May 2022 Intelligence News

ODNI Report on Best Practices to Protect Privacy, Civil Liberties, and Civil Rights of Americans of Chinese Descent in the Conduct of U.S. Intelligence Activities Director of National Intelligence 31 May 2022 -- Today, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) released its report, Best Practices to Protect Privacy, Civil Liberties, and Civil Rights of Americans of Chinese Descent in the Conduct of U.S. Intelligence Activities.
Legislature passes bill on economic espionage CNA 20 May 2022 -- The Legislature on Friday passed a law amendment to prohibit the theft of Taiwan's core technologies for use by hostile external forces and to allow a maximum 12-year prison sentence for violators.
US investigators indict exiled Chinese pro-democracy activist on spying charges Radio Free Asia 19 May 2022 -- A prominent Chinese democracy activist in exile has been indicted on spying charges in the United States alongside four intelligence officers, suggesting successful infiltration of exile groups by China's state security police.
Chinese Officials, American Accused in Scheme to Silence Dissent Against Beijing VOA 18 May 2022 -- A U.S. citizen and four officials from China's State Security Ministry have been accused of conspiracy and espionage in a scheme to silence dissent against Beijing, the U.S. Justice Department announced.
U.S. Citizen and Four Chinese Intelligence Officers Charged with Spying on Prominent Dissidents, Human Rights Leaders and Pro-Democracy Activists US Dept. of Justice 18 May 2022 -- A U.S. citizen and four officials from China's Ministry of State Security (MSS) were charged in an indictment, unsealed in federal court in Brooklyn yesterday, with conspiracy and other charges related to an espionage and transnational repression scheme.
Justice Department Sues to Compel a U.S. Businessperson to Register Under the Foreign Agents Registration Act US Dept. of Justice 17 May 2022 -- The Department of Justice today filed a civil enforcement action in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, seeking to compel Stephen A. Wynn, a U.S. businessperson and hotelier who previously served as the CEO of Wynn Resorts, to register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) as the agent of the People's Republic of China (PRC) and a senior official of the PRC's Ministry of Public Security (MPS).
Some Taiwanese Youtubers on CCP payroll: intelligence chief CNA 16 May 2022 -- Taiwan's top intelligence chief on Monday said that some local internet celebrities were being paid by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to conduct "cognitive warfare" campaigns in Taiwan and help Beijing spread propaganda in the country.
Mossad Reportedly Thwarted IRGC Assassination of US General in Germany Sputnik 13 May 2022 -- The hit was allegedly part of a bigger plot that involved killing an Israeli diplomat in Turkey and a journalist in France. Media reports claim that the suspected hitman later insisted that he was innocent and was forced to confess.
Russian Intel Chief Reveals What US State Department Has in Common With Nazi Ministry of Propaganda Sputnik 11 May 2022 -- Last month, Director of Foreign Intelligence Sergei Naryshkin said Russia's military operation in Ukraine was aimed at preventing the country from becoming "a Russophobic puppet state", and accused the United States of using "the most vile methods" to prolong the conflict as much as possible to maximise material and human costs to Moscow and Kiev.
Iran arrests two European nationals for 'fomenting insecurity, chaos' Press TV 11 May 2022 -- Iran's intelligence ministry says it has arrested two European nationals who had orchestrated a plot to foment chaos, social disorder, and insecurity across the country, pointing to growing involvement of European spy agencies in anti-Iran activities.
Two Europeans Detained In Iran As EU Nuclear Envoy Visits RFE/RL 11 May 2022 -- Iran says it has arrested two citizens of a European country as a European Union envoy visited Tehran for talks on stalled nuclear negotiations with world powers.
First images published of Iran's home-grown Noor 2 satellite Press TV 10 May 2022 -- Iranian media have released first images received from a home-grown satellite that were put into orbit in March as authorities hail the development as a major success for a civilian space program that has progressed in recent years despite facing American sanctions.
Putin Prepared For Prolonged Conflict In Ukraine, U.S. Intelligence Director Says RFE/RL 10 May 2022 -- The United States believes Russian President Vladimir Putin is preparing for a long conflict in Ukraine, U.S. Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines told lawmakers on May 10.
Top Intelligence Chiefs Testify on Global Threats to Senate Committee DoD News 10 May 2022 -- Two top U.S. intelligence officials testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee today on global threats to the United States and its allies emanating from China, Russia and Iran as well as terrorist organizations.
Spain's spy chief sacked over Pegasus spyware scandal Press TV 10 May 2022 -- Spain has fired the director of its top intelligence agency over the hacking of politicians' mobile phones with the Israeli spyware Pegasus.
Spain's National Intelligence Centre Chief Fired Over Phone-Hacking Scandal Sputnik 10 May 2022 -- Earlier, the Spanish government revealed that the mobile phone of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, as well as that of the Defence Minister and Interior Minister had been infected with the Pegasus spyware.
Chemist Sentenced for Stealing Trade Secrets, Economic Espionage and Wire Fraud US Dept. of Justice 09 May 2022 -- A federal judge in Greeneville, Tennessee, sentenced a Michigan woman today to 168 months, the equivalent of 14 years, in prison for a scheme to steal trade secrets, engage in economic espionage and commit fraud. The defendant was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release and pay a $200,000 fine.
US military sliding toward battling Russia in Ukraine with arms, Intel, training Press TV 07 May 2022 -- The US military aid to Ukraine has skyrocketed to billions of dollars worth of newly developed drones, helicopters, armored vehicles and artillery amid reports that US intelligence had helped Kiev forces sink a Russian warship and kill Russian generals on the battlefield.
No 'practical evidence' Russia plans to use tactical nuclear weapons: CIA Press TV 07 May 2022 -- The United States' spy agency says there are no indications showing that Russia could be preparing to deploy tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine.
Biden warns US spies of leaking Ukraine operations Press TV 08 May 2022 -- US President Joe Biden has reportedly warned his senior intelligence officials that leaks about intelligence sharing with Ukraine's military should be halted since they "distract" Washington from its objectives in the conflict.
US intelligence told to keep quiet over role in Ukraine conflict Press TV 07 May 2022 -- Former CIA officers have criticized the current US espionage agents, telling them to shut up and stop boasting about providing sensitive military intelligence aid to Kiev in Ukraine's conflict with Russia.
Biden Tells Intel, Defense Officials Leaks of Work in Ukraine Counterproductive - Reports Sputnik 07 May 2022 -- President Joe Biden told top US intelligence and defense officials that leaks about intelligence sharing with Ukraine on the battlefield must stop because it is counterproductive to the American objective in the conflict, NBC News reported citing two administration officials.
Pentagon denies providing Kiev with 'specific targeting information' Press TV 06 May 2022 -- Pentagon's spokesman has denied that the US gave Kiev military "specific targeting information" that allowed Ukrainian forces to sink a Russian warship in the Black Sea in April.
U.S. Reportedly Provided Intelligence That Helped Sink Russian Flagship RFE/RL 06 May 2022 -- News reports say the United States provided intelligence that helped Ukraine sink the Russian guided-missile cruiser Moskva last month.
Pentagon Denies Reports That US Provided Ukraine Intel for Targeting Moskva Cruiser Sputnik 06 May 2022 -- Previously, The New York Times reported, citing US officials, that the United States had provided Ukraine with intelligence to target Russia's flagship in the Black Sea, the Moskva.
Pentagon: US Does Not Provide Intel on Location of Russian Military Leaders Sputnik 06 May 2022 -- The United States does not provide intelligence on the location of Russian military leadership on the battlefield or participate in Ukrainian targeting decisions, Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said on Thursday.
Readout of U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland's Meeting with Five Eyes Partners and Ukraine's Prosecutor General US Dept. of Justice 05 May 2022 -- U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland met virtually yesterday with Ukraine's Prosecutor General, Iryna Venediktova, together with the Attorneys General of the Five Eyes countries: the United Kingdom's Attorney General, Suella Braverman; Australia's Attorney General, Michaelia Cash; Canada's Minister of Justice and Attorney General, David Lametti; and New Zealand's Attorney General, David Parker.
US intelligence helping Ukraine kill Russian generals: NYT Press TV 05 May 2022 -- The United States has provided intelligence about Russian units that has helped Ukrainian forces kill many of the Russian generals in the Ukraine war, according to the New York Times.
US Reportedly Providing Ukraine With Intel Aimed at Killing Russian Generals Involved in Ukraine Ops Sputnik 05 May 2022 -- During the course of the ongoing Russian special military operation in Ukraine, the US has not only supported Kiev with unprecedented financial and military assistance, including heavy equipment, but also provided the Ukrainian army with data from its own intelligence and satellite system.
US Homeland Security's 'Disinformation Governance Board' Assailed by Lawmakers VOA 05 May 2022 -- A new coordinating body proposed by the Department of Homeland Security to focus its efforts at countering disinformation has run into a buzzsaw of opposition from members of Congress. Some have characterized the would-be Disinformation Governance Board as a dystopian threat to free speech.
CIA chief met with Saudi crown prince in April in bid to mend ties: WSJ Press TV 04 May 2022 -- CIA Director William Burns had an unannounced meeting with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman last month, according to The Wall Street Journal.
CIA Publishes Instructions on How to Share Data With US Intelligence in Russian Sputnik 04 May 2022 -- The US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has published instructions in Russian, following which it is possible to secretly contact US intelligence and pass information to it, the Washington Post reported, citing officials.
National Security Memorandum on Promoting United States Leadership in Quantum Computing While Mitigating Risks to Vulnerable Cryptographic Systems The White House 04 May 2022
Executive Order on Enhancing the National Quantum Initiative Advisory Committee The White House 04 May 2022
Background Press Call by Senior Administration Officials on the President's New Directives to Advance Quantum Technology The White House 04 May 2022
FACT SHEET: President Biden Announces Two Presidential Directives Advancing Quantum Technologies The White House 04 May 2022
Report: Iran to Execute Swedish-Iranian National by May 21 VOA 04 May 2022 -- Iran will later this month execute a Swedish-Iranian national whom it has imprisoned since 2016 and convicted of spying for Israel, media reported.
Report: Execution Of Swedish-Iranian National Djalali Scheduled For May 21 RFE/RL 04 May 2022 -- A Swedish-Iranian citizen sentenced to death in Iran on charges of spying for Israel is to be executed on May 21, Iran's semiofficial ISNA news agency said on May 4.
Norwegian Company to Launch Surveillance Satellites to Keep an Eye on Northern Seas Sputnik 02 May 2022 -- Although the company itself presented the project as commercial and emphasised a growing market for monitoring data, pundits have argued that data that has been gathered will be shared with NATO.
UK exposes sick Russian troll factory plaguing social media with Kremlin propaganda UK FCDO 01 May 2022 -- UK-funded expert research has exposed how the Kremlin is using a troll factory to spread lies on social media and in comment sections of popular websites.

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