Memorandum
Subject: August Newsletter
To: All Readers and Interested Parties
From: Greg Smith, Author
Date: 4 AUG 2025
BACKGROUND:
Most of America is asleep or not paying attention to the dangerous situations occurring around the globe. During the month of July, several conflicts started, resumed, or intensified. The typical hot zones of Ukraine, Gaza and the Middle East were engaged in active conflict. Meanwhile conflicts in other areas around the globe demonstrate how fragmented and dangerous our world is currently.
Russia pretended to want peace and then launched massive attacks against Ukraine. Gaza remains a hot zone. A border skirmish between Thailand and Cambodia turned into a hot war. At least half a dozen countries in Africa are actively at war, including usual participants like Somalia and Congo. US Special Operations forces (Delta Force) launched a raid in Syria that killed a senior ISIS leader and his two sons (also ISIS members. Iran admitted that their nuclear facilities were destroyed by Operation Midnight Hammer, but they are now actively supporting their proxies, like the Houthis. The Houthi militia in Yemen resumed attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea. Iran and Russia are conducting joint naval maneuvers in the Black Sea, with the stated purpose of sending a warning to the United States.
INTELLIGENCE ASSESSMENTS:
Operation Midnight Hammer, the US airstrike against Iranian nuclear facilities resulted in a mixed bag of damage assessments. The US determined that the facilities were significantly damaged, and that seems likely. Even in the unlikely event that the Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) bombs failed to reach the full depth of the primary facility, the cumulative effect of a dozen such bombs would result in massive concussive and blast wave impacts that would likely destroy the highly technical, fragile and finely tuned equipment in the underground shelter. Iran denied international inspection teams’ entry to the site and have begun the recovery and rebuilding effort. By the end of July, Iran finally admitted that the raid had caused significant damage.
Iran’s response to the devastating Israeli and US attacks was to deflect and deny. Meanwhile, weapons, money and other support has been flowing from Iran to their proxies. At least two senior Iranian clerics also issued Fatwas (religious decrees) calling for the assassination of both President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. The US Government also uncovered direct intelligence concerning an increased threat against American service members, specifically those in the special warfare community (Army Rangers, Green Berets, Navy Seals, Marin Recon, and others). The threat conditions were significant enough that the Department of Defense issued a “Duty to Warn” memorandum to members of the community.
In a historic move on July 30th, the Arab League, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and Jordan, called on Hamas to release remaining hostages, disarm, and relinquish their control of Gaza. Arab nations have historically sided with Hamas and other groups seeking a Palestinian state in Gaza, and this declaration represents a historic departure and change in philosophy. Most Americans don’t realize the significance of the Arab League declaration. This is the first time that Arab and Muslim nations in the region have called for disarmament and full peace with Israel. However, this declaration was offset by opposing declarations by France, the UK, and Canada, which all announced their support for a full state. The contradictory stances embolden Hamas and Hezbollah, both of which are Iranian proxies and recognized as terrorist groups by the US Government.
In short, the world remains a dangerous, unstable place. Americans are at risk around the globe and still fighting in faraway places like Africa and Syria. Very little of this ever gets publicized through news channels as they are obsessed with economic conditions, tariff battles and political scandals. It is time for citizens to wake up and pay attention before another major terror attack is launched in the US.
CURRENT OPERATIONS UPDATE:
The second rewrite of Killer’s Reign is complete. The revisioning process involved printing out the full manuscript, laying it out chapter-by-chapter and then examining each scene and chapter to determine what needed to be cut entirely, what needed a full rewrite, and what just needed minor enhancements. The dining room table was covered for days with manuscript pages, sticky notes, color coded flags, and highlighted passages. But, in the end, I completed the work just in time for a summer holiday to Scotland.
The revised version of Killer’s Reign is now 30,000 words shorter, more streamlined, more readable, and more refined. Where scenes were deleted entirely, I found other ways to move the story forward. The characters all received new love and attention to make them come to life just a bit more. Although the manuscript is still about ten percent longer than my target length, I took a mentor’s advice and am letting it simmer for a few days before I do another read to verify the story. There may be a few more revisions, but it will soon go to the editor for a first review. Once I have incorporated their feedback, the manuscript will move to publication.
While on holiday, I started work on another writing project. The new project will be based on behind-the-lines work of the British Special Operations Executive (SOE) in the Second World War. The main character is a distant relative of my in-law’s family. A true hero and warrior-Scot, he was one of the most decorated soldiers in the British army and fought behind the lines for two years. He’s a larger-than-life character and his story deserves to be told.
COMMUNICATIONS UPDATE:
Killer’s Reign and Sleeper Cell are both passion projects that tell stories that I enjoy reading. But fiction is not my only writing passion. Earlier this year, I joined a team of authors in a collaboration project geared toward small business owners, coaches and leaders. The Coaches Playbook (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FJHGDDRL) was released on July 25th, and very quickly became a best seller on Amazon. I am already working on a similar stand-alone book, expect to hear more soon.
The global issues, threats and concerns described above are my inspiration for both Killer’s Reign and Sleeper Cell. Both stories draw heavily from current events and real-life threats. Although works of fiction entirely derived from my vivid imagination, the events and characters that drive the narrative reflect current reality and my own experiences.
Check my website regularly for more information about my books and stories, updates on current events, and interesting tidbits of intelligence.
Stay vigilant.
Greg Smith
Author
cc:
S2 Intelligence
S3/5 Operations & Plans
S6 Communications
