May 2023 Intelligence News

Colorado Springs to host DEL 15, 2 intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance squadrons US Air Force 31 May 2023 -- The U.S. Space Force's Space Delta 15, activated in March 2023, is expected to be permanently based at Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado, along with the new 75th Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Squadron. Additionally, the service expects the 74th ISR Squadron, activated in November 2022, to be based at Peterson SFB, Colorado.
PACAF RQ-4 Global Hawks arrive at Yokota Air Base US Air Force 28 May 2023 -- U.S. Pacific Air Forces began positioning RQ-4 Global Hawks at Yokota Air Base, Japan, from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, May 15 to provide theater-wide enduring operations in support of maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific.
AATC tests enhanced intelligence gathering capabilities with MQ-9 Reaper upgrade US Air Force 27 May 2023 -- The Air National Guard-Air Force Reserve Command Test Center partnered with the 174th Attack Wing and 556th Test and Evaluation Squadron to test an upgraded satellite communications capability of the MQ-9 Reaper during exercise Northern Edge 2023 at Eielson Air Force Base.
Illegal Agents of the PRC Government Charged for PRC-Directed Bribery Scheme US Dept. of Justice 26 May 2023 -- A federal court in the Southern District of New York today unsealed a complaint charging two individuals with acting and conspiring to act in the United States as unregistered agents of the People's Republic of China (PRC), conspiring to bribe and bribing a public official, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Probe Reveals Dozens Targeted By Pegasus Spyware In Armenia, Including Two RFE/RL Journalists RFE/RL 25 May 2023 -- A joint investigation involving researchers from several Internet watchdogs and rights groups has revealed that at least a dozen public figures in Armenia, including two Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty journalists based in Yerevan, as well as hundreds of phone numbers in Azerbaijan, were targeted with Pegasus spyware.
Microsoft Claims Malicious Chinese Cyber Actor Detected Targeting Critical US Infrastructure Sputnik 25 May 2023 -- Microsoft on Wednesday issued a warning about a Chinese state-sponsored cyber actor, Volt Typhoon, who is allegedly using stealthy techniques while targeting critical infrastructure and conducting information gathering in the United States.
US critical infrastructure hacked, Chinese government-backed group blamed Press TV 25 May 2023 -- The United States and its cybersecurity allies blame a Chinese government-backed hacking group for spying on critical US infrastructure organizations, including the one in the island territory of Guam, which is home to strategic military bases.
FM spokesperson refutes Five Eyes' reports against China People's Daily 26 May 2023 -- It's widely known that the Five Eyes is the world's biggest intelligence association, and the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) is the world's biggest hacking group. It is ironic that the Five Eyes jointly released a report filled with disinformation, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Thursday.
Accusing China of spying on US infrastructure a US-initiated 'disinformation campaign': Chinese FM Global Times 25 May 2023 -- It is obviously a collective disinformation campaign launched by the US through the Five Eyes intelligence alliance to serve its geopolitical agenda, Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Thursday as some Western countries and Microsoft alleged on Wednesday that a Chinese hacking group is "spying on a wide range of US critical infrastructure organizations."
Date Set For Trial Of Siberian Missile Scientist Charged With High Treason RFE/RL 24 May 2023 -- Anatoly Maslov, the first of three Russian hypersonic missile scientists from the Siberian city of Novosibirsk to be charged with treason, will go on trial on June 1, the St. Petersburg City Court said.
Russian intelligence chief advises US, UK to leave Iran alone, mind own business Press TV 24 May 2023 -- The head of Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) says the US and the UK should leave Iran alone and mind their own business.
U.S. and International Partners Release Advisory Warning of PRC State-Sponsored Cyber Activity CISA 24 May 2023 -- The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), National Security Agency (NSA), and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), along with the Australian Signals Directorate's Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC), the Communications Security Establishment's Canadian Centre for Cyber Security (CCCS), the New Zealand National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC-NZ), and the United Kingdom National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC-UK) are publishing a Joint Cybersecurity Advisory today that shares technical details regarding malicious activity by a People's Republic of China (PRC) state-sponsored cyber actor.
NSB warns of threat posed by China's overseas police stations CNA 23 May 2023 -- The National Security Bureau (NSB) has warned Taiwanese citizens to remain alert to the threat of covert surveillance by illegal Chinese overseas police stations.
As Interpol Turns 100, Criticism Persists Over Abuse of Its Red Notice System VOA 23 May 2023 -- Interpol, the international police organization founded in 1923 to promote cooperation among law enforcement agencies, has transformed into a formidable crime fighting force in recent years.
Türkiye busts Mossad cell spying on people linked to Iran IRNA 23 May 2023 -- Türkiye's National Intelligence Organization (MIT) has busted an Israeli Mossad cell and arrested 11 agents found to be gathering intelligence on individuals with trade ties to Iran.
Iran busts spying network collaborating with foreign intel agency Press TV 23 May 2023 -- Iran's Intelligence Ministry has arrested members of a spying network who were engaged in a project run by a foreign spy agency to extract information about the Iranians travelling abroad.
Man Convicted of Torture and Exporting Weapons Parts and Related Services to Iraq US Dept. of Justice 22 May 2023 -- A federal jury convicted a Pennsylvania man on May 19 for numerous crimes, including the torture of an Estonian citizen in 2015 in the Kurdistan region of Iraq, in connection with the operation of an illegal weapons manufacturing plant in Kurdistan.
German Police Investigating Mysterious Illnesses Of Russian Activist, Journalist In Berlin RFE/RL 21 May 2023 -- German police said they were investigating sudden, unexplained illnesses suffered by a Russian opposition activist and a Russian journalist who attended a conference in Berlin in April.
FBI routinely accessed Americans' private communications: Report Press TV 20 May 2023 -- The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) routinely exploited a restricted database of Americans' private communications to search for names of crime victims and participants in Black Lives Matter protests and the 2021 Capitol attack, documents released Friday showed.
North Korea prepares to launch new spy satellite, state media reports Radio Free Asia 19 May 2023 -- North Korea is preparing to launch a spy satellite that it claims will bolster its defensive capabilities, state media reported, boasting that its launch would be " a clear stride forward" in military science and technological development.
Hong Kong police call for surveillance cameras in classrooms Radio Free Asia 19 May 2023 -- Hong Kong police are calling for surveillance cameras to be installed in school and university classrooms and public spaces, prompting fears among teachers and students.
Foreign Consultancies in China Wary of Expanded Counterespionage Law VOA 18 May 2023 -- International business consultancies operating in China that provide economic data to potential investors appear to be headed into a period of greater scrutiny as of July 1, when a revised espionage law expands the list of activities Beijing considers spying.
IARPA Kicks Off New Research Program to Detect Changes in Movement Patterns Director of National Intelligence 18 May 2023 -- The Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA) — the advanced research and development arm of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence — recently announced the launch of a research program to develop systems capable of modeling population movement patterns around the globe and providing alerts when concerning anomalies emerge.
Indian Reporter Arrested on Espionage Charges VOA 18 May 2023 -- India's Central Bureau of Investigation arrested a freelance reporter on espionage charges this week, saying the journalist illegally collected sensitive information about the Indian army and shared the information with foreign governments.
IARPA Pursuing Breakthrough Biointelligence and Biosecurity Innovations Director of National Intelligence 17 May 2023 -- The Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA) — the advanced research and development arm of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence — recently launched a program to develop new innovations for tackling threats and advances inherent within the rapidly changing biointelligence and biosecurity landscapes.
Atlantic Council Confirms Herbst Fell Ill Amid Possible Russian-Linked Poisonings RFE/RL 17 May 2023 -- The Atlantic Council has confirmed that John Herbst, one of its senior staffers and a former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, experienced symptoms consistent with poisoning two years ago.
Wright-Patterson AFB to host 76th ISR Squadron US Air Force 17 May 2023 -- Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is expected to host the 76th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Squadron after an environmental impact analysis, scheduled for completion in summer 2023.
Using fake Facebook account, Hong Kong police trolled pro-democracy activists Radio Free Asia 16 May 2023 -- Hong Kong's national security police used a fake social media account to troll pro-democracy activists for years, according to information revealed during a "subversion" trial of 47 pro-democracy activists who took part in a 2020 democratic primary and further investigated by Radio Free Asia.
Justice Department Announces Five Cases as Part of Recently Launched Disruptive Technology Strike Force US Dept. of Justice 16 May 2023 -- The Justice Department today announced criminal charges in five cases and four arrests from five different U.S. Attorney's offices in connection with the recently launched multi-agency Disruptive Technology Strike Force.
Assistant Attorney General for National Security Matthew G. Olsen Delivers Remarks Announcing Disruptive Technology Strike Force Cases US Dept. of Justice 16 May 2023
US Announces Charges Related to Efforts by Russia, China, Iran to Steal Technology VOA 16 May 2023 -- U.S. law enforcement officials on Tuesday announced a series of criminal cases exposing the relentless efforts by Russia, China and Iran to steal sensitive U.S. technologies.
How Myanmar's Junta Uses Telecom Companies to Target Journalists VOA 16 May 2023 -- Since the 2021 coup, Myanmar's military has consolidated control over the country's mobile service providers, putting activists, opposition members and journalists at greater risk of surveillance, according to experts.
Massachusetts Man Indicted for Acting as an Illegal Agent of the People's Republic of China US Dept. of Justice 15 May 2023 -- A Massachusetts man was arrested on May 9 for allegedly acting as an agent of the People's Republic of China (PRC) without providing notification to the U.S. Attorney General.
China jails American citizen formerly lauded as 'overseas patriot' for spying Radio Free Asia 15 May 2023 -- A Chinese court on Monday handed down a life sentence to a 78-year-old American citizen who headed a Beijing-backed overseas Chinese group, after finding him guilty of "espionage."
Chinese court jails man for life on espionage charge People's Daily 15 May 2023 -- A Chinese court on Monday sentenced a man to life in prison on charges of espionage.
Hong Kong resident convicted of espionage, sentenced to life imprisonment Global Times 15 May 2023 -- John Shing-Wan Leung, a Hong Kong resident, was convicted of espionage and sentenced to life imprisonment, deprivation of political rights for life, and confiscation of personal property of 500,000 yuan ($71,700), the Suzhou Intermediate People's Court in Jiangsu Province announced on Monday.
Chinese court sentences US citizen to life in prison for espionage Press TV 15 May 2023 -- A court in China has sentenced a 78-year-old US citizen to life in prison for spying.
Taiwan finds suspected China-made weather balloon debris on frontline islet CNA 14 May 2023 -- Taiwan's military has found the wreckage of a suspected China-made weather balloon on one of its offshore frontline islets near China on Saturday.
Canada's accusation of China's interference in others' internal affairs is akin to 'a thief crying stop thief': Chinese Embassy in Canada Global Times 11 May 2023 -- Canada's accusation of China's interference in others' internal affairs is akin to "a thief crying sop thief," the Chinese Embassy in Canada said on Thursday, urging Canada to stop attacking China but reflect on its own interference of others' domestic affairs after the country expelled a Chinese diplomat and kept hyping "Chinese interference."
Anti-spy actions send warning to anti-China forces, not legitimate foreign businesses Global Times 11 May 2023 -- A detailed report by China Media Group (CMG) detailing Chinese national security and other authorities' recent law enforcement action against consultancy Capvision has drawn widespread attention from foreign media outlets and representatives of certain Western business groups in China. But instead of focusing on the facts and merits of the case against Capvision, they resorted to the type of hyperbolic, biased and vicious rhetoric aimed at smearing China, with which we have become all too familiar.
China targets foreign-linked consultancy firm for 'endangering national security' Radio Free Asia 10 May 2023 -- China state security police raided the offices of Suzhou-based Capvision as part of an investigation into alleged "espionage" at the high-profile consultancy firm, Chinese financial media reported on Wednesday.
Justice Department Announces Court-Authorized Disruption of Snake Malware Network Controlled by Russia's Federal Security Service US Dept. of Justice 09 May 2023 -- Through Operation MEDUSA, the FBI, and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York Neutralized the FSB's Premier Cyberespionage Malware Implant in Coordination with Multiple Foreign Governments
FBI Takes Down 'Sophisticated' Russian Cyberespionage Tool, US Says VOA 09 May 2023 -- U.S. officials said on Tuesday they've taken down a global network of compromised computers that Russian intelligence agents used for nearly 20 years to spy on the United States and its allies.
U.S.-North Macedonia Memorandum of Understanding to Create a Strategic Counter-Disinformation Partnership US Dept. of State 09 May 2023 -- Following a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Blinken on May 8, 2023, North Macedonia's Prime Minister, Dimitar Kovachevski, and U.S. Special Envoy and Coordinator for the Global Engagement Center James P. Rubin signed a Memorandum of Understanding outlining cooperation between the two NATO allies in the fight against the manipulation of information.
China, Canada in tit-for-tat expulsions of diplomats over interference report Radio Free Asia 09 May 2023 -- China expelled a Canadian diplomat in Shanghai on Tuesday, a day after Ottawa announced it would expel a Chinese diplomat accused of trying to intimidate a Canadian politician.
China urges Canada to stop its erroneous action: spokesperson People's Daily 10 May 2023 -- China urges Canada to stop its ill-founded and erroneous action which has seriously harmed the lawful rights and interests of Chinese diplomatic and consular personnel, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Tuesday.
China says reciprocal expulsion of Canadian diplomat 'just and necessary' Press TV 09 May 2023 -- China has expelled a Canadian diplomat in a tit-for-tat move after Canada declared a Chinese envoy 'persona non grata' over allegations he was involved in efforts to intimidate a Canadian politician.
China Expels Canadian Diplomat in Tit-for-Tat Measure After Zhao Expulsion Sputnik 09 May 2023 -- China has been accused by the Canadian government of trying to influence its politicians and elections.
China takes necessary, legitimate countermeasure against Canada's unreasonable expulsion of diplomat Global Times 09 May 2023 -- China and Canada are engaged in a rare, high-profile diplomatic row as Beijing declared a consul of the Consulate General of Canada in Shanghai as "persona non grata" on Tuesday and asked the Canadian diplomat to leave China before May 13, a necessary and legitimate countermeasure in response to the unreasonable move by the Canadian side of hyping "China's interference" and expelling a Chinese diplomat.
China declares a Canadian diplomat in Shanghai as "persona non grata" in countermeasure Global Times 09 May 2023 -- In response to Canada's unreasonable expulsion of a Chinese diplomat, the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced on Tuesday that consul of the Consulate General of Canada in Shanghai as "persona non grata" and has asked the Canadian diplomat to leave China before May 13.
Canada Expels Chinese Diplomat VOA 09 May 2023 -- Canada has expelled a Chinese diplomat accused of attempting to intimidate a Canadian lawmaker who has been critical of Beijing.
Leading consulting company probed in counter-espionage action Global Times 09 May 2023 -- The Suzhou state security bureau and other authorities in East China have carried out a joint enforcement action against leading consulting company Capvision's Suzhou branch, urging it to fulfill its responsibilities and obligations for counter-espionage, and to promote the sound development of the consulting industry, local media reports said on Monday.
China strongly condemns, lodges solemn protest and vows to take countermeasure as Canada expels Chinese diplomat Global Times 09 May 2023 -- China strongly condemned and firmly opposed the Canadian side declaring a Chinese diplomat as "persona non grata" expelling the diplomat on Monday, which serious violates international law and basic principles of international relations, as well as relevant bilateral agreements between China and Canada, the Chinese Embassy in Canada said. It also vowed to take resolute countermeasures.
Canada declares Zhao Wei persona non grata Canada 08 May 2023
Canada Expels Chinese Diplomat Over Allegations of 'Foreign Interference' Sputnik 08 May 2023 -- The Canadian Foreign Ministry earlier indicated it was considering several options as its response to reports that a member of the Chinese delegation was behind alleged intimidation tactics to silence criticism of China voiced by a Canadian lawmaker.
Australia Urges US to End Pursuit of Julian Assange VOA 05 May 2023 -- Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Friday he is frustrated that Wikileaks founder Julian Assange remains in a British prison fighting extradition to the United States. Albanese also said a historic free trade agreement with Britian will come into force within weeks.
Cyberattacks conducted by CIA disclosed People's Daily 05 May 2023 -- The United States is capable of spying on any country anytime it wants and stealing key information as it has built an "empire of hacking" by owning the biggest cyberattack arsenal in the world and planting cyberattack weapons in almost all internet systems around the world, an investigation report said.
CIA Staged 'Color Revolutions,' Hacker Attacks Around Globe - Chinese Cybersecurity Center Sputnik 04 May 2023 -- The US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) masterminded a great number of hacker attacks and "color revolutions" in the post-Soviet space and other regions of the globe, a report by China's National Computer Virus Emergency Response Center and Chinese internet security company 360 said on Thursday.
Russian Naval Ships Reportedly Seen Near Site Of Nord Stream Pipeline Explosion Days Prior RFE/RL 03 May 2023 -- Russian Navy ships were repeatedly in the vicinity of the Nord Stream pipelines off the coasts of Denmark and Sweden, days before a mysterious explosion, according to a new report.
U.S. and Angola Co-Host Intelligence Conference AFRICOM 02 May 2023 -- U.S Africa Command and Angola Military Intelligence and Security Service hosted the 2023 Directors of Military Intelligence Conference, in Luanda, Angola April 25-28.
China Proposes Legislation That Critics Say May Increase Overseas Surveillance VOA 02 May 2023 -- Concerned over its shrinking population, China is proposing new legislation to encourage ethnic Chinese around the world to relocate to China, bringing with them technical and entrepreneurial skills learned abroad.

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