S2 Underground

//The Wire//2000Z September 15, 2026//
 //ROUTINE//
 //BLUF: SABOTAGE ATTACKS STRIKE DUTCH RAIL NETWORK. JOLIET REFINERY OFFLINE DUE TO UNPLANNED POWER OUTAGE. SAUDI ARABIA ANNOUNCES COMPLETE HALT TO EXPORT OPERATIONS IN YANBU, FURTHER SEPTEMBER CONTRACTS FOR OIL WILL NOT BE DELIVERED. LIBYAN OIL FIELDS SHUT DOWN DUE TO WORKER PROTESTS.//

 -----BEGIN TEARLINE-----

 
 -International Events-

Russia: Yesterday evening the conflict escalated, as Ukraine continued to target Russian petroleum infrastructure. The Syzran Refinery was struck by Ukrainian drones, which heavily damaged the facility.

Analyst Comment: This series of attacks was notable as they...

//The Wire//1800Z September 14, 2026//
 //ROUTINE//
 //BLUF: DAMAGE TO SAUDI PIPELINE WORSE THAN INITIALLY SUSPECTED. SAUDI FORCES PRESENT INDICATIONS OF MILITARY ESCALATION IN YEMEN, STRIKES IN SANAA REPORTED. COSTCO BEGINS RATIONING OF KIRKLAND BRAND MOTOR OIL.//

 -----BEGIN TEARLINE-----

 
 -International Events-

Saudi Arabia: Over the weekend the scale of the damage to Saudi petroleum facilities has become more clear, with high resolution satellite imagery confirming catastrophic damage at several refineries and pumping stations. To the south, the refineries close to Yemen suffered the most damage. Farther north, the East-West pipeline is also much...

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 

01:07 - Homeland Cyberattacks 

03:08 - The Houthis 

05:19 - The Gulf 

08:35 - Tanker War 

13:12 - Energy Cr...

//The Wire//1500Z September 11, 2026//
 //ROUTINE//
 //BLUF: HOUTHIS STRIKE SAUDI EAST-WEST PIPELINE IN MAJOR MISSILE BARRAGE OVERNIGHT. HOUTHIS ALSO EXERT CONTROL OVER BAB EL MANDEB, AFTER CAPTURING ISLANDS THIS MORNING.//

 -----BEGIN TEARLINE-----

 
 -International Events-

Saudi Arabia: Overnight Houthi forces conducted major missile and drone strikes on the Saudi East-West Pipeline. Local sources claim that the pipeline was struck in 8x different places, which resulted in major damage to the pumping and control stations along the entire pipeline network. A smoke plume roughly 80km long was observed on satellite imagery, along with a sub...

//The Wire//2100Z September 10, 2026//
 //ROUTINE//
 //BLUF: HOUTHIS MAKE MAJOR TERRITORIAL GAINS AS SAUDI-BACKED FORCES COLLAPSE OVERNIGHT. TRUMP AND NETANYAHU BEGIN INCREASING STATEMENTS REGARDING IRANIAN NUCLEAR AMBITIONS. DAMAGE REPORTS EMERGE AFTER THE ESCALATION OF TARGETING THROUGHOUT THE MIDDLE EAST YESTERDAY.//

 -----BEGIN TEARLINE-----

 
 -International Events-

Middle East: Following the large-scale missile strikes in Jordan, a more clear picture of the damage caused by Iran has emerged. MSM reporters with access to closed-sources stated that a total 8x F-15 fighter aircraft were damaged, most of which have been returned to service since the strik...

//The Wire//1300Z September 9, 2026//
 //ROUTINE//
 //BLUF: INTENSE FIGHTING REPORTED IN MIDDLE EAST. IRAN CAPTURES HIGHLY CLASSIFIED AMERICAN DRONE SUBMARINE. UNITED STATES TARGETS 5X MORE TANKERS IN GULF.//

 -----BEGIN TEARLINE-----

 
 -International Events-

Middle East: Major escalations were reported around the region, as the fighting on both sides has intensified back to levels not seen since the height of the war in April. From the United States, attacks on merchant shipping have continued. Overnight, a total of 5x civilian tanker vessels were targeted, some of which were sunk. As of this morning, the f...

//The Wire//1300Z September 8, 2026//
 //ROUTINE//
 //BLUF: WAR REIGNITES BETWEEN SAUDI ARABIA AND THE HOUTHIS, WITH SEVERAL STRIKES REPORTED ON SAUDI POWER PLANTS AND REFINERIES OVERNIGHT. SABOTAGE ATTACKS ON SUBSTATIONS IN GERMANY CONTINUE.//

 -----BEGIN TEARLINE-----

 
 -International Events-

Saudi Arabia: Overnight, major escalations occurred between the Saudis and the Houthis, after a few days of fighting snowballed into a wider conflict. After several days of staging forces near Yemeni government sites, the Houthis caught wind of the Saudis preparing for a larger campaign, prompting the Houthis to launch major strikes overnight. The Jazan...

//The Wire//2300Z September 7, 2026//
 //ROUTINE//
 //BLUF: UNITED STATES ANNOUNCES EYE-FOR-AN-EYE TARGETING STRATEGY OF MERCHANT SHIPPING IN THE MIDDLE EAST. UKRAINE CONTINUES TARGETING OF MERCHANT SHIPPING IN MEDITERRANEAN SEA. PLANE CRASH OBSERVED AT MIAMI AIRPORT, MULTIPLE FATALITIES REPORTED.//

 -----BEGIN TEARLINE-----

 
 -International Events-

Middle East: Over the weekend, the general situation remained as before. This morning, Iranian forces reportedly launched two cruise missiles toward a merchant vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, with unknown success. Otherwise, CENTCOM announced that the M/T KYLO has sunk at undisclosed coordinates in the Gulf of Oman...

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 

00:50 - Europe 

07:28 - Middle East 

13:37 - Homeland 

18:00 - Closing Thoughts 

Download the GhostNet plan here...

//The Wire//2300Z September 4, 2026//
 //ROUTINE//
 //BLUF: ENERGY CRISIS CONTINUES TO WORSEN AS GAS PRICES REACH ALL-TIME HIGHS. ANOTHER SABOTAGE ATTACK REPORTED IN GERMANY. RUSSIA AND UKRAINE CONTINUE TO ESCALATE TARGETING EFFORTS. IRANIAN TARGETING CONTINUES IN THE MIDDLE EAST.//

 -----BEGIN TEARLINE-----

 
 -International Events-

Middle East: This afternoon Iran conducted more strikes around the region, allegedly targeting American bases in Jordan. The United States has disputed these specific launches, however locals have provided videos of the missiles in the air. Battle damage reports are expected by morning, when new satellite imagery products becom...

//The Wire//2000Z September 3, 2026//
 //ROUTINE//
 //BLUF: SABOTAGE ATTACKS CONTINUE IN GERMANY AND POLAND. IRANIAN ATTACKS CONTINUE IN THE MIDDLE EAST. MASS SHOOTING REPORTED AT RESIDENTIAL BUILDING IN MINNEAPOLIS.//

 -----BEGIN TEARLINE-----

 
 -International Events-

Middle East: Overnight, Iran conducted another round of drone and missile strikes, mostly targeting American bases in Kuwait. Satellite imagery of the American bases in Jordan also indicate that some Iranian missiles evaded defenses to strike their targets, but full battle damage assessments will take some time, as high resolution imagery is not yet available. This afternoon, reports of mo...

//The Wire//2100Z September 2, 2026//
 //ROUTINE//
 //BLUF: SABOTAGE ATTACK TARGETS SECOND GERMAN ELECTRICAL SUBSTATION. SHOOTING REPORTED BETWEEN GOVERNMENT AGENCIES IN UKRAINE. IRANIAN ATTACKS CONTINUE OVERNIGHT, TARGETING AMERICAN BASES.//

 -----BEGIN TEARLINE-----

 
 -International Events-

Middle East: Last night's attacks by Iran were somewhat successful, with strikes being reported at the airport in Erbil. An Iranian Shahed-type drone also took out the Persistent Threat Detection System (PTDS) balloon at this location, in addition to striking the fuel point. In Bahrain, several Shahed-type drones targeted the former headquarters of 5th Fleet in Manama and Sheikh Isa A...

//The Wire//2300Z September 1, 2026//
 //ROUTINE//
 //BLUF: UNITED STATES LAUNCHES NEW WAVES OF ATTACKS IN MIDDLE EAST. IRAN RETALIATES BY STRIKING AMERICAN AIRBASES AND MULTIPLE TANKERS IN STRAIT OF HORMUZ. RUSSIA CONFIRMS MATERIEL SUPPORT FOR IRAN. SECRETARY OF THE ARMY RESIGNS IN WASHINGTON. IEDS DISCOVERED AT ELECTRICAL SUBSTATION IN GERMANY.//

 -----BEGIN TEARLINE-----

 
 -International Events-

Middle East: Overnight, Iranian targeting of merchant shipping continued, with a total of 3-4x vessels being struck since the targeting in the Strait of Hormuz re-ignited over the weekend. At least two of these targeting efforts invol...

//The Wire//2300Z August 31, 2026//
 //ROUTINE//
 //BLUF: WAR REIGNITES IN THE MIDDLE EAST AFTER AMERICAN STRIKES REPORTED IN IRAN. RETALIATORY STRIKES REPORTED IN JORDAN AND THE UAE.//

 -----BEGIN TEARLINE-----

 
 -International Events-

Middle East: Over the weekend, the war resumed it's more kinetic phase as the United States carried out strikes on Iran. Larak Island was the primary target, with strikes taking place to target Iranian rocket launchers that were preparing to launch rockets suspected of carrying sea mines. Locals report that two launchers were struck, killing two soldiers.

In retal...

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/ 

00:38 - Cyberattacks 

01:38 - Secret Route? - No. 

06:29 - Could it work? 

11:16 - Ukraine 

16:01 - Homeland Weirdness 

20:16 - GhostNe...

//The Wire//2300Z August 28, 2026//
 //ROUTINE//
 //BLUF: TARGETING CONTINUES IN UKRAINE. WAR IN MIDDLE EAST REMAINS AS BEFORE. ANOTHER COMMUNICATIONS INCIDENT REPORTED INVOLVING MARINE ONE IN WASHINGTON D.C.//

 -----BEGIN TEARLINE-----

 
 -International Events-

Europe: Following yesterday's assassination in St. Petersburg, long-range Russian and Ukrainian drone attacks continued. Several more warehouses and logistical hubs were hit within Ukraine, and this morning Ukrainian forces reportedly struck a Tu-95 Bear H parked on the apron at Engels Airbase in Saratov.

United Kingdom: This morning a large fire was reported at an industrial wareh...

//The Wire//2100Z August 27, 2026//
 //ROUTINE//
 //BLUF: CAR BOMB KILLS COLONEL IN RUSSIA. IRAN STRIKES TANKER IN HORMUZ. LARGE-SCALE CYBERATTACKS TARGET AMERICAN GOVERNMENT AGENCIES.//

 -----BEGIN TEARLINE-----

 
 -International Events-

Middle East: Overnight, Iran struck another tanker vessel in the Strait of Hormuz. The vessel has been identified as the M/T AL SALAM II, a Kuwaiti-owned tanker attempting to exit the Gulf.

Analyst Comment: Claims are circulating that Iran conducted this strike using underwater drones, similarly to claims that were made last week regarding Iran using underwater drones to conduct attac...

//The Wire//2300Z August 26, 2026//
 //ROUTINE//
 //BLUF: MAJOR FLASH FLOODS AND MUDSLIDES DEVASTATE TIBET AND NEPAL. STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENTS CONTINUE FOLLOWING CIA DIRECTOR VISIT TO RUSSIA. STABBING ATTACK REPORTED IN AUSTRALIA.//

 -----BEGIN TEARLINE-----

 
 -International Events-

Europe: The war remains constant as Ukraine and Russia continue their targeting efforts. Overnight, Ukraine continued their strikes on Russian oil infrastructure, targeting the Lukoil Refinery in Kstovo. Similarly, Russia has continued striking gas stations within Ukraine. Both sides have also continued strikes on each others consumer industry, with Ukraine hitting Wildberries and Ozon warehouses, and Russia hitti...

//The Wire//2300Z August 25, 2026//
 //ROUTINE//
 //BLUF: CIA DIRECTOR CONDUCTS MYSTERIOUS VISIT TO MOSCOW. AMERICAN TRADE DISPUTE WITH CANADA DETERIORATES AS BOTH SIDES DIG IN AND ANNOUNCE MUTUAL TARIFFS. IRAN STRIKES ANOTHER TANKER IN HORMUZ.//

 -----BEGIN TEARLINE-----

 
 -International Events-

Middle East: Last night Iran struck another tanker vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, which resulted in the vessel being disabled just off the coast of Oman. The vessel has not been identified as of this report, however this is the first tanker vessel struck by Iran in about a week.

Rus...

Toka Thread: https://x.com/JoshWalkos/status/2085785810754785715 

Sensor Misuse Database: https://ij.org/the-ij-database-of-alpr-abuse/ 

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 Strategic Concerns 

02:15 - Turkey 

03...

//The Wire//2300Z August 24, 2026//
 //ROUTINE//
 //BLUF: BODY DUMP SITE LOCATED IN OREGON. MARITIME TRAFFIC IN MIDDLE EAST REMAINS STAGNANT AS HOUTHIS STRIKE SHIP IN RED SEA. RENO WILDFIRE CONTINUES TO THREATEN SUBURBS.//

 -----BEGIN TEARLINE-----

 
 -International Events-

Red Sea/HOA: This morning a merchant vessel was struck by an unidentified munition in the Red Sea, to the west of the port of Yanbu. The M/V AMZAN was struck by the Houthis while transiting the Red Sea, and as of this afternoon remains on fire.

Ukraine: This morning a mass...

//The Wire//1900Z August 20, 2026//
 //ROUTINE//
 //BLUF: U.S. MERCHANT MARINE VESSEL SINKING IN PACIFIC OCEAN DUE TO SHAFT SEAL FAILURE. PRESIDENT TRUMP ANNOUNCES NEW ECONOMIC WARFARE CAMPAIGN AGAINST IRAN.//

 -----BEGIN TEARLINE-----

-International Events-

Middle East: President Trump announced a new economic offensive against Iran, aimed at leveling sanctions on nations which are working with Iran. In his post on Truth Social, President Trump stated that economic sanctions will be used against third-party nations which are providing financial aid to Iran, are engaged in oil smuggling, or otherwise are benefitting from Iran's cur...

//The Wire//2300Z August 21, 2026//
 //ROUTINE//
 //BLUF: FBI ARRESTS MENTALLY ILL INDIVIDUAL IN NEW YORK, WHO THEY PROMPTED TO CONDUCT A TERROR ATTACK. CONCERNS GROWING REGARDING SOCIAL IMPACT OF LINDSAY CLANCY TRIAL AND POTENTIAL COPYCATS.//

 -----BEGIN TEARLINE-----

-HomeFront-

Massachusetts: The Lindsay Clancy trial continues in Plymouth, which has resulted in localized protests in support of Clancy. For context, this murder trial is the result of Clancy murdering her three children in the family home in 2023, after her husband left her alone for a few minutes to run errands. Clancy has confessed to the...

//The Wire//2300Z August 19, 2026//
 //ROUTINE//
 //BLUF: PRESIDENT TRUMP ANNOUNCES HALT TO DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS WITH IRAN. DUBAI CONFIRMS YESTERDAY'S MISSILE ATTACK ORIGINATED FROM IRAN. ISRAELIS STRIKE AIRBASE IN SYRIA. TAJIK NATIONAL FLEES MURDER CONVICTION IN UNITED STATES AFTER VIRGINIA ALLOWS HIM TO OBTAIN PASSPORT.//

 -----BEGIN TEARLINE-----

-International Events-

Persian Gulf: Following yesterday's missile warnings in Dubai, the culprit of the missile attack was revealed to be not the Houthis, but Iran. Two ballistic missiles were launched from within Iran, with one impacting in the Gulf, and the other landing somewhere outside the UAE...

//The Wire//2300Z August 18, 2026//
 //ROUTINE//
 //BLUF: KINETIC TARGETING CONTINUES WITHIN MIDDLE EAST AS HOUTHIS LAUNCH MISSILES TOWARD DUBAI. TONGAN CRIP THREAT REMAINS SIGNIFICANT IN SALT LAKE CITY.//

 -----BEGIN TEARLINE-----

-International Events-

Middle East: Iran struck two more ships in the Strait of Hormuz last night, continuing the trend of the past couple of weeks. This morning, the UKMTO retroactively admitted to a merchant vessel being struck on August 15th, with the ship sustaining damage and one crew casualty. 

This afternoon, Houthi forces conducted a ballistic missile strike on the UAE...

//The Wire//2300Z August 17, 2026//
 //ROUTINE//
 //BLUF: WAR IN MIDDLE EAST REMAINS STAGNANT. WHITE HOUSE SIGNALS SHIFT AWAY FROM PACOM AS PRESIDENT TRUMP ATTEMPTS TO IMPROVE RELATIONS WITH NORTH KOREA. TONGAN CRIP GANG SHOOTING REPORTED AT FUNERAL IN SALT LAKE CITY.//

 -----BEGIN TEARLINE-----

-International Events-

Middle East: The situation remains much the same, no major changes over the weekend. Iran did not conduct any major strikes over the past few days, and the Houthis have also not engaged any Saudi oil refineries since last week. Otherwise the situation remains as before.

S...

//The Wire//2000Z August 14, 2026//
 //ROUTINE//
 //BLUF: DRONE SHOT DOWN OVER LATVIA. WASHINGTON CSG STEAMING WEST TO REPLACE LINCOLN CSG IN ARABIAN SEA. IRANIAN STRIKES CONTINUE IN HORMUZ. WHITE HOUSE AUTHORIZES CIVILIAN COMPANIES TO BEGIN OFFENSIVE CYBER OPERATIONS.//

 -----BEGIN TEARLINE-----

-International Events-

Middle East: This morning at least one strike on a merchant vessel was reported in the Strait of Hormuz. The UKMTO published two separate nearly-identical reports under two different reporting numbers, 111-26 and 112-26, both of which took place in the same area.

Analyst Comment: Iranian sources claim tha...

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 Strategic Concerns 

01:36 - All Quiet on Drone Front 

03:12 - French Fries 

04:03 - Fuel Crisis 

06:51 - Where's the Beef...

//The Wire//2300Z August 13, 2026//
 //ROUTINE//
 //BLUF: EXPLOSION REPORTED AT ITALIAN MUNITIONS FACTORY. WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY RESIGNS. IEA REPORT CONFIRMS OIL CRISIS INCREASES IN SEVERITY WORLDWIDE. PRESIDENT PUTIN VISITS CONTROVERSIAL ISLAND CHAIN IN FAR EAST.//

 -----BEGIN TEARLINE-----

-International Events-

Italy: This morning an explosion was reported at the KNDS munitions factory near the town of Colleferro. This facility produced artillery rounds and solid-fuel propellants for the Ukrainian military. No casualties have been reported, as the explosion took place during the summertime vacation season, when nobody was working at the factory. The cau...

//The Wire//1800Z August 12, 2026//
 //ROUTINE//
 //BLUF: OIL CRISIS CONTINUES TO DETERIORATE AS STRATEGIC PETROLEUM RESERVE DROPS BELOW 300 MILLION BARRELS. WAR IN MIDDLE EAST REMAINS COMPLICATED, SHIPPING REMAINS STAGNANT. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RESULTS IN MURDERS AT DAYCARE IN MINNESOTA.//

 -----BEGIN TEARLINE-----

-International Events-

Middle East: Around the region the war remains as before, with no major strikes being reported overnight. The war between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia has continued to increase in complexity following the Houthi strikes on the Jazan refinery last week. Saudi Arabia has stepped up efforts to fund and sup...

//The Wire//1700Z August 11, 2026//
 //ROUTINE//
 //BLUF: DETAILS EMERGE REGARDING LAST MONTH'S SECURITY INCIDENT INVOLVING AIR FORCE ONE. MULTIPLE OIL SPILLS CONTINUE TO SPREAD AROUND PERSIAN GULF AND ARABIAN SEA.//

 -----BEGIN TEARLINE-----

-International Events-

Middle East: Overnight the targeting of merchant shipping continued, with both Iranian and American strikes on commercial vessels. Iran struck an oil tanker sometime over the past 24 hours, which resulted in an oil spill which washed up on the shores of Qeshm island this morning. In the Gulf of Oman, the United States struck a different merchant vessel for...

Twin Falls Incident Report: https://youtu.be/bej58mQ3smY 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 Strategic Concerns 

01:08 - Water Supply Cyberattacks 

07:15 - Spokane Fires 

11:28 - Twin Falls Shoot...

//The Wire//1700Z August 10, 2026//
 //ROUTINE//
 //BLUF: MAJOR EARTHQUAKE STRIKES COLOMBIA. WAR CONTINUES IN MIDDLE EAST. BRITISH MOD ALLEGEDLY INVESTIGATING VULNERABILITIES WITH NEWLY-PURCHASED DRONE BOAT FLEET.//

 -----BEGIN TEARLINE-----

-International Events-

Middle East: The situation continues as before, with routine strikes being carried out over the weekend. Iran has continued to strike merchant shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, with daily targeting efforts being reported for about a week. Overnight, a tanker vessel was struck in the Strait, with the resulting fire being visible from land.

Red Sea/HOA: The Houthis hav...

//The Wire//2300Z August 6, 2026//
 //ROUTINE//
 //BLUF: AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL OUTAGE RESULTS IN MINNEAPOLIS CENTER DIVERTING MOST AIRCRAFT TO OTHER SECTORS. NEW CDC DIRECTOR CONFIRMED BY SENATE. IRAN REPORTEDLY STRIKES TWO TANKERS IN HORMUZ.//

 -----BEGIN TEARLINE-----

-International Events-

Middle East: Iranian targeting of merchant vessels has continued, with two more vessels being struck this afternoon in the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian sources claim that they struck the M/T NISSOS KEA (heading outbound) and the M/T NISSOS KEROS (heading inbound) while the two vessels were being escorted by the United States thr...

//The Wire//2000Z August 7, 2026//
 //ROUTINE//
 //BLUF: MASS SHOOTING REPORTED IN THAILAND. WAR IN MIDDLE EAST REMAINS STAGNANT. CHICAGO MORTUARY UNDER INVESTIGATION AFTER REMAINS DISCOVERED BEING STORED IMPROPERLY.//

 -----BEGIN TEARLINE-----

-International Events-

Middle East: Kinetic activity has been fairly minimal over the past few days, with the exception of the Iranian targeting of merchant ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Concerning the Strait itself, Iran and Oman are reportedly close to announcing their combined plan for joint administration of the waterway, which is reported to include the tolling structure moving forward.

T...

//The Wire//2300Z August 5, 2026//
 //ROUTINE//
 //BLUF: ALLEGED DRONE ATTACK REPORTED TARGETING UKRAINIAN AIRCRAFT AT GERMAN AIRPORT. MERCHANT SUNK IN THE SOUTHERN RED SEA IN DRONE BOAT ATTACK. MAN ARRESTED IN CALIFORNIA AHEAD OF PRESIDENT TRUMP'S VISIT TO GOLF CLUB YESTERDAY.//

 -----BEGIN TEARLINE-----

-International Events-

Red Sea/HOA: This morning one merchant vessel reported being struck by an Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) near the Bab el Mandeb Strait. The UKMTO reported the vessel as being sunk during the attack. The incident occurred so quickly that the UKMTO was not notified during the att...

//The Wire//2300Z August 4, 2026//
 //ROUTINE//
 //BLUF: IRANIAN ATTACKS CONTINUE IN KUWAIT AND STRAIT OF HORMUZ. TURKISH MERCHANTS STRUCK BY UKRAINIAN DRONES IN BLACK SEA. WILDFIRE RESPONSE CONTINUES IN PACIFIC NORTHWEST AS ARSON REMAINS A CONCERN.//

 -----BEGIN TEARLINE-----

-International Events-

Middle East: This morning Iranian attacks continued in the Strait of Hormuz, targeting more vessels which have attempted to transit via the unauthorized southern route. Around the region, Iranian forces targeted American installations in Kuwait overnight, with locals reporting large fires allegedly in the vicinity of Camp Buehring. 

Analyst Comment: This...

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 - The HomeFront 04:39 - Middle East 07:56 - Spain 12:32 - Chokepoints 19:08 - GhostNet Download the GhostNet plan here! https://github.com/s2underground/GhostNet The text version of t...

//The Wire//2300Z August 3, 2026//
 //ROUTINE//
 //BLUF: MASS SHOOTING CONDUCTED IN IDAHO, PREPARED CITIZEN RETURNS FIRE DURING SMALL ARMS ENGAGEMENT. PRESIDENT TRUMP CALLS OFF WEEKEND STRIKES IN IRAN. WILDFIRES DEVASTATE URBAN AREAS IN PACIFIC NORTHWEST.//

 -----BEGIN TEARLINE-----

-International Events-

Middle East: On Saturday, President Trump stated that the weekend strikes had been called off. Throughout the region the status quo remains, and no major targeting efforts were conducted since last week, with the exception of Iran continuing to strike merchant vessels which try to transit the Strait of Hormuz using the unauthorized sou...

//The Wire//2100Z July 31, 2026//
 //ROUTINE//
 //BLUF: GIBRALTAR CRISIS CONTINUES AS 60,000 MIGRANTS FLOOD INTO SPAIN. ITALY TO SUSPEND SCHENGEN AGREEMENT WITH SPAIN DUE TO MIGRANT CRISIS. IRAN CONTINUES TARGETING KUWAIT AS UNITED STATES CONSOLIDATES POSITIONS IN MIDDLE EAST AMID IRANIAN TARGETING EFFORTS.//

 -----BEGIN TEARLINE-----

-International Events-

Spain: The situation regarding the migrant wave has continued to deteriorate sharply. After the perimeter fence was breached yesterday, the sheer waves of people crossing the border have devastated the enclave of Ceuta. Spanish authorities estimate that over 60,000 people have crossed the border since the perimeter bre...