May 2019 Intelligence News

Exile: Data Dump Shows More Russian Political Meddling VOA 31 May 2019 -- A prominent exiled Russian opposition figure says recently leaked documents show Russian meddling in U.S. affairs was more sophisticated, ambitious and potentially more dire than the social media influence campaigns during the 2016 election.
UN expert criticizes States for 'ganging up' on Wikileaks' Assange; warns against extradition, fearing 'serious' rights violations UN News 31 May 2019 -- After visiting Julian Assange in a London prison, an independent UN human rights expert expressed urgent concern on Friday, for the Wikileaks co-founder's well-being, accusing "a group of democratic States" of "ganging up" on the prisoner to "isolate, demonize and abuse" him and warned against extraditing the controversial publisher to the United States.
Russian Citizen Butina to Spend Remaining Term in Tallahassee Prison - Lawyer Sputnik 30 May 2019 -- Russian citizen Maria Butina, sentenced to 18 months in prison on charges of conspiring to act as a foreign agent in the United States, will spend the rest of her sentence in the prison in Tallahassee, Florida, her lawyer Robert Driscoll told Sputnik on Thursday.
NSA Discussed Spying on Russian Civil Targets in 2005 - Reports Sputnik 30 May 2019 -- A leaked post in the latest document dump from The Intercept's 'SIDToday' archive–a series of top secret National Security Agency newsletters provided by whistleblower Edward Snowden–reveals that the United States discussed spying on Russian non-military targets with the help of the Norwegian Intelligence Service (NIS).
Pakistan Sentences Three On Spying Charges RFE/RL 30 May 2019 -- Pakistan's army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa has approved death sentences for a retired brigadier and a civilian after they were court-martialed on charges of espionage.
2 Pakistani Army Officers Given Death, Jail Sentences for Espionage VOA 30 May 2019 -- A military court in Pakistan has found a Brigadier-rank officer and a Lt. General guilty of espionage, sentencing one to death and handing 14 years of "vigorous imprisonment" to the other.
Russian and Chinese Nuclear Modernization Trends DIA 229 May 2019 -- Remarks by Lt. Gen. Robert P. Ashley, Jr., Director Defense Intelligence Agency, at the Hudson Institute
UK spies smuggled out secrets of Russia's strategic supersonic bomber: Reports Press TV 27 May 2019 -- British media claim that the UK's MI6 spy agency has managed to smuggle out secrets about upgrades to Russia's strategic supersonic bombers with the help of the United States' CIA and Israel's Mossad.
MI6 Smuggled Russia's Secrets in Tea Bag on Flight to Venezuela, UK Media Claims Sputnik 26 May 2019 -- In what seems more like a plot from a spy novel rather than an actual intelligence operation, Britain's MI6 is said to have hatched the plan together with the United States' CIA and Israel's Mossad.
NSA cyber weapon leaked, now turned against US cities: Report Press TV 26 May 2019 -- US National Security Agency's most powerful cyber weapon has reportedly fallen into enemy hands and is being used against American cities with "alarming frequency" by the very foreign hackers it was designed to counter.
US City of Baltimore Under Attack by NSA Cyber Weapon – Report Sputnik 26 May 2019 -- The cyber weapon was developed by the US tech spying agency to break into foreign computers, but now the US itself is under attack by the malware, and tech experts say it's the handiwork of the NSA.
Germany-China tensions rise over military snooping claims Press TV 26 May 2019 -- A diplomatic row is brewing between Germany and China over allegations of Chinese reporters snooping around a military base during a visit by Chancellor Angela Merkel this month.
US intel chief warns Barr not to imperil national security by releasing classified documents Press TV 25 May 2019 -- The United States intelligence chief has warned Attorney General William Barr not to release "highly-sensitive classified information" amid the Trump administration's efforts to get to the origins of the so-called Russia probe.
Report: U.S. Naval Seaman Admits Wanting To Pass Classified Info To Russia RFE/RL 25 May 2019 -- A U.S. naval seaman has been sentenced to three years in a military prison after admitting he sought to share classified information about U.S. nuclear-powered warships with Russia.
Attorney General Barr May Expose Top Secret CIA Source Close to Putin – Report Sputnik 25 May 2019 -- US intelligence community officials set off alarms saying Attorney General William Barr's complete exposure of the intelligence that led to the Mueller probe into Trump-Russia collusion will compromise CIA sources, including those foreign assets at the very top.
US Intel Community to Cooperate in Probe of Trump Aide Spy Case - Statement Sputnik 25 May 2019 -- The US intelligence community will provide the Department of Justice with all appropriate information when re-examining the FBI investigation of Trump campaign ties to Russia, Director of National Intelligence Daniel Coats said in a statement.
DNI Coats Statement on the Department of Justice Review Director of National Intelligence 24 May 2019 -- "Much like we have with other investigations and reviews, the Intelligence Community (IC) will provide the Department of Justice all of the appropriate information for its review of intelligence activities related to Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election."
Trump Orders U.S. Intelligence Agencies To Cooperate With Probe Into 2016 Campaign 'Surveillance' RFE/RL 24 May 2019 -- President Donald Trump has ordered U.S. intelligence agencies to fully cooperate with the Justice Department review of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's probe into Russia's interference in the 2016 election campaign.
US Intelligence to Share 'Appropriate Information' for Trump-Ordered Probe VOA 24 May 2019 -- U.S. intelligence agencies will cooperate with a new Justice Department investigation into whether officials overstepped their bounds and improperly surveilled U.S. President Donald Trump's presidential campaign in 2016.
Press Advocates Warn Of Dangers As U.S. Files New Charges Against Assange RFE/RL 24 May 2019 -- U.S. authorities have filed new criminal charges against Wikileaks founder Julian Assange, accusing him of causing the United States major harm by publishing thousands of classified documents.
US charges WikiLeaks founder Assange with espionage Press TV 24 May 2019 -- The US Justice Department has charged WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange with espionage by publishing hundreds of thousands of secret military and diplomatic files about the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
WikiLeaks Founder Julian Assange Charged in 18-Count Superseding Indictment US Dept. of Justice 23 May 2019 -- Charges Related to Illegally Obtaining, Receiving and Disclosing Classified Information
US Charges WikiLeaks Founder With Violating Espionage Act VOA 23 May 2019 -- U.S. prosecutors Thursday announced new criminal charges under the Espionage Act against jailed WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange over his alleged role in what they termed "one of the largest compromises of classified information" in U.S. history.
Indian Space Agency Successfully Launches Country's All Weather Spy Satellite Sputnik 22 May 2019 -- The satellite holds great importance for the Armed Forces, as an Indian Air Force (IAF) official reportedly claimed that one Mirage 2000 had missed the target during India's air strike in Balakot, Pakistan on the suspected terror camps on 26 February due to bad weather.
Kremlin Says Russia Denies Any Prior, Future Involvement in Cyberattacks Sputnik 20 May 2019 -- Russia neither has been nor will ever be involved in cybercrimes, whereas the involvement of the United States has been officially confirmed, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said in a statement on Monday.
Britain announces overhaul of espionage, treason laws Press TV 20 May 2019 -- The British government is preparing parliamentary legislation to overhaul the country's espionage and treason laws.
MI5, MI6 Briefed on Trump Dossier Before He Knew of Its Existence - Report Sputnik 20 May 2019 -- The dossier, compiled by former MI6 spy Christopher Steele, additionally contained allegations of Russian interference in Trump's election campaign. In April, a report by Special Counsel Robert Mueller concluded that there was no collusion between the US president and the Kremlin.
Jailed in the US, Russian Maria Butina Launches Legal Defense Fundraiser Sputnik 20 May 2019 -- Maria Butina, a Russian national and gun rights activist who was imprisoned in the US after being accused of acting as a foreign agent, is seeking financial support for her legal costs, which include mounting an appeal of her charges.
Iran, US locked in serious war of intelligence: IRGC Commander ISNA 19 May 2019 -- Chief Commander of Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Major General Hussein Salami has said that the United States and allies have been taken by surprise by Iran's recent decision to suspend parts of its commitments under an international nuclear deal, saying Washington expected Tehran to surrender in the face of mounting pressures.
As Tensions Rise, US Lawmakers Await Briefings on Iran VOA 19 May 2019 -- In word and deed, the administration of President Donald Trump has been sounding the alarm over Iran and its proxies.
Convicted Russian Agent Butina Makes Video Appeal For Money RFE/RL 19 May 2019 -- Maria Butina, the Russian gun-rights activist convicted in the United States for acting as an unregistered foreign agent, has issued a video appeal for financial contributions to help pay her legal bills.
Soldiers train with Army's first personal Unmanned Aerial System Army News 17 May 2019 -- Imagine a battlefield where Soldiers have access to near-real time video transmitted back to them on a handheld device. Program Executive Office Soldier (PEO Soldier) fielded the first personal Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) in the U.S. Army to Soldiers of 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, April 29 -May 3, 2019 at Fort Bragg, NC.
Former CIA Officer Sentenced to Prison for Espionage US Dept. of Justice 17 May 2019 -- Kevin Patrick Mallory, 62, of Leesburg, Virginia, was sentenced today to 20 years in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release after being convicted under the Espionage Act for conspiracy to transmit national defense information to an agent of the People's Republic of China. Assistant
Prominent Kazakh Sinologist Arrested On High Treason Charges RFE/RL 17 May 2019 -- Kazakhstan's authorities have arrested a leading sinologist in the country, Konstantin Syroyezhkin, on charges of high treason.
'Honey-Trapped' Indian Soldier Suspected of Spying for Pakistan Arrested - Media Sputnik 17 May 2019 -- Officers of the Indian armed forces are allowed to have social media accounts but are barred from posting pictures in uniform, revealing their place of posting or any official material, including information on visits or plans regarding operations.
China Formally Charges 2 Canadians with Stealing State Secrets VOA 16 May 2019 -- China says two Canadian citizens who have been in detention since late last year have been formally charged with stealing state secrets, a move that is expected to further increase tension between the two countries.
Russian Butina Appeals 18-Month Sentence From Oklahoma Cell RFE/RL 15 May 2019 -- Maria Butina, who pleaded guilty to not registering as an agent for the Russian government while in the United States and was sentenced to 18 months in U.S. prison, has filed an appeal against her sentence.
With a Nod to WWII Codebreaking Hero, Rochefort Group Tackles New Age of Warfare NNS 16 May 2019 -- The Rochefort Group was formed at U.S. Naval War College in August 2018 after associate professor Erin Meehan and Cmdr. Matthew Griffin, both career cryptologic warfare officers, surveyed the information-warfare landscape and concluded that a new effort was needed.
China's Huawei hits back after US blacklisting Press TV 16 May 2019 -- Chinese telecom giant Huawei has lambasted as "unreasonable" US President Donald Trump's declaration of a national emergency to ban telecommunications equipment from "foreign adversaries" that is perceived to pose a national security risk.
Huawei Warns US Over Ban on Rollout of 5G Technology VOA 16 May 2019 -- One day after the United States effectively banned Chinese telecom titan Huawei from building next-generation "5G" mobile networks in the United States, the company warned the move would harm American workers.
Russian Embassy Protests Arrest Of Russian Charged With Ilegally Obtaining U.S. Fighter Jet Manuals RFE/RL 15 May 2019 -- Russia's embassy has protested the arrest of a Russian software developer who was extradited from Georgia and charged by U.S. authorities with trying to obtain user manuals and instructional materials for F-15 fighters jets.
Russian National Butina Appeals 18-Month Sentence in US Court Sputnik 15 May 2019 -- Russian citizen Maria Butina is being kept in general population in Grady County jail, Oklahoma, before being transferred to a federal prison to serve the remainder of her sentence, her lawyer Robert Driscoll told Sputnik earlier in the day.
Statement from the Press Secretary The White House 15 May 2019
Message to the Congress on Securing the Information and Communications Technology and Services Supply Chain The White House 15 May 2019
UK admits MI5 in 'serious' breach of surveillance safeguards Press TV 14 May 2019 -- Britain's interior minister Sajid Javid has admitted that the country's main domestic intelligence agency MI5 has breached safeguards on protection of data obtained from citizens during interception operations.
Iran sentences British Council worker to 10 years in jail over spying for UK Press TV 14 May 2019 -- A judicial official says an Iranian woman has been sentenced to 10 years behind bars after she was found guilty of spying for Britain.
Judge Orders Florida-Based Broadcast Company To Register As Agent For Russia RFE/RL 14 May 2019 -- A U.S. judge has backed a Justice Department ruling that Florida-based RM Broadcasting must register as an agent of Russia under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), another move in the two countries' dispute over foreign broadcast operations.
Court Finds RM Broadcasting Must Register as a Foreign Agent US Dept. of Justice 13 May 2019 -- U.S. District Court Judge Robin L. Rosenberg has ruled that a Florida-based company, RM Broadcasting LLC (RM Broadcasting), was acting as an agent of a foreign principal and must register as such under the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938 (FARA).
UK's spy convicted to 10 years in prison ISNA 13 May 2019 -- A spy accused of cooperation with UK Secret Intelligence Service is convicted to 10 years in prison, the spokesman of Judicial system of Iran announced.
Tehran Sentences Iranian British Council Worker To 10 Years For 'Spying' RFE/RL 13 May 2019 -- Iran said on May 13 that it has sentenced an Iranian citizen who works for the British Council to 10 years in prison on charges of "spying."
Secretary of the Air Force announces Grand Forks AFB re-designation US Air Force 13 May 2019 -- Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson announced the re-designation of the 319th Air Base Wing at Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota, as the 319th Reconnaissance Wing, May 11.
Britain to Decide on Extradition Fate of WikiLeaks' Assange VOA 13 May 2019 -- Swedish prosecutors are reopening the rape case against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange following a request from the lawyer of one of the alleged victims.
Butina Says She Was 'Honored' To Pass 'Valuable' Information To Russia's Foreign Ministry RFE/RL 10 May 2019 -- Maria Butina, who pleaded guilty to failing to register as an agent for the Russian government while in the United States and was sentenced to 18 months in U.S. prison, says she believed her notes and analysis would be "valuable" for Russian officials.
Former Intelligence Analyst Charged with Disclosing Classified Information US Dept. of Justice 09 May 2019 -- An indictment was unsealed today charging a former intelligence analyst with illegally obtaining classified national defense information and disclosing it to a reporter. Daniel Everette Hale, 31, of Nashville, Tennessee, was arrested this morning and will make his initial appearance today at the federal courthouse in Nashville.
Russia expels two Swedish diplomats in tit-for-tat move Press TV 08 May 2019 -- Russia has expelled two Swedish diplomats after Stockholm denied visas to Russian envoys, Sweden's foreign ministry says.
Russia Expels Two Swedish Diplomats In Retaliatory Measure RFE/RL 08 May 2019 -- Sweden's Foreign Ministry says two of its diplomats have been expelled from Russia following a move by Stockholm to deny visas to two of Moscow's envoys.
Senate Intel Committee Subpoenas Trump Jr Over Russian Probe - Report Sputnik 09 May 2019 -- US President Donald Trump's son Donald Trump Jr was subpoenaed by the Senate Intelligence Committee to answer questions regarding his previous testimony before Senate in respect to the Russian investigation, Axios reported citing sources familiar with the matter.
US Boosting Presence in Middle East Triggered by Intel Discoveries - Reports Sputnik 07 May 2019 -- Washington's decision to increase its military presence in the Middle East has been triggered by the fact that US intelligence has acquired data indicating that Iran is planning attacks on US forces and allies in the region, The Wall Street Journal confirmed on Tuesday, citing unnamed US officials.
'Iran intelligence ministry, IRGC fighting enemies 24/7' Press TV 06 May 2019 -- The chief commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) says the force's intelligence arm and the country's Intelligence Ministry are engaged in a "round-the-clock war" against enemies.
India Complains About Pakistan Intel Agents Harassing its Diplomats – Reports Sputnik 05 May 2019 -- The stand-off between the two nuclear-armed neighbours escalated in mid-February after al-Qaeda* affiliated terrorists believed to be operating from Pakistani territory attacked an Indian security convoy in Pulwama, India. New Delhi subsequently launched airstrikes inside Pakistan that resulted in a series of clashes along the Line of Control.
Oman uncovers spy network run by United Arab Emirates: Report Press TV 04 May 2019 -- Authorities in Oman have reportedly uncovered a network of spies working for the United Arab Emirates, as the two Persian Gulf Arab states are involved in a Cold War-like conflict amid an ongoing Riyadh-led diplomatic and trade boycott against Doha.
Jordanian king sacks senior intelligence chief, security officials, fearing plot: Report Press TV 03 May 2019 -- Jordanian King Abdullah II has sacked his intelligence chief along with other senior security officials, fearing a plot to destabilize the kingdom, according to a report.
Jordan's King Sacks Intel Chief, Senior Officials Amid Plot Suspicions – Reports Sputnik 03 May 2019 -- Jordanian King Abdullah II fired several senior officials, including the general intelligence chief over the past week following reports of a plot to destabilise the kingdom.
US Defends Intelligence Gathering in Venezuela VOA 03 May 2019 -- Acting U.S. Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan defended U.S. intelligence gathering on Venezuela after U.S.-backed opposition leader Juan Guaido failed to inspire mass military defections earlier in the week.
UK court gives Assange 50-week jail term for breaching bail Press TV 01 May 2019 -- A court in Britain has handed down a 50-week jail sentence to Australian whistleblower and press freedom activist Julian Assange, saying he disrespected the UK judicial system and escaped his bail conditions by taking refuge in the Ecuadorian embassy for almost seven years.
Butina Blasts U.S. Justice System, Calls 18-Month Sentence 'Disgrace' RFE/RL 01 May 2019 -- Maria Butina, who pleaded guilty to not registering as an agent for the Russian government while in the United States, has blasted the U.S. judicial system, calling her 18-month prison sentence "absolutely absurd" and a "disgrace."
'Warrantless & Suspicionless': US Border Searches of Devices Illegal - Lawsuit Sputnik 01 May 2019 -- The number of US government searches of travelers' cellphones and laptops at airports and border crossings has almost quadrupled since 2015, according to a federal lawsuit filed Tuesday by the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).
UK defense minister sacked over Huawei leak Press TV 01 May 2019 -- Britain's defense secretary Gavin Williamson has been sacked from the cabinet over a controversial leak of government discussions suggesting that Chinese telecommunication company Huawei will be a partner in UK's future internet projects.
Theresa May Fires UK Defence Secretary Williamson Over Huawei Leak Sputnik 01 May 2019 -- On Monday, UK Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt stated that the United Kingdom and its businesses should exercise a certain degree of caution in cooperation with Chinese companies, such as Huawei, as they allegedly could be a threat to national security.

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