This is the DEFCON Warning System. Alert status for 7 P.M., Friday, September 1st, 2017. Condition code is Blue. DEFCON 4.

There are currently no imminent nuclear threats against the United States at this time, however there are events occurring in the world theater which require closer monitoring.

North Korea recently fired a missile over Japan, which re-inflame tensions in the area after a relative lull over the previous couple weeks. The launch has propelled Japan and other countries to reconsider their defensive abilities against a possible attack by North Korea, with some in Japan questioning their stance on nuclear weapons. The United States and South Korea responded to the launch by conducting bombing runs near the DMZ, which further increased tensions in the area and played into North Korea’s paranoia of attack.

The DEFCON Warning System has observed South Korea’s recent attempts at reconciliation with North Korea and its passivist turn under its new president. We feel there is a certain naivety South Korea is presenting to the North which makes it look weak, and is likely to embolden North Korea into stronger action. While North Korea certainly does fear the military of the United States, which is part of the reason why they backed away from a planned missile launch near Guam, South Korea’s weakness could be seen as a way to hold the United States back from any preemptive attack and give North Korea the room needed to finish their nuclear programme.

Japan is to deploy new land-based missile defense system in light of Korean tensions while China tests an anti-satellite missile. We must again warn the United States that its reliance on satellite tech is a significant weakness in its defense. The United States, meanwhile, has successfully tests new B61-12 gravity nuclear bomb.

India and China have agreed to end border standoff, though there still is no resolution to the dispute, and future conflicts are likely as China becomes more aggressive. Russia and India will have their first joint war games in October to further ramp up military ties, while the United Nations has refused to inspect Iranian military sites for compliance with the nuclear agreement, stating such inspections are unnecessary.

Due to continuing tensions in the Korean theater, and with an upcoming North Korean anniversary, we are continuing to hold at Blue for the next cycle.

The DEFCON Warning System is a private intelligence organization which has monitored and assessed nuclear threats against the United States by national entities for over 33 years. It is not affiliated with any government agency and does not represent the alert status of any military branch. The public should make their own evaluations and not rely on the DEFCON Warning System for any strategic planning. At all times, citizens are urged to learn what steps to take in the event of a nuclear attack.

If this had been an actual attack, the DEFCON Warning System will give radiation readings for areas that are reported to it. Your readings will vary. Official news sources will have radiation readings for your area.

For immediate updates, go to www.defconwarningsystem.com. Breaking news and important information can be found on the DEFCON Warning System community forum and on the DEFCON Twitter feed @DEFCONWSALERTS.  You may also subscribe to the the DEFCON Warning System mailing list. The next scheduled update is 7 P.M. Pacific Time, September 24th, 2017. Additional updates will be made as the situation warrants, with more frequent updates at higher alert levels.

This concludes this broadcast of the DEFCON Warning System.