Defcon Alerts Threat Monitor

Trump Instructs Substantial Reduction in U.S.-South Korea Joint Military Exercises

Trump described the exercises as costly and totally inappropriate toward a country that has been unthreatening and respectful during his presidency.

Aug 16 • Defcon Level and Donald Standeford

1

South Korea Recovers Wooden-Box Landmines Washed Ashore Near Inter-Korean Border

The landmine boxes were recovered in an archipelago at the mouth of the Han River estuary that straddles the inter-Korean border, approximately 31 miles…

Aug 8 • Defcon Level and Donald Standeford

1

Eleven Nations Issue Joint Alert on North Korean IT Worker Revenue Schemes Funding Weapons Programs

The Financial Action Task Force reiterated that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea has increased connectivity with the international financial…

Aug 3 • Defcon Level and Donald Standeford

1

July 2026

Philippine and Chinese Personnel Clash with Batons and Paddles at Ayungin Shoal

Personnel from both sides employed wooden batons, oars and paddles during the encounter. A Philippine Navy serviceman sustained a head injury.

Jul 21 • Defcon Level and Donald Standeford

2

2

May 2026

Japan Reports Chinese Coast Guard Vessels Approach Fishing Boat in Senkaku Waters

Japan Coast Guard patrol boats intercepted the Chinese vessels and directed them to depart the territorial sea.

May 27 • Defcon Level and Donald Standeford

1

North Korea Fires Unidentified Projectile Toward Yellow Sea: JCS

KOREAN PENINSULA — North Korea fired at least one unidentified projectile toward the Yellow Sea on Tuesday, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said.

May 26 • Defcon Level

7

3

North Korea Amends Constitution to Define Southern Border with South Korea and Assign Nuclear Command to Leader Kim Jong Un

The South Korean intelligence agency said that the changes clarify the existence of two separate states on the peninsula while containing no hostile…

May 10 • Defcon Level

1

2

April 2026

U.S. Forces Board Sanctioned Tanker M/T Majestic X Carrying Iranian Oil in Indian Ocean

The vessel, identified as the M/T Majestic X, was transporting oil from Iran at the time of the action.

Apr 23 • Defcon Level and Donald Standeford

2

1

March 2026

Oahu Evacuation Ordered as 120-Year-Old Wahiawa Dam Faces Imminent Failure

The alert, issued at 8:34 a.m. local time, warned of potential life-threatening flooding and catastrophic amounts of fast-moving water in the downstream…

Mar 21 • Defcon Level and Donald Standeford

24

5

February 2026

Japan to Deploy Surface-to-Air Missiles on Yonaguni Island by 2030

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi stated on February 24 that surface-to-air missiles capable of intercepting aircraft and ballistic missiles…

Feb 26 • Defcon Level and Donald Standeford

1

U.S. Forces Board Sanctioned Tanker Bertha in Indian Ocean and Capture Three Fleeing Boats Following Trans-Ocean Pursuit

The Bertha (IMO 9292163) is a large crude oil tanker managed by Shanghai Legendary Ship Management Company Limited.

Feb 24 • Defcon Level and Donald Standeford

2

2

U.S. Forces Conduct Maritime Interdiction of Sanctioned Tanker Veronica III in Indian Ocean

The Panamanian-flagged tanker, IMO 9326055, transported cargo in violation of sanctions related to oil trade with Iran and Venezuela.

Feb 15 • Defcon Level and Donald Standeford

4

2