J & J Ranch, Stone Mtn, GA

Click here to view this issue in your browser
Threat Journal Logo Banner – ALLOW IMAGES
Dec 20, 2014 Threat Journal is a weekly supplement to the AlertsUSA National Threat
and Incident Notification Service for Mobile Devices Facebook Twitter
PODCAST – CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THIS ISSUE – ALLOW IMAGES

WEEKLY THREAT ROUNDUP
Now Published Each Saturday Afternoon

Russian SU-34 Fullback Bomber – ALLOW IMAGES

Tensions With Russia Flare
Dec 20, 2014

On Dec 16, 2014, AlertsUSA issued the following
related Flash message to subscriber mobile devices:
12/16 – POTUS to sign bill adding sanctions on Russia and providing LETHAL AID to Ukraine. Russia threatens possible preemptive use of full military force in Ukraine.

What You Need To Know
On Tues of this week AlertsUSA subscribers were notified via SMS messages to their mobile devices regarding an announcement by the White House that President Obama would be signing a bill from Congress which adds new sanctions on Russia and would codify into law the provision of lethal aid to the Ukrainian government.

Known as the Ukraine Freedom Support Act of 2014, the bill is intended to “assist the government of Ukraine in restoring its sovereignty and territorial integrity in order to deter the government of the Russian Federation from further destabilizing and invading Ukraine and other independent countries in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.” .

Even before the bill made it out of Congress, at least one member of Russia’s Duma called the bill “extremely dangerous” and suggested the decision to arm Ukraine should prompt ‘adequate measures’ from Russia, such as the use of military force on Ukrainian territory preemptively. “We should not wait until Ukraine is armed and becomes really dangerous.” Similar warnings were issued in late November during a visit to Ukraine by Vice President Joe Biden.

Readers might find it interesting to note that documents released late last month by the Ukrainian hackers group CyberBerkut reveal that the US may in fact already be providing substantial lethal aid to Ukraine’s armed forces. According to CyberBerkut, during Vice President Biden’s two-day trip to Kiev in November, they were able to gain access to confidential State Department files that had been stored on American delegation member’s mobile device.

Those documents show that the Obama Administration has been supplying Ukraine with lethal aid as far back as the August, including sniper and assault rifles, grenade launchers, mortars, stinger missiles and anti-tank weapons.Read the here. See the docs here.

AlertsUSA advises readers that while the American public is being distracted with all manner of mainstream media fluff stories, be advised that our world is becoming more and more dangerous by the day.

From the surge of U.S. and NATO forces in Eastern Europe over the past year, the increasing number of tense encounters between armed NATO and Russian aircraft (more than 400 times this year – see this, this, and this) and a declining Russian currency resulting from a collapse in oil and gas prices just to name a few, tensions between the U.S., NATO and Russia are at an extremely dangerous level.

In a recent interview with the German publication Der Spiegel, former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger gave a chilling assessment of a new geopolitical situation taking shape, calling the West’s approach to Ukraine a “fatal mistake.” He characterized the tense relations as exhibiting the danger of another Cold War and warned that ignoring this danger any further may result in a “tragedy.”

We also remind readers that while the Obama Administration and U.S. media paint Russia as the aggressor in this situation, in Feb of this year a video was leaked showing Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, Victoria Nuland, giving a presentation before a private group at the National Press Club in Washington within which she openly admits that the U.S. government has spent five BILLION dollars in an effort to subvert the Russian friendly Ukrainian government in order to bring into power the country into the U.S. sphere of influence (also see this).

DIRECT STRATEGIC THREATS

The resulting riots and change of government, in turn, posed a number of direct strategic threats to Russia, ultimately forcing them to move on Crimea in order to protect access to their naval base at Sevastopol, as well as to the Black Sea in general.

As an example, consider the geography of the region. Looking at a map you will see that the Black Sea is Western Russia’s singular warm-water access point. All other ports in the North of the country, with the exception of Murmansk near the northeast corner of Finland, are blocked by ice at least 6 months out of each year. The only reason Murmansk remains ice free is due to the warm waters of the N. Atlantic current. Although 9 time zones in size, more than 90% of Russia’s population lives in the Western third of the country.

Additionally, although Crimea was/is recognized as a part of Ukraine, it was/is actually an autonomous region . The Russian Navy has kept its Black Sea Fleet stationed at a naval base on the peninsula since the late 1700s and the time of Napoleon and Catherine the Great. The Port of Sevastopol has a large, deep, defensible harbor and is accessible in all seasons. In 2010, Russia negotiated an agreement with Ukraine that allows use of the strategically located Sevastopol naval base through 2042 in exchange for discounts on natural gas.

While Crimea is physically detached from Russia, it is connected by those parts of eastern and southern Ukraine that contain a large Russian speaking, pro-Russian population.

FOLLOW THE MONEY

We would be remiss if we did not also play “follow the money” and point out that Ukraine is a critical corridor for oil and gas pipelines from Russia and the Caspian region into Europe. These pipelines and the product they carry generate huge profits for Russia and directly compete with the planned Southern route which is at the heart of the instability in Syria .

Ukraine Oil/Gas Pipeline Map – ALLOW IMAGES

With just these few items (there are many more), it is easy to see how Russia is being backed into a corner. Their strategic interests and national security are directly threatened.

JOE BIDEN’S SON ON BOARD OF UKRAINE’S
LARGEST INDEPENDANT NATURAL GAS PRODUCER

It is also important to note that in May of 2014, near the height of the Ukraine crisis, Hunter Biden, the youngest son of Vice President Joe Biden, was appointed to the Board of Directors of Burisma Holdings, Ukraine’s largest independent producer of natural gas.

You can read more on this aspect of the story here.

Hunter Biden’s appointment came just weeks after being dishonorably discharged from the U.S. Navy Reserves after testing positive for cocaine use.

You can read more on this aspect of the story here.

DANGER AHEAD

It would be naive to think that Russia is going to allow Ukraine to fall into the arms of NATO without a vigorous fight. The strategic importance of the country is far too great. Additionally, readers are reminded that Russian President Putin, Prime Minister Medvedev and the Chief of the Russian General Staff Gen. Nikolai Makarov, have on multiple occasions in the last 3 years made explicitly clear that Russia would use nuclear weapons, including in a preemptive capacity, if there is a threat to the integrity of the Russian Federation (see this, this, and this). These scenarios include conventional attacks on Russia or it’s strategic partners, placement of missile shield installations in former Soviet-bloc countrie s and more.

AlertsUSA continues to closely monitor growing tension in Eastern Europe and the Ukraine and will issue additional alert messages to subscriber mobile devices as threats and events warrant .

——————————————————————————–

AlertsUSA.com

OTHER ALERTS ISSUED THIS WEEK BUT
NOT DETAILED IN THIS NEWSLETTER ISSUE

12/14 – AlertsUSA monitoring ongoing hostage situation(s) in Sydney, AUS. Reports of Islamic black flag of jihad being flown. Airline flts being diverted. Developing…

12/14 – AUS gunmen claim there are 4 explosive devices hidden around Sydney. US consulate evacuated. US citizens urged to be on high alert.

12/14 – You can follow the ongoing situation in AUS LIVE using the following links: News 9 – http://bit.ly/134V0PL ,
News 24 – http://ab.co/1zcq9Of

12/15 – Moments ago AUS security forces stormed Lindt Cafe in Sydney Central Business District. Hostage situation concluded.

AlertsUSA Service for Mobile Devices – ALLOW IMAGES

* Know Instantly If Ebola is Detected in Your
Child’s School District.
* Get Away Early, Give Your Family Extra Safety.
* In Wide Use By Gov, 1st Responders, Travelers.
* 24/7/365 Monitoring. No Hype. Just the Bad Stuff
* Issued Hours and Days before the MSM.
* On your Cell Phone, Tablet or Email.
* We Give The Clear Truth, Unlike the MSM.
* Over a Decade in Operation!

We are NOT part of the government.
In fact, they are our customers!

“I’m an RN. AlertsUSA keeps me up to the minute with the most pertinent developments in anything nuclear, biological, or chemical that may threaten health either immediately or down the road. Often, as with the emerging “bird flu” virus, I receive such advance notice I have time to include the information into the in-service training I give other nurses.”

Susan Y.

====> CLICK TO WATCH VIDEO <====

——————————————————————————–

Islamic Flag Displayed During Sydney Terror Attack – ALLOW IMAGES

USGOV Issues Worldwide Travel Alert
Following Sydney Terror Attack
Dec 19, 2014

On Dec 19, 2014, AlertsUSA issued the following
related Flash message to subscriber mobile devices:
12/19 – USGOV issues worldwide travel alert in aftermath of AUS terror incident. US citizens urged to remain vigilant over holidays and to enhance personal security.

What You Need To Know
On Friday of this week AlertsUSA subscribers were notified via SMS messages to their mobile devices regarding a new Worldwide Travel Alert issued by the U.S. State Department in the aftermath of the lone wolf Muslim terror attack in Sydney, Australia on December 15, 2014, which resulted in the deaths of two hostages in addition to the perpetrator.

An analysis of past attacks and threat reporting strongly suggests a focus by terrorists not only on the targeting of U.S. government facilities but also on hotels, shopping areas, places of worship, and schools, among other targets, during or coinciding with this holiday period. U.S. citizens abroad should be mindful that terrorist groups and those inspired by them can pose unpredictable threats in public venues. U.S. citizens should remain alert to local conditions and for signs of danger.

You can read the full alert message HERE

As has been the case for over 12 years, AlertsUSA continues to closely monitor the overall domestic terrorism threat environment and will immediately notify service subscribers of new alerts, warnings and advisories or any developments which signal a change the overall threat picture as events warrant.

——————————————————————————–

Travel Security Update

The U.S. Dept. of State is the authoritative federal source for information on the security situation at travel destinations worldwide. With tensions rapidly increasing in most regions, readers planning on 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 prior to departure.
Latest USGOV Travel Alerts and Warnings

Mali 12/18/2014
Worldwide Alert 12/19/2014
Worldwide Caution 10/10/2014
Ebola Travel Alert 12/02/2014

See all USGOV Travel Alerts and Warnings HERE.

——————————————————————————–