This month’s issue of the Monthly Intelligence Report covers incidents that took place between August 1 - 31, 2023, in three focus regions:

• West Africa

• Western Indian Ocean (including the Persian Gulf)

• South East Asia

Focus topic: Maritime security in the Persian Gulf

The situation in the Persian Gulf has made headlines in recent weeks. After a significant US military deployment as well as an offer to provide US Marines as armed guards to merchant ships, many operators believe that the outlook for the broader context to see whether the threat for maritime operations has indeed increased.

In addition, the report provides a brief update on the maritime implications of the war in Ukraine.

This month's risk and threat assessment

In the report's assessment, the main incidents are put into a broader context to highlight current threat levels and potential changes for maritime operations. Moreover, the report includes forecasts that cover the main concerns in the coming weeks.