May 2013 Intelligence News

Hagel to Address Cyber Attacks with Chinese VOA 31 May 2013 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Hagel plans to raise the issue of cyber espionage when he meets informally with Chinese officials in Singapore.
Beijing denounces US report on Chinese hackers PressTV 31 May 2013 -- China has denounced a recent US report that alleged Chinese hackers had gained access to designs of over two dozen major US weapons systems.
Cyber May Be Biggest Threat, Hagel Tells Troops AFPS 31 May 2013 -- The devastatingly destructive potential of cyberattacks has become the security challenge of our age, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel told U.S. troops.
Iran Downplays Sentencing Over Plot To Kill Saudi Envoy RFE/RL 31 May 2013 -- Tehran is downplaying a 25-year prison sentence against an Iranian-American who was convicted in an alleged Iranian-backed plot to assassinate Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the United States.
Iranian made drones guarding Venezuelan airspace IRNA 31 May 2013 -- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro ordered Venezuela Armed forces to launch Aripa System, comprised of Iranian made drones.
Russia to Launch New Spy Satellite in June RIA Novosti 31 May 2013 -- The Russian military will launch a new reconnaissance satellite from the Plesetsk space center in northern Russia on June 8.
Despite Hackers, DOD Retains Faith in Weapon Systems AFPS 30 May 2013 -- The United States military has “complete faith that our systems are secure and reliable,” a Pentagon spokesman said.
Special Ops Commanders Seek Intel, Data-sharing Assets AFPS 30 May 2013 -- Senior commanders recently called on the defense industry to provide technologies that give special operations forces more capabilities.
Iranian-American Sentence For Plot To Kill Saudi Envoy RFE/RL 30 May 2013 -- A U.S. federal judge in New York has sentenced an Iranian-American man to 25 years in prison.
Argentinian Prosecutor Says Tehran Infiltrating Continent RFE/RL 30 May 2013 -- An Argentinian prosecutor has accused Iran of "infiltrating" South America and setting up intelligence networks to carry out terrorist attacks on the continent.
Belarusian KGB Arrests Suspected Foreign Spy RIA Novosti 30 May 2013 -- A foreign national has been detained in Minsk on suspicion of being involved in espionage, the Belarusian security service, the KGB, said.
Taiwan National Security Act to be extended to cyberspace CNA 30 May 2013 -- Taiwan's Cabinet approved a proposal to amend the National Security Act to better prevent hacker attacks on government websites.
Obama To Raise Issue Of Cyberspying With Chinese Leader RFE/RL 29 May 2013 -- The White House says President Barack Obama will discuss cyberspying with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
China Announces Digitalized Combat Forces VOA 29 May 2013 -- China's state news agency says the Chinese army will conduct an exercise next month to test new types of combat forces, including units using digital technology.
US military alarmed by breach of critical weapons data to China PressTV 29 May 2013 -- A confidential US military report has again accused China of stealing the designs for some of the nation’s most sensitive and sophisticated weapons systems through cyber attacks.
UK trampling Assange Human Rights: Ecuador PressTV 29 May 2013 -- Ecuador's foreign minister says the British government has trampled on the human rights of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.
Predator passes 20,000-hour mark in Afghanistan AFNS 28 May 2013 -- An MQ-1 Predator assigned here recently became the first Predator to pass 20,000 flying hours over Afghanistan.
Fading 14th MI Battalion trains other intelligence units Army News 28 May 2013 -- The 14th Military Intelligence Battalion has maintained a full schedule in helping to train other intelligence units over the last few months.
Hidat Teklom: Expanding civilian protection capacity with ‘flying cameras’ UN News Centre 28 May 2013 -- The United Nations starts to make use of unmanned aerial vehicles in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo this summer.
Obama to Raise Cybersecurity Concerns with China VOA 28 May 2013 -- The White House says U.S. President Barack Obama will talk cybersecurity next week with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Report: Chinese Hackers Steal Australian Spy HQ Blueprints VOA 28 May 2013 -- An Australian broadcaster said Chinese hackers have stolen the blueprints of a new, state-of-the-art spy agency headquarters being built in Canberra.
Four-Star General in Eye of US Cyber Storm VOA 28 May 2013 -- Depending on your point of view, U.S. General Keith Alexander is either an Army four-star trying to stave off a cyber Pearl Harbor attack, or an overreaching spy chief.
Ecuador: UK Violating Human Rights of WikiLeaks' Assange VOA 28 May 2013 -- Ecuador's foreign minister accused the British government of trampling on the human rights of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.
Saudi FM's remarks, media hype: Iran diplomat PressTV 27 May 2013 -- Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Amir-Abdollahian has criticized recent remarks by the Saudi foreign minister.
Saudi Arabia detains Shia cleric for espionage: Report Iran Press TV 23 May 2013 -- Saudi security forces have arrested another Shia Muslim cleric in the country on charges of espionage for Iran.
Iranian Foreign Ministry dismisses Bahraini spy drone allegations Iran Press TV 23 May 2013 -- Iranian Foreign Ministry has dismissed a claim by the Bahraini officials about spotting an Iranian unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in the country's airspace.
King Edward VIII calls tapped by MI5 in abdication crisis Iran Press TV 23 May 2013 -- Secret documents have revealed Britain's intelligence service MI5 has tapped King Edward VIII's phone calls at the height of 1936 abdication crisis, indicating an extraordinary breakdown of trust between the monarch and his ministers.
Navy Triton Unmanned Aircraft System Completes First Flight NNS 22 May 2013 -- The Navy's newest unmanned Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft platform, the MQ-4C Triton Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), completed its first flight from Palmdale, Calif. May 22, marking the start of tests which will validate the Northrop Grumman-built system for future fleet operations.
Iran dismisses Saudi Arabia's false spy link allegations Iran Press TV 22 May 2013 -- Iran Foreign Ministry spokesman has dismissed Saudi Arabia's false allegations that the Islamic Republic has links to a spy cell recently arrested in the Kingdom.
Deep British involvement in CIA secret detention operations revealed Iran Press TV 22 May 2013 -- A new study has shed more lights on the UK government's involvement in the U.S. spying agency CIA's rendition flights.
Navy and Marine Corps Small Tactical UAS enters production phase USMC News 21 May 2013 -- The Department of the Navy announced May 15 that the RQ-21A Small Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System (STUAS) received Milestone C approval authorizing the start of low rate initial production.
'Unprecedented' CIA Moscow Chief Leak Puzzles Ex-Spies RIA Novosti 18 May 2013 -- Russia's decision to publicly identify a purported top US spy in the country is an "unprecedented" move in relations between Moscow and Washington with no clear indication of how the United States will react, former US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) officers and security experts told RIA Novosti on Friday.
Intelligence Ministry: Two spies were hanged IRNA 19 May 2013 -- Intelligence Ministry announced on Sunday that two spies working for US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and Israeli Mossad were hanged on Sunday.
France to buy drones from US, Israel: French defense min. Iran Press TV 19 May 2013 -- French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian says his country is in talks with the Unites States and Israel to purchase surveillance drones in a bid to enhance its military capabilities.
'CIA spy' Fogle leaves Russia: TV Iran Press TV 19 May 2013 -- US diplomat Ryan Fogle, who was accused of spying for the CIA in Moscow, has left Russia, Russian television has reported.
Alleged Unmasked CIA Agent Leaves Moscow RIA Novosti 19 May 2013 -- Ryan Fogle, the man Russia's security services claimed to have captured last week as he tried to recruit a Russian to spy for the United States, left Russia on Sunday, NTV television reported.
Afghan MPs want foreign spies out of presidential palace Iran Press TV 19 May 2013 -- Afghan lawmakers say President Hamid Karzai should not allow the country's enemies to have any place in the presidential palace.
UK govt. accused of cover-up on Litvinenko Iran Press TV 18 May 2013 -- The widow of former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko has accused the British government of seeking to strike a 'secret political deal with the Kremlin' after an inquest into his death abandoned its search for the truth.
France to buy US-made Reaper drones for use in Mali: Report Iran Press TV 18 May 2013 -- France has plans to purchase US-made unarmed Reaper surveillance drones in a bid to back up its military operations against fighters in the crisis-hit African country, Mali, a report says.
Russia discloses identity of top CIA spy in Moscow Iran Press TV 18 May 2013 -- Russia has publicized the identity of the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)'s chief in the Russian capital, Moscow, as a spy row deepens between Washington and Moscow.
CIA chief John Brennan visits Israel to discuss Syria PressTV 17 May 2013 -- The director of the US spy agency CIA has visited the occupied Palestinian territories to discuss the situation in Syria with Israeli officials.
Russia Outs Alleged Moscow CIA Station Chief RIA Novosti 17 May 2013 -- A Russian intelligence agency publicly identified an individual it claims was the Moscow station chief of the US Central Intelligence Agency as of late 2011.
Britain's Litvinenko Inquest In Doubt After Evidence Ruling RFE/RL 17 May 2013 -- A British coroner has ruled that he could not hear evidence about the alleged role of the Russian state in the killing of Aleksandr Litvinenko.
UK Coroner Rules to Keep Crucial Litvinenko Evidence Secret RIA Novosti 17 May 2013 -- The British coroner heading the inquest into the 2006 death of Alexander Litvinenko has reluctantly upheld an application to keep crucial evidence in the case secret.
2001 Authorization Still Legal Basis for War, Leaders Say AFPS 16 May 2013 -- The 2001 Authorization for the Use of Military Force remains viable more than a decade after its passing, a panel of defense leaders told Congress.
CIA Agent Was Nabbed by Russian He Sought to Recruit RIA Novosti 16 May 2013 -- Alleged CIA operative was attempting to recruit a Russian security services officer.
Russia 'Expelled Another U.S. Spy' Earlier This Year RFE/RL 15 May 2013 -- Russian state television has aired footage claiming that another alleged American spy was expelled earlier this year.
Russia Summons US Ambassador in Spy Scandal VOA 15 May 2013 -- The Kremlin has weighed in on the expulsion of an American man Moscow accuses of spying for the Central Intelligence Agency.
Russia Complains to US Ambassador Over Alleged Spy RIA Novosti 15 May 2013 -- Russia has lodged an official protest with the US ambassador over an embassy official who Russia says is an undercover CIA officer.
Ex-Soviet Intelligence Officer Calls CIA Spy Case 'Badly Staged Comedy' RFE/RL 15 May 2013 -- Russia's Federal Security Service announced on May 14 that it had detained a U.S. diplomat in Moscow for allegedly trying to recruit a Russian counterterrorism officer.
‘Old-School’ Spycraft Persists in Digital Age RIA Novosti 15 May 2013 -- The alleged espionage arsenal that a purported American spy was carrying when he was caught looks decidedly old-school in the age of iPhones and GPS navigators.
Kremlin Says Spy Incident Does Not Help Relations With U.S. RFE/RL 15 May 2013 -- Spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin: An alleged attempt by a U.S. diplomat to recruit a Russian intelligence officer to work for the CIA does not help efforts to improve relations.
US Tight-Lipped on Russia ‘Spy’ Arrest RIA Novosti 15 May 2013 -- US officials were tight-lipped and analysts were bewildered over the case of US junior diplomat Ryan Fogle.
Russia Expels U.S. Embassy Employee For Spy Recruitment RFE/RL 15 May 2013 -- Russia has ordered an alleged agent of the United States' Central Intelligence Agency to leave the country.
White House Releases Benghazi E-mails VOA 15 May 2013 -- President Barack Obama moved to head off the controversy over his administration's response to last year's terrorist attack on a U.S. diplomatic facility in Libya.
Lawmakers Press US Attorney General About Subpoenas to AP VOA 15 May 2013 -- U.S. lawmakers have questioned Attorney General Eric Holder about the Justice Department's secret seizure of Associated Press telephone records.
Two Tunisians arrested over alleged links to Israel’s Mossad: Report PressTV 15 May 2013 -- Media in Tunisia say two Tunisians have been arrested on suspicion of leaking sensitive information to the Israeli regime’s Mossad spy agency.
Germany cancels USD1.3 billion purchase of US-made drones PressTV 15 May 2013 -- Germany’s defense ministry has cancelled plans to purchase and modify US-made Global Hawk drones for 1 billion euros.
LulzSec Hackers 'at Cutting Edge' of Cyber Crime VOA 15 May 2013 -- Four British hackers who took part in 2011 cyber-attacks on targets ranging from the CIA to Sony were audacious, arrogant men whose motivation was “anarchic self-amusement".
Russia Orders Expulsion of Alleged US Spy VOA 14 May 2013 -- Russia is ordering the immediate departure of a U.S. embassy employee it accuses of trying to recruit a Russian intelligence officer to work for the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency.
Russia Detains US Diplomat Accused of Spying VOA 14 May 2013 -- Russia has declared a U.S. embassy employee it accused of trying to recruit for the CIA as "persona non grata" and ordered his immediate departure.
Russia Expels U.S. Embassy Worker For Spy Recruitment RFE/RL 14 May 2013 -- Russia has ordered an alleged agent of the United States' Central Intelligence Agency to leave the country.
Coincidence? Russian Spy Case Derails McFaul’s Twitter Outreach RFE/RL 14 May 2013 -- Twitter feed quickly became inundated with questions about a breaking announcement that Russian authorities had detained a U.S. Embassy employee.
Russia summons US ambassador after 'CIA agent' detention PressTV 14 May 2013 -- Moscow says it will summon the US ambassador after a US Embassy staffer was detained by Russian security services for allegedly trying to recruit spies for CIA.
Russia Detains US Diplomat Accused of Undercover CIA Work RIA Novosti 14 May 2013 -- Russian counterintelligence officials briefly detained a US diplomat suspected of being an undercover CIA officer and trying to recruit a Russian agent.
US Attorney General Defends Leak Probe VOA 14 May 2013 -- U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder is defending a leak investigation that included secretly obtaining phone records from the Associated Press.
U.S. Justice Department Seized AP Phone Records RFE/RL 14 May 2013 -- The Associated Press news agency says the U.S. Justice Department secretly obtained two months of telephone records of its reporters and editors.
US Navy unveils long-endurance drone PressTV 14 May 2013 -- The US Navy has unveiled a new fuel cell-powered unmanned aerial vehicle that has improved its own endurance record by flying in the air for just over 48 hours.
Death of American Engineer in Singapore Raises Questions VOA 14 May 2013 -- An inquiry in Singapore into the death of 31-year-old American engineer Shane Todd has revealed he suffered from depression and visited websites about suicide.
Turkey-Syria Tensions Over Bombings RFE/RL 13 May 2013 -- Turkey says nine Turkish citizens with links to the Syrian intelligence services have been arrested in connection with the Reyhanli bombings.
Turkey arrests nine suspects over Reyhanli bombings PressTV 13 May 2013 -- Turkey’s security forces have detained nine Turkish citizens suspected of involvement in two recent car bomb attacks in the southern town of Reyhanli, where nearly 50 people died.
Turkey says Taliban frees four Turks kidnapped in Afghanistan PressTV 13 May 2013 -- Turkey says the Taliban militants have released four of the eight Turkish nationals they had kidnapped in a helicopter crash landing in Afghanistan in April.
Taliban Says Remaining Turkish Hostages To Be Freed Soon RFE/RL 13 May 2013 -- Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan say they will soon release the remaining four of eight Turks they captured last month.
Russian Paratroopers to Get Drones by 2018 – Shamanov RIA Novosti 10 May 2013 -- Russian paratrooper divisions will receive unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs or drones) within the next three-to-five years, Colonel-General Vladimir Shamanov, Commander of Russia's Airborne Forces, told journalists on Friday.
Iran Unveils New Domestically-Built UAV RIA Novosti 10 May 2013 -- Iran has unveiled a radar-evading unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capable of carrying out both surveillance and attack missions, the Press TV channel reported on Thursday.
Iran unveils latest home-made UAV IRNA 09 May 2013 -- Iran's latest indigenized unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) dubbed as Hemase (Epic) was unveiled at the presence of Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi on Thursday night.
Germany spy chief visited Syria: Report Iran Press TV 10 May 2013 -- The head of Germany's Federal Intelligence Service (BND), Gerhard Schindler, has visited Syria to discuss the presence of German extremists in the country, a report says.
Obama to support expansive Internet wiretapping powers Iran Press TV 10 May 2013 -- The Obama administration is likely to approve a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) proposal that would make it easier to tap into many types of Internet communications rather than traditional phone services.
China Denies Pentagon Accusations of Cyber Espionage VOA 07 May 2013 -- China is denying U.S. accusations that its military has backed cyber attacks against U.S. government institutions and businesses. A U.S. Defense Department report published Monday says the cyber attacks "appear to be directly attributable" to China's government.
Taiwanese arrested for suspected dealings with North Korea CNA 07 May 2013 -- Two Taiwanese men have been arrested in the United States and Estonia for trying to export weapons machinery to North Korea, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed Tuesday.
Man and Son Charged With Trying to Get Weapons to N.Korea RIA Novosti 07 May 2013 -- A Taiwan resident with suspected ties to North Korea has been charged together with his son with seeking to bypass a US ban on the export of weapons machinery to Pyongyang with the aim of helping the country obtain weapons of mass destruction (WMD), law enforcement officers in the United States said.
Chinese spouses of military staff all Taiwan nationals: ministry CNA 06 May 2013 -- The 70 spouses of military personnel in Taiwan who came from China are now all Taiwanese citizens, Ministry of National Defense officials said Monday at a legislative hearing, trying to dispel worries they pose a threat to Taiwan's military.
New Iran made drone to be unveiled soon: Defense minister IRNA 06 May 2013 -- The new Iran made drone called 'Hamaseh' (Epic) to be unveiled within few days, said Minister of Defense Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi on Monday.
Iran to unveil new recce, combat drone: Defense minister Iran Press TV 06 May 2013 -- Iran's defense minister says the country plans to unveil a new indigenous reconnaissance and combat drone, dubbed Hamaseh, in the coming days.
Analysts Concerned Over Impact of Closer US-Russia Anti-Terrorism Cooperation on Caucasus VOA 03 May 2013 -- The U.S. and Russia recognize the need to increase security and intelligence cooperation.
Taiwan denies Chinese spouses of military personnel pose threat CNA 03 May 2013 -- The Ministry of National Defense acknowledged that some members of Taiwan's military are married to Chinese nationals.
First drone strike launched from UK soil PressTV 03 May 2013 -- Britain’s Royal Air Force has operated its first drone strike from a base situated on UK soil.
ONR Provides Blueprint for Controlling All Military Unmanned Systems NNS 03 May 2013 -- The Office of Naval Research has developed something similar to a master remote control for military ground, air and undersea unmanned systems.
U.S., Moroccan, German servicemembers conduct UAV familiarization for African Lion 13 USMC News 03 May 2013 -- U.S. Marines, along with German and Moroccan counterparts, conducted a small unmanned-flying vehicle familiarization course for Exercise African Lion 13.
Pakistani Verdict On 'CIA Doctor' Appeal Decision Postponed RFE/RL 02 May 2013 -- A court in northwestern Pakistan has postponed its decision on the appeal of a doctor who allegedly helped the CIA find Osama bin Laden.
India Angry About Prisoner's Death in Pakistan VOA 02 May 2013 -- The killing of an Indian prisoner by inmates in a Pakistani jail has fueled deep anger and demands for justice in India.
India demands Pakistan to probe into Sarabjit's killing IRNA 02 May 2013 -- India demanded Pakistan to conduct a through probe into the incident to ensure that those responsible were punished.
India Condemns Spy's Prison Death In Pakistan RFE/RL 02 May 2013 -- India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is demanding "justice" from rival Pakistan following the death of an Indian citizen who was jailed in Pakistan on spying charges.
Indian death row prisoner “Sarabjit Singh” dead IRNA 02 May 2013 -- Indian death row prisoner Sarabjit Singh died in a Lahore hospital Thursday after being comatose for six days following a brutal assault by other inmates of a high-security jail.
Marine, Moroccan, German military intelligence professionals conduct workshop for African Lion 13 USMC News 02 May 2013 -- U.S. Marine, Moroccan and German intelligence officers strengthened proficiency and interoperability Exercise African Lion 13.
USNS Swift Completes Aerostat and UAV Testing NNS 01 May 2013 -- High speed vessel USNS Swift completed testing of the TIF-25K Aerostat and a Puma UAV.

NEWSLETTER

Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list