The live levels on this site are what our open source intelligence (OSINT) analysts believe the level should currently be based on open source intelligence. And you can attribute this to a senior defense official. Although Britain has moved towards sending battle tanks to Ukraine, a Politico report says that Germany's chancellor Olaf Scholz is not likely going to be willing to send tanks to Ukraine "without taking his lead from Washington". Senior administration officials said earlier today that these Abrams tanks will be procured through Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative funding. Read more, August 02, 2022 - US Speaker Nancy Pelosi is set to travel to Taipei on Tuesday. And this has been true from the very beginning of the war, when we discussed legacy Soviet systems, to the present period, when we discuss main battle tanks and more sophisticated air and missile defense capabilities and systems." U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price said during a press briefing that the United States is committed to "dialogue and diplomacy" and to diffuse the tensions with North Korea, but is ensuring that its "deterrent capabilities are where they need to be.". Defcon Level Warning System Current Live OSINT Raised Alert Estimates Last Change: Feb 28th, 2022 Taken from Defcon Level Warning System: The new designation comes as the White House released evidence, including images of Russia allegedly accepting a delivery of arms from North Korea that it stated was intended to aid Wagner forces on the battlefield in Ukraine. Soldiers from the company participated in state responses to Superstorm Sandy in 2012 and the Snowvember Storm in 2014. The All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) is leading DOD's efforts, in coordination with ODNI and other government agencies, to document, analyze, and when possible resolve UAP reports using a rigorous scientific framework and a data-driven approach. While working at the FBI, MCGONIGAL supervised and participated in investigations of Russian oligarchs, including Deripaska. And we are constantly assessing also the need to then convene yet another summit to ensure that we have consultations and the right messages from NATO at all levels. GENERAL RYDER: So the idea here is that we're going to be tracking all kinds of objects on any given day, both in the air, on the sea. So, in terms of being able to shoot down any object that violates or threatens the United States, or our airspace, or our people, certainly, that is an option that's available to us. U.S. Military Decommissioned Another "Object" Over Lake Huron - LAKE HURON - The Michigan state representative Jack Bergman released a statement saying that he has been in contact with the Department of Defense, and that the U.S. military has "decommissioned" another "object" over Lake Huron. This potential deployment would not constitute a change to current force posture levels. The Jalisco New Generation Cartel, The Gulf Cartel, The Los Zetas Cartel, The Northeast Cartel, The Juarez Cartel, The Tijuana Cartel, The Beltran-Levya Cartel, The La Familia Michoacana, or Knight Templar Cartel. Prime Minister's office update correction: "[Emergency alert (Correction)] North Korea has launched a suspected ballistic missile. First, we are confident that this high-altitude surveillance balloon belongs to the PRC. Officers located 28 pounds of psilocybin mushrooms hidden behind expanding foam under the sofas seat cushions. Sekoia said that the group is suspected to be a "Russian-nexus intrusion set" active since April of 2017 who's operations showed "objectives" and "victimology" closely in alignment with Russian strategic interests. So thank you very much for joining us a little bit later in the day. This time over Canada. But that's why you saw the reports that you saw, Dan. Read Full Article, Belarus Deploys Tactical Battalion Groups At Borders Where NATO Is Deployed - Belarusian army says that they have deployed tactical battalion groups on the borders between Belarus and the countries where NATO had deployed forces. Unlike the presidential drawdown authority, USAI is an authority under which the United States procures capabilities from industry rather than delivering equipment that is drawn down from DOD stocks. The DEFCON 3 exercise term is Round House.. Officers also seized 2,133 counterfeit identity documents during FY 2022, which is a 213% increase over FY 2021. Notable finds include: A passport intended for a suspected non-citizen terrorist; Chinese passports with fake U.S. visas; 16 passports with links to a known human smuggling ring; A counterfeit passport for a federal escapee; Documents intended for entities on Interpol watchlists and known members of transnational criminal organizations in multiple countries. And I'm not going to go over specifically what they tracked other than what we've acknowledged publicly -- that we know that they were looking to surveil strategic sites, to include some of our strategic bases in the continental United States. It has been going on for some time. But, obviously, that is something that our intelligence community will continue to work very closely on for this and any other potential threats. Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev: Defeat Of A Nuclear Power In Conventional War May Trigger Nuclear War - MOSCOW - While speaking of Russia's war in Ukraine, Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said that the "defeat of a nuclear power in a conventional war may trigger a nuclear war". The skills and dedication our frontline employees bring to work every day are key to the successes we can share year after year, said LaFonda D. Sutton-Burke, Director of Field Operations for the Chicago Field Office. "We're trying to figure out what is Putin's off-ramp," Biden stated. French President Emmanuel Macron scolded Biden for using such rhetoric by saying, "We must speak with prudence when commenting on such matters.". To address this national emergency, the President blocked all property of individuals determined by the U.S. Treasury to be responsible for or complicit in actions or policies that threatened the security, sovereignty, or territorial integrity of Ukraine, or who materially assist, sponsor, or provide support to individuals or entities engaging in such activities. Read Full Article, Russia, NATO Hold Simultaneous Nuclear Exercises As Tensions Escalate - MOSCOW - Russian President Vladimir Putin monitored the launches of ballistic and cruise missiles on Wednesday as part of Russia's yearly "Grom" nuclear exercises, as NATO holds simultaneous nuclear exercises. There were no damages reported as a result of the shootdown, and no casualties reported. QUESTION: the Islamic Republic of Iran is sending warships to the Panama Canal. And we also conveyed clearly to Russia that they will have severe consequences if they use nuclear weapons in any way, including low yield nuclear weapons in Ukraine. In terms of what message China was trying to send with this balloon, again, I'd refer you to the PRC. The Nantucket airport put out a statement that said, "At approximately 5:22 am Airport shift staff observed an active fire in the rental car overflow area through the Airport's Closed Circuit Television System.". Exercise normal precautions in Taiwan. US Department Of State: Historic Breakthrough on the Israel-Lebanon Maritime Boundary - U.S. Department Of State: "Following years of mediation by the United States, the Governments of Israel and Lebanon today announced consensus on an historic agreement to establish a permanent maritime boundary between the two countries. South Korean Daegu City Mayor Hong Joon-pyo of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) has been calling for South Korea to acquire nuclear weapons of its own. Today, this capacity is at the service of the country's progress". The American people deserve far more answers than we have.". ", Russia: US Directly Involved In Ukraine Conflict, Could Trigger Nuclear Response - At the United Nations, Russia said that although the conflict in Ukraine does not require the use of nuclear weapons, Moscow might decide to resort to a nuclear response as a result of what it says is direct involvement in its conflict with Ukraine by the United States. Reuters cited a U.S. Navy spokesperson as saying, "The U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon aircraft shown in the tracking data conducted a routine Baltic Sea maritime reconnaissance flight, unrelated to the leaks from the Nord Stream pipelines". ", to which he stated, "We are". The object was flying at an altitude of 40,000 feet and posed a reasonable threat to the safety of civilian flight. So on the balloon, I -- it -- have you shared the ID characteristics, now that we now have some better definition, with our other allies and partners so that they can watch over their own airspace and detect potential incursions? And Mexico is at risk of becoming a failed state. NATO also said that it will be monitoring Russia's own upcoming nuclear exercise very closely. As was said at the top, instances of this activity have been observed over the past several years, including prior to this administration. Mykolaiv is located near the Black Sea in southern Ukraine. What Are The 5 Current Defcon Level Warning System Levels & What Does Each Status Mean? Read more, January 18, 2023 - Cloudflare Wins CISA Contract for Registry and Authoritative Domain Name System (DNS) Services. Serbia has asked NATO to deploy the Serbian army and police force. To do this, Washington must show political will, make conscientious efforts for a general de-escalation and create conditions for the resumption of the full functioning of the Treaty and, accordingly, comprehensively ensuring its viability. And then I'll turn it over our senior defense official. "We will monitor that as we always do. White House spokesperson Olivia Dalton said that the United States will be announcing additional security assistance to Ukraine "very soon". Do you have any reactions to that? Homeland. He added, "The actions taken today in the Navy would not have been possible without the support of the elite society, knowledge-based companies, and the Ministry of Defense. Sending the aircraft carrier to the region for the first time since 2017 just after the North had launched the missile over Japan, its fifth missile test in the last two weeks, is an apparent signal to Pyongyang. SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL: Yes, you know I'm not going to go into the exact nature of the technology. And, they need an enduring capability to deter and defend against Russian aggression over the long term," the president said. Future updates will Explosion Reported Over Billings Montana - An explosion has been reported over Billings, Montana. The actual purpose or meaning of the alert system is to indicate the current readiness status of the United States military, or how close we actually are to a nuclear attack. We did not assess it to be a kinetic military threat to anything on the ground, but assess it was a safety flight hazard and a threat due to its potential surveillance capabilities. All of this is about protecting, for instance, undersea capabilities for undersea infrastructure, pipelines, cables, but also of course, energy grids, energy production, transportation infrastructure. The United States had carried out wargames simulating an attack by China in 2021, but failed miserably. There are five levels, from DEFCON 1 to 5. Gen. Tod Wolters in the past week raised EUCOMs watch level for Ukraine from possible crisis to potential imminent crisis the highest level, The New York Times reported Wednesday. That is the required number to equip an entire Ukraine tank battalion. Thank you. Read more, September 07, 2022 - PYONGYANG - North Korean state news agency, Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) has said that military drills by the United States and South Korea have increased the possibility of "nuclear war" on the "Korean Peninsula". On Friday, he'll participate in a meeting of the Bucharest Nine to discuss areas of concern to the countries on NATO's eastern flank, according to the official, who spoke to reporters traveling with Austin to Brussels. Russias continued strikes in Ukraine pose a direct threat to civilians and civilian infrastructure. In addition, in 2019, MCGONIGAL and SHESTAKOV worked on behalf of Deripaska in an unsuccessful effort to have the sanctions against Deripaska lifted. Read more, February 24, 2023 - Though only 30 U.S. If it is found that it was intentional, however, the likelihood of article 5 will increase tremendously. I will be careful speculating too much about the domestic political situation in Russia. I have two brief questions. This is why Russia is taking such postures. 4. The balloon, which was being used by the PRC in an attempt to surveil strategic sites in the continental United States, was brought down above U.S. territorial waters. Are You A Cardio Machine Crushing Runs, Swims, and Rucks Spec Ops Triathlon? STAFF: And last question, Brandi Vincent, DefenseScoop. Just as a reminder the comments are as a senior defense official on background. White House: "The White House announced Friday new sanctions to be put in place by the U.S. Treasury Department next week on the Wagner Group, designating the Russian private military company as a transnational criminal organization". As I highlighted earlier, broadly speaking, we've learned a lot about this surveillance balloon program, and every piece of information that we gather contributes to that body of knowledge that enables us to detect them, track them, and take appropriate action. As the U.S. and then-Soviet Union each raced toward the creation and building of nuclear weapons, the U.S. adopted a strategy of nuclear deterrence, meaning if the Soviet Union or any nation attempted to attack, the U.S. would respond swiftly and launch an even bigger attack. Read Embassy Alert. The city borders Akakale, Turkey. The South Korean Defense Minister has released a video message saying that "Any nuclear attack by North Korea will lead to the end of the Kim Jong-un regime. Long before the shoot down, U.S. officials took steps to protect against the balloon's collection of sensitive information, mitigating its intelligence value to the Chinese. Ryder said that he expects that the balloon will continue on its path over U.S. airspace for a few more days. QUESTION: So I've heard multiple stories about the balloon in Hawaii. You know, as we learn more about this type of capability and really, what General VanHerck was referring to was previously having a domain awareness gap -- but we've learned a lot about these balloons, we've learned a lot how to track them, as evidenced by the fact that, again, we were tracking it as it approached U.S. airspace. (b) All AMC personnel will consider their personal affairs and whether a visit should be scheduled with their servicing base legal office to ensure they are legally ready and prepared. The United States government has detected and is tracking a high altitude surveillance balloon that is over the continental United States right now. "Following al-Zawahri's death, supporters of al- Qa'ida, or its affiliated terrorist organizations, may seek to attack U.S. facilities, personnel, or citizens," the State Department said. "Many nations in NATO thought for decades that we were owning the timelines. STAFF: Got time for just a few more. McCarthy said last year he would visit Taiwan if he became the house speaker, a move that would anger China. Because the reality is that they're not able to make progress on the battlefield. We do not provide access to classified government information, we are a private intelligence organization. The U.S. Military had responded to the rocket attacks by targeting a convoy of vehicles that were equipped with launchers reportedly used in the attack with Apache helicopters. We were the ones that decided to go to Afghanistan, to go to Iraq, it was a decision from NATO, from the NATO nations". I think the thing that is different is the altitude and of course the willingness to put it over the continental United States for an extended period of time. Thank you.". The attack resulted in no injuries or damage to the base or coalition property. I'm going to deal with the facts. Read Ongoing Report, Putin Says Russia Is Considering Adding Nuclear First Strike To Military Strategy - MOSCOW - Russian President Vladimir Putin has put out a statement saying that any country that dares attack Russia with nuclear weapons will be wiped from the face of the earth, considers adding Russia to nuclear first strike strategy. Read more, October 09, 2022 - According to the ASPR government website, The U.S. Government has purchased $290 million worth of Nplate, from Amgen USA Inc. "as part of long-standing, ongoing efforts to be better prepared to save lives following radiological and nuclear emergencies." We will also address the protection of our critical infrastructure. It has happened a handful of other times over the past few years, to include before this administration. On Thursday, South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff said that drills with the United States on Tuesday included test firing four intermediate-range ballistic missiles (IRCBMs). Article 5 is not automatic, however and would require that the alliance is in agreement. While each branch of the United States military has mixed forces, each one has a specific mission. Biden said, "We agreed to support Polands investigation into the explosion And Im going to make sure we figure out exactly what happened..