S2 Underground

Intel Update - Nov. 14 - 5th Generation Happenings

Nov 14, 2026 ·21 min

Plugins: https://github.com/s2underground  Research Notes/Bibliography can be found here: https://publish.obsidian.md/s2underground  Common Intelligence Picture: https://www.arcgis.com/home/item.html?id=204a59b01f4443cd96718796fd102c00  Border Crisis Map: https://www.arcgis.com/home/item.html?id=7f13eda1f301431e98a7ac0393b0e6b0  TOC Dashboard: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/ebe374c40c1a4231a06075155b0e8cb9/  00:00 - Global Overview  00:40 - Peoria IED Threat  03:01 - National Ground Stop  05:28 - United Kingdom  12:54 - Middle East  17:54 - GhostNet and TAK Plugins  Download the GhostNet plan here! https://github.com/s2underground/GhostNet  The text version of the Wire can be found on Twitter: https://twitter.com/s2_underground  And on our Wire Telegram page here: https://t.me/S2undergroundWire  If you would like to support us, we're on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=30479515  Disclaimer: No company sponsored this video. In fact, we have ZERO sponsors. We are funded 100% by you, the viewer. All of our funding comes from direct support from platforms like Patreon, or from ad revenue on YouTube. Without your support, I simply could not do this work at all, so to those of you who chose to support my efforts, I am eternally thankful. Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/S2Underground BitChute: https://www.bitchute.com/channel/P2NMGFdt3gf3/ This content is purely educational and does not advocate for violating any laws. Do not violate any laws or regulations. This is not legal advice. Consult with your attorney.  Our Reading List! https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/133747963-s2-actual  The War Kitchen Channel! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYmtpjXT22tAWGIlg_xDDPA 

The Wire - November 5, 2026

Nov 5, 2026 ·3 min

//The Wire//1900Z November 5, 2026//  //ROUTINE//  //BLUF: BOMB THREATS CONTINUE TO PLAGUE COMMERCIAL AVIATION IN EUROPE, NO THREATS DEEMED VIABLE. PRESIDENT OF PARAGUAY RESIGNS AFTER BANKING COLLAPSE THIS MORNING, DUE TO HIS TIES TO BANK'S LEADERSHIP.//  -----BEGIN TEARLINE----- -International Events- Europe: This morning bomb threats onboard commercial aircraft throughout the continent continued. Over a dozen flights were diverted and evacuated due to these threats, which caused mass delays throughout the region. None of the threats were determined to be credible following security checks. Analyst Comment: This morning's threat-spree is the second such incident this week. Malign actors know that bomb threats are cheap...every claim has to be investigated, wasting time and resources while authorities do their due diligence to clear the threats. Sending in a bunch of threats all at once can heavily affect the global flight schedules for the day, as many flights getting diverted at once amplifies the effect for malign actors. Paraguay: Overnight, a major banking collapse resulted in pandemonium throughout the nation. Ueno Bank, one of the largest banks in the country, collapsed this morning, leaving customers without access to their funds. A banking run was attempted this morning as customers rushed to pull their money out of ATMs or transfer their funds elsewhere, but most customers report their funds being frozen and unable to withdraw. A total of eight banking executives have been arrested, and many investigations are currently underway. This afternoon President Santiago Peña resigned and stepped down from office, due to his connections and previous business partnership with the owners of the now-collapsed Ueno Bank. Analyst Comment: The cause of this bank's collapse is fairly standard: bad investments resulted in them simply not having enough money to cover their losses, and their solvency ratio fell below the 50% legal limit. This situation is not unheard of in...

The Wire - March 5, 2025

Mar 5, 2025 ·3 min

//The Wire//2300Z March 5, 2025// //ROUTINE// //BLUF: TRUMP ADDRESS TO CONGRESS CONCLUDES MOSTLY WITHOUT INCIDENT. USA WITHOLDS INTELLIGENCE SUPPORT FROM UKRAINE.//  -----BEGIN TEARLINE----- -International Events- Europe: Following Zelenskyy's disastrous visit to the White House, CIA Director John Ratcliffe confirmed that the United States has initiated a halt of all intelligence sharing agreements with Ukraine, in addition to the previously disclosed halting of military and financial aid. AC: As the intelligence support to Ukraine throughout the war has been staggering, it is almost certain that (if these reports are true) Ukraine will not have the intelligence capabilities to conduct most targeting efforts. -HomeFront- Washington D.C. - The Supreme Court has ruled against the federal government 5-4, in a case involving a lower federal judge ordering the government to pay out certain USAID contracts. AC: As noted in the dissenting opinion, the details of this case matter. In short, the Supreme Court has ruled that it's okay for lower federal judges to just make up law as they see fit, regardless of what a contract states, and prevent any appeals of their decisions to a higher court (such as themselves). This is a serious blow to any judicial reform efforts, which has become a concern over the years via one low-ranking federal judge in a random district having the power to halt the entire executive branch of government. As a result of this SCOTUS ruling, many more rulings by rogue judges who make their own law (outside of their jurisdiction) are expected as federal actions continue on a variety of controversial policy changes (such as immigration). However, all of this hinges on whether or not the Supreme Court ruling is to be followed...the precedent of this over the past four years has been dubious at best. This situation unfolding, while largely unnoticed by many, is the first real "Constitutional crisis" that Trump has faced in his second term. -----END TE...

The Wire - March 3, 2025

Mar 3, 2025 ·5 min

//The Wire//2300Z March 3, 2025// //ROUTINE// //BLUF: VEHICLE RAMMING ATTACK STRIKES MANNHEIM CARNIVAL. NOTHING NEW REGARDING EPSTEIN DOCS.//  -----BEGIN TEARLINE----- -International Events- Germany: A vehicle ramming attack was carried out in Mannheim this evening. The attacker was detained at the scene. So far, one fatality was reported, with many wounded in the attack. Mannheim police have requested witnesses to stop sharing video evidence on social media. Austria: An unspecified threat at the Hauptbahnhof (central train station) in Vienna resulted in an evacuation of the station today, during the evening rush hour commute. AC: In keeping with tradition, very few details were released by authorities, however after a bomb squad sweep of the complex the alert was canceled. Though authorities have not specified the nature of the threat, most Austrian media has claimed the incident revolved around a bomb threat. Norway: A brief diplomatic scandal was reported over the weekend following the Oval Office argument between the United States and Ukraine. After Zelenskyy was removed from the White House, various European nations have also transitioned to adopt a more hostile diplomatic position toward the United States. In Norway, these icy tensions came to fruition in the form of a maritime logistics company refusing to refuel American warships as part of a defense pact with Norway. Haltbakk Bunkers (a refueling company) issued a profanity-laced statement on social media culminating with the basic idea of "no fuel for Americans". This statement was rebuffed by Norway's Defense Minister, who stated that Norway would continue to provide the agreed upon support for American naval vessels who visit Norwegian ports. AC: Additionally, it must be noted that the CEO of Haltbakk confirmed that they don't actually have any established contracts to supply American vessels in the first place (other companies hold the larger defense logistical contracts), so this short-lived econo...

The Wire - March 7, 2024

Mar 7, 2024 ·2 min

//The Wire//1930Z March 7, 2024// //ROUTINE// //BLUF: SURVIVING CREW OF MERCHANT VESSEL RESCUED IN GULF OF ADEN. NYC DEPLOYS SOLDIERS, POLICE TO SUBWAY AMID HIGH CRIME.//  -----BEGIN TEARLINE----- -International Events- Red Sea/HOA: The Indian Navy rescued the surviving crew of the M/V TRUE CONFIDENCE following the successful Houthi missile strike yesterday. Three crew members were killed in the attack, with four others wounded. Three crew members are in critical condition due to severe burns. AC: These are the first fatalities reported onboard a civilian vessel as a result of Houthi strikes during the Red Sea Crisis. -HomeFront- NY: Substantial efforts are underway in New York City to allegedly reduce rampant crime. Approximately 750 armed National Guard soldiers have been deployed at strategic sites around the city, mostly to patrol and man checkpoints within the subway system. NYPD forces have also deployed security checkpoints to search the personal bags of subway travelers. AC: It is important to note that authorities have stated this deployment is not specifically for counterterrorism efforts or concerns, but rather to address the increase in standard street crime. -----END TEARLINE----- Analyst Comments: Though it is obvious almost to the point of not being worthy of mention, the efforts undertaken to have soldiers “police” high-crime areas in NYC are likely not intended to reduce crime, though having armed soldiers everywhere will certainly achieve this result. When examining the desires of political leadership, it is important to remember that New York has highly incentivized crime by a plethora of means; refusing to arrest criminals in the first place, refusal to charge suspects once arrested, reducing punishments for convicted criminals, and granting no-cash bail for repeat offenders. None of these laws and/or policies have changed, which suggests the heavy-handed response to crime is reactive, and likely not entirely intended to reduce crime. It is likel...

The Wire - March 6, 2024

Mar 6, 2024 ·2 min

//The Wire//1730Z March 6, 2024// //ROUTINE// //BLUF: HOUTHI ATTACKS ON SHIPPING CONTINUE. TEXAS WILDFIRE IMPACTS CATTLE GRAZING.//  -----BEGIN TEARLINE----- -International Events- Germany: Yesterday an arson attack on an electrical transmission line in Berlin left a large Tesla factory without power throughout the day. The far-left organization Vulkangruppe (Volcano Group) has claimed responsibility for the attack. Red Sea/HOA: The M/V TRUE CONFIDENCE was struck by at least one Houthi cruise missile this morning attempting to transit the Gulf of Aden. Several crew members were reportedly wounded in the strike, and several crew members are unaccounted for. The vessel is sinking, and the crew has abandoned ship. The last reported position of the abandoned vessel is in the vicinity of grid 38PMU4628118677. -HomeFront- MI: Further details emerge following the explosions at the industrial complex in the vicinity of Groesbeck Highway in Detroit, indicating that a large collection of nitrous oxide and butane tanks were being illegally stored at the facility. Authorities have indicated the initial fire began at Select Distributors, a wholesale distributor of vaping supplies. This company also sells large tanks of nitrous oxide, which are frequently used as a recreational inhalant. TX: The second and third order effects of recent wildfires are beginning to manifest as ranchers report the substantial destruction of cattle and grazing land. JBS has already reported the direct loss of several thousand head of cattle due to the fire, and substantial efforts are underway among ranchers to provide hay and alfalfa to those affected by the disaster.` -----END TEARLINE----- Analyst Comments: Though the fire damage throughout Texas is still being assessed, the loss of over a million acres of grazing land in Texas’s largest beef cattle region is likely to impact beef production in the form of higher prices. Over 85% of all cattle in Texas graze in the region affected by wildfire, whic...

The Wire - March 5, 2024

Mar 5, 2024 ·2 min

//The Wire//1830Z March 5, 2024// //ROUTINE// //BLUF: GLOBAL SERVICE AND PLATFORM OUTAGES REPORTED THIS MORNING.//  -----BEGIN TEARLINE----- -HomeFront- USA: Yesterday the FAA released an update regarding the six-week audit of Boeing’s manufacturing processes. So far, the audit has revealed “non-compliance issues in Boeing’s manufacturing process control, parts handling and storage, and product control”. This morning, several cascading outages resulted in many internet services being offline. The outage, while lasting only about an hour, affected an extremely wide range of platforms and services. Facebook was the first ecosystem affected by the outage, along with their subsidiaries Instagram and Whatsapp. However, problems were reported among many other platforms and services almost immediately. So far, Google, Youtube, TikTok, Twitter/X, Snapchat, Zoom, Discord, Gmail, Cloudflare, and AWS all reported issues or total outages. Some telecom providers (such as T-Mobile, Verizon, Spectrum, FirstNet) also reported issues all at roughly the same time. No word yet on the cause of the outage. MI: Substantial explosions have occurred at an industrial facility in the vicinity of 15 Mile Road and Groesbeck Highway in Fraser (Detroit) overnight. Several fatalities have been reported, including a 19-year-old located a quarter mile from the blast site, who was struck and killed by falling debris. The cause of the fire and explosions is not yet known. AC: Due to the extremely kinetic nature of the explosions, much speculation abounds regarding the seat of the initial blast incident. As the area is heavily industrialized, the fire and explosions impacted a wide area, owing to conflicting reports as to which business was the origin of the initial incident. -----END TEARLINE----- Analyst Comments: Multiple outages or service interruptions of completely different systems, from ISPs to social media, being reported all at the same time on Super Tuesday is indicative of nefarious intent...

The Wire - March 4, 2024

Mar 4, 2024 ·2 min

//The Wire//1930Z March 4, 2024// //ROUTINE// //BLUF: RED SEA ATTACKS CONTINUE. NATO EXERCISE BEGINS IN FINLAND. TENSIONS MOUNT IN NAGORNO KARABAGH.//  -----BEGIN TEARLINE----- -International Events- Europe: NATO’s standard arctic training exercise has begun, taking place this year for the first time in Finland. Normally held in Norway every other year, OPN COLD RESPONSE has been renamed to be OPN NORDIC RESPONSE as of Finland joining NATO last year. This exercise will continue until March 14th. Nagorno-Karabagh – Tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan have escalated over the past few weeks following limited skirmishes in the region. In the Azeri controlled areas, significant construction efforts are underway, with the previous provincial capital building being demolished over the weekend. Limited skirmishes carried out by small patrols have been reported in the northern Azeri-occupied areas over the past few days, causing local concerns that the conflict may flare up again. AC: So far, there are no indications of large military movements from either side, but diplomatic relations are deteriorating which in turn will likely cause more tensions in the near future. Red Sea/HOA: This morning another cargo ship was struck with at least one cruise missile in the Gulf of Aden. Houthi forces claim that the vessel belongs to the Israeli shipping company ZIM, but as the vessel was transiting without emitting transponder data, independent verification will take some time. -HomeFront- USA: Congress is considering the closure of the Northeast Gasoline Supply Reserve (NGSR). Nestled within the latest thousand-page spending bill, this closure is planned to take place after the U.S. draws down the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) by one million barrels this year. The NGSR was established in 2014 in response to the effects of Hurricane Sandy which caused widespread fuel disruptions throughout the northeastern United States. In the years since, this reserve has held approximately...

S2 Book Club: Logistics in the Falklands

Mar 2, 2024 ·26 min

The Wire Weekly Rollup - February 25-March 2, 2024

Mar 2, 2024 ·3 min

//The Wire Weekly Rollup//February 25 – March 2, 2024// -----BEGIN TEARLINE----- -International Events- Red Sea/HOA: Following the Houthi cruise missile strike on the M/V RUBYMAR in the Red Sea two weeks ago, this nondescript vessel was discovered to be adrift (and likely dragging her anchor) following her crew abandoning ship after the strike. Far East: Japan has announced the revitalization of homeland defense policies amid the steady increase in tensions throughout Asia. Japanese defense officials are planning to examine the need and implementation requirements for the creation of bunkers and bomb shelters for residents living on some of Japan’s more remote outlying islands. Eastern Europe: On Tuesday, the breakaway Republic of Transnistria voted to request to become a protectorate of Russia. This largely unknown semi-autonomous region situated in eastern Moldova along the Ukrainian border has suffered the impacts of poor relations with Moldova, leading to this recent vote. AC: It is unclear as to what Russia’s response will be. However, as the information war is in full effect, the implication that Transnistria could become another Donetsk is palpable as roughly 250,000 self-described Russians inhabit this region. However, though the Transnistrian issue is unlikely to become an additional front in the Ukrainian war, both Russia and the West could seek to capitalize on these fears in order to stoke even more defense funding and pressure NATO members even further. Russia could also be motivated to use this as a way to turn the screws to the west as Sweden’s accession to NATO is all but certain. Canada: Several bills have been introduced in Parliament with the goal of suppressing and criminalizing speech and establishing in law the concept of pre-crime. Bill C-63, as introduced for the First Reading this week, seeks to modify the Criminal Code to create a new hate crime offense that specifically introduces life sentences for some speech crimes. This bill also allow...

The Wire - March 2, 2024

Mar 2, 2024 ·1 min

//The Wire//1700Z March 2, 2024// //ROUTINE// //BLUF: DIPLOMATIC TENSIONS IN ASIA WORSEN FOLLOWING FISHING DISPUTE.//  -----BEGIN TEARLINE----- -International Events- Red Sea/HOA: Houthi forces report that the M/V RUBYMAR has finished sinking in the southern Red Sea. Though no independent verification of this can be made at this time, UKMTO has confirmed that her last reported position as of this morning is at grid: 38PKV7912777100. Far East: Tensions between the Philippines and China escalate following increasingly hostile fishing disputes in the region. Following reports of Chinese and Vietnamese vessels dumping cyanide into the waters surrounding the Scarborough Shoal (in a likely attempt to assert dominance and/or degrade/destroy the reef itself), diplomatic relations with Manila have deteriorated as the Philippines determines what their response to this latest tit-for-tat conflict will be.  -----END TEARLINE----- Analyst Comments: Fishing disputes in the South China Sea have been ongoing for many years, and are usually a barometer for gauging the diplomatic status between the nations that all claim fishing rights to the same body of water. Much larger power-projection moves have been observed in the past, so this latest spat is likely not as serious as media outlets would indicate. However, keeping a finger on the pulse of the region is important, as increasingly hostile actions from China (or any or the other nations involved), could signal a deterioration of relations that are already sour. Analyst: S2A1 //END REPORT//

The Wire - March 1, 2024

Mar 1, 2024 ·1 min

//The Wire//2200Z March 1, 2024// //ROUTINE// //BLUF: WILDFIRES CONTINUE IN TEXAS. JAPAN BEGINS TO IMPROVE DEFENSES ON REMOTE OUTLYING ISLANDS.//  -----BEGIN TEARLINE----- -International Events- Poland: This morning a hit-and-run incident injured 17 people as a vehicle rammed into a crowd in the port city of Szczecin. The driver was later apprehended. As of this report it is not immediately clear if this was a deliberate action.  Far East: Japanese defense strategists have outlined preparations to increase bomb shelter defenses for residents living on some of Japan’s more remote outlying islands. This follows many months of preparations among U.S. forces throughout the region, who have steadily improved existing bases throughout the region. -Homefront- Maine: United Airlines flight 883 (from London to Newark) conducted an emergency landing in Bangor due to an unruly passenger causing serious disruptions. No further details on this incident at this time. Texas: Multiple wildfires continue to present hazards following the increase in favorable fire weather conditions over the past few days. The Smokehouse Creek Fire, the largest in Texas history (and the second largest in U.S. history) is now 15% contained. Precipitation yesterday greatly aided containment efforts, and have allowed crews to focus efforts on the northern edge of the fire. The Windy Deuce Fire in Moore County is still active, and is 50% contained at a size of roughly 142,000 acres. -----END TEARLINE----- Analyst Comments: Though the announcement of Japanese civil defense improvements may stoke concerns, this is likely not an indicator of imminent actions but rather a clear continuation of trends preparing for an eventual conflict within Asia. Most nations throughout the region have been preparing for an eventual conflict with China for years. As attacks on Japan (such as the island of Okinawa), and any other U.S. bases in the region are all but certain in the event of conflict, the creation and improvem...

The Wire - February 29, 2024

Feb 29, 2024 ·1 min

//The Wire//2100Z February 29, 2024// //ROUTINE// //BLUF: WILDFIRE GROWS IN TEXAS. M/V RUBYMAR ADRIFT IN THE RED SEA.//  -----BEGIN TEARLINE----- -International Events- Red Sea/HOA: The M/V RUBYMAR continues to sink as Houthi forces maintain some level of security or territorial influence around the stricken vessel. Recent open-source satellite imagery indicates that the vessel has been drifting for several days, despite the crew reporting to have dropped the starboard anchor prior to abandoning ship.  -Homefront- Texas: An extremely large wildfire has impacted residents in the panhandle following weather conditions that have drastically increased fire activity. Overnight, the Smokehouse Creek Fire grew to over 1 million acres in size, officially becoming the largest recorded wildfire in Texas history. As of this morning, the fire is only 3% contained. -----END TEARLINE----- Analyst Comments: If the RUBYMAR is dragging her anchor, it is possible that this is the cause of the recently reported damage to undersea communications cables in the region. As the exact location of submarine cables is a closely guarded secret due to security reasons, it’s not possible to confirm this with open-source methods yet. The M/V RUBYMAR is also not emitting public AIS tracking data, so verifying her position requires manual verification via satellite imagery. This morning’s Sentinel 2a pass indicated that she has drifted approximately 50 NM from her last imagery-confirmed position on Feb 24. However, substantial cloud coverage over the target area this morning greatly inhibits confirmation of her exact position. Analyst: S2A1 //END REPORT//

The Wire - February 28, 2024

Feb 28, 2024 ·2 min

//The Wire//2300Z February 28, 2024// //ROUTINE// //BLUF: TENSIONS MOUNT IN TRANSNISTRIA. PROTESTS CONTINUE IN EUROPE.//  -----BEGIN TEARLINE----- -International Events- Europe: Yesterday the breakaway-Republic of Transnistria voted to formally request to become a protectorate of Russia. This region, a thin strip of diplomatically ambiguous land situated in the eastern part of Moldova along the Ukrainian border, has been host to sentiments similar to those of the now-occupied districts of the Donetsk in the complicatedly-described eastern region of Ukraine. Roughly 250,000 self-described ethnic Russians reside in this ambiguous breakaway region. This vote is largely the result of diplomatic and economic tensions with Moldova, which is one of Transnistria’s only trade partners. Throughout the remainder of the continent, farmer protests continue. Demonstrations at the headquarters of the European Union in Brussels have become increasingly kinetic following the routine destruction of police barriers by demonstrators. Yesterday, an estimated 100,000 people protested against the EU’s climate agenda in Warsaw, and tens of thousands protested against the same in Madrid. Protests have expanded significantly over the past few weeks and now include almost every major western city between Wales and Greece. -----END TEARLINE----- Analyst Comments: Moldova’s actions so far in response to the events in Transnistria have not been clear. Limited reporting on social media has suggested military movements within Moldova, but just as with all open-source media currently, flashy videos of tanks-on-the-move are usually very common deception practices intended to drive engagement on social media. As such, while it is important to recognize the significance of the tensions in the region, it is challenging to determine what actions are being taken on the ground until more information sources become available. More generally, Russia has had a limited military presence within Transnistria fo...

The Wire - February 27, 2024

Feb 27, 2024 ·3 min

//The Wire//1830Z February 27, 2024// //ROUTINE// //BLUF: CANADA CONTINUES ATTACKS ON SPEECH. US ARMY REPORTEDLY REDUCES 24,000 JOBS.//  -----BEGIN TEARLINE----- -International Events- Canada: Several bills have been introduced in Parliament with the goal of suppressing and criminalizing speech. Bill C-63, as introduced for the First Reading yesterday, seeks to modify the Criminal Code to create a new hate crime offense that specifically introduces life sentences for some speech crimes. This follows the introduction of Bill C-372 (which was tabled earlier this month) which intends to criminalize the “promotion” of fossil fuels. This bill (as it stands) was allegedly intended to restrict corporate advertising, however most of the restrictions apply to everyday citizens who could face jail time for simply stating that fossil fuels are cheaper or more reliable than allegedly “renewable” energy sources. Red Sea/HOA: The status of the M/V RUBYMAR remains unclear and contradictory. Last night, Houthi forces posted videos indicating that they were in possession of the partially-sunken vessel, or at the very minimum are conducting security patrols in the area. Houthi forces have claimed that they will allow the towing of the stricken vessel only in exchange for humanitarian aid being sent to Gaza. AC: This directly contradicts claims by western authorities/media that the vessel was being towed into port Djbouti. In the videos provided by Houthi forces, the condition of the vessel has deteriorated since the photos released by the BBC a few days ago. Satellite imagery confirms that the RUBYMAR is at anchor in approximately 165 feet of water, at grid coordinate: 38PLV1642909551. Currently, the vessel is abandoned and continues to take on water. -Homefront- Washington D.C. – This morning, Defense officials have leaked plans to restructure the U.S. Army to reduce personnel levels in response to recruiting shortfalls. According to the reports leaked to the media, allegedly 24,000...

The Wire - February 26, 2024

Feb 26, 2024 ·3 min

//The Wire//1830Z February 26, 2024// //ROUTINE// //BLUF: NORWEGIAN CRUISE SHIP QUARANTINED DUE TO CHOLERA OUTBREAK.//  -----BEGIN TEARLINE----- -International Events- Mauritius: A Norwegian cruise ship has been quarantined in the Port of Mauritius following a cholera outbreak onboard the vessel. The M/V NORWEGIAN DAWN has been quarantined in port until further notice. Though the origin of the outbreak is unknown at this time, several of the passengers reporting illness traveled to South Africa earlier this month. Red Sea/HOA: Several telecom providers have begun to report issues regarding undersea communications cables in the Red Sea. As of this report, only single-source reporting is available, which suggests that a total of four cables have been impacted over the past few months. AC: As cable disruptions are extremely common due to natural seismic events on the seafloor, the timing of such outages is critical. So far, the Jerusalem Post is the only media outlet reporting on this issue, which (aside from being a highly questionable source in its own right), did not indicate whether or not this is a new issue, or a culmination of incidents since the start of the Red Sea Crisis. Houthi forces have made direct threats to sever these communications cables, however it is not clear as to if they are actually capable of tampering with or targeting undersea cables in the Red Sea. Additionally, in a time when covert operations and false-flag events have become extremely common, judgement is probably best reserved for when more information becomes public. On the other hand, due to the nature of the incident, independent investigation is not likely. -Homefront- Washington D.C. – Yesterday a uniformed active duty Air Force service member self-immolated outside the Israeli embassy in a self-described act of protest in support of Palestine. The service member, later identified as Aaron Bushnell, later died at a local hospital. No information regarding his rank or unit has been...

The Wire Weekly Rollup - February 18-24, 2024

Feb 24, 2024 ·8 min

//The Wire Weekly Rollup//February 18-24, 2024// -----BEGIN TEARLINE----- -International Events- Red Sea/HOA: This week marked significant escalations in the region following the most successful targeting of a commercial vessel by Houthi forces so far during the Red Sea Crisis. Sunday night, the M/V RUBYMAR was struck with multiple projectiles, forcing the crew to abandon ship. Originally the vessel was reported as being sunk, but several days after the strikes, imagery obtained by the BBC confirms that the vessel is still afloat, albeit barely. The imagery confirms that severe flooding has caused severe trim to stern, so much so that her deck is awash at the base of the accommodation superstructure. Additionally, her bulbous bow was almost completely above the waterline in the photos provided. The RUBYMAR was allegedly towed into port Djbouti where salvage operations continue. In response to the success of this strike, the next day Houthi forces targeted several other commercial vessels, including one which was delivering humanitarian aid to Yemen. The M/V SEA CHAMPION was struck with at least one Anti-Ship Ballistic Missile (ASBM), but was able to continue her voyage to the Yemeni port of Aden where she offloaded her cargo of grain. In the same engagement, the M/V NAVIS FORTUNA and the USS LABOON (DDG 58) were also targeted with missiles, the former successfully. An American MQ-9 Reaper drone was also shot down by Houthi forces during the escalation, which marks the second drone downed by Houthi forces since this conflict intensified in October, 2023. Throughout the week CENTCOM forces have continued daily missile strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen. Very few details of these now-regular strikes have been made public. -HomeFront- NY: The revelation of a recent rule change has indicated that potentially tens of thousands of illegal immigrants have been allowed to receive substantial cash payments in addition to the monthly benefits already provided. This follow...

The Wire - February 24, 2024

Feb 24, 2024 ·3 min

//The Wire//1500Z February 24, 2024// //ROUTINE// //BLUF: NO NEW DETAILS ON BALLOON. CHINESE ILLEGAL ALIEN ENCOUNTERS REACH NEW RECORD IN CA.//  -----BEGIN TEARLINE----- -International Events- Red Sea/HOA: Over the past few days, CENTCOM has intensified “self-defense” targeting of Houthi sites in Yemen. As has become standard, almost zero information is released regarding these strikes, which have now become routine daily events. -Homefront- PA: A chemical incident at a pharmaceutical packing plant in Lehigh County resulted in over 50 workers suffering minor injuries. No word yet on what the chemical was, but most of the people affected reported headaches and respiratory problems. The cause of the incident has not been disclosed. CA: Customs and Border Patrol statistics released last night indicate that the pace at which Chinese immigrants are encountered attempting to cross the border illegally has increased substantially over the past quarter. In one California district there were more Chinese immigrants illegally crossing the southern U.S. border than Mexicans. Newly released data indicates that since October of last year, 21,000 encounters with Chinese nationals were reported, whereas in the same sector only 18,700 Mexicans were encountered. AC: As the overwhelming majority of illegal immigrants no longer originate from Mexico (but rather other Central or South American nations), it is unclear as to how this affects the total numbers. As a reminder, recent DHS testimony before Congress has indicated that over 85% of all illegal encounters result in the illegal alien being released into the United States, rather than being deported. Washington D.C. – No new information has been released by the Pentagon regarding the possibly hostile aircraft over American soil. Pentagon officials continue to claim that both the origin and the intent of the craft is unknown, yet somehow also assessed to be not a threat. AC: As defense officials seem content with leaking informatio...

The Wire - February 23, 2024 - Priority

Feb 23, 2024 ·4 min

//The Wire//2300Z February 23, 2024// //PRIORITY// //BLUF: UNIDENTIFIED HIGH-ALTITUDE BALLOON SPOTTED OVER WESTERN USA.//  -----BEGIN TEARLINE----- -Homefront- USA: This afternoon, CBS News leaked a report indicating that the U.S. military was tracking an unidentified high-altitude balloon over the western United States. According to CBS, Pentagon officials stated that the origin and intentions of the balloon were unknown, but that the object was “not at threat”. AC: It is unclear as to how an unknown object can be confirmed to not be a threat. Directly quoting the initial CBS report, “One official said the balloon was over Colorado earlier in the day and was expected to be over Georgia by Friday night. The official said the balloon appeared to be made of Mylar and had a small cube-shaped box, about two feet long on each side, hanging below it.” Independent analysis conducted is as follows: No NOTAMs were issued to indicate the position of the craft. A total of three ham radio balloons were aloft over the western USA at the time of initial reports, but all three were transmitting their positions openly as required by the FAA. Independent analysis of raw weather radar returns yielded no reliable results, and weather modeling indicated an eastern track was most likely, with prevailing winds carrying the craft over Georgia within a few hours. -----END TEARLINE----- Analyst Comments: Though the fog of war is challenging to work within at the moment, in the interest of expediency (and weighed against the potential to be alarmist) it would be prudent to assume that this event is somehow linked to the mass cyber events that occurred yesterday. Though this is purely speculative and bases heavy analysis on very few details, if this balloon is Chinese in origin, previous balloon incidents strongly indicate that the balloon has been in U.S. airspace for hours, at least since the cyber events yesterday. Without question, if this is indeed a Chinese balloon that takes many days...

The Wire - February 23, 2024

Feb 23, 2024 ·2 min

//The Wire//2130Z February 23, 2024// //ROUTINE// //BLUF: NO NEW INFO ON YESTERDAYS CELL OUTAGE. FARMER PROTESTS CONTINUE IN EUROPE.//  -----BEGIN TEARLINE----- -International Events- Europe: Farmer protests continue as before, expanding in both the severity of disruptions caused and the number of nations affected. So far, major protests are underway in 14 European nations, with smaller, localized demonstrations of solidarity being reported in almost every nation in Europe. Major actions appear to largely be concentrated in France, the Netherlands, Spain, Ireland, and Poland. Red Sea/HOA: Yesterday, the M/V ISLANDER was attacked with two Anti-Ship Ballistic Missiles (ASBMs), causing damage and injuring one crew member. The vessel is continuing its voyage. No further details have been released by CENTCOM regarding this attack. -Homefront- USA: Information regarding yesterday’s mass cellular outage remains scarce. There have been few public statements from the various entities involved, with unconfirmed rumor mostly driving the public discourse surrounding the outage. Initial theories falsely attributed causation to the solar activity that appeared to coincide with the initial outage; the solar activity had nothing to do with the outage, and did not impact cellular networks in the United States. Officially, AT&T (the root cause of the outage) has simply stated that the outage was the result of technical error, and not a cyberattack. No further details have been provided. -----END TEARLINE----- Analyst Comments: More details regarding the cause of yesterday’s cell outage are not likely to be made public. As AT&T has confirmed that the outage was a deliberate action, the list of potential theories regarding the incident more or less boils down to intent. As AT&T has been extremely quiet regarding the cause of the outage, a wide range of possibilities exists; A careless/incompetent technician could have been the cause, or it could have been a deliberate cyberattack that...

The Wire - February 22, 2024

Feb 22, 2024 ·3 min

//The Wire//1900Z February 22, 2024// //ROUTINE// //BLUF: MULTIPLE NATIONWIDE CYBER EVENTS IMPACT USA.//  -----BEGIN TEARLINE----- -International Events- Red Sea/HOA: The BBC has obtained recent imagery indicating the status of the M/V RUBYMAR. The photos confirm that the vessel is not completely sunk, but severe flooding has caused such substantial trim by the stern that her deck is awash at the base of the accommodation superstructure. Likewise, the bulbous bow is almost completely above the waterline. AC: The status of salvage operations is unclear. Though details are very scarce, by last report she is uncrewed and is being towed into port Djbouti. -Homefront- USA: This morning many cyber events were reported on a variety of platforms, utilities, and critical infrastructure. The main cyber event involved a mass cellular outage throughout the majority of the continental United States. The outage initially appears to be largely confined to the AT&T network (and various subsidiaries), but problems were also reported by Verizon users. The cause of this outage is unclear, and it is also not known how (or if) this one event cascaded to impact other industries throughout the day.  In a possibly separate incident, many pharmacies across the U.S. have reported computer systems being offline, allegedly due to a cyberattack. Specifically targeted is software provided by Change Healthcare, that is used to manage records and fill prescriptions by many pharmaceutical chains throughout the Unites States. Wells Fargo brokerage users also reported problems accessing their accounts this morning. It is unclear as to if this was related to any of the other cyber events reported so far today. Occurring nearly simultaneously with the initial cellular outage, an X-class solar flare caused widespread degradation of some radio communications. -----END TEARLINE----- Analyst Comments: While the direct causes of today’s cyber events are not confirmed at this time, more generally this is lik...

The Wire - February 21, 2024

Feb 21, 2024 ·2 min

//The Wire//2030Z February 21, 2024// //ROUTINE// //BLUF: GOVERNMENT DISSOLVED IN GUINEA. RED SEA ATTACKS CONTINUE.//  -----BEGIN TEARLINE----- -International Events- Guinea: Yesterday the ruling military junta dissolved the entire government, ordering all governmental ministers to surrender their passports. The borders of Guinea have also reportedly been closed as the ruling junta seeks to consolidate power. AC: Though no reason was provided for this change of stance, it is not entirely unexpected for a nation operating in a state of military coup for over two years. Guinea’s main national contribution to the world is in the form of natural resources; Iron and Bauxite ore are the main mineral exports, along with Diamonds and Gold. Red Sea/HOA: Houthi forces posted a video online last night, strongly indicating that they have captured an American Remus 600 Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) in the waters off the coast of Yemen. This underwater drone is reportedly one of the most sophisticated technologies developed for the U.S. Navy. In the southern Red Sea, Houthi attacks on commercial shipping remain constant. Overnight, one as-yet-unidentified vessel was targeted successfully with unknown munitions. UKMTO has issued a warning to commercial vessels, highlighting the threat of loitering munitions in the southern Red Sea. -Homefront- USA: The Biden regime has announced the cancellation of an additional $1.2 billion of student debt for approximately 153,000 people. To date, various federal entities have already canceled (or technically, transferred to the American taxpayer) over $138 billion of student loan debt from approximately 3.9 million individuals. NY: The revelation of a recent rule change has indicated that potentially tens of thousands of illegal immigrants have been allowed to receive substantial cash payments in addition to the monthly benefits already provided. This follows the announcement of $53 million in prepaid cards being issued to illegal immigra...

The Wire - February 20, 2024

Feb 20, 2024 ·3 min

//The Wire//1930Z February 20, 2024// //ROUTINE// //BLUF: HOUTHI FORCES INTENSIFY ATTACKS, SHOOT DOWN AMERICAN DRONE.//  -----BEGIN TEARLINE----- -International Events- Red Sea/HOA: Significant escalations in the region have taken place following the successful attack on the M/V RUBYMAR with many commercial vessels being targeted by a variety of Houthi weapons systems. The following is a summary of the vessels targeted yesterday:  M/V SEA CHAMPION – Struck with one Anti-Ship Ballistic Missile (ASBM). Minor damage reported. M/V NAVIS FORTUNA – Struck with kamikaze drone. Minor damage reported. USS LABOON (DDG 58) – Attacked with ASCM, which was successfully intercepted. No damage reported. Additionally, CENTCOM reports various un-named coalition vessels engaging a total of 10 kamikaze drones in the region overnight. Last night, Houthi forces reported successfully shooting down an American MQ-9 Reaper drone off the coast of Yemen. Though CENTCOM has not officially confirmed the shootdown, local Yemenis have posted photos of the debris on various social media platforms. AC: This morning, CENTCOM did make a reference to destroying a SAM site for the first time in this conflict. However, this conveniently leaves out the reasoning behind locating the SAM site likely being the result of an MQ-9 being shot down. -Homefront- NY: A large nationwide trucking protest has begun to become more organized. Various independent truckers are organizing to boycott deliveries to New York following the perceived injustice of the outcome of Donald Trump’s civil trial. AC: This protest officially started yesterday, but due to the media blackout of this demonstration it has taken time for many truckers to hear about it. The specific goals of this protest are to deliberately cause shortages of resources and increase prices for New Yorkers. -----END TEARLINE----- Analyst Comments: Few details remain regarding the status of the M/V RUBYMAR, the vessel that was reportedly sunk Sunday night, and...

The Wire - February 19, 2024

Feb 19, 2024 ·3 min

//The Wire//1800Z February 19, 2024// //ROUTINE// //BLUF: HOUTHI FORCES SINK SHIP IN BAB EL MANDEB STRAIT.//  -----BEGIN TEARLINE----- -International Events- Middle East: Western mainstream media reporting over the past 24 hours has suggested that Egypt may be preparing for the reception of Palestinian refugees. Planet Labs satellite imagery was provided to media groups that indicates a large swath of land is being cleared in Egypt, just across the border from Rafah. Egyptian authorities have denied these claims, as the policy of strategic ambiguity precludes Egypt from making a de facto admission that the expulsion of Palestinians into Egypt might be possible. AC: Though it is challenging to verify anything that is provided to media groups, the quiet preparation of emergency refugee camps in Egypt is very likely following the Israeli announcement of imminent operations in Rafah. Though the politics of the events in Gaza cloud the situation on the ground, it is clear that Egypt has always considered the expulsion of Palestinians into Egypt as a possibility, and if these preparations are confirmed, these actions to prepare for such strongly indicates that Egypt may believe this worst-case scenario is very likely. Red Sea/HOA: Houthi attacks on commercial shipping became more serious overnight following the sinking of a commercial vessel. Overnight, Houthi forces struck the M/V RUBYMAR (a Belize-flagged bulk cargo carrier) with multiple cruise missiles. The crew abandoned ship shortly after the strike. This morning, the RUBYMAR was reported as being sunk in the Bab el Mandeb Strait. AC: This marks the first (publicly-disclosed) successful sinking of a commercial ship by Houthi forces so far in this conflict. This morning, Houthi attacks continued as another vessel was targeted in a similar manner. An as-yet-unidentified vessel reported multiple explosions in close proximity to the vessel in the Gulf of Aden. -Homefront- TX: Border situation continues as before, despit...

The Wire Weekly Rollup - February 11-17, 2024

Feb 17, 2024 ·10 min

//The Wire Weekly Rollup//February 11-17, 2024// -----BEGIN TEARLINE----- -International Events- Middle East: Israel began the military campaign to gain control of the city of Rafah, along the Egyptian border. This operation, while slow to begin, has so far largely comprised of large bombing campaigns. In northern Israel tensions with Lebanon remain elevated following the Israeli targeting of Hezbollah observation posts and rocket launch sites in southern Lebanon. These strikes have become more routine in response to Hezbollah rocket attacks, and when combined with the large buildup of Israeli troops in the north, questions remain as to whether or not Israel will commit to opening up yet another front while the majority of IDF soldiers remain committed to operations in Gaza. Red Sea/HOA: This week American forces in the region stepped up alleged “self defense” targeting of Houthi facilities and equipment. Anti-Ship Cruise Missiles (ASCMs), Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs), and various Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAVs) have been the primary targets engaged daily. The Houthi targeting of commercial shipping has continued as before, with the handful of commercial ships still committed to transiting the Bab el Mandeb Strait being routinely targeted by Yemeni forces. An approximate average of one or two ships transiting the region per day have been successfully struck by Houthi cruise missiles. AC: As routine combat operations seem to have begun under the guise of “self defense” strikes, it is important to remember that the U.S. has not declared war on Yemen or the Houthi forces controlling the majority of the country (and the government sector).  Europe: This week sentiments among various nations have increasingly indicated the desire for the Gaza war to reach a conclusion. Wednesday, French President Macron voiced objection to the Israeli campaign in Gaza in a phone call with PM Netanyahu. Specifically, Macron stated that France’s position was one of firm opposition to th...

The Wire - February 17, 2024

Feb 17, 2024 ·3 min

//The Wire//1600Z February 17, 2024// //ROUTINE// //BLUF: CONFLICT CONTINUES IN THE RED SEA. NAVALNY DEATH INCREASES INTL TENSIONS.//  -----BEGIN TEARLINE----- -International Events- Russia: Much consternation abounds concerning the death of Putin critic Alexei Navalny. Pro-Russian sources are quick to point out that Navalny was prosecuted for orchestrating dissent in Russia at the behest of the West (that would be carried out via Navalny’s NGO, which undeniably has strong ties to MI6). Conversely, Western sources cite the obvious fact that, following the assassination of Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin in August of last year, Putin critics seem to be meeting very untimely ends as of late. AC: Though the impacts of Navalny’s death will not really impact the citizens of the United States or Europe, the rhetoric from mainstream sources, clearly planned and orchestrated since Navalny was imprisoned, has been overwhelming. Following the fallout that the impact Tucker Carlson’s interview with Putin has had, it is certain that Navalny’s death will be as his life was: manipulated by the west for cheap political gain. Putin meanwhile, will likely continue consolidating power as he sees fit in order to continue streamlining Russia’s economic, military, and social standing with Asia, the Middle East, and the rest of the world at large. Red Sea/HOA: This morning, Houthi forces conducted a cruise missile attack against the M/V POLLUX a Panamanian-flagged tanker. CENTCOM reports 3-4 cruise missiles were used to target the vessel. -----END TEARLINE----- Analyst Comments: Continuing the trend, CENTCOM has used increasingly vague language to describe Houthi attacks. Unlike in previous reports, CENTCOM did not state whether or not the POLLUX had been struck, or if the missiles missed their target. CENTCOM only reported that there were no injuries…which is an evasive, non-committal statement that conveniently does not deny that the vessel was hit since most successful strikes do not r...

The Wire - February 16, 2024

Feb 16, 2024 ·3 min

//The Wire//1600Z February 16, 2024// //ROUTINE// //BLUF: RED SEA ATTACKS CONTINUE. NO NEW INFO ON RUSSIAN SPACE THREAT.//  -----BEGIN TEARLINE----- -International Events- Red Sea/HOA: American strikes in Yemen continue, allegedly in self-defense against varying targets in Yemen. Anti-Ship Cruise Missiles (ASCMs), Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs), and various Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAVs) have begun to be targeted daily by U.S. forces in the region. Over a dozen various strikes have been reported over the past 24 hours. Threats to shipping continue as Houthi forces target multiple cargo vessels. The M/V LYCAVITOS was attacked with a cruise missile yesterday in the Gulf of Aden, and this morning an as-yet-unidentified vessel also reported being attacked by a cruise missile. AC: As this conflict has settled in for the long haul, the routine nature of attacks results in details being lost. Now, most reporting essentially can be summarized as “ship attacked, minor damage”. No details are ever provided following up with the status of vessels struck with cruise missiles, and no confirmation of the severity of damage is ever disclosed. This desensitization contributes to many people forgetting that one of the largest trade routes in the world is largely closed to western nations aligning with the U.S. or Israel, and that most western trade continues to be re-routed around the continent of Africa. Russia: This morning, representatives from the Yamalo-Nenets prison district announced the death of Alexei Navalny. Navalny was serving a 19 year sentence in the IK-3 penal colony on charges of extremism. AC: Details of the circumstances of his death are predictably suspicious, with prison officials indicating that he collapsed and died. As Navalny was one of Putin’s most high-profile critics, and having survived multiple assassination attempts already, his death is not unexpected. -HomeFront- Washington D.C. – No new information regarding the “serious national security threat” c...

The Wire - February 15, 2024

Feb 15, 2024 ·3 min

//The Wire//1800Z February 15, 2024// //ROUTINE// //BLUF: HOUSE INTEL COMMITTEE CLAIMS SERIOUS SECURITY THREAT.//  -----BEGIN TEARLINE----- -International Events- Middle East: Growing international opposition to Israel’s actions in Gaza has begun to become more public over the past few days. French President Macron urged PM Netanyahu in a phone call to end the war in Gaza, citing the overwhelming civilian casualties caused by the conflict. This follows increased personality tensions that have strained the relationship between the White House and PM Netanyahu over the past few weeks. -HomeFront- MO: Yesterday a shooting at the Superbowl parade in Kansas City left 1 dead and 21 wounded. AC: Though details are minimal, initial reporting suggests this incident may have been a gang-related shooting between multiple suspects, with the large casualty count being related to the shooting taking place within the parade crowd itself. However, as the suspects (or rather, the three black males that were arrested at the scene) have not yet been officially identified, many details remain unconfirmed. Washington D.C. – Yesterday the Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee released a statement indicating that all members of Congress had been briefed on a serious national security threat, and that the President has been urged to declassify documentation regarding this unknown threat. -----END TEARLINE----- Analyst Comments: Unofficially, the story has been leaked to the press as being related to Russia’s ambitions to obtain undisclosed space-based strategic weapons. All details beyond this (and probably including this) are extremely unconfirmed. Currently, almost all diplomacy seems to be conducted via leaks; we rarely see a press statement from any government entity confirming anything, as leaks to the press offer the executive branch the chance of plausible deniability. All policy decisions by the Biden regime are usually leaked to the press first, to test the waters with the...

The Wire - February 14, 2024

Feb 14, 2024 ·2 min

//The Wire//1700Z February 14, 2024// //ROUTINE// //BLUF: IRANIAN PIPELINE EXPLODES. ISRAEL CONTINUES ACTIONS ON MULTIPLE FRONTS.//  -----BEGIN TEARLINE----- -International Events- Middle East: Attacks on various U.S. military bases in Iraq and Syria have increased over the past few weeks, following heightened tensions in the region. Over the past few days, POL facilities in Syria (such as the al-Omar oil field), along with adjacent U.S. military bases have been sporadically targeted with rockets. These attacks have ebbed and flowed in response to events in Israel, or in response to U.S. targeting in Yemen. In Iran, a major natural gas pipeline exploded in Borujen last night. AC: No details have been provided regarding the cause of the explosion, but considering the context of the multiple wars in the region, this was almost certainly an attack and/or sabotage conducted by Israel or the United States, both of which have a long history of these types of actions within Iran. Additionally, some social media accounts in Iran are claiming that a second explosion has occurred at a pipeline in Khorramabad, but this cannot be independently verified with any confidence at this time. In Israel, the bombing campaign against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon continues, along with sporadic strikes in the vicinity of Rafah. In the south, the Palestinian Red Crescent has reported that they have not received any supplies due to roads being blocked by ongoing protests by Israeli civilians demonstrating against sending humanitarian aid to Gaza. -HomeFront- Washington D.C. – DHS Secretary Mayorkas has been impeached by the House for issues related to the border crisis. AC: This impeachment will now head to the Senate where it likely will not pass. -----END TEARLINE----- Analyst Comments: The situation on the ground with regards to humanitarian aid in Gaza is very fluid. Egyptian authorities report trucks have made it through from their side, but it’s not clear as to how many trucks are act...

The Wire - February 13, 2024

Feb 13, 2024 ·3 min

//The Wire//1700Z February 13, 2024// //ROUTINE// //BLUF: FOREIGN AID SPENDING BILL PASSES U.S. SENATE. PROTESTS CONTINUE IN EUROPE.//  -----BEGIN TEARLINE----- -International Events- Middle East: Israel continues preparations for operations in Rafah as leaflet drops alongside bombing operations increase in the region. However, due to the location of this border city, there are very few locations for citizens (many of which are already refugees from Gaza City) to evacuate to, raising questions of what comes next. Red Sea/HOA: The vessel attacked yesterday by Houthi forces has been identified as the M/V STAR IRIS, a Greek-flagged bulk cargo carrier. AC: Details of this attack have been few and far between, compared to previous reports, but CENTCOM did confirm that the two cruise missiles targeting the vessel did result in minor damage, but the vessel is under her own power and continuing her voyage. Europe: Food shortages continue to cause issues for citizens throughout the continent as widespread protests continue. As before, these shortages are largely the result of a combination of truck drivers protesting by not delivering food to certain grocery store chains, as well as the physical blocking of trade routes and border checkpoints. -HomeFront- USA: The impending Israeli invasion of Rafah has reignited protests and demonstrations in the usual cities; mostly Seattle, New York, Washington D.C. etc. Washington D.C. – In a late-night session, the Senate passed the hotly-debated $95 billion spending bill for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. The bill passed with overwhelming bipartisan support after provisions for funding to counter illegal immigration at the southern US border were removed. The bill now heads to the House for a vote. AC: If passed, this bill nearly doubles the entirety of US tax dollars sent to Ukraine. American taxpayers have sent approximately $113 billion in purely cash payments to Ukraine so far during this war, a figure which does not include hundreds...

The Wire - February 12, 2024

Feb 12, 2024 ·3 min

//The Wire//1700Z February 12, 2024// //ROUTINE// //BLUF: ISRAEL BEGINS BOMBING CAMPAIGN IN RAFAH. SECDEF AUSTIN HOSPITALIZED AGAIN.//  -----BEGIN TEARLINE----- -International Events- Netherlands: This morning, a Dutch court of appeals ruled against the Dutch government, halting the export of all F-35 parts to Israel. Per the court’s ruling, the court found that “It is undeniable that there is a clear risk the exported F-35 parts are used in serious violations of international humanitarian law”. The Dutch government has already filed an appeal of this ruling. Middle East: Israel begins large-scale bombing operations in Rafah. Combat actions in the north have also increased. Israeli bombing of targets in Lebanese border regions has intensified following weeks of slowly increasing attacks into Lebanon. Hezbollah continues to conduct rocket attacks deep into Israel, as week as regular skirmishes and engagements of Israeli positions and observation posts along the border. In Gaza, the overall situation for the civilian populace is deteriorating severely. Red Sea/HOA: Houthi targeting continues as before. Last night a commercial vessel was reportedly targeted with two cruise missiles in the Bab el Mandeb Strait. No further information on the success of this attack at this time. United Kingdom: Following the withdrawal of the HMS DIAMOND from the OPN PROSPERITY GUARDIAN mission, maintenance issues continue to plague the Royal Navy as the HMS PRINCE OF WALES (R09) fails to participate in NATO exercises off the coast of Norway. The PRINCE OF WALES herself is a backup, intended to replace the HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH (R08) after she suffered propeller shaft problems and therefore was unable to participate in naval exercises. AC: At this point 100% of the Royal Navy aircraft carrier fleet is unable to deploy due to maintenance issues. These two aircraft carriers also represent two-thirds of all aircraft carriers in Europe, with France’s CHARLES DE GAULLE being the only other true...

The Wire Weekly Rollup - February 4-10, 2024

Feb 10, 2024 ·3 min

//The Wire Weekly Rollup//February 4-10, 2024// -----BEGIN TEARLINE----- -International Events- Red Sea/HOA: This week conflict escalated in the form of more substantial attacks, increased U.S. airstrikes in Yemen, and allegedly newly fielded weapons systems. Throughout the week, CENTCOM confirmed U.S. forces regularly engaged Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs) that were allegedly being staged for an attack. No additional details were provided regarding this alleged newly-fielded weapons system. On Tuesday, Houthi forces continued their attacks on commercial shipping, targeting two cargo vessels. The M/V STAR NASIA was targeted by several cruise missiles which impacted near the ship causing minor damage. The M/V MORNING TIDE was also targeted with three cruise missiles unsuccessfully. Middle East: The situation in Gaza, having deteriorated significantly over the past few weeks, has become increasingly more serious following the increase of tensions between Israel and Egypt. These tensions come as Israeli rhetoric increasingly indicates imminent operations in the Philadelphi corridor, on the Egyptian border. Thursday afternoon, Israeli sources announced the commencement of operations in Rafah, ordering the evacuation of the city in advance of the invasion. Similarly in the north, large military “exercises” near the Lebanese border have also exacerbated the situation, and possibly could be an indication of a widening conflict. In response, Egypt has deployed multiple battalions from the 4th Armored Division (of the 3rd Field Army) to the border region. Europe: Farmer protests continue as before. Including now well over two dozen nations, protests and demonstrations remain highly variable in different locations. In Spain and France, demonstrations are quite kinetic, with police largely not effective in reducing the impact of protesters actions. Switzerland: A 32-year-old Iranian asylum applicant armed with an ax held 15 people hostage on a train in Yverdon Wednesday nigh...

The Wire - February 10, 2024

Feb 10, 2024 ·2 min

//The Wire//1630Z February 10, 2024// //ROUTINE// //BLUF: ISRAEL PREPARES FOR INVASION OF RAFAH, EGYPT RESPONDS BY POSTURING.//  -----BEGIN TEARLINE----- -International Events- Middle East: Israel continues to prepare for large scale combat operations in Rafah. In response, Egypt has deployed multiple battalions from the 4th Armored Division (of the 3rd Field Army) to the border region. Israeli forces also continue to stage in the North, and operations continue in Gaza City and Khan Younis as before. Red Sea/HOA: The U.S. continues to conduct (now) routine strikes in Yemen, allegedly targeting cruise missiles readying to launch, and alleged Uncrewed Surface Vehicles (USVs). Yemeni attacks against commercial shipping have waned over the past couple of days as most cargo bound for western ports has diverted from the region. Local traffic, or traffic bound for ports not affiliated with the US or western Europe, remains unaffected. However, more direct attacks on US Navy forces in the region have increased as Yemeni forces take advantage of any targets of opportunity that they deem to be valid for engagement. Far East: Chinese airspace incursions continue over the Taiwan Strait as Taiwanese Defense Forces detect 8 reconnaissance balloons in Taiwanese airspace. This continues the slow, but steady increase in Chinese operations in the vicinity of Taiwan. -HomeFront- TX: Border crisis continues as before. Despite a lack of mainstream media coverage, the planned demonstrations in the vicinity of the southern US border have been ongoing for several days. The main effort has been via the “Take Our Border Back” convoy, which has made several stops at varying venues in the border region.  -----END TEARLINE----- Analyst Comments: Despite the claims to the contrary, it is unlikely that Egypt will take any deliberate action (beyond posturing) unless the border itself is breached (which is unlikely to happen). Israel will likely take some time to prepare for operations in Rafah, wh...

The Wire - February 9, 2024

Feb 9, 2024 ·2 min

//The Wire//2230Z February 9, 2024// //ROUTINE// //BLUF: SITUATION IN GAZA DETERIORATING. FARMER PROTESTS CONTINUE.//  -----BEGIN TEARLINE----- -International Events- Middle East: The situation in Gaza, having deteriorated significantly over the past few weeks, has become increasingly more serious following the increase of tensions between Israel and Egypt. These tensions come as Israeli rhetoric increasingly indicates imminent operations in areas close to the Egyptian border. This afternoon, Israeli sources have announced the commencement of operations in Rafah, ordering the evacuation of the city in advance of the invasion. Similarly in the north, large military “exercises” near the Lebanese border have also exacerbated the situation, and possibly could be an indication of a widening conflict. Europe: Farmer protests continue as before. Including now well over two dozen nations, protests and demonstrations remain highly variable in different locations. In Spain and France, demonstrations are quite kinetic, with police largely not effective in reducing the impact of protesters actions. In Italy demonstrations continue consistently, and in Wales demonstrations remain fairly docile as protests begin to get underway. Switzerland: A 32 year old Iranian asylum applicant armed with an ax held 15 people hostage on a train in Yverdon last night. After several hours of negotiation, the assailant was shot by police breaching the train. No hostages were injured during the ordeal. -HomeFront- HI: An earthquake with an estimated magnitude of 6.3 has struck the Big Island. No word yet on any additional concerns. -----END TEARLINE----- Analyst Comments: Though information warfare has become staggering at this point in the war, Israeli intentions to occupy the Philadelphi corridor are quite clear. Following announcements of evacuations being ordered for the city of Rafah this afternoon, it is certain that Israel intends to occupy the city. Both of these events have been described...

The Wire - February 8, 2024

Feb 8, 2024 ·2 min

//The Wire//1900Z February 8, 2024// //ROUTINE// //BLUF: USMC HELICOPTER FOUND IN CALIFORNIA, NO SURVIVORS REPORTED.//  -----BEGIN TEARLINE----- -International Events- Middle East: The U.S. conducted multiple airstrikes in Baghdad overnight, targeting senior leadership of local Kataib Hezbollah brigades. This is a continuation of the sporadic strikes that have been conducted in the region since the attack on the US Tower 22 base in Jordan. Far East: Taiwanese and American tensions with China have escalated following the quiet announcement that the U.S. will permanently station Special Forces troops at observation posts on the islands of Kinmen and Matsu. These troops will be supporting the Taiwanese 101st Amphibious Reconnaissance Battalion. Europe: Widespread protests continue as before. In Spain, demonstrators have begun blocking distribution centers for grocery store chains affiliated with the climate agenda. This follows protesters in France using agricultural equipment to dig up the pavement in grocery store parking lots that have pledged support for climate policies. -HomeFront- CA: The search has concluded for TIGER11, the CH-53E that went down early yesterday morning. Rescue teams have located the crash site in Pine Valley, and have begun recovering the remains of all 5 crew members. No further details have been provided on the cause or exact location of the crash. -----END TEARLINE----- Analyst Comments: Despite much thought to the contrary, Taiwan is not merely one island many miles off the coast of mainland China. Taiwan has claimed several of the very small islands immediately off the coast of the mainland. For instance, Kinmen Island is located in the heart of Weitou Bay, which is host to a major Chinese logistics hub and the nearby city of Xiamen. The Mashan Observation Post (where US Forces are stationed) is literally two miles from the Chinese mainland. For reference, Ellis Island is about a mile from Manhattan. Though this observation post has been...

The Wire - February 7, 2024

Feb 7, 2024 ·2 min

//The Wire//1730Z February 7, 2024// //ROUTINE// //BLUF: HOUTHI ATTACKS CONTINUE. USMC HELICOPTER MISSING NEAR SAN DIEGO.//  -----BEGIN TEARLINE----- -HomeFront- CA: A USMC CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter has gone missing in transit from Creech Air Force Base in Nevada to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. SAR efforts are underway as an initial search of the last reported position yielded no results. Ground crews have also been delayed due to the extreme weather conditions (and rugged terrain) in the area that the aircraft went missing in. AC: According to open-source ADS-B tracking data, TIGER11 was last observed flying over Cleveland National Forest IVO 11SNS5380026563, cruising at a speed of 113 kts, on a bearing of 323 degrees. Though it is too early to determine precise details regarding this incident, in the interest of expediency, it is possible that ADS-B data indicates the CH-53E was on a collision course with a ridgeline IVO 11SNS5363826791. Again, not knowing details, a possible search area is likely to include the drainage on the following side of the ridge, IVO 11SNS5340427122, as well as the wooded area on the valley floor IVO 11SNS5320427393. -International Events- Red Sea/HOA: Houthi forces continue their attacks on commercial shipping, targeting two cargo vessels yesterday. The M/V STAR NASIA was targeted by several cruise missiles which impacted near the ship causing minor damage. The M/V MORNING TIDE was also targeted with three cruise missiles unsuccessfully. The Royal Navy has decided to withdraw the HMS DIAMOND from theatre. Official statements suggest this is for maintenance reasons following a few months of combat service. The DIAMOND was the only Royal Navy vessel contributing to the American OPN PROSPERITY GUARDIAN and will be replaced by the HMS RICHMOND. -----END TEARLINE----- Analyst Comments: As the timing of the HMS DIAMOND’s replacement appears to be early, speculation remains as to the true reason of this replacement. Yemeni forces c...

The Wire - February 6, 2024

Feb 6, 2024 ·2 min

//The Wire//1900Z February 6, 2024// //ROUTINE// //BLUF: HOUTHI TARGETING CONTINUES IN RED SEA. BORDER CRISIS CONTINUES AT HOME.//  -----BEGIN TEARLINE----- -International Events- Red Sea/HOA: Yesterday, CENTCOM confirmed U.S. forces engaged 2x Uncrewed Surface Vehicles (USVs) that were allegedly being staged for an attack. No additional details were provided regarding this alleged newly-fielded weapons system. AC: It is also unclear what intelligence indicated these vessels were intended to be USVs or if these were simply unoccupied vessels. The use of USVs would be an expected escalation to be relied upon by Houthi forces, but it is unclear as to if this incident is an accurate representation of this potential escalation. Yemeni forces meanwhile continue operations to target what few Western commercial shipping vessels attempt to transit the Red Sea. Cruise missile and kamikaze drone attacks have dwindled following the grand transition of most shipping to the Cape Route. However, Houthi attacks on U.S. Navy vessels continue regularly, as do attacks on any vessel that does not abide by Yemeni transit procedures. This morning, unidentified personnel aboard a small craft attacked a commercial vessel with a possible RPG in the southern Red Sea. -HomeFront- TX: Yesterday a consortium of conservative Governors assembled for various press events in Eagle Pass. This event comes as doubts begin to grow regarding the effectiveness of the operation in Eagle Pass. According to Texas officials, around 3,000 immigrants were crossing the border in Eagle Pass daily, prior to the increased fortification efforts. That number has allegedly dropped to an average of three encounters per day (in just the areas where fortifications have been made). -----END TEARLINE----- Analyst Comments: It is important to note that the entirety of the fortifications in Eagle Pass are protecting but a few hundred meters of the southern U.S. border. Without question, the nearly 100% decrease in illegal...

Improvised Incident Response

Feb 6, 2024 ·24 min

Hey everyone, I've been getting a few questions about the Incident Response page from our GhostNet guide and decided I might as well describe the thought process a bit more clearly.  I feel really hesitant to discuss such ideas that are not cemented in stone, because just making things up as we go along is not generally a good idea. However, in the interest of expediency, here's what we've got so far. It's not perfect, but it gives people something to work from when some national event occurs that requires paying attention to. And since the battle for most of us will be for comms, this foundation is heavily comms-centric. I freely admit that this may not be the best perspective to discuss this topic, but for many of us, in the absence of internet or cellular information exchanges being reliable, radio may be all we have. 00:00 - Introduction  02:30 - 6 Step ICS Process  05:04 - "What do I do?"  07:35 - Immediate Concerns  12:41 - Battle Tracking  20:41 - Wrapping things up  22:20 - Closing Thoughts Youtube link: https://youtu.be/i9lu-Zso1ok

The Wire - February 5, 2024

Feb 5, 2024 ·1 min

//The Wire//2130Z February 5, 2024// //ROUTINE// //BLUF: BORDER CRISIS CONTINUES DESPITE IMPROVMENTS//  -----BEGIN TEARLINE----- -International Events- United Kingdom: King Charles III has been diagnosed with cancer. In the statements provided by Buckingham Palace the type of cancer was not disclosed. No further information at this time. Red Sea/HOA: U.S. targeting of Houthi sites continues to become more regular. However, as no intelligence or BDA products have been made public, the effectiveness of American targeting is unclear. -HomeFront- TX: Substantial fortification efforts continue along the southern border in Eagle Pass. In a press statement released yesterday, the Alaska Army National Guard has revealed plans to deploy limited forces to the southern border under federal Title 10 orders. AC: Additional statements indicate that this deployment involves few troops (only a couple of helicopters and support staff), and is not in coordination with Operation Lone Star. -----END TEARLINE----- Analyst Comments: Independent journalists on the ground at the southern US border continue to document the largely open border. Texas, being highly motivated to show the grand efforts to secure high-profile border crossings, struggles to stem the tide of illegal immigration even just a few miles from the obstacles in Eagle Pass. Analyst: S2A1 //END REPORT//

The Wire - February 3, 2024

Feb 3, 2024 ·2 min

//The Wire//2130Z February 3, 2024// //ROUTINE// //BLUF: INITIAL BDA OF AMERICAN STRIKES UNDERWHELMING//  -----BEGIN TEARLINE----- -International Events- Europe: A stabbing attack in Paris wounded three at Gare de Lyon railway station yesterday. The assailant is reportedly a refugee from Mali. Middle East: Initial assessment of the American strikes in Syria indicates little damage. The substantial warnings given to Iranian forces also resulted in very few casualties (around a couple dozen deaths at first count by local forces). Red Sea/HOA: Houthi targeting of both commercial and Naval vessels continues throughout the region. Yesterday, CENTCOM officials stated that strikes were conducted against 4x targets in Yemen, and aircraft from the USS EISENHOWER CSG shot down 7x drones over the Red Sea. Today, 6x strikes were conducted in Yemen, allegedly against missiles staged to launch against shipping in the region. -HomeFront- NY: City officials have launched a $53 million campaign to distribute funds directly to illegal immigrants via Immediate Response Cards, i.e. prepaid credit cards. Like most other welfare programs, cards will be refilled with funds every month, but unlike pre-existing SNAP benefits, the only accountability for funding under this new process involves illegals signing documentation promising to only use the cards for food. -----END TEARLINE----- Analyst Comments: Though comparing numbers of munitions (instead of tonnage and/or munition type) is not the most accurate depiction of combat power, 159 attacks on US forces throughout the Middle East have been reported since Oct 7, whereas only 125 individual munitions were dropped last night. For reference, Israel has been dropping roughly 1,000 bombs per day in Gaza. As such, the strikes observed so far appear to largely be ineffective at reducing the combat power of Iranian proxy forces in the region. Additionally, it is unclear as to if this targeting is representative of a one-shot retaliation, or if...

S2 Book Club: Out of the Mountains

Feb 3, 2024 ·29 min

If you would like to support us, we're on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=30479515 And if you don't like Patreon, we're also on Playeur! https://playeur.com/c/S2Underground Disclaimer: No company sponsored this video. In fact, we have ZERO sponsors. We are funded 100% by you, the viewer. All of our funding comes from direct support from platforms like Patreon, or from ad revenue on YouTube. Please note that even though it hurts our income, we still offer ad-free watching via alternative platforms like Odysee, Gab, and (for now) Rumble: Odysee: https://odysee.com/@S2Underground:7 Gab: https://gab.com/S2underground Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/theunderground BitChute: https://www.bitchute.com/channel/P2NMGFdt3gf3/ Our Reading List! https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/133747963-s2-actual The War Kitchen Channel! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYmtpjXT22tAWGIlg_xDDPA DISCLAIMER: This content is purely educational and does not advocate for violating any laws. Do not violate any laws or regulations. This is not legal advice. Consult with your attorney. Our Reading List! https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/133747963-s2-actual The War Kitchen Channel! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYmtpjXT22tAWGIlg_xDDPA Join us on GhostNet! Download the PDF here: https://github.com/s2underground/GhostNet  

The Wire - February 2, 2024

Feb 2, 2024 ·2 min

//The Wire//2300Z February 2, 2024// //ROUTINE// //BLUF: U.S. BEGINS RETALIATORY STRIKES IN SYRIA//  -----BEGIN TEARLINE----- -International Events- Europe: Farmer protests continue to cause widespread disruptions throughout much of mainland western Europe. Major roads remain blocked surrounding government buildings in Brussels, Paris, and Arnhem as demonstrations become more organized and widespread. International border crossings between many European nations have also been blockaded by demonstrators as a result of climate agenda trade policies. Last night, mass farmer protests began in earnest in Ireland, contributing to the millions of people demonstrating against the climate agenda throughout Europe. Middle East: American forces have begun retaliatory strikes against Iranian proxy forces in Syria. So far, bombings have been reported near Deir ez-Zor and al-Mayadeen, and limited strikes have been reported in Abu Kamal. CENTCOM has confirmed that 85 targets were struck throughout Syria. -HomeFront- NY: A construction worker was killed when a basement collapsed during a construction project in Brooklyn. No further information at this time. TX: Border posture continues as before, with TXNG continuing to improve obstacles along the border. Florida has authorized the deployment of FLNG resources to assist with border fortifications, along with Florida State Guard (FLSG) forces, which are being deployed for the first time. Roughly 1,000 FLSG troops are being deployed to Texas. -----END TEARLINE----- Analyst Comments: The value of citizen-monitored ADS-B receivers has been demonstrated by the latest strikes against Iranian targets in Syria. Even though operational prudence would obviously result in bomber aircraft turning off transponders, this did not happen. The electronic signatures presented by dozens of military aircraft in the lead up to this attack was obvious to anyone who bothered to open up a flight tracking app. Additionally, press releases from defense offi...

The Wire - February 1, 2024

Feb 1, 2024 ·1 min

//The Wire//2200Z February 1, 2024// //ROUTINE// //BLUF: PROTESTS CONTINUE IN EUROPE, DESPITE LACK OF MEDIA COVERAGE//  -----BEGIN TEARLINE----- -International Events- United Kingdom: An acid attack wounds 12 people in southwest London. The attacker has been identified as 35 year old Abdul Shokoor Ezedi. The attacker remains a fugitive as a woman and her two children remain hospitalized from the attack. Belgium: Protests intensify at the headquarters of the European Union in Brussels. Farmers protesting against the climate agenda have sought to disrupt EU summit meetings, which have been convened to provide more financial support to Ukraine. Middle East: U.S. defense officials have confirmed that airstrikes will be conducted against Iranian groups in Iraq and Syria. AC: Letting an adversary know where military actions are going to take place is likely to result in a continuation in the decline of both the combat effectiveness and the prestige of the U.S. military. Iranian groups and “proxies” are ready for retaliation and have had many days to prepare and move forces away from where the U.S. has already confirmed strikes will take place. -HomeFront- IN: This afternoon the BP refinery in Whiting experienced an emergency power failure, prompting evacuations of the facility. It is unclear as to what caused the power failure, but large flares are expected  to be observed at the facility as technicians vent and burn off gasses to prevent an explosion. AC: This is not particularly out of the ordinary for most industrial facilities of this size. However with increased scrutiny following the years of deliberate sabotage of critical infrastructure, suspicions come easily as to the causes of incidents like this. -----END TEARLINE----- Analyst Comments: Throughout Europe, food shortages have been noted at many grocery stores as products are not making it to store shelves due to demonstrations (both the demonstrations of truck drivers, and the constriction of the flow of traffi...

The Wire - January 31, 2024

Jan 31, 2024 ·2 min

//The Wire//2300Z January 31, 2024// //ROUTINE// //BLUF: PROTESTS IN EUROPE ESCALATE//  -----BEGIN TEARLINE----- -International Events- Europe: Protests in France intensified yesterday afternoon as farmers succeeded in encircling Paris, stopping traffic along all major roads into the city. Preparations are underway in Belgium, Italy, and Germany to prepare for similar ongoing demonstrations that are also becoming increasingly volatile. Mass arrests have been reported at some of the more high-profile venues targeted for demonstrations, but most authorities have struggled to stop the sheer number of people protesting. Far East: Taiwanese Defense Forces have noted an increase in PLA activity in the Taiwan Strait over the past few days. AC: This is a slight increase in the baseline trends of Chinese activity in the region. Probably not indicative of major operations, but notable as around a dozen PLA aircraft have been violating Taiwan’s ADIZ daily for weeks. Middle East: Preparations continue for American retaliatory strikes against Iranian targets. AC: Rhetoric among diplomats and politicians leaking information to the press indicates that the response to the Tower 22 drone strike may be more of a long-term strategic campaign rather than a limited retaliatory engagement. As any theory on this possible campaign will be purely speculative, it is possible that the rhetoric that is being made public is an attempt to set expectations for future combat operations. -HomeFront- OK: A natural gas pipeline experienced a blowout in the vicinity of Elmwood last night. The resulting explosion was observed by locals almost 40 miles away. Authorities have not released any details regarding the cause of the blast. -----END TEARLINE----- Analyst Comments: As demonstrations become more serious throughout Europe, the responses to protests will likely become more kinetic as well. In France, social tensions have become increasingly anti-government in nature. Last night, President Macron a...

The Wire - January 30, 2024

Jan 30, 2024 ·2 min

//The Wire//2300Z January 30, 2024// //ROUTINE// //BLUF: U.S. AIRSTRIKES IN MIDDLE EAST LIKELY IMMINENT//  -----BEGIN TEARLINE----- -International Events- Europe: Protests in France intensify following public outrage over taxation issues. French farmers have been protesting in earnest for months, with demonstrations reaching historic levels within the past few weeks. Demonstrations have also become increasingly kinetic, with larger disruptions becoming more common around the country. Middle East: Preparations continue for the American retaliatory strike against Iranian targets. AC: Due to the substantial buildup of forces in Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Cyprus, Iraq, and Israel, retaliatory strikes will likely begin very soon. Red Sea/HOA: Yemeni forces continue to streamline the blockade of Western shipping. Several suspicious approaches have been reported by cargo vessels transiting the region over the past few days, but it is unclear as to if these incidents are related to Houthi targeting or if this is more a situation of routine piracy. -HomeFront- TX: No major changes in TXNG border posture. In Kurten, TX an explosion was reported at Feather Crest Farms, the cause of which is unknown ATT. The facility is currently burning, and local authorities expect the fire to last several days. Feather Crest Farms is an egg supplier that was recently purchased by MPS Egg Farms in Indiana, and at this facility maintains about one million egg laying hens, and employs just under 100 people. -----END TEARLINE----- Analyst Comments: Though no one knows with any certainty as to what the US response to the Tower 22 drone strike will be, speculation of possible strikes is largely centered around Iranian bases in Syria or Naval vessels in the Red Sea or Arabian Gulf. However, as the DoD has already stated the preparations for strikes will take a few days to stage for, this strongly indicates that the plethora of strategic assets already in theatre to combat Houthi forces are not enough to...

The Wire - January 29, 2024

Jan 29, 2024 ·2 min

//The Wire//2130Z January 29, 2024// //ROUTINE// //BLUF: THREE U.S. SERVICE MEMBERS KILLED IN NORTHERN JORDAN, DOZENS WOUNDED//  -----BEGIN TEARLINE----- -International Events- Middle East: Yesterday three American service members were killed, and 34 wounded in a kamikaze drone strike on a covert base in northern Jordan. The strike appears to have targeted a tent serving as temporary billeting for transient personnel traveling through the base. Red Sea/HOA: The fire onboard the M/V MARLIN LUANDA has reportedly been extinguished. The vessel is being escorted by coalition warships as she attempts to make port. -HomeFront- TX: No major developments as Texas continues strengthening positions along the border. However, now that the crossing IVO Eagle Pass is largely closed, illegals have been observed bypassing most of the obstacles, crossing illegally into the U.S. just a few miles away from Eagle Pass where there are no barriers or efforts to stop them. -----END TEARLINE----- Analyst Comments: In Jordan, considering there are multiple bases in the region that are host to Special Operations, confusion persists as to the location of the base itself. There are two larger forward operating bases in the region, the more overt of which is Al-Tanf (also called At-Tanf), which is in Syria, approximately 13 miles northwest of the triple point of the Iraqi, Syrian, and Jordanian borders. The other site is a different Tactical Base, known to the public as Tower 22, located about 15 miles away in Jordan, roughly half a mile inside the border. Officially, CENTCOM has not confirmed the name of the base that was struck, mentioning an unnamed base in “northeast Jordan”, which through process of elimination is almost certainly Tower 22. Additionally, no independent verification of battle damage will be obtained by open-source satellite imagery as the next Sentinel 2A pass is scheduled for Feb 11. By then, American forces will have repaired or concealed the damage. In response to the st...

The Wire - January 27, 2024

Jan 27, 2024 ·2 min

//The Wire//2130Z January 27, 2024// //ROUTINE// //BLUF: TRUCKER PROTESTS BEGIN ORGANIZING FOR SOUTHERN U.S. BORDER//  -----BEGIN TEARLINE----- -International Events- Middle East: As the war in Gaza continues, Israel amplifies rhetoric indicating possible actions in Lebanon. Israeli forces have been observed to increase defenses along the northern border with Lebanon over the past couple of months, but it is unclear as to if this is a continuation of previous defensive tactics, or if this is an indicator of a widening conflict. AC: At this point, it’s unlikely that Israel would expand the conflict into Lebanon (yet) whilst being bogged-down and fully committed in Gaza. However, as this conflict has remained one of the most vicious in recent memory, anything goes. Red Sea/HOA: The fire onboard the M/V MARLIN LUANDA continues. The crew has not abandoned ship, and the general plan appears to be to let the fire burn out as long as more compartments do not become affected. This vessel is reportedly carrying a cargo of aviation fuel, owing to the intensity of the flames as first observed immediately after the strike. -HomeFront- TX: AG Paxton has formally requested the DHS to provide proof that the United States actually owns the disputed land along the border in Eagle Pass. Paxton has specifically requested plat maps showing the exact boundaries of the property that the United States allegedly owns. -----END TEARLINE----- Analyst Comments: By far, the situation in Texas is being treated more seriously on the internet and social media than by power-players in real life. Of note, there are protests planned in support of Texas’s border stance, the most notable of which is the Southern Border Convoy which is scheduled to begin on January 29th and transit the Eagle Pass area on February 3rd. So far it’s not clear as to if any demonstrations are planned for locations that would present a high risk of False Falg operations. However, as the southern border is one of the most sen...

The Wire - January 26, 2024

Jan 26, 2024 ·2 min

//The Wire//2230Z January 26, 2024// //ROUTINE// //BLUF: TEXAS CONTINUES REINFORCING BORDER. OIL TANKER STRUCK IN GULF OF ADEN.//  -----BEGIN TEARLINE----- -International Events- Middle East: Attacks on US bases in Iraq and Syria intensify overnight. AC: In addition to the impacts of the war in Gaza, these attacks are probably in response to Pentagon statements hinting at drawing down forces in Iraq. From Saigon to Kabul, any time a military withdrawal is implied, adversarial forces will seek to capitalize on that perceived weakness to make territorial gains. Red Sea/HOA: This afternoon, Houthi forces conducted a successful attack on commercial shipping. The M/V MARLIN LUANDA (A British oil tanker) has reportedly suffered catastrophic damage after being struck with multiple cruise missiles in the Gulf of Aden. The vessel is currently on fire. -HomeFront- USA: The Biden regime halts all new LNG export licenses. AC: The official reasoning for this is due to climate change, but it is possible this is a political move intended to pressure Texas companies, which provide roughly 25% of all LNG in the US, and transport roughly 50% of the total LNG produced in the US. TX: So far, a total of 25 Governors have issued statements of support for Texas’s defensive posture at the southern U.S. border. Beyond statements, several Governors have indicated that they will be providing more materiel support to Texas, though the details of this support are ambiguous and possibly related to support already pledged under Operation Lone Star. The federal government has issued an ultimatum for Texas to comply with the SCOTUS ruling within 24 hours. No further information on this ultimatum at this time. -----END TEARLINE----- Analyst Comments: Despite many statements of support, the concrete actions taken by states in support of Texas are difficult to determine. Many states have already contributed varying military support for the Operation Lone Star mission for years. Consequently, it is cha...

The Wire - January 25, 2024

Jan 25, 2024 ·1 min

//The Wire//2230Z January 25, 2024// //ROUTINE// //BLUF: TEXAS CONTINUES BORDER POSTURE//  -----BEGIN TEARLINE----- -International Events- Middle East: Tensions mount in Iraq as increased rhetoric indicates a possible change in US posture throughout the region. Rumors persist regarding whether or not the US will be leaving or reducing posture in Iraq following recent political events. These sentiments have been exacerbated following Pentagon officials announcing the creation of working groups to examine the possibility of transitioning coalition efforts to locals. -HomeFront- TX: Constitutional crisis continues as several states declare support for Texas’ defensive posture. So far, the Governors of 21 states have issued statements of support for Texas. TXNG forces continue to improve obstacles along the border. -----END TEARLINE----- Analyst Comments: Though tensions are high in Iraq, and US government officials are reportedly reexamining the United States’ future in Iraq, these issues are not new. Consequently, it is possible that this is merely a shakedown operation for Iraqis to obtain more funding in exchange for allowing a continued US presence. Conversely, it is also possible that insurgent groups (such as ISIS, who have seen a quiet resurgence throughout the region following the stagnation of COIN operations over the past few years) have influenced atmospherics enough to impact policy. It is too soon to tell if the US is seriously considering leaving Iraq, at least until more indicators are present regarding the diplomatic situation on the ground. Analyst: S2A //END REPORT//

The Wire - January 24, 2024

Jan 24, 2024 ·3 min

//The Wire//2130Z January 24, 2024// //ROUTINE// //BLUF: TEXAS REAFFIRMS DEFENSIVE STANCE. MAERSK FAILS ATTEMPT TO RECOMMENCE OPERATIONS IN RED SEA//  -----BEGIN TEARLINE----- -International Events- Canada: Following a months-long investigation into Justin Trudeau’s actions during the 2022 “Freedom Convoy” trucker protests, the Federal Court of Canada has ruled that Trudeau’s actions were unconstitutional. AC: As a reminder, last September this investigation process revealed falsified intelligence reporting, which intended to falsely indicate the protesters presented a terrorism threat. These documents indicate that the RCMP used falsified data from the Canadian Anti-Hate Network (an NGO) as sourcing for their own investigative reports, which lead to the justification of Trudeau’s invocation of the Emergencies Act to freeze the finances of protesters, along with a myriad of other targeting tactics. Red Sea/HOA: Two MAERSK vessels attempting to transit the Bab el Mandeb Strait have reversed course following Yemeni attacks. The M/V MAERSK CHESAPEAKE and M/V MAERSK DETROIT (both American flagged, owned, and operated) were attacked with multiple cruise missiles as they attempted to run northbound through the Bab el Mandeb Strait under the escort of US Navy warships. Far East: DPRK leadership continues to erase references to reunification with South Korea. In addition to removing reunification topics from propaganda websites, open-source satellite imagery indicates North Korea has demolished the famous 30m tall Arch of Reunification in Pyongyang. This move follows months of increased tensions as DPRK leadership has progressively shifted into a more openly-hostile stance with regards to relations with South Korea. -HomeFront- TX: TXNG forces continue improving defenses along the southern U.S. border as the Constitutional crisis continues. Today, Governor Abbott issued a statement reaffirming Texas’ Constitutional right to self-defense (which supersedes federal statutes),...