The recent assaults shortly followed a South Korea-US joint military exercise, but it was suggested they had been long in the planning.

BBC: Cyber researcher in Seoul

On Thursday, the North Korean army issued a statement threatening US military bases in Japan, in response to the US flying nuclear-capable B-52 bombers over South Korea as part of a joint military exercise.

BBC: UN to investigate North Korea human rights abuses

The Foreign Ministry didn't even have a chance to write apologetic talking points explaining that brazen move before Syria announced it was entering a military alliance with Turkey and would be holding a joint military exercise with the Turkish military.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: How Turkey was lost

Joint Warrior is Europe's largest military exercise and is held twice a year.

BBC: Royal Navy 'changes training' to avoid whales

It signed a defense agreement with Syria's Ministry of Defense, and even more provocatively conducted a three-day joint land forces exercise with the Syrian military.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: One civilization clashing