January 2019 Intelligence News

US Spy Chiefs Must 'Educate' Trump on Iran, Senate Minority Leader Claims Sputnik 31 Jan 2019 -- Earlier, the US president condemned reports by top intelligence officials, which said that Iran was not pursuing its alleged nuclear weapons programme. Trump slammed the intelligence chiefs as "extremely passive and naive when it comes to Iran", suggesting that they should "go back to school".
Dem leader Schumer asks US spy chiefs to 'educate' Trump on Iran Press TV 31 Jan 2019 -- US Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has called on the country's spy chiefs to "educate" President Donald Trump after his recent attack against the American intelligence community.
American mercenaries used 'Karma' to hack UAE's opponents: Reuters Press TV 31 Jan 2019 -- A report reveals that a team of former US government intelligence operatives had been recruited by the United Arabs Emirates (UAE) to help Abu Dhabi spy on perceived opponents by using a sophisticated spyware called Karma.
Trump Chides 'Naive' U.S. Spy Chiefs Over Iran Threat Assessment RFE/RL 30 Jan 2019 -- President Donald Trump has chided U.S. intelligence heads for being "extremely passive and naive" on Iran after their Congressional testimony went against his views.
Intelligence Community 'Wrong' About Iran, 'Should Go Back to School' - Trump Sputnik 30 Jan 2019 -- US intelligence on Iran is both naive and passive at a time when the Islamic Republic is destabilising the Middle East and continuing to test missiles, President Donald Trump charged in Twitter statements on 30 January.
Trump Takes Aim at Intelligence Chiefs Via Tweet-Storm VOA 30 Jan 2019 -- U.S. President Donald Trump took to Twitter on Wednesday, appearing to reignite his long-standing feud with the country's intelligence agencies by belittling their assessments on Islamic State, North Korea and Iran.
U.S. intel warns of continued Chinese pressure on Taiwan CNA 30 Jan 2019 -- U.S. intelligence agencies indicated Tuesday that they expect Beijing to continue its efforts to force Taiwan to accept its "One China" framework and ultimately Chinese control.
US intelligence chiefs contradict Trump on Daesh, North Korea Press TV 30 Jan 2019 -- US intelligence chiefs have contradicted President Donald Trump's assertions related to national security, underlining a persistent division in his view of the world and theirs.
Iran's Cyber Spies Looking to Get Personal VOA 29 Jan 2019 -- Iran appears to be broadening its presence in cyberspace, stealing information that would allow its cyber spies to monitor and track key political and business officials.
CIA Provided Intelligence On Lifting Of Deripaska Sanctions But Raised No Concerns RFE/RL 29 Jan 2019 -- The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) says it didn't raise any concerns over the lifting of sanctions by the U.S. Treasury Department on three companies linked to Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska.
Khashoggi's Death Was 'Premeditated Murder,' But CIA Chief Dodges on MBS' Role Sputnik 29 Jan 2019 -- During Senate testimony by US intelligence chiefs Tuesday, CIA Director Gina Haspel called journalist Jamal Khashoggi's death "premeditated murder" but refused to say if the agency believes Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is responsible, as a November leak indicated the agency had concluded.
US Intel Chiefs Warn Washington Risks Losing Friends, Influence VOA 29 Jan 2019 -- U.S. intelligence chiefs are sounding alarms about an ever more perilous future for the United States, one in which the country is in danger of seeing its influence wane, its allies waiver and key adversaries team up to erode norms that once kept the country safe and the world more stable.
US Needs Assist from Allies to Curb China's Theft of Advanced Technology VOA 29 Jan 2019 -- Senior U.S. officials and experts say the United States needs to rally allies to pressure China stealing advanced technology through cyber espionage. At the same time, key American lawmakers are questioning the readiness and capacity of the U.S. to counter such threats.
Iran Not Undertaking Activities to Produce Nuclear Device – Coats Sputnik 29 Jan 2019 -- Iran is currently not working to build a nuclear weapon, but the Islamic Republic could resume such activities if it does not reap benefits from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, US National Intelligence Director Dan Coats said on Tuesday.
Assad Likely to Retake Syria, Avoiding Conflict With Turkey, Israel - Coats Sputnik 29 Jan 2019 -- The Turkish military has completed their preparations for a military operation in the northern Syrian city of Manbij, and east of the Euphrates River, Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said on Tuesday.
DNI: Russia, China Most Serious Espionage Threats To U.S. RFE/RL 29 Jan 2019 -- Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Dan Coats says Russia and China present the most serious espionage and cyberattack threats to the United States as the two seek to expand their global reach.
Huawei 'disappointed' to learn of US charges, denies violations of US law Global Times 29 Jan 2019 -- China's Huawei Technologies said it is disappointed to learn of the criminal charges officially announced by the US Justice Department, and denied that it or its subsidiaries and affiliates have committed any of the asserted violations.
China most 'concerning' counterintelligence threat, FBI chief says Press TV 29 Jan 2019 -- China is the most "concerning" counterintelligence threat against the United States, says FBI Director Christopher Wray.
Trump Admin Divided in Approach to Second Denuclearization Talks with DPRK Sputnik 29 Jan 2019 -- As the Trump administration readies an economic package of seized assets as well as aid to encourage North Korea to accept the US program for denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula, intelligence community leaders are casting doubt on the possibility that Pyongyang would ever truly give up its nuclear weapons.
China slams US for using national power to tarnish Chinese companies Global Times 29 Jan 2019 -- China on Tuesday urged the US to stop its unjustifiable crackdown on Huawei and urged Canada to immediately drop the arrest warrant for Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou after the US Justice Department formally filed criminal charges against the Chinese company and Meng on Monday and sent the extradition request to Canada for Meng.
China urges US to stop "unreasonable suppression" of Huawei People's Daily 29 Jan 2019 -- China on Tuesday strongly urged the United States to stop the unreasonable suppression of Chinese companies, including Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd., according to a Foreign Ministry spokesperson.
China: US crackdown on Huawei unreasonable suppression Press TV 29 Jan 2019 -- China says the United States' legal measures against Chinese electronics giant Huawei are prompted by "political manipulations," following a move by Washington to formally indict the chief financial officer of the company.
US Charges Huawei, Affiliates, CFO With Conspiracy, Stealing Trade Secrets Sputnik 29 Jan 2019 -- The US Justice Department unsealed on Monday indictments against China's Huawei Technologies, two subsidiaries and its Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou.
Chinese Telecommunications Conglomerate Huawei and Huawei CFO Wanzhou Meng Charged With Financial Fraud US Dept. of Justice 28 Jan 2019 -- A 13-count indictment was unsealed earlier today in federal court in Brooklyn, New York, charging four defendants,[1] including Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. (Huawei), the world's largest telecommunications equipment manufacturer, with headquarters in the People's Republic of China (PRC) and operations around the world. The indicted defendants include Huawei and two Huawei affiliates – Huawei Device USA Inc. (Huawei USA) and Skycom Tech Co. Ltd. (Skycom) – as well as Huawei's Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Wanzhou Meng (Meng).
Chinese Telecommunications Device Manufacturer and its U.S. Affiliate Indicted for Theft of Trade Secrets, Wire Fraud, and Obstruction Of Justice US Dept. of Justice 28 Jan 2019 -- A 10-count indictment unsealed today in the Western District of Washington State charges Huawei Device Co., Ltd. and Huawei Device Co. USA with theft of trade secrets conspiracy, attempted theft of trade secrets, seven counts of wire fraud, and one count of obstruction of justice.
Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker Announces National Security Related Criminal Charges Against Chinese Telecommunications Conglomerate Huawei US Dept. of Justice 28 Jan 2019
MI5 Reportedly Deploys 700 Spies to N Ireland Amid Fears of Hard Border Violence Sputnik 26 Jan 2019 -- Late last week, New Irish Republican Army (IRA) hardliners detonated a car bomb outside a courthouse in Londonderry. According to the Police Service of Northern Ireland, no one was hurt in the bombing, which came amid ongoing Brexit talks.
Kushner Trumped Top Secret Clearance Process After Two Rejections – Report Sputnik 25 Jan 2019 -- Earlier this week, the US House Oversight Committee launched a probe into the White House security clearance process, in a bid to shed more light on how Jared Kushner managed to gain access to highly classified information.
China Party-Backed Tabloid Warns of Protracted Battle Ahead Over Huawei VOA 24 Jan 2019 -- A party-backed nationalistic tabloid in China has warned that the extradition battle over tech giant Huawei's chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou, is likely to be drawn out and complex. In a sharply worded editorial, the Global Times also said Beijing should make it clear that it will retaliate against both Washington and Ottawa if the request is approved.
Lebanon arrests Mossad agent over car bomb attack against Hamas official Press TV 23 Jan 2019 -- Lebanon's army says it had arrested a suspected agent of Israel's spy agency Mossad over a car bomb explosion in the country's southern city of Sidon, which slightly wounded a member of the Palestinian Islamic resistance movement, Hamas, last year.
New Strategy Encourages Innovation, Better Intel Sharing DoD News 23 Jan 2019 -- The latest iteration of the National Intelligence Strategy aims at encouraging innovation and sharing information and intelligence among like-minded nations, the director of national intelligence said.
U.S. Intelligence Strategy Sees 'Diverse' Threats From Russia, China, and North Korea RFE/RL 23 Jan 2019 -- A major U.S. intelligence report released in Washington on January 22 says Russia's efforts to expand its influence and the modernization of China's military are among the "ever more diverse" threats facing the United States.
Russia, China, Cyber Domain Among Key Threats Named in US Intelligence Strategy Sputnik 23 Jan 2019 -- The newly-released 2019 US National Intelligence Strategy identified Russia, China, and cyber activities among some of the major emerging threats to the United States while addressing ways to enhance the effectiveness of the Intelligence Community (IC) to combat these challenges.
Strategy Promotes Integration, Innovation, Partnerships, and Transparency for the 17 Intelligence Elements Director of National Intelligence 22 Jan 2019 -- Director of National Intelligence Daniel R. Coats unveiled the 2019 National Intelligence Strategy (NIS) today. The NIS is the guiding strategy for the U.S. Intelligence Community (IC) and will drive the strategic direction for the Nation's 17 IC elements for the next four years.
New US Intel Strategy Warns of More 'Turbulent' Times Ahead VOA 22 Jan 2019 -- U.S. intelligence agencies trying to plot their course for the next four years are facing an ever more chaotic world, complicated by a weakening of the Western-led international order, rapidly changing technology, and persistent worries over uncertain funding.
American Jailed On Spy Charge In Russia Was Set Up, Lawyer Suggests RFE/RL 22 Jan 2019 -- A lawyer for Paul Whelan, a former U.S. Marine jailed in Russia on an espionage charge, says his client did not know that a USB stick he was given in his hotel room moments before his arrest contained state secrets.
Espionage Suspect Whelan Had Classified Docs at Detention in Russia - Attorney Sputnik 22 Jan 2019 -- Vladimir Zherebenkov, attorney for espionage suspect Paul Whelan, told Sputnik on Monday that his client was found to be in possession of classified documents at the time he was detained last month in Moscow.
Russian Court Denies Bail to Former US Marine Accused of Spying VOA 22 Jan 2019 -- A court in Russia has denied bail to an American man being held on spying charges.
EU sanctions Russians, Syrians over alleged links to chemical attacks Press TV 22 Jan 2019 -- The European Union has imposed sanctions against a number of Russian and Syrian individuals over what it claims to be their links to chemical weapons attacks.
UK, EU impose sanctions against Russia's GRU military intelligence agency Press TV 21 Jan 2019 -- The British government and the European Union have imposed sanctions against senior officials from Russia's GRU military intelligence agency, over the agency's suspected poisoning attack on a former Russian spy in southern England last year.
EU Foreign Ministers OK Sanctions On GRU Chiefs, Novichok Suspects RFE/RL 21 Jan 2019 -- European Union foreign ministers have approved targeted sanctions against two senior Russian military intelligence officials and two men Britain suspects in the nerve-agent poisoning of Sergei Skripal.
EU imposes sanctions against Salisbury suspects UK FCO 21 Jan 2019 -- EU foreign ministers agree to impose sanctions on the leadership of the GRU, and Salisbury suspects.
EU Sanctions Russians, Syrians Over Use of Chemical Weapons VOA 21 Jan 2019 -- The European Union has imposed sanctions on Russian military intelligence chiefs over the nerve agent attack on a former Russian double agent in Britain last year.
Iran denies Germany summoned envoy over military spy case Press TV 21 Jan 2019 -- Iran has dismissed reports that Germany summoned its charge d'affairs over Berlin's arrest of a German-Afghan dual national accused of spying for Tehran.
Spy Allegations Aim to Strain 'Historic Ties' Between Iran, Europe - Tehran Sputnik 20 Jan 2019 -- The German magazine Der Spiegel reported that the suspect had access to highly sensitive information, including the deployment of troops in Afghanistan, and passed it along to the Iranian secret services.
Moscow 'Trump Tower' Talks Lasted Through 2016, Lawyer Says VOA 20 Jan 2019 -- U.S. President Donald Trump's personal attorney Rudy Giuliani says Trump's discussions with Russian officials over construction of a Trump Tower in Moscow went on throughout the time he was campaigning for the White House in 2016, months longer than previously acknowledged.
US Reconnaissance Office Announces Launch Date of New Spy Satellite Sputnik 19 Jan 2019 -- A United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy rocket is slated to send the newest US spy satellite into orbit from the Vandenberg Air Force Base in California on Saturday, the National Reconnaissance Office announced in a press release.
Iran rejects reports on Germany-based military spy Press TV 19 Jan 2019 -- Iran has strongly rejected reports in the German media suggesting it hired a German-Afghan dual national to spy on the German military, saying the claims are part of a wider effort to undermine good relations between Tehran and Europe.
Huawei founder denies accusation of stealing trade secrets Global Times 18 Jan 2019-- Ren Zhengfei, founder of China's Huawei Technologies, who usually keeps a low profile, appeared before journalists Thursday and stressed that his company does not steal trade secrets. But this has not deterred aggressively hostile attitude from the West.
Prominent Global Law Firm Agrees to Register as an Agent of a Foreign Principal US Dept. of Justice 17 Jan 2019 -- Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP has entered into a settlement agreement with the Department of Justice, resolving its liability for violations of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), announced Assistant Attorney General for National Security John Demers.
Facebook Removes Hundreds Of Fake Pages, Accounts 'Linked' To Russia's Sputnik RFE/RL 17 Jan 2019 -- Facebook has removed hundreds of pages, groups, and accounts on its Facebook and Instagram platforms that the U.S. company says were part of two online disinformation operations targeting users across the former Soviet space.
Giuliani: Trump Campaign May Have Colluded With Russia, but Not Trump VOA 17 Jan 2019 -- Rudy Giuliani, one of U.S. President Donald Trump's lawyers, is acknowledging that some officials with Trump's 2016 campaign may have colluded with Russia to help him win, but says that Trump himself did not.
Kremlin Dismisses 'Stupid' Claims That Trump A Russian Agent RFE/RL 16 Jan 2019 -- Top Russian officials on January 16 dismissed as ridiculous allegations that U.S. President Donald Trump could have worked for Moscow's interests, calling them "absurd" and "stupid."
EU Ambassadors Approve Sanctions Against Novichok Suspects RFE/RL 16 Jan 2019 -- European Union ambassadors agreed on January 16 to impose sanctions on four Russian military intelligence officers who the EU says are responsible for carrying out chemical attacks, including the poisoning of ex-spy Sergei Skripal in Britain in 2018.
Russia's FSB Says It Deported Ukrainian Spy RFE/RL 16 Jan 2019 -- Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) says it has deported a man it it says is an agent of the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) who planned to collect information about Russian military forces in Crimea.
Classified Russian Military Town From UK's Skripal Probe No Longer Secret Sputnik 16 Jan 2019 -- The closed unit status was revoked upon the Russian president's order shortly after the name of the town popped up in London's investigation into the alleged March 2018 nerve gas attack.
Germany Detains Man Suspected Of Spying For Iran RFE/RL 15 Jan 2019 -- German authorities say they have detained a 50-year old Afghan-German dual national suspected of passing data to an Iranian intelligence agency.
Huawei President Refutes Allegations of Spying for China - Reports Sputnik 15 Jan 2019 -- Huawei Technologies President Ren Zhengfei said on Tuesday that the Chinese telecommunication giant had never spied in favour of Beijing or granted access to "improper information" to any country, as cited by the Financial Times.
Military Staffer Arrested in Germany on Suspicion of Spying for Iran Sputnik 15 Jan 2019 -- The Bundeswehr has found itself in the centre of a spy scandal after the respected German weekly Der Spiegel reported that the intelligence service of the Islamic Republic of Iran recruited a German trooper years ago. The man with Afghan roots worked as a translator and had access to sensitive information.
'I Never Worked For Russia,' Trump Says, Slamming 'Big Fat Hoax' RFE/RL 14 Jan 2019 -- U.S. President Donald Trump says he has "never worked for Russia," in response to reports that raised questions about his ties to President Vladimir Putin, reports which he called a "big fat hoax."
Trump: I Never Worked for Russia' VOA 14 Jan 2019 -- U.S. President Donald Trump declared Monday, "I never worked for Russia," days after news reports suggested he might be beholden to Russia and President Vladimir Putin.
Trump Dismisses New Allegations He Is Beholden to Putin VOA 13 Jan 2019 -- U.S. President Donald Trump is dismissing news reports suggesting he is beholden to Russia and President Vladimir Putin or hiding accounts of his private talks with the Russian leader the five times they have met, including at their July summit in Helsinki.
I have been tougher on Russia than any other president: Trump Press TV 13 Jan 2019 -- US President Donald Trump claims he has been "far tougher" on Russia than past presidents, following new revelations about a 2017 FBI probe into whether he was working for the Russian government.
Trump Denies Hiding Details Of Putin Meetings RFE/RL 13 Jan 2019 -- U.S. President Donald Trump has denied hiding details of conversations with Russian leader Vladimir Putin from administration officials, saying he is "not keeping anything under wraps."
Trump Refutes Reports About Hiding Details of Talks With Putin Sputnik 13 Jan 2019 -- US President Donald Trump refuted on Saturday media reports that he had allegedly hidden some details of his one-on-one conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
US officials reportedly kept in dark about Trump-Putin meetings Press TV 13 Jan 2019 -- US officials have reportedly been unaware of details in the meetings between US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin.
House Democrats eye reported FBI probe of Trump Press TV 13 Jan 2019 -- A US House committee will look into a media report that claims the FBI launched an inquiry in 2017 to find out whether President Donald Trump had been working on behalf of Russia, against US interests, says the panel's chairman.
Poland arrests Huawei employee, fmr. Polish security official on spying charges Press TV 12 Jan 2019 -- Poland has detained an employee of the Chinese electronics giant Huawei along with a former Polish security official on suspected spying charges, in what appears to be an extension of US-fueled security fears about the telecom company.
Trump slams Comey as 'total sleaze' in response to FBI probe reports Press TV 12 Jan 2019 -- US President Donald Trump has again blasted former FBI director James Comey and other "losers" at the agency following US media reports that the FBI began an investigation of Trump last year to find out whether he had a secret agenda to help Russia.
FBI probed whether Trump secretly worked for Russia: Report Press TV 12 Jan 2019 -- US law enforcement officials became so concerned by President Donald Trump's behavior in the days after he fired FBI Director James Comey that they began investigating whether he had been working for Russia against American interests, according to US media reports.
NYT: FBI Investigated Whether Trump Was Working For Russia RFE/RL 12 Jan 2019 -- The New York Times is reporting that the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation opened a counterintelligence probe in 2017 into whether President Donald Trump was working for Russian interests.
Report: FBI Probed Whether Trump Was Working Against US Interests VOA 11 Jan 2019 -- The New York Times is reporting that FBI officials were so alarmed by President Donald Trump’s behavior after he fired former FBI Director James Comey that they started investigating whether he was working against American interests.
First Recorded Flight of China's New Stealthy 'Sky Hawk' Drone Sputnik 12 Jan 2019 -- First unveiled at an air show in November, China's newest stealth drone, the Sky Hawk, will have the ability to communicate with manned aircraft for both surveillance and combat operations. China Central Television (CCTV) carried footage of its first recorded flight on January 5.
China 'Deeply Concerned' Over Huawei Employee's Arrest in Poland – Foreign Min. Sputnik 11 Jan 2019 -- The detention comes after Canadian authorities arrested Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou in Vancouver in December 2018 at the request of US law enforcement officials. She is suspected of committing fraud in order to bypass US sanctions against Iran.
Kaspersky Spotted Leak NSA Missed as Spy Agency Lacks 'Good Handle' on Security Sputnik 11 Jan 2019 -- On Wednesday, Politico reported that Moscow-based Kaspersky Labs, which is banned on US government computers over spying fears, helped uncover in 2016 perhaps the single largest theft of US intelligence in history. Sputnik spoke with Kim Zetter, the author who broke the ironic story, about what happened.
Ecuador Believes Assange Should Surrender to UK Authorities – Foreign Minister Sputnik 11 Jan 2019 -- Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Jose Valencia suggested that WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who has found shelter at Ecuador's embassy in London, should surrender to the UK authorities.
Mnuchin: Treasury to Be Vigilant in Ensuring EN+, RUSAL Meet Commitments Sputnik 11 Jan 2019 -- The US Department of Treasury will monitor closely whether En+ Group PLC (En+), United Company RUSAL PLC (Rusal), and EuroSibEnergo (ESE) adhere to the requirements for sanctions relief, Secretary of Treasury Steven Mnuchin said in a statement on Thursday.
Statement by Secretary Mnuchin on Congressional Briefing on Russia Sanctions US Treasury 10 Jan 2019 -- U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin issued the following statement today in advance of a bipartisan, classified briefing for Members of the House of Representatives on the sanctions against Russian oligarch and Specially Designated National Oleg Deripaska and three companies he controlled at the time sanctions were imposed, En+ Group PLC (En+), United Company RUSAL PLC (Rusal), and EuroSibEnergo (ESE)
US to Lift Sanctions Against 3 Russian Companies VOA 10 Jan 2019 -- Three Russian companies have cut ties to a sanctioned oligarch and will no longer be under U.S. sanctions themselves, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Thursday.
Indian Army Nabs Suspected Spy for Passing On Crucial Military Intel to Pakistan Sputnik 10 Jan 2019 -- Nirmal Rai, the alleged spy, earlier worked in Dubai where he came into contact with a Pakistani Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) operative who advised him to work as a porter for the Indian Army to spy on the force, according to media reports.
Ex-Israeli minister to get 11 years in prison over spying for Iran Press TV 09 Jan 2019 -- Under a plea bargain with prosecutors, ex-Israeli energy minister Gonen Segev accused of spying for Iran has agreed to plead guilty to reduced charges against him and serve a prison term of over a decade.
Israeli Ex-Minister Accused of Spying for Iran to Be Jailed - Ministry Sputnik 09 Jan 2019 -- In June 2018, Israeli prosecutors charged Gonen Segev, a former cabinet minister, with spying for Tehran, Tel Aviv's most powerful rival in the region. The Israeli security agency claimed that Segev had made contacts with Iranian officials in the Islamic Republic's embassy in Nigeria.
House Democrats Demand Briefing On Russia Sanctions Move RFE/RL 09 Jan 2019 -- Seven House committee leaders have called on U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to outline the reasons why the United States is easing sanctions on entities connected to Russian tycoon Oleg Deripaska.
Kremlin Denies Using Detained Ex-U.S. Marine As A 'Pawn' RFE/RL 09 Jan 2019 -- Russia has rejected a British suggestion that it might use a former U.S. Marine detained last month in Russia on espionage charges as a pawn in a diplomatic game, saying that Moscow reserves the right to conduct counterintelligence activities.
Kremlin Dismisses Claims Detained American Pawn in Diplomatic Game VOA 09 Jan 2019 -- Fears are mounting for Paul Whelan, the former U.S. marine seized last month in a Moscow hotel after being accused of espionage. Western intelligence officers and analysts fear he may remain in detention in Russia for a long time and are casting doubt on the likelihood of a spy exchange.
Iran to Review Security Cooperation With EU Following New Sanctions - Reports Sputnik 09 Jan 2019 -- The Iranian government is willing to review intelligence and security cooperation with European countries in light of the European Union adding two Iranian individuals and one entity to its terrorist list and freezing their assets as a result, IRNA reported on Wednesday, citing an unnamed diplomatic official.
EU Names Two Iranian Officials Blacklisted For Suspected Roles In Assassination Plots RFE/RL 09 Jan 2019 -- The European Union has named two Iranian officials who, along with Iran's intelligence services, have been targeted by fresh sanctions for their suspected involvement in assassination plots in France, Denmark, and the Netherlands.
Iran Vows Response to EU's Sanctions Over Alleged Terror Attack Plot Sputnik 09 Jan 2019 -- The Council of the EU has added two Iranian individuals and one entity to a terrorist list over alleged recent foiled attacks in Europe, according to a press release issued Wednesday.Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi, meanwhile, announced that Tehran will act reciprocally in its relations with the EU.
EU Imposes Sanctions On Iranian Intelligence Service, Two Iranian Citizens RFE/RL 08 Jan 2019 -- The European Union has voted to impose sanctions on the Iranian intelligence service and two Iranian citizens following accusations of Iranian attack plots in Denmark and France.
Iran Sanctions Won't Clear EU 'Responsibility For Harbouring Terrorists' - Zarif Sputnik 08 Jan 2019 -- Denmark earlier called for a new series of sanctions against Tehran, accusing the Iranian intelligence service of an alleged assassination plot on Danish soil, purportedly targeting the exiled leader of a separatist group that had carried out attacks in Iran.
National Counterintelligence and Security Center Launches Campaign to Help Private Industry Guard Against Threats from Nation State Actors DNI 07 Jan 2019 -- The National Counterintelligence and Security Center (NCSC) is today disseminating videos, brochures, and other informative materials to help the private sector guard against growing threats from foreign intelligence entities and other adversaries.
US Providing Companies With Information to Guard Against Intel Threats - DNI Sputnik 07 Jan 2019 -- The National Counterintelligence and Security Center (NCSC) is providing information to US companies to guard against growing threats from foreign intelligence entities, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) said in a press release on Monday.
U.S. national Whelan detained in Moscow holds British citizenship People's Daily 05 Jan 2019 -- Russia says it is too early to discuss a swap of individuals with United States after the two countries detained citizens of the other in alleged espionage-related cases.
Russia Says Too Early To Consider Swap After Mutual Arrests RFE/RL 05 Jan 2019 -- Russia says it is too early to discuss a swap of individuals with United States after the two countries detained citizens of the other in alleged espionage-related cases.
Days After Whelan Arrest, Moscow Claims U.S. Has Detained A Russian Citizen RFE/RL 05 Jan 2019 -- Days after Moscow arrested the former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan on spying charges, Russia has accused the United States of detaining a Russian citizen.
Ex-US Marine detained in Russia holds UK passport: Moscow Press TV 04 Jan 2019 -- Russia's Foreign Ministry says a former American Marine recently detained in Moscow on spying charges is also a British citizen.
Britain Warns Russia Against 'Chess Games' Over Alleged Spy RFE/RL 04 Jan 2019 -- Britain has warned Russia against playing "diplomatic chess games" following the arrest on spying charges by Moscow of Paul Whelan, a former U.S. Marine who also holds British and Irish citizenship.
US, UK National Whelan Detained in Russia Also Has Irish Citizenship - Officials Sputnik 04 Jan 2019 -- Earlier in the day, UK officials told The Times newspaper that Paul Whelan, who was detained in Moscow last Friday on suspicion of espionage, holds British citizenship.
German Politicians' Data Hacked, Posted on Twitter VOA 04 Jan 2019 -- The private data of hundreds of German politicians, including Chancellor Angela Merkel, has been hacked and posted on Twitter, the government said.
Berlin Asks Top US Spy Agency to Help Investigate Mass Governmental Hack Sputnik 04 Jan 2019 -- While Germany seeks assistance from the other side of the Atlantic, the hack is being investigated by a number of domestic agencies, including the Federal Office for Information Security, the Federal Criminal Police Office and the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution.
For Your Spies Only: Cold War Prisoner Swaps RFE/RL 04 Jan 2019 -- While Russia has detained and officially charged Paul Whelan - a dual U.S.-British citizen - with espionage, questions have arisen over whether this is a real spy case or just another move in a decades-old Cold War game.
US demands Russia explain detention of ex-Marine on spying charges Press TV 03 Jan 2019 -- US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says Washington wants an explanation for why Russia detained a former American Marine on spying charges in Moscow and will demand his immediate return if it determines his detention is inappropriate.
Russia Charges Former U.S. Marine With Espionage; Lawyer Applies For Bail RFE/RL 03 Jan 2019 -- Russia has charged a retired U.S. Marine arrested in Moscow with espionage, the Interfax news agency reported, meaning he could face up to 20 years in prison if found guilty.
Russia Reportedly Charged Former US Marine with Espionage VOA 03 Jan 2019 -- Russia has charged former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan with espionage, according to an Interfax news agency report that has not been independently verified.
Former IDF Intel Chief Wanted to Assassinate Syrian President Assad – Report Sputnik 02 Jan 2019 -- However, Aviv Kochavi's proposal was reportedly rejected by the Israeli military, which preferred to concentrate on curbing Tehran's alleged entrenchment in the country as well as the transfer of advanced weaponry to the Lebanon-based militant group Hezbollah.
U.S. Demands Explanation From Russia Over Arrest Of Ex-Marine On Spying Charges RFE/RL 02 Jan 2019 -- The United States is seeking an explanation for why Russia arrested a retired U.S. Marine on spying charges in Moscow and will demand his immediate return if it determines his detention is inappropriate, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said.
Moscow Grants Washington Consular Access to US Citizen Suspected of Espionage Sputnik 02 Jan 2019 -- On 31 December, the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) detained Paul Whelan, accusing him of espionage and launching a criminal case against him.
Russia Grants Consular Access to Retired Marine Held on Spy Charges VOA 02 Jan 2019 -- Russia has allowed consular access to a retired U.S. Marine who has been detained on espionage charges, the country's foreign ministry said Wednesday.
Family Says Detained U.S. Citizen Is Innocent, Was In Moscow For Wedding RFE/RL 01 Jan 2019 -- The family of a U.S. citizen being held by Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) over suspected spying says he is innocent and was in Moscow to attend a wedding.
American in Russian Custody Identified as Retired Marine VOA 01 Jan 2019 -- Paul Whelan, the American citizen detained in Moscow on Friday on espionage charges, has been identified as a retired U.S. Marine.

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