PREPARED CITIZEN INTELLIGENCE BRIEF
July 18, 2025 | 0900 CDT
1. Domestic Security & Civil Unrest
Targeted Threat to Retired Military in Florida: U.S. Army Special Operations Command issued a “Duty to Warn” notice regarding a credible terror threat toward retired senior DoD personnel who served in the Iraq/Syria theaters and now reside in Florida. Active-duty forces are not the focus, but personnel are urged to remain alert both on and off base.
Weapons Arrest Near Capitol: A 23-year-old Oregon man was arrested near the U.S. Capitol with multiple weapons, including a halberd, bow, knives, and firearms. No links to Congress were found.
Plane Disruption: A passenger attempted to open the emergency exit mid-flight aboard a SkyWest plane, forcing a diversion to Cedar Rapids.
Threats to Lawmakers: A Maryland man was indicted for repeated threats against Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and her staff.
2. Infrastructure & Grid Alerts
Cyber Breach: Hackers with ties to China reportedly compromised a major U.S. National Guard network. Details are still developing, but the breach appears extensive.
No power outages or grid warnings issued nationally, but cybersecurity posture remains heightened.
3. Extreme Weather & Natural Hazards
Oklahoma & Missouri Flooding: Multiple flood warnings remain in effect across Oklahoma and Missouri, including the Chikaskia, Illinois, and Blackwater Rivers.
Blue Lick, MO - Flood warning until July 20.
Miami, MO - Missouri River above flood stage through Sunday.
Fredericksburg, IN – Flood advisory for the Blue River.
4. Border & Immigration
Drug Seizure in Texas: CBP officers in Laredo intercepted nearly 75 pounds of cocaine at the World Trade Bridge, concealed inside a tractor-trailer.
Immigration Legislation Clash: House and Senate introduced opposing bills: one offering work permits to long-term immigrants, the other stripping DHS of authority to issue temporary protections.
Honduran National Arrested: In Texas, a man was arrested for allegedly kidnapping and assaulting a Chinese woman held in a trailer for five days. Officials suspect a trafficking ring connection.
5. Church, Mission, & Civilian Safety
Attack on Christian Site in Gaza: A tank shell reportedly hit a church in Gaza City, killing three and injuring others sheltering inside. This follows recent arson attacks on Christian churches in the West Bank.
No U.S.-based incidents against missionaries, pastors, or churchgoers confirmed in the last 24 hours.
6. International Flashpoints
Middle East:
Israeli-backed militias were filmed desecrating the bodies of Syrian fighters and parading them through Suwayda.
IDF confirmed the targeted killing of a senior Islamic Jihad figure in northern Gaza.
A U.S. citizen of Palestinian descent was reportedly killed near Sinjil during a confrontation.
Brazil: Police raided former President Bolsonaro’s home and party HQ amid coup plot investigations.
Europe/NATO: NATO condemned recent Russian GRU cyberattacks targeting allied infrastructure. Czechia also condemned sabotage linked to GRU actors.
Russia: A Russian-American woman was arrested at Moscow’s Vnukovo Airport with a Colt .45 pistol and $138,000 check in her luggage.
West Africa: Islamist militants in Burkina Faso claimed control of three military posts near Lankoué.
South Asia: The U.S. officially designated The Resistance Front (TRF), a Lashkar-e-Tayyiba proxy, as a terrorist organization. TRF had claimed the April 2025 Pahalgam bombing that killed 26 civilians.
7. Signals to Monitor
Trauma centers, synagogues, and airports remain potential targets as ISKP and al-Qaida plot multi-point soft target attacks.
Coordinated online calls for violence have escalated in Tier 2 cities with weaker first responder networks.
DHS maintains elevated threat advisory regarding open-access trauma hospitals.
National Guard cyber breach suggests broader PRC espionage effort.
Middle East church targeting raises concern of retaliatory attacks globally.
8. Preparedness Action Items
If you’re a retired DoD official in Florida, stay situationally aware and review home security procedures.
Trauma centers and faith-based sites should audit access control and incident protocols.
Avoid flood-prone travel routes in the Midwest through Sunday.
Use strong passwords and enable multi-factor authentication on all critical accounts, especially those linked to government, healthcare, or military systems.
9. Preparedness Focus of the Day
Audit your digital footprint. With Chinese hackers reportedly breaching Guard networks, all professionals tied to defense or emergency sectors should secure personal and family devices. Use password managers, keep firmware updated, and shut down unused connections.
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Analyst Insight
Today’s outlook is quiet on the surface but layered with pressure. A warning to retired military personnel, signals of coordination among jihadist groups, and global flashpoints like Gaza and Eastern Europe suggest asymmetric threats are stacking. U.S. institutions, especially trauma centers and religious facilities, may be viewed as soft targets. Now is the time to lock in procedures, watch surroundings, and prepare for rapid shifts.
Stay Safe. Be Dangerous.