October 2017 Intelligence News

Lebanese security forces dismantle espionage cell working for Mossad Press TV 31 Oct 2017 -- Lebanese security forces have busted an espionage cell in the country, whose members were collecting sensitive information and passing it to the Israeli spy agency Mossad.
Kaspersky Lab Says It Took Hacking Code From U.S. Computer RFE/RL 25 Oct 2017 -- The Moscow-based company Kaspersky Lab has acknowledged that its antivirus software took source code for a secret U.S. hacking tool from a personal computer in the United States.
US Lawmaker Asks Trump Administration to Declassify Kaspersky Lab Information Sputnik 25 Oct 2017 -- Amid continuing pressure on Kaspersky Lab company in the US, US Senator Jeanne Shaheen has sent a letter to Donald Trump's administration calling for new steps toward the Russian software company.
US Senate panel renews law to allow online surveillance Press TV 25 Oct 2017 -- The US Senate Intelligence Committee has reinstated a law that allows the National Security Agency to collect the communications of foreigners.
US Senate Intelligence Committee Approves Renewal of Online Spying Law Sputnik 25 Oct 2017 -- The National Security Agency may restore spying program given the latest amendments.
Mossad agent sentenced to death: Tehran prosecutor Press TV 24 Oct 2017 -- Iran has sentenced to death an individual found guilty of cooperating with Israel's Mossad spy agency and providing information to it, Tehran's prosecutor Abbas Ja'afari Dolatabadi says.
CIA shifts its Afghanistan strategy amid open-ended campaign to tackle terrorism: Report Press TV 22 Oct 2017 -- The US Central Intelligence Agency is reportedly expanding its covert operations in war-ravaged Afghanistan.
Watching Pyongyang: Seoul Buys Four Global Hawk Surveillance Drones from US Sputnik 21 Oct 2017 -- The South Korean Air Force (ROKAF) has announced the purchase of four Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicles, advanced drones built on US military contract for surveillance missions.
NATO opens espionage hub in Poland to counter Russia Press TV 20 Oct 2017 -- The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has opened an espionage hub in Poland, in a bid to strengthen the 29-member military alliance's ability to gather intelligence amid tensions with Russia.
Kaspersky CEO Calls Allegations of Spying on US Citizens 'Groundless Paranoia' Sputnik 17 Oct 2017 -- CEO Eugene Kaspersky dismissed accusations that his company spied on its US customers as lies, and challenged his accusers to reveal how his software was engaging in the alleged activity.
Atlas V US Carrier Rocket Lifts Off From Cape Canaveral After Three Delays Sputnik 15 Oct 2017 -- After being delayed for three times due to Hurricane Irma and technical issues, the Atlas V carrier rocket has been finally launched.
Mystery Hacker Steals Australian Defense Data VOA 14 Oct 2017 -- A mystery hacker who was given the alias of a TV soap opera character has stolen sensitive information about Australia's multi-billion dollar warplane and navy projects. Intelligence officials say the break was significant, although the Australian government insists that only low-level data was taken. The identity of the cyber criminal is not known.
Polish Defense Minister Claims Russian Cyberattack Prevented in Country Sputnik 13 Oct 2017 -- Polish Defense Minister Antoni Macierewicz accused Russia on Friday of cyberattacks against Ukrainian companies with branches abroad and said that one such attack was warded off in Poland.
Kaspersky Lab Says Steps Up Cooperation With Interpol; Kremlin Calls Spy Reports 'Absurd' RFE/RL 13 Oct 2017 -- Russian cybersecurity firm Kaspersky Lab says that it has expanded its relationship with global law enforcement agency Interpol, agreeing to share "threat intelligence data" in what it called an effort to help fight against global cybercrime.
Kaspersky Lab: 'We've Never Helped Any Government With Cyberespionage Efforts' Sputnik 12 Oct 2017 -- Cyber security provider Kaspersky Lab addressed media claims about Israeli intelligence hacking into the security company's network and relaying obtained intel to US officials.
Kaspersky Lab Asks for Evidence of Firm's Alleged Collusion With Russian Gov't Sputnik 12 Oct 2017 -- The Kremlin and Russia's Kaspersky Lab, a software maker known for its anti-virus programs, have dismissed US media reports that the company stole sensitive data from a National Security Agency (NSA) contractor using its tools on behalf of the Russian government, saying the allegations lack evidence.
Australia aircraft data stolen in cyber attack Press TV 12 Oct 2017 -- Unclassified but "sensitive" information about Australia's advanced aircraft has been stolen from a government contractor.
Sensitive Data on Australia's New Jets and Navy Stolen From Defense Contractor Sputnik 12 Oct 2017 -- Australian cyber-security officials have revealed that "commercially sensitive" data about the country's new fighter jets, navy vessels and surveillance aircraft programs have been stolen from an Australian defense contractor in what they described as an "extensive and extreme" hacking attack.
Memos reveal torture of detainees at CIA black site in Afghanistan Press TV 10 Oct 2017 -- New details have been disclosed about the CIA's torture program at a black site prison near Kabul, Afghanistan, thanks to newly unsealed documents the spy agency and US Defense Department were forced to declassify over a lawsuit filed by victims of the torture program.
Iranian Judiciary Confirms Nuclear Negotiator Imprisoned On Spying Charges RFE/RL 08 Oct 2017 -- Iran's judiciary has confirmed that a dual-national member of the Iranian team that negotiated a 2015 nuclear deal with world powers has been sentenced to five years in prison after being convicted of espionage.
Judiciary confirms conviction of ex-member of Iran nuclear team IRNA 08 Oct 2017 -- Judiciary spokesman confirmed conviction of a former member of Iran's nuclear team for links to two foreign intelligence services.
Reports: U.S. Special Counsel's Team Met With Author Of Russia Dossier RFE/RL 06 Oct 2017 -- Media reports say U.S. investigators have interviewed a former British spy who compiled a salacious dossier of allegations about purported contacts between U.S. President Donald Trump's campaign and Russia.
Reports: Russian Hackers Allegedly Stole U.S. NSA Secrets RFE/RL 05 Oct 2017 -- Media reports say hackers backed by the Russian government stole highly sensitive U.S. espionage tools in 2015 after a U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) contractor placed the classified materials on his home computer.
Declassified CIA Papers Show U.S. Aware In Advance Of Sputnik Possibilities RFE/RL 05 Oct 2017 -- The CIA has released newly declassified documents showing that U.S. intelligence agencies were aware of Russia's impending launch of the Sputnik 1 satellite -- an event that shocked the American public when the news broke exactly 60 years ago.
3 Russian Businessmen File Second Defamation Lawsuit In Connection with 'Steele Dossier' RFE/RL 05 Oct 2017 -- Three powerful Russian businessmen who control the country's largest commercial bank have filed the second of two defamation lawsuits in connection with a salacious intelligence report involving President Donald Trump.
Berlin drops probe into US, British mass surveillance of German telecommunications, internet Press TV 05 Oct 2017 -- Prosecutors in Germany have dropped an investigation into alleged hacking of information from German citizens and officials by the US National Security Agency (NSA) and its British partner.
CIA Chief Pompeo's Risky Plans to Streamline Agency's Decision-Making Processes Sputnik 05 Oct 2017 -- US Central Intelligence Agency Chief Mike Pompeo has said he aims to improve the organization's "agility and speed" by sending more agents abroad, and streamlining executive processes.
Group of US Lawmakers Want to Rein in FBI Spying Capabilities VOA 05 Oct 2017 -- A group of bipartisan United States lawmakers wants to put strong new limitations on federal law enforcement agents' ability to gather foreign intelligence within U.S. borders.
US Senate intelligence panel confirms Russia's 2016 meddling Press TV 04 Oct 2017 -- The Senate Intelligence Committee throws its support behind allegations that Russia meddled in the US 2016 election, which yielded President Donald Trump.
Member Of Iranian Nuclear Negotiations Team Sentenced On Spying Charges RFE/RL 05 Oct 2017 -- A member of the Iranian team that negotiated a 2015 nuclear deal with world powers has been sentenced to five years in prison after being convicted of espionage, a semiofficial news agency reports.
Senior CIA Official: Kim Jong-Un Doesn't Want Conflict, He's "Very Rational' Sputnik 05 Oct 2017 -- A senior CIA official at the Agency's newly-created Korea Mission Center has broken ranks with President Donald Trump, stating North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un is "very rational."
Erdogan Accuses Israel's Mossad of Supporting Iraqi Kurdistan Referendum Sputnik 04 Oct 2017 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday that Israel's intelligence agency Mossad supported Iraqi Kurdistan's referendum on independence as only Israel would recognize the Kurdish administration.
Outgoing DIA Director to Workforce: 'Keep Telling Truth to Power' AFPS 04 Oct 2017 -- "Keep telling truth to power" was the only advice the outgoing director of the Defense Intelligence Agency had for his successor and for the DIA workforce during a change of directorship ceremony here yesterday.
U.S. Senate Committee Agrees Russia Meddled In Election, Still Probing Collusion RFE/RL 04 Oct 2017 -- A U.S. Senate committee says there is a consensus that Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election but is still investigating whether there was any collusion between Moscow and the Trump campaign team.
US Senate Panel Provides Update on Russia Probe VOA 04 Oct 2017 -- The Senate Intelligence Committee revealed it is continuing to investigate whether elements of President Donald Trump's campaign colluded with Russia to sway the 2016 U.S. election, while warning that Russian meddling could expand and threaten future elections.
US Intelligence Officials Call North Korean Leader 'Very Rational' VOA 04 Oct 2017 -- Despite Kim Jong Un's repeated provocations and willingness to engage in heated rhetoric, top U.S. intelligence officials say the North Korean leader is not crazy.
Mossad Director Reveals Extent of Israeli Spying Agency's Overseas Operations Sputnik 03 Oct 2017 -- The head of Israel's intelligence service, Mossad, has acknowledged the agency carries out "hundreds of thousands" of operations against "enemy countries" every year - the organization's history of operations targeted against close allies went unmentioned.
The Future of Flight: Marines test out 3-D printed SUAS USMC News 03 Oct 2017 -- U.S Marines with 2nd Marine Division tested remote controlled craft made through additive manufacturing, or 3-D printing, at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Sept. 26-27, 2017.

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