February 2013 Intelligence News

Officials: Cuts, Unstable Budget Threaten Intelligence Mission AFPS 28 Feb 2013 -- Along with al-Qaida, nuclear proliferation and cyber threats, budget instability and the prospect of further deep spending cuts are among the nation's most pressing national security challenges, top defense intelligence officials told a congressional panel yesterday.
US considering share of drone data with Algeria to target militants Iran Press TV 28 Feb 2013 -- The US ambassador to Algeria and top American "counterterrorism" officials have pressed the Obama administration to share drone surveillance data with Algerian security forces to facilitate the killing or capture of militants within and across their borders.
US lawmakers question Obama's drone policy Iran Press TV 28 Feb 2013 -- A number of US lawmakers have expressed concern about President Barack Obama's use of assassination drones to kill US citizens overseas and the secrecy in legal justifications for the targeted killings.
Gray Eagle UAS completes IOT&E Army News 28 Feb 2013 -- The U.S. Army's Gray Eagle Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) recently completed a successful Initial Operating Test & Evaluation (IOT&E) at the Army's National Training Center (NTC), Fort Irwin, Calif.
Detailed geospatial map data provides Soldiers greater technology, in less time Army News 27 Feb 2013 -- The Sept. 11, 2012, attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya reinforced the need for U.S. Army Africa to have at its fingertips the ability to draw upon the most up-to-date detailed maps and imagery of any given region at a moment's notice.
Iran dismisses charges of espionage against its employee in Madrid embassy IRNA 27 Feb 2013 -- Iran's embassy in Madrid in a statement released on Wednesday dismissed the allegation of espionage against its employee.
US military to take over control of most terror drone strikes from CIA Iran Press TV 27 Feb 2013 -- The US plans to transfer control of some of its assassination drone-strike operations from the CIA spy agency to the military in bid to ease the controversy over the secrecy of its targeted-killing campaign.
Litvinenko family lawyer accuses UK of coverup Iran Press TV 27 Feb 2013 -- The lawyer for the family of former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko says Britain and Russia are conspiring to try to close an inquiry into his murder for the sake of bilateral trade ties.
US Supreme Court rejects challenge to surveillance law Iran Press TV 27 Feb 2013 -- The US Supreme Court has blocked an attempt by US citizens and human rights groups to challenge a surveillance law used to monitor overseas phone calls, text messages, and emails of foreigners abroad.
India Claims Arrest Of Pakistani Spy RFE/RL 26 Feb 2013 -- Police in India say they have arrested an Indian national on charges of spying for Pakistan.
MIBOC-A in Kenya USMC News 26 Feb 2013 -- The eigth iteration of the Military Intelligence Basic Officer Course-Africa brings together officers from partner countries of Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, Ethiopia, Tanzania, and South Sudan for an eight-week course in Nairobi, Kenya, that began in January.
IRGC hacks foreign spy drone during Payambar-e Azam 8 wargames IRNA 23 Feb 2013 -- Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) declared hacking of another foreign spy drone during the first day of Payambar-e Azam 8 (The Great Prophet 8) wargames.
Iran Navy uses submarine-launched drones: Cmdr. Iran Press TV 23 Feb 2013 -- Iran Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari says the country's naval forces are equipped with submarine-launched unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with different flying ranges.
Iran's IRGC cyber-warriors take control of foreign drone Iran Press TV 23 Feb 2013 -- Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has successfully taken control of a foreign reconnaissance drone on the first day of the Payambar-e Azam 8 (The Great Prophet 8) war games, which are being held in the southeastern province of Kerman.
Africa Command Deploys 100 Service Members to Niger AFPS 22 Feb 2013 -- President Barack Obama notified congressional leaders today that the last of 100 U.S. military specialists have deployed to Niger to support intelligence efforts in the region.
Letter from the President - Concerning Niger The White House 22 Feb 2013 -- On February 20, 2013, the last elements of a deployment of approximately 40 additional U.S. military personnel entered Niger with the consent of the Government of Niger. This deployment will provide support for intelligence collection and will also facilitate intelligence sharing with French forces conducting operations in Mali, and with other partners in the region.
Obama Sends Troops, Drones to Niger to Spy on Islamists RIA Novosti 22 Feb 2013 -- President Barack Obama announced Friday that around 100 US troops have been deployed in the West African nation of Niger in what officials said was the establishment of a new drone base there to spy on Islamist fighters in the Sahara and support French forces in the region.
China Drone Threat Highlights New Global Arms Race VOA 21 Feb 2013 -- China's acknowledgment earlier this week that it considered using a drone strike on foreign soil to target a major Burmese drug trafficker wanted in the killings of 13 Chinese sailors highlights Beijing's increasing capacity in unmanned aerial warfare. It also foreshadows the dangers of a burgeoning global drone race.
Joint Intelligence training, a smart affair Army News 21 Feb 2013 -- Soldiers assigned and attached to the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, Third Infantry Division, Combined Task Force Raider, along with the intelligence section of the 2nd Kandak, 205th Corps, Afghanistan National Army, as well as Romanian intelligence officers attended a multinational intelligence training event hosted by the ANA and facilitated by British contractors here, Feb. 11.
White House Unveils New Strategy Against Trade Secret Thefts VOA 20 Feb 2013 -- The Obama administration has unveiled a new strategy to help protect American companies from economic espionage and thefts of trade secrets, an issue linked to intensified concerns about cyber espionage.
Wanted by Interpol, Iran's Ex-Intelligence Minister To Run For President RFE/RL 20 Feb 2013 -- One of the most-feared figures of Iran's Islamic establishment has announced his candidacy in the country's June 14 presidential vote.
China rejects US report blaming it for cyber espionage Iran Press TV 20 Feb 2013 -- China has again denied new US claims accusing Chinese military of launching cyberattacks on major American government agencies and corporations, in turn blaming Washington for sponsoring such attacks against Beijing.
U.S., China Accuse Each Other Over Cyberattacks RFE/RL 20 Feb 2013 -- The United States and China have traded accusations following a wave of cyberattacks targeting U.S. government agencies, media organizations, and private firms.
China's Army Denies Launching Cyberattacks on US Firms RIA Novosti 20 Feb 2013 -- China's Defense Ministry officially denied on Wednesday that it was behind cyber-attacks on American companies and organizations.
Chinese Army Rejects US Report on Cyber Hacking VOA 20 Feb 2013 -- China is adamantly denying a report by a U.S.-based Internet security group that accuses Beijing's army of carrying out a 'long-running and extensive cyber espionage campaign' against American government and business targets.
US Firm Links Chinese Army to Cyber Attacks VOA 19 Feb 2013 -- A U.S.-based Internet security group is accusing the Chinese government of involvement in a sophisticated campaign of cyber attacks against American businesses, government and critical infrastructure.
Hezbollah arrests Lebanese man spying for Mossad Iran Press TV 20 Feb 2013 -- Lebanon's resistance movement of Hezbollah has arrested a Lebanese national in the city of Baalbek on charges of cooperating with Israel's Mossad intelligence agency.
Stennis' SNOOPIE Team Gathers Intel NNS 19 Feb 2013 -- 'Away the SNOOPIE team, away,' is heard over the ship's intercom. Moments later, Sailors rush through the ship carrying video cameras, binoculars and digital cameras with long-distance lenses.
UAE gets USD 200 billion worth of US-made Predator drones Iran Press TV 19 Feb 2013 -- The United Arab Emirates has signed 17 defense contracts to purchase military equipment worth USD1.4 billion, including US manufactured Predator drones.
Iran to unveil combat, reconnaissance drones soon: Defense min. Iran Press TV 18 Feb 2013 -- Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi says the country will unveil a variety of combat and reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) soon, stressing the new drones will play an instrumental role in upgrading Iran's defense power.
Israeli parliament to probe Prisoner X death Iran Press TV 18 Feb 2013 -- The intelligence subcommittee of the [Knesset] foreign affairs and defense committee decided to hold an intensive inquiry into all aspects of the affair of the prisoner found dead in his cell.'
Assange believes freedom lies in winning Australian senate seat Iran Press TV 18 Feb 2013 -- Wikileaks founder Julian Assange believes that he can extricate from his prolonged asylum inside the Ecuadorian embassy in London if he wins a seat in Australia's upper house of parliament.
All Afghan interrogation centers to be equipped with video cameras: Karzai Iran Press TV 17 Feb 2013 -- President Hamid Karzai has ordered all interrogation facilities in Afghanistan to be equipped with video cameras in order to prevent the torture of detainees.
Australia Asks Israel to Explain Death of 'Spy' VOA 17 Feb 2013 -- Israel's Mossad spy agency is at the center of a scandal that is testing relations with Australia.
Critics Continue to Press Obama on Targeted Killing Policy VOA 15 Feb 2013 -- President Barack Obama this week pledged to develop a clear policy framework to guide U.S. counterterrorism operations, including targeted killings of terrorist suspects.
Has Israel Assassinated An Iranian IRGC Official? RFE/RL 13 Feb 2013 -- At least two Iranian news agencies and several websites are reporting that an Iranian official in charge of reconstruction efforts in Lebanon has been assassinated by "Zionists."
Israel Struggles to Keep Spy Story Cloaked in Secrecy VOA 13 Feb 2013 -- The mysterious death of an Australian prisoner in Israel has put the spotlight on a military-run censorship system.
Eyes above keep those below in the know: VMU-2 UAVs give speedy battlefield intel USMC News 13 Feb 2013 -- Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron Two provided 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, and 2nd Bn., 8th Marines, with timely intelligence during training exercises.
Defense minister: New indigenous drone under construction IRNA 10 Feb 2013 -- Defense Minister, Ahmad Vahidi, said late Saturday that the process of building the new drone capable of attacking air-to-air missiles is underway.
Obama's CIA Nominee Grilled on Drones, Torture RIA Novosti 08 Feb 2013 -- US lawmakers on Thursday pressed President Barack Obama's choice as America's next spy chief on issues of transparency, torture and extrajudicial killings in the nation's global counterterrorism operations.
Ex-Spy Service Officer Found Guilty of Coup Plot RIA Novosti 08 Feb 2013 -- The Moscow City Court found former military intelligence officer Vladimir Kvachkov guilty of masterminding an armed coup and sentenced him to 13 years in prison, the judge said at the end of the trial on Friday.
US Official Defends Drone Strikes After Leaked Memo VOA 07 Feb 2013 -- President Barack Obama’s pick for CIA director says U.S. drone strikes are carried out judiciously and in compliance with federal law. The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence questioned counter-terrorism adviser John Brennan days after an administration memo surfaced that provided a legal justification for drone strikes targeting U.S. terror suspects abroad.
Libya And International Court At Odds Over Trials VOA 07 Feb 2013 -- The International Criminal Court has toughened its stance toward Libya, ordering the country's new rulers on Thursday to halt a pending trial in Tripoli of Muammar Gadhafi's former spy chief, Abdullah al-Senussi.
CIA Nominee Defends US Drone Policy VOA 07 Feb 2013 -- President Barack Obama's choice to head the CIA, John Brennan, says the United States has a 'rigorous' process when deciding to use lethal force against terrorists.
CIA Nominee Expected To Face Tough Questioning RFE/RL 07 Feb 2013 -- U.S. President Barack Obama's nominee to lead the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) faces tough questioning on February 7 in a Senate confirmation hearing expected to focus on a secret White House targeted-killing program whose existence was leaked earlier this week.
Obama CIA Pick May Face Tough Questions on Drones VOA 06 Feb 2013 -- President Barack Obama's nominee to lead the CIA may face sharp questions about U.S. policy on targeted killings when his Senate confirmation hearings begin Thursday, and some of the pressure may come from the president's own Democratic Party.
White House Defends Drone Strikes As 'Legal, Ethical, Wise' RFE/RL 06 Feb 2013 -- The White House has defended the United States' use of drone missile strikes to kill Al-Qaeda-linked terrorist suspects, even if they are U.S. citizens who have not been convicted in court.
Dozens of Countries Aided US Secret Detentions: Report RIA Novosti 06 Feb 2013 -- As many as 54 governments throughout the world assisted the United States in its secret detention and rendition operations in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, according to a new human rights report released Tuesday.
Top Court Upholds Sentences in China Missile Spy Case RIA Novosti 06 Feb 2013 -- Russia's Supreme Court has upheld jail sentences handed down to two Russian university professors who were convicted of passing secret information about the navy's Bulava ballistic missile to the Chinese secret services, the Prosecutor General's Office announced on Tuesday.
Brennan Hearing Spotlights Drone Strikes, Secret Base VOA 06 Feb 2013 -- President Barack Obama's choice to head the CIA has brought the secretive use of unmanned drones to attack terrorist targets to the forefront of the counter-terrorism discussion.
Attorney General Defends Rationale for Killing American Terrorists VOA 05 Feb 2013 -- U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder has explained the Obama administration's rationale behind legally allowing the government to kill U.S. citizens abroad if it believes they are senior al-Qaida leaders actively engaged in planning operations to kill Americans.
US Can Kill Americans Linked to Al-Qaida, Says Memo RIA Novosti 05 Feb 2013 -- A confidential memo obtained by media and published Tuesday spells out the US government's legal justifications for killing US citizens linked to al-Qaida, and offers a rare look at one of the most secretive policies of President Barack Obama's administration.
Justice Dept.: Legal for US to Kill al-Qaida Americans Abroad VOA 05 Feb 2013 -- A leaked confidential memo from the U.S. Justice Department says it is legal for the government to kill U.S. citizens abroad if it believes they are senior al-Qaida leaders actively engaged in planning operations to kill Americans.
Army officer gets transferred as espionage probe spreads CNA 05 Feb 2013 -- The Ministry of National Defense (MND) said Tuesday that an Army officer has been transferred after one of his relatives was found to have been allegedly involved in an espionage case.
Naval officer questioned in espionage probe CNA 04 Feb 2013 -- A rear admiral was questioned by military prosecutors last week in connection with an investigation into alleged leaks of submarine nautical charts to China, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) said Monday.
Russian Inspectors to Make Surveillance Flight Over Greece RIA Novosti 04 Feb 2013 -- Russian military inspectors will begin on Monday a surveillance flight above Greece under the international Open Skies Treaty, a spokesman for the Russian Defense Ministry said.
Miniature surveillance helicopters help protect front line troops UK MOD 04 Feb 2013 -- British troops in Afghanistan are the first to use state-of-the-art handheld nano surveillance helicopters.
Alleged Canadian Spy Sold Secrets to Russia for $72,000 RIA Novosti 01 Feb 2013 -- A Canadian naval officer on a court trial under espionage charges received almost $72,000 for passing classified information to the Russian military.

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