare and Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International.
1/22 - US Embassy China issues Health Alert Update - Level 2 [ Practice Enhanced Precautions ] - for China Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV). More information via email.
1/22 - City of Wuhan's bus, subway, ferry, and long-distance passenger transportation will be suspended from Thurs 23 Jan due to China Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV).
1/22 - CDC issues updated situation summary on China Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV). Outbreak cont to expand, more person-to-person spreading expected. More via email.
1/23 - China suspends bus, rail transport in/out of Huanggang, ~70 km E of Wuhan, to limit spread of 2019-nCoV coronavirus. City of Ezhou to also lockdown.
1/23 - USGOV issues new Travel Advisory for China urging increased caution due to 2019-nCoV coronavirus. See your email for more information.
1/23 - China orders travel bans on 8 cities to slow spread of 2019-nCoV coronavirus: Wuhan, Huanggang, Ezhou, Chibi, Xiantao, Qianjiang, Zhijiang & Lichuan.
1/24 - CDC confirms second US coronavirus case in Chicago resident who returned from Wuhan on 13 Jan. 63 other patients in 22 states that are under investigation.
1/25 - US State Dept. evacuating AMCITS from Wuhan, charter flight(s) being arranged, consulate temporarily closing in city. AlertsUSA monitoring..
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What You Need To Know |
In this podcast interview exclusive to AlertsUSA Threat Journal, we talk to one of the nations leading virologists about coronaviruses and the emergence of the new 2019-nCoV strain in China.
Our guest is Dr. Steven Hatfill. He is a specialist American physician, virologist and former biodefense researcher for USAMRIID (United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases) located at Fort Detrick, MD. He serves on the faculty of George Washington University. His medical fellowships include Oxford University, the National Institutes of Health, and the National Research Council where he specialized in the Ebola, Marburg, and Monkeypox viruses.
Dr. Hatfill is also the lead author of a fascinating new book entitled Three Seconds Until Midnight, which explores the history of pandemics and the poor state of readiness of the U.S. medical system for the next major pandemic event (which may very well be on doorstep).
This podcast was recorded the evening of Wed, January 22, 2020.
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 25, 2020 |
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Chinese New Year Entering the Year of the Rat
Amid the Coronavirus Crisis
The Lunar New Year is one of the most important events celebrated by Chinese people worldwide. Here's what the year of the Metal Rat symbolizes — and how the usual festivities are now disrupted by the deadly coronavirus.
~ READ MORE HERE ~
Where Will Iran Strike Back Against the US?
Tensions between the United States and Iran, boiling after the U.S. killed Gen. Qassem Soleimani on Jan. 3, have now returned to a simmer. Tehran’s ineffective response seems calibrated to avoid a damaging reprisal. But Tehran’s reluctance to risk further open hostilities suggests that it will return to its old playbook of asymmetric, indirect attacks against the U.S. The sweet spot for Iran is an attack that wounds the U.S. but has enough murkiness around ultimate responsibility that the Trump administration would struggle to justify a vigorous response.
~ READ MORE HERE ~
India's Role in the Great-Power
Struggle Over the Indo-Pacific Region
India’s foreign policy is being shaped into a new contour, right from Act East to Neighborhood First, there is a new outlook for the traditionally globally reticent aspiring superpower India.
~ READ MORE HERE ~
The People of Taiwan Have a Country
and Are Dedicated to Keeping It
In the ’70s, many were confused as to the proper name for the capital of Communist China. The city we now know as Beijing had been variously known in the West as Peiping, Peking and finally Beijing. As the new pronunciation spread, there was some question as to how the new name should be spelled. In the midst of the attendant confusion, a Washington reporter asked a waiter while lunching at a D.C. Chinese eatery how he would spell the name of China’s capital. Without hesitation, the waiter replied, “T-A-I-P-E-I.”
~ READ MORE HERE ~ |
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| USNI Fleet and Marine Tracker |
Jan 25, 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 20, 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 25, 2020 |
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Other Developments We Are Following |
AMERICAS
US military claimed 'success' in hacking ISIS: Documents
Ex-CIA contractor defends brutal post-9/11 interrogations
U.S. planning to add Belarus, Kyrgyzstan to travel ban list
Canada’s TSB says Iran has invited it to examine black boxes
US imposes visa rules for pregnant women on ‘birth tourism’
Venezuela's Guaidó in Davos plea for help to overturn 'dictatorship'
Animation shows how 1 'tactical' nuclear weapon could trigger a US-Russia war
SpaceX presses on with legal fight against U.S. Air Force over rocket contracts
US Seeks to Develop Hypersonic Weapons Years Earlier Than Planned
U.S. Strategic Command starts Global Lightning 2020
America's A-10 Warthog Will Never Die For This Reason
Boeing drops out of DARPA Experimental Spaceplane program
U.S. Military To Maintain Expanded Mideast Presence
A year on, Juan Guaidó’s attempt at regime change in Venezuela has stalled
The Doomsday Clock is closer to apocalypse than at any point in its history
U.S. court rejects Omar Khadr’s request for military to hear his appeal.
EUROPE
Army’s biggest exercise in Europe for 25 years begins at US motor pools
Greek islanders strike against migrant camps
France apology after history textbook links CIA to 9/11
Russia and Poland’s war of words over the second world war
Furor in Spain over minister's airport meeting with Maduro aide
Brexit: European Union leaders sign UK withdrawal deal
French Cabinet passes controversial pension reform that prompted strikes
Striking workers shut down Eiffel Tower amid 'Black Friday' protests
Bulgaria: 2 Russian diplomats have been spying for Moscow.
Russian security chief, post-Soviet security bloc head discuss terrorist groups
Putin proposes summit with leaders of Russia, France, China, U.S. and UK
Merkel in Davos: 'Our mistake was not being prepared for refugee crisis'
MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA
State Department Seeks Maximum Pressure On Iran In Syria
Damaged By Drone Strike: Suleimani's Sainthood Is Now Being Questioned
How Long Before the Regime Falls in Iran?
Explainer: What do we know about Trump's Mideast peace plan?
ISIS resurgence possible if US leaves Iraq, says anti-jihadist coalition
Isis founding member confirmed by spies as group's new leader
Joint Syria raid killed ISIS oil official who financed sleeper cells
Sahel faces surge in violence from terror attacks
Violent protests in Beirut follow Lebanon's cabinet meeting
Benny Gantz vows to annex Jordan Valley if elected Israeli PM
Newly released government documents detail U.S. cyberoffensive on ISIS
Syrian Army retreats after Idlib attack, Russia says
More than 38,000 flee homes in northwest Syria: UN
EU calls Iran nuclear talks next month in bid to save deal
Thousands protest in Baghdad to demand U.S. troop withdrawal
Four employees of French Christian NGO missing in Baghdad
Trump says he'll likely release Middle East peace plan by Tuesday
Yemen army chief calls to advance towards Sanaa
Germany's Merkel backs Turkish refugee initiative in Syria.
Cholera deepens misery in eastern DR Congo's 'forgotten' crisis
Billions of locusts swarm through East Africa after year of extreme weather
ASIA
Chinese Dream’ turns into Wuhan virus nightmare
China extends lockdown on millions in coronavirus outbreak
China heads into Lunar New Year on shutdown as virus spreads to Europe
China cancels its Lunar New Year celebrations, locks down FOURTEEN cities,
Wuhan coronavirus confirmed in 29 of China’s 31 provinces
China sends in military doctors to help Wuhan hospitals
Seoul expands coronavirus checks to all China passengers
China has 'no intention to participate' in arms talks
North Korea confirms former commander is new foreign minister
Japan's Shinzo Abe calls for strong connections with South Korea
Philippines' Duterte threatens to end military deal with the United States
Fear in Kashmir as top general talks of 'deradicalisation' camps
Sri Lanka's new government to investigate war missing
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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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