On Monday morning, AlertsUSA subscribers were notified of a forthcoming announcement by the UK's Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, warning the Islamist terror threat was “most severe” and rising, with the Islamic State and Al Qaeda both continuing to plot attacks.

During her presentation on Tuesday, Braverman warned that the UK now faces a domestic terrorist threat "which is less predictable, and harder to detect and investigate." Speaking about the British government's newly updated counter-terrorism strategy known as CONTEST, Braverman said that terrorism was now "a persistent and evolving threat" mainly from Islamist terrorist groups overseas.

As of March 2023, Islamic terrorism accounted for "approximately 67% of attacks since 2018, about three-quarters of MI5's caseload, and 64% of those in custody for terrorism-connected offences."

Another major threat highlighted in the CONTEST report is that of right-wing extremism, which comprises at least 22% of attacks since 2018 and a quarter of MI5's caseload. Unlike Islamist terrorist groups, extreme right-wing terrorists are not typically organized into formal groups with leadership hierarchies and territorial ambitions, but informal online communities which facilitate international links.

Braverman also explained that the Islamist terror threat has evolved and is now made up of looser and more fragmented terrorist networks that still contain many individuals of concern, including those with the training and motivation to conduct attacks.

The CONTEST report also makes clear that the accelerating availability of new technologies and online platforms provides both opportunity and risk to their counter-terrorism efforts. This includes the ability of terrorists to "exploit technology to hide their networks, spread their propaganda and enable their attacks."

MI-5 has assessed the current terrorism threat to the UK (England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland) currently stands at SUBSTANTIAL, meaning an attack is likely.

This situation is developing fast. AlertsUSA continues to monitor the situation around the clock and will immediately notify service subscribers of any developments which signal a change the overall threat picture for American citizens as events warrant.

Ukraine plays a crucial role in the global food supply. Nations around the world are dependent on the wheat, corn, barley and seed oils coming from Ukraine's farmland. In just a few examples, Moldova and Lebanon import more than 80% of their wheat from Ukraine. Qatar, 81%. Tunisia, Libya and Pakistan, just under 50%.

Following the July 17 bombing of the Kerch Bridge connecting Crimea with Russia, Vladimir Putin ended participation in the UN brokered the Black Sea Grains Initiative (BSGI), which facilitated the export of grains from three ports in Ukraine to Turkey, from which it would them be moved to global destinations.

On Wednesday, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation issued a warning to commercial vessels in the Black Sea:

"In connection with the termination of the Black Sea Initiative and the curtailment of the maritime humanitarian corridor, from 00:00 Moscow time on July 20, 2023, all ships heading to Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea waters will be considered as potential carriers of military cargo."

"Accordingly, the flag countries of such vessels will be considered involved in the Ukrainian conflict on the side of the Kyiv regime."

"In addition, a number of sea areas in the northwestern and southeastern parts of the international waters of the Black Sea have been declared temporarily dangerous for navigation. Appropriate informational warnings about the withdrawal of safety guarantees to seafarers were issued in accordance with the established procedure."

Russia has since carried out multiple long range missile strikes on Ukranian port facilities, grain elevators, and other infrastructure, making a restart of BSGI impossible in the short term.

Munitions In Focus As National Stockpiles Dwindle

Just as Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has awoken western defense officials to the reality of hot war, so has it also exposed the need to recalibrate weapons procurement priorities — to ensure that their militaries are prepared for combat.

~ READ MORE HERE (Financial Times) ~

Nuclear Security Conditions are Regressing in Dozens of Countries

finds that nuclear security conditions are regressing among the dozens of countries and areas with weapons-usable nuclear materials and nuclear facilities. This erosion of nuclear security comes at a time when risk environments are growing more dangerous and overall stockpiles of weapons-usable nuclear materials are increasing at an alarming rate.

~ READ MORE HERE (Nuclear Threat Initiative) ~

The Uncertain Future of the U.S. Military’s All-Volunteer Force

This year marks the fiftieth anniversary of United States’ all-volunteer military force. It also coincides with one of the worst recruiting years for the U.S. military since 1973. The army missed its 2022 recruiting goal by fifteen thousand soldiers, and the army, air force, and navy all expect to miss their goals in 2023.

The shortage is blamed on a confluence of domestic issues: a competitive job market, lack of in-person recruiting during the pandemic, and a population of young adults who are less informed, less interested, and less qualified for military service. The lack of qualified recruits has received a lot of attention, but the fact that our young population does not see the value of military service should also ignite great concern.

~ READ MORE HERE (CFR) ~

These are the approximate positions of the U.S. Navy’s deployed carrier strike groups and amphibious ready groups throughout the world as of July 17, 2023 based on U.S. Navy, public data provided by the U.S. Naval Institute, and open source reporting.

AMERICAS

U.S. Ambassador to China hacked in China-linked spying operation
State faces bipartisan pressure to reveal 'what was on' Chinese spy balloon
US projected to spend $117B on nuke command and control in next decade
Tracking U.S. military aircraft online could become much harder
How Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel has stayed united for decades
Biden administration tells judge that its new asylum rule is not a reboot
Kidnappings surge in Colombia amid ELN peace negotiations
El Salvador arrests more than 100 Colombians in financial scheme
Mexico intercepts over 500 migrants in two days
Peru's mining zones back protests, which Boluarte calls 'threat to democracy'

EUROPE

China ‘complicit’ in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine: MI6 chief
Understanding the implications of no Black Sea grain deal
After summit, promised 'security commitments' for Ukraine remain vague
What’s ahead for the Wagner Group in Africa and the Middle East?
Putin: The Western territories of today's Poland are a gift of Stalin
Putin 'planning to use Wagner fighters to invade Suwalki corridor
'Hellish' Russian attacks, Moscow extends draft age, Kyiv holding back?
Ukraine war: Russia strikes Ukraine grain after ending sea deal
Lawmakers approve bill allowing French police to tap mobile devices
'Disloyal views': Lithuania strips Russians of residency permits
Spain's early election could put far right in power for first time since Franco

MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA

US dispatches more warships, jets to Persian Gulf to protect shipping lanes
Sweden temporarily withdraws Iraq embassy staff after storming
South Africa skirts dilemma after putin cancels visit
Sudan: Conflict displaces nearly 200,000 alone in the past week
Saudi Arabia signs major deal with Turkey to acquire Baykar drones
UK sanctions Wagner-linked officials in Mali, Sudan and CAR
Bus crash in southern Algeria leaves 34 dead and a dozen injured
Israel to allow Palestinian Americans entry in bid for US visa-free access
Political killing in DRC casts a shadow over plans for December elections
Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu declares state of emergency over food
Risking revival of unrest, Iran rulers tighten curbs on dissent
Thousands rally, Israeli reservists step up protest against judicial change
Gaza power shortages worsened by heatwave as residents call for protests

ASIA

India’s ban on rice exports raises fear of global food price rises
China poses ‘alarming’ threat to us grid, lawmakers told
Beijing says Taiwan presidential hopeful William Lai will sell out the island
S. Korea temporarily suspend suspicious international parcels over safety
‘Exceptionally high’ economic risks in Pakistan, IMF report says
Peshawar rocked by suicide bomb attack; soldier killed, 7 injured
Manipur: The abandoned villages in the crosshairs of India violence
16 killed in transformer explosion on bank of India's River Alaknanda
One dead as Bangladesh opposition rallies to demand PM’s removal
Fiery crash as passenger train ploughs into truck in Indonesia
Dozens of followers of Pakistan's Imran Khan quit party and launch another

PUBLIC HEALTH

FDA approves new Anthrax vaccine, no public info, no ingredient list
Russia says patients infected with deadly bacteria have escaped