This is the DEFCON Warning System. Alert status for 2 P.M., Friday, January 3rd, 2020. Condition code is Green. DEFCON 5.

There are currently no imminent nuclear threats at this time.

Recent events in the Middle East has drawn much attention. The United States assassinated a high-ranking Iranian commander after Iranian proxies stormed the U.S. Embassy in Iraq. At the moment, the situation is still raw and information is incoming. However, Iran has displayed a weakened hand by saying it will refer to legal avenues in response to the attack. It should be noted, however, that others in the Iranian regime are talking about harsher measures.

We are continuing to monitor the situation, but our current analysis does not foresee major military action over this incident. More likely, proxy attacks will continue over the course of time. The nature of these attacks will determine how the situation will flow. At the moment, we are waiting for a concrete response or lack of response from Iran. In the meantime, satellite photos have shown that Iran is building tunnels in Syria to store missiles, which are thought will be used in a future conflict with Israel.

Over in Asia, the deadline imposed by North Korea for the United States to make concessions has passed. While North Korea has said that it will emphasize more strategic weapons, it has not been more specific what it will do in response to the U.S. not meeting its demands. As of now, North Korea says denuclearization talks are off the table. The Korea Institute for Defense Analyses warns that North Korea could begin development of multiple-independent re-entry vehicles as early as this year.

The Russian Defense Minister says cooperation with NATO has been stopped, though he was noting a deterioration of relations rather than a specific event. Russia claims to lead the world in hypersonic weapons. It should be noted that Russia often exaggerates its military claims, but evidence shows it is making significant advancements in its military build-up and progress. Russia has put into service a missile it says can travel 27 times the speed of sound, though some are doubting the veracity of the claim. Russia also says it will end its offensive arms embargo against Iran in October of this year.

The United States will send 20,000 troops to Europe next April in its biggest military exercises on European soil since the Cold War, a move designed to underscore Washington’s commitment to NATO according to Major General Barre Seguin. Meanwhile, Turkey has threatened to close down NATO/American bases in retaliation for sanctions imposed on its country.

The United States has tested a missile previously banned under the old INF treaty. The House, meanwhile, has passed a bill barring the military from developing these types of weapons. China, for its part, has conducted a flight test of a new submarine-launched missile capable of hitting the entire United States with a nuclear warhead.

The DEFCON Warning System is a private intelligence organization which has monitored and assessed nuclear threats by national entities since 1984. 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 DEFCON Warning System mailing list. Note that Twitter and You Tube updates may be subject to delays. The next scheduled update is 2 P.M. Pacific Time, February 2nd, 2020. 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.