January 29, 2022 |
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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U.S. Troops Prepare for Deployment to Eastern Europe
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January 29, 2022 |
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Between January 23-28, the following
related Flash SMS
messages were sent to AlertsUSA subscriber mobile devices: |
1/28 - Joint Chiefs Chairman Milley: Russia has massed enough forces on the border with Ukraine to launch a full-scale invasion with "little warning."
1/24 - DoD: 8,500 US troops on ‘heightened alert’ if needed to deploy to Ukraine. Not ruling out "intra-theater" moves of US forces in Europe to bolster NATO allies.
1/23 - US Embassy Minsk, Belarus issues security alert urging incr awareness and vigilance regarding political and military tensions in the region. More via email.
1/23 - State Dept issues updated Level 4 travel advisory for Russia warning of tensions along the Ukraine border, harassment of US citizens, terrorism, etc. See email.
1/23 - State Dept: US citizens in Ukraine should consider departing now using commercial or other privately available transportation options.
1/23 - State Dept orders departure of eligible family members (EFM) from Embassy Kyiv due to the continued threat of Russian military action. More via email.
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What You Need To Know |
On six occasions this week AlertsUSA subscribers were notified via SMS messages to their mobile devices regarding safety and security matters.
Beginning Sunday the 23rd, subscribers were notified that the State Dept. authorized the voluntary departure of U.S. direct hire employees and ordered the departure of eligible family members from the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine due to the continued threat of Russian military action. Additionally, the State Dept. this week urged U.S. citizens in Ukraine to consider departing now using commercial or other privately available transportation options.
Also on Sunday, the State Dept. issued an updated Level 4 travel advisory for Russia warning of ongoing tensions along the border with Ukraine, the potential for harassment against U.S. citizens by Russian government security officials, and the arbitrary enforcement of local law.
A security alert was also issued this week by the U.S. Embassy in Minsk, Belarus urging increased awareness and vigilance due political and military tensions in the region. The alert urges U.S. citizens to avoid public demonstrations and to regularly reevaluate possible departure plans in the event of an emergency.
On Monday, the Dept. of Defense announced that 8500 U.S. troops were placed on ‘heightened alert’ for possible deployment to Europe. According to Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby later in the week, units that had been put on alert include parts of the 82nd Airborne Division and the XVIII Airborne Corps at Fort Bragg, NC. Other elements on alert include units at Fort Carson, CCO; parts of the 101st Airborne Division and the XVIII Airborne Corps at Fort Campbell, KY; and units at Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ; Fort Hood, TX; Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA, and Fort Polk, LA.
On Friday, Defense Secretary Loyd Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley delivered a sobering briefing to reporters on the military buildup in Eastern Europe and the current U.S. role in the region.
Of particular note are the opening remarks of General Mark Milley, who provides an exceptional overview of the theater and the assemblage of forces.
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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Coronavirus Quick Hits |
January 29, 2022 |
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UNITED STATES
According to data provided by the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center, as of Friday evening there have been more than 848,000 total deaths in the U.S. attributed to the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
That said, two weeks ago CDC Director Rochelle Walensky admitted that 75% of COVID deaths in the U.S. occurred in people who had at least four comorbidities, drawing the distinction between dying from COVID-19 versus dying with COVID-19.
CANADA
COVID-19 infections are increasing in Canada. There have been more than 33,000 COVID-attributed deaths reported in the country since the pandemic began.
LATIN AMERICA & THE CARIBBEAN
This week Brazil leads in new reported COVID-19 deaths, followed by Mexico and Columbia. Across the region, more than 1,585,000 deaths have been attributed to the virus.
EUROPE
New deaths continue decreasing across Europe. Russia still leads the region in COVID-related fatalities, followed by Italy and France. As of January 14, more than 1,956,000 COVID - attributed deaths have been reported across the region since the pandemic began.
COVID-19 NEWS HEADLINES
Biden Drops Vaccine Mandate For Private Employers
Whistleblowers share DOD medical data that blows up vaccine safety debate
DOD medical data reveals surge in vax 'adverse events' in 2021
FDA Asks the Court to Delay First 55,000 Page Production Until May
Pentagon pumps the brakes on civilian COVID vaccine mandate
Omicron: Japan puts two-thirds of country under quasi-emergency measures
Fauci says children younger than 4 will get three doses of COVID vaccines
Israeli vaccine chief admits vaccine passports don't stop the spread
U.S. truckers join Canada's 'Freedom Convoy' protesting vaccine mandate
INTERESTING NEW PAPERS / JOURNAL ARTICLES
Mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 Evolution Revealing
Vaccine-Resistant Mutations in Europe and America
VACCINE ADVERSE EVENT REPORTING
According to the CDC's Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) between mid-December 2020 and December 3 of this year, more than 1,071,000 adverse events have been reported following COVID19 vaccinations. As it is estimated that only 1% of adverse events are recorded into the system, these numbers could be significantly higher.
Reports of adverse events to VAERS following vaccination, including deaths, do not necessarily mean that a vaccine caused a health problem.
Current VAERS reports (U.S. only) related to COVID-19 vaccines incl:
Deaths: 10,316
Hospitalizations: 50,387
Urgent Care: 92,089
Anaphylaxis: 2,282
Bell's Palsy: 3,021
Miscarriages: 1,581
Heart Attacks: 5,067
Myo/Pericarditis: 4,780
SITUATION REPORTS / OFFICIAL CASE NUMBERS
HealthData.gov
World Health Organization
Centers for Disease Control (U.S.)
Johns Hopkins CSSE (Interactive map) |
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Commentary / Analysis / Research |
January 29, 2022 |
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Russia's Gamble in Ukraine
Russia is pursuing a dual approach in Ukraine, combining a major buildup of conventional forces with clandestine irregular activities. According to new CSIS analysis and satellite imagery, Moscow has prepared a growing number of its conventional army, navy, and air force units for a possible invasion of Ukraine and organized its intelligence services and military to conduct extensive cyber operations, subversion, and sabotage. If peace talks fail, an escalation between the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and Russia could extend well beyond Eastern Europe and include retaliatory measures that are global in nature.
~ READ MORE HERE ~
Putin’s Likely Course of Action in Ukraine
Russian President Vladimir Putin is using the crisis he created by mobilizing a large military force around Ukraine to achieve two major objectives: first, advancing and possibly completing his efforts to regain effective control of Ukraine itself, and second, fragmenting and neutralizing the NATO alliance. Russian military preparations can support a massive invasion of Ukraine from the north, east, and south that could give Putin physical control of Kyiv and other major Ukrainian cities, allowing him to dictate terms that would accomplish the first objective. Such an invasion, however, might undermine his efforts to achieve the second objective because it could rally the NATO alliance around the need to respond to such a dramatic act of aggression.
~ READ MORE HERE ~
Deterring Eastern Storms
The looming crises in Europe and Asia are the result of predictable Russian and Chinese post-Cold War revisionist goals and associated military buildups, and the enduring wishful thinking of Western leaders. While Russian and Chinese leaders want the power and freedom to expand, and will likely interpret events accordingly, Western leaders want Russia and China restrained by sweet reason without the effort needed to enforce restraint. The United States again faces the inevitable consequences of the cosmopolitan illusion that Western norms and rules have universal appeal and that opponents will adhere sensibly to them and the associated Western definition of reasonable behavior.
~ READ MORE HERE ~ |
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USNI Fleet and Marine Tracker |
January 29, 2022 |
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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 24, 2022 based on U.S. Navy, public data provided by the U.S. Naval Institute, and open source reporting. 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 |
January 29, 2022 |
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AMERICAS
US says national water supply 'absolutely' vulnerable to hackers
Extremists see US power grid as target, gov’t report warns
Biden tells Ukraine President that a Russian invasion a ‘distinct possibility’
Pentagon names Army units tapped for possible European deployment
Soldiers from 82nd and 101st airborne divisions among troops on alert
Ukraine: Blinken confirms delivery of US response to Russian demands
Russian diplomats told to leave US as tensions mount
US and allies discussing deploying more troops to Eastern Europe
Video shows illegals landing at Westchester airport on secret charter flight
EUROPE
Russia moves blood supplies near Ukraine, adding to U.S. concern
Focused attack on Ukraine seen as more likely than full-scale invasion
NATO send deadly weapons, munitions to Ukraine, Germany sends helmets
Russia conducting military drills near Ukraine, bombing runs in Baltic Sea
Russian military drills off Irish coast to go ahead despite Ukraine tensions
US Air Force ramps up intel flights, weapons shipments to Ukraine
Norway’s PM says Russia build-up is `a sign of weakness’
NS2 will be a 'hunk of metal at bottom of the ocean' if Russia invades
CIA post-9/11 'black site' in Lithuania goes on sale
Nord Stream 2: How does the pipeline fit into Ukraine-Russia crisis?
Why are Germany and France at odds with the Anglosphere over Russia?
Ukraine crisis: From Belarus to Japan, where do countries stand?
NATO back in its comfort zone after the chaos of Afghanistan
Will the West abandon Ukraine?
Where NATO forces are deployed
MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA
US service member injured, French soldier killed in Mali attack
Nigeria terror threat: Growing concern over Ansaru, al Qaeda new affiliate
Elite US-trained operators in Iraq are still fighting ISIS remnants
Burkina Faso: Military coup prompts fears of further instability
Dozens of armed militants still hold corner of Syria prison
Jordanian military kills 27 in shoot-out with Syrian smugglers
Israel will continue its strategy to stop Iran even with a deal
Group warns of potential catastrophe on old tanker off Yemen
France investigates possible second blast at Dakar rally in Saudi
Somalia’s dangerous authoritarian turn
US voices alarm as Tigray rebels push ahead in Ethiopia
ISIS attacks jump after US Afghanistan pullout
Fears Islamic State will come ‘roaring back’
ASIA
China blasts US over reports of withdrawing diplomatic staff
China's ambassador to the U.S. warns of 'military conflict' over Taiwan
N. Korea's projectile flew about 190 km at altitude of 20 km
Six sue Fukushima nuclear plant operator over thyroid cancer
Entering Beijing’s Olympics bubble is a surreal experience
Pakistani army says 10 soldiers killed in militant raid
Guards trade fire along Tajik-Kyrgyz border
Indonesia says three soldiers killed in clash with rebels in Papua
US warns China of 'global security' risks due to Russian threat in Ukraine
China tells U.S. to 'stop interfering' in Beijing Olympics
China sides with Russia’s ‘security concerns’ in standoff over Ukraine
N. Korea, after harsh 2-year lockdown, slowly reopens border
Taiwan-India ties ready to take off |
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Travel Security Resources
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 research on the security situation at your destination 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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