June 2023 Intelligence News

Tennessee Military Intelligence Company Completes Validation Army News 30 Jun 2023 -- Tennessee's Military Intelligence Company proved it could effectively gather mission-critical information from the battlefield during a validation event at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
Countering Unwanted Influence in Department-Funded Research at Institutions of Higher Education DOD 08 Jun 2023, Released 30 Jun 2023
Department of Defense Strengthening Efforts to Counter Unwanted Foreign Influence on DOD-Funded Research at Institutions of Higher Education DoD 30 Jun 2023 -- The Department of Defense today announced the publication of a list of foreign entities that have been confirmed as engaging in problematic activity as described in Section 1286 of the Fiscal Year 2019 National Defense Authorization Act, as amended.
Expansions to China's Espionage Law Create Anxiety for Foreign Media VOA 30 Jun 2023 -- Amendments to China's counterespionage law that take effect Saturday could create even more challenges for foreign correspondents reporting inside the country, journalists and media analysts say.
America's Iran envoy put on leave over his 'handling of classified materials' Press TV 30 Jun 2023 -- America's point man on Iran has been placed on leave as his security clearance is being reviewed allegedly over his handling of classified materials.
Five Country Ministerial 2023 Communique DHS 29 Jun 2023 -- "We, the Home Affairs, Interior, Security and Immigration Ministers of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States (the 'Five Countries') convened in person, under Canada's chairship, in Wellington, New Zealand on June 27-28, 2023 for the Five Country Ministerial (FCM). The Five Countries stand together in our commitment to promote shared values, and work collaboratively in addressing national and homeland security, and migration challenges. This year's Ministerial discussions focused on the following issues."
Israeli Intelligence Agency Says It Conducted Operation Inside Iran To Capture Cyprus Terror Suspect RFE/RL 29 Jun 2023 -- Israeli Mossad agents claimed they conducted an operation inside Iran to capture the suspected leader directing an alleged Iranian plot to attack Israelis in Cyprus.
Analysts: China's Plans for Cuba May Go Beyond Spy Base VOA 29 Jun 2023 -- Top U.S. lawmakers are calling on the Biden administration to brief Congress on the spy station China is allegedly building in Cuba, but American analysts fear that China's plans for America's backyard may go beyond intelligence gathering.
Peters Report Finds Significant Intelligence Failures by FBI and DHS in Lead-Up to January 6th Capitol Attack Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee 27 Jun 2023 -- U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, released a new report detailing the results of his investigation examining intelligence failures by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A) in the lead-up to the attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.
Five Eyes Security Partners Meet in New Zealand VOA 28 Jun 2023 -- Politicians from the Five Eyes alliance are meeting in the New Zealand capital, Wellington, where migration and security are top of the agenda. The grouping includes the United States, Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Myanmar junta uses Telegram as 'military intelligence' to arrest online critics Radio Free Asia 28 Jun 2023 -- Telegram is becoming the messaging platform of choice for fans of Myanmar's junta, who are using it to report on critics - some of whom have gotten arrested.
Iran will never compromise on its security: Intelligence minister IRNA 28 Jun 2023 -- Iranian Intelligence Minister Esmaeil Khatib has extended his gratitude to the government of Albania for taking "independent actions" against the anti-Iran Mujahedin-e Khalq (MKO) terrorist organization.
DOJ OIG Releases Report on the BOP's Custody, Care, and Supervision of Jeffrey Epstein at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York, New York US DOJ - OIG 27 Jun 2023 -- Department of Justice (DOJ) Inspector General Michael E. Horowitz announced today the release of a report of investigation regarding the Federal Bureau of Prison's (BOP) custody, care, and supervision of Jeffrey Epstein while detained at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York, New York (MCC New York). Epstein died by suicide on August 10, 2019 while in BOP custody. The focus of DOJ Office of the Inspector General's (OIG) investigation was the conduct of BOP personnel.
New tape indicates Trump revealed 'highly confidential, secret' information Press TV 27 Jun 2023 -- A tape recording has emerged indicating former US president Donald Trump showed "highly confidential, secret" documents to a writer, a publisher and two of his staff.
Trump Discussed 'Highly Confidential' Document in Audio Recording VOA 27 Jun 2023 -- An audio recording obtained by U.S. news organizations reveals former President Donald Trump discussing secret documents about a plan to attack Iran after leaving office in 2021, undercutting his recent claim that the papers he was looking at were newspaper and magazine articles.
Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova's comment on Australia's decision to terminate the lease agreement on the new Russian Embassy site in Canberra Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 27 Jun 2023
Torture as a weapon of war must cease, rights experts demand UN News 26 Jun 2023 -- UN rights experts marked the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture on Monday, by reiterating their call for an "absolute prohibition" on the use of torture during armed conflict, calling also for a push to end the international trade in instruments of torture.
US intelligence: No direct evidence COVID-19 originated in China's Wuhan lab Press TV 24 Jun 2023 -- A declassified report has revealed that American intelligence agencies failed to find any direct evidence that the COVID-19 pandemic originated from China's Wuhan Institute of Virology as US administrations and media have claimed for years.
ODNI Releases Report on the Potential Links Between the Wuhan Institute of Virology and the Origin of COVID-19 Director of National Intelligence 23 Jun 2023 -- The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) today released "The Potential Links Between the Wuhan Institute of Virology and the Origin of the COVID-19 Pandemic" report.
Declassified US Intelligence Answers Few Questions on COVID-19 Origins VOA 23 Jun 2023 -- Newly declassified intelligence on the origins of the coronavirus pandemic appears to cast doubt on theories that the outbreak that killed millions around the world began at a research laboratory in Wuhan, China.
Washington Imposes Sanctions On Two Russian FSB Officers Who Allegedly Tried To Influence U.S. Elections RFE/RL 23 Jun 2023 -- The United States has slapped sanctions on two Russian intelligence officers who it says attempted to interfere in a local U.S. election, the Treasury Department said on June 23.
Targeting Russia's Global Malign Influence Operations and Election Interference Activities US Dept. of State 23 Jun 2023 -- The United States remains committed to deterring and disrupting the Russian Federation's repeated attempts to undermine the democratic processes in the United States and other countries.
Treasury Sanctions Russian Intelligence Officers Supervising Election Influence Operations in the United States and Around the World US Treasury 23 Jun 2023 -- Today, the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned two Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) officers recently indicted by the Department of Justice who played a significant role in the Kremlin's attempts to conduct global malign influence operations, including efforts to influence a local election in the United States.
NATO Allies and Sweden strengthen intelligence cooperation during Unified Vision 2023 NATO 23 Jun 2023 -- From 30 May to 23 June, 18 Allies*, Sweden, numerous NATO entities and industry experts from across the Alliance tested and improved their ability to collect, process, exploit and share intelligence from seabed to space during Unified Vision 2023 (UV23), NATO's biggest Joint Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (JISR) exercise.
Supreme Leader urges intelligence entities to have cooperation at all ranks IRNA 22 Jun 2023 -- Supreme Leader of Iran's Islamic Revolution has called on the Intelligence Ministry and the Intelligence Organization of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) to have cooperation at all of their ranks.
The Hunt For A Russian Spy: How The FSB Used A Mexican Man To Target A Defector In Miami RFE/RL 22 Jun 2023 -- On February 13, 2020, a Russian-educated Mexican microbiologist who worked in Singapore arrived at the Miami, Florida, airport, and rented a car.
Former FBI Analyst Sentenced for Retaining Classified Documents US Dept. of Justice 21 Jun 2023 -- A former analyst with the Kansas City Division of the FBI was sentenced in federal court today for illegally retaining documents related to the national defense at her residence.
Federal Jury Convicts Three Defendants of Interstate Stalking of Chinese Nationals in the United States and Two Defendants of Acting or Conspiring to Act on Behalf of the People's Republic of China US Dept. of Justice 20 Jun 2023 -- Earlier today, a federal jury in Brooklyn, New York, convicted three defendants on multiple counts of a superseding indictment charging them with acting and conspiring to act in the United States as illegal agents of the People's Republic of China (PRC), without prior notification to the Attorney General.
Judge Sets August 14 for Start of Trump Trial VOA 20 Jun 2023 -- A U.S. federal judge in Florida on Tuesday set August 14 for the start of the trial of former President Donald Trump on charges he mishandled classified national security documents when his presidency ended. Legal analysts say the complexity of the case could easily delay the first-ever criminal trial of a U.S. leader.
Reports Claim China in 'Advanced' Talks to Build Training Base in Cuba Sputnik 20 Jun 2023 -- While China has zero combat troops in the Western Hemisphere, the United States has more than 350,000 deployed across the Pacific region, including more than 100 on Taiwan, an island it formally recognizes as being Chinese territory. Washington says it is safeguarding the "rules-based international order" by doing so.
Fact Check: Unpacking the US 'Cuban spy base' allegation People's Daily 20 Jun 2023 -- U.S. media outlets intensified their accusations against China on June 8, 2023, alleging that a Chinese spy facility, capable of monitoring communications in the southeastern U.S., was being established in collaboration with Cuba.
'20 foreign intelligence services played active role in Iran riots' IRNA 19 Jun 2023 -- Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC)'s Intelligence Organization has revealed that as many as 20 foreign intelligence services played an active role in recent riots in Iran.
20 foreign intelligence agencies played 'active' role in last year riots: IRGC intel chief Press TV 19 Jun 2023 -- The head of the Intelligence Organization of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has revealed that as many as 20 foreign intelligence agencies played an active role in last year's Western-backed riots in Iran.
US Judge Orders Trump Lawyers Not to Release Any Materials in Classified Documents Probe Sputnik 19 Jun 2023 -- A US judge has ordered the lawyers of former President Donald Trump not to release any materials in the ongoing classified documents probe to the media or members of the public, a court order showed on Monday.
Flipping The Channels: Moldova Faces A Huge Challenge Countering Pro-Kremlin Propaganda RFE/RL 17 Jun 2023 -- A video claiming to show Romania massing troops and military hardware on the Moldovan border was quickly picked up by pro-Russian media and widely shared on Telegram and Twitter in February of this year.
West Virginia Guardsmen Present at Intelligence Seminar in Qatar Army News 16 Jun 2023 -- Three West Virginia National Guardsmen participated in the Women in Strategic Intelligence Seminar in Doha, Qatar, May 14-18.
Air National Guardsman Indicted for Unlawful Disclosure of Classified National Defense Information US Dept. of Justice 15 Jun 2023 -- A member of the U.S. Air National Guard (USANG) stationed in Massachusetts was indicted today by a federal grand jury in Boston for allegedly retaining and transmitting classified national defense information on a social media platform beginning in or around 2022 and continuing until his arrest in April.
Reports Say CIA Warned Ukraine Not To Sabotage Nord Stream Pipeline Prior To Blasts RFE/RL 15 Jun 2023 -- The U.S. Central Intelligence Agency reportedly warned Ukraine not to sabotage the Nord Stream undersea gas pipelines last year after receiving a tip from the Netherlands' intelligence agency that a plot was under way.
The Trump Documents Case: What You Need to Know VOA 15 Jun 2023 -- With former President Donald Trump currently the leading candidate for his party's presidential nomination in 2024, his indictment last week on charges of mishandling classified documents stands to dominate the American political conversation for months to come.
How Trump's Handling of Classified Materials Compares to Biden, Pence, Clinton VOA 15 Jun 2023 -- Following the indictment of Donald Trump in connection with his alleged mishandling of classified documents, the former president and his supporters contend that he is the target of a politically weaponized justice system. They claim that the Department of Justice has ignored similar alleged crimes committed by his rivals, including President Joe Biden and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
Australia Blocks Plan for New Russian Embassy on National Security Grounds VOA 15 Jun 2023 -- Australia is blocking Russia's plans to build a new embassy near the Australian Federal Parliament, citing unspecified national security concerns. There has been no response so far from Russia's diplomatic staff. Australia has imposed broad sanctions on Russia and sent military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine since Russia's invasion of its neighbor.
'Cost Of War': Czech President Says Russians In West Should Be 'Monitored' RFE/RL 15 Jun 2023 -- Czech President Petr Pavel said security services should monitor Russians living in the West, calling it "simply the cost" of the Kremlin's war against Ukraine, but a spokeswoman for the president clarified that he did not mean creating internment camps or any type of persecution.
DNI Haines Statement on Declassified Report on Commercially Available Information Director of National Intelligence 14 Jun 2023
US Attorney General Defends Special Counsel Who Indicted Trump VOA 14 Jun 2023 -- U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland on Wednesday defended Jack Smith, the career prosecutor he appointed as an independent special counsel to handle the criminal investigations of former President Donald Trump.
Trump Pleads Not Guilty to Federal Charges VOA 13 Jun 2023 -- Former President Donald Trump appeared before a federal magistrate in Miami on Tuesday to plead not guilty to charges that he illegally retained dozens of classified national security documents after he left the White House and obstructed government efforts to retrieve them.
Trump Set to Be Arraigned on Federal Indictment VOA 13 Jun 2023 -- Former President Donald Trump arrived at his golf club outside Miami on Monday ahead of his arraignment on charges stemming from his alleged mishandling of classified national security documents after he left the White House in 2021.
Lebanese security forces detain journalist on suspicion of spying for Israel Press TV 12 Jun 2023 -- Lebanon's security forces have arrested a Lebanese journalist, who used to work for a number of Lebanese and international media outlets, on suspicion of collaborating with the Israeli regime.
US: China Upgraded Cuban Spy Operations in 2019 VOA 12 Jun 2023 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Monday that China conducted an upgrade of its intelligence collection facilities in Cuba in 2019.
US officials and media once again stage a farce regarding alleged 'Chinese spy base in Cuba' Global Times 12 Jun 2023 -- US officials and media once again staged a farce regarding the alleged "Chinese spy base in Cuba" by spreading contradictory information, said the Chinese Foreign Ministry in response to US' groundless accusation that China uses a secrete base in Cuba to spy on the US.
Cuba spy base revelations may jeopardize Blinken China visit Radio Free Asia 12 Jun 2023 -- China has reacted forcefully to reports of an alleged Chinese "electronic eavesdropping facility" on Cuba, claiming that the "smearing" of China jeopardizes an anticipated Beijing visit by U.S. top diplomat Antony Blinken.
Indictment Against Trump 'Very, Very Damning,' Former Attorney General Says VOA 11 Jun 2023 -- William Barr, former U.S. President Donald Trump's top law enforcement official at the end of his presidency, said Sunday that the criminal indictment accusing Trump of illegally retaining highly classified national security documents as he left office in 2021 was "very, very damning."
Warsaw Official: Reports Implicating Poland In Nord Stream Sabotage Are Consistent With Russian Propaganda RFE/RL 10 Jun 2023 -- A Polish government official said news reports suggesting a link between Poland and explosions that damaged the Nord Stream pipelines in the Baltic Sea last year echo Russian propaganda.
Special Counsel Jack Smith Delivers Statement US Dept. of Justice 09 Jun 2023 -- "Today, an indictment was unsealed charging Donald J. Trump with felony violations of our national security laws as well as participating in a conspiracy to obstruct justice."
Trump Indicted on 37 Counts, Accused of Mishandling Classified Documents VOA 09 Jun 2023 -- Former U.S. President Donald Trump faces 37 felony charges related to the alleged mishandling of classified documents after he left the White House, including top secret files on U.S. nuclear and defense programs, according to an indictment made public Friday.
US Special Counsel Jack Smith Vows to Seek Speedy Trial in Trump Classified Docs Case Sputnik 09 Jun 2023 -- US Justice Department prosecutors will pursue a speedy trial in the criminal case involving former US President Donald Trump's alleged mishandling of classified documents, special counsel Jack Smith said on Friday.
US cyber-attacks on iPhones began as early as 2013, says report from Chinese cybersecurity company Global Times 09 Jun 2023 -- The US has been hacking iPhones since at least 2013, and this can be carried out either directly through Apple's mobile information receiving service or through the deployment of the "Quantum" system during the web browsing process on Apple's mobile browser, according to a new report by Chinese cybersecurity company Antiy Labs.
Media's hype of China's spy station in Cuba a new farce Global Times 09 Jun 2023 -- China on Friday criticized the US' long-term interference in Cuba's internal affairs and urged it to stop undermining the political foundation of bilateral relations while claiming to build "guardrails" on China-US relations after the US media's hype of China's so-called deal of building a spy station in Cuba.
China, Cuba, US reject report of Chinese plan for spy base Press TV 09 Jun 2023 -- The White House has rejected a media report which said that China was planning to build a spy base in Cuba, just 90 miles away from the continental USA.
Trump Indicted, Accused of Mishandling Classified Documents VOA 09 Jun 2023 -- In an unprecedented move, a federal grand jury in the southern U.S. state of Florida charged former U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday with mishandling sensitive government documents after he left the White House, making him the first ex-American president in history to face a federal indictment.
The Trump Documents Case: Why It Matters VOA 08 Jun 2023 -- Former U.S. President Donald Trump has confirmed on his social media platform that his lawyers were informed by the Justice Department that he had been indicted and summoned to appear in federal court in Miami on Tuesday.
Trump Says He's Been Indicted Over Mar-a-Lago Docs, Told to Appear Tuesday in Court Sputnik 08 Jun 2023 -- The announcement comes a day after reports revealed that Trump's legal team had been notified they were the subject of an investigation over the doc seizures. The former president is now expected to appear in court on June 13.
Pentagon: Media Reports on China Spy Station in Cuba Are 'Not Accurate' VOA 08 Jun 2023 -- The Pentagon says reports that China and Cuba have reached a secret pact allowing Beijing to build an electronic eavesdropping facility on the island that is 160 kilometers from the United States are "not accurate."
Rule of Law: Commission launches infringement procedure against POLAND for violating EU law with the new law establishing a special committee Republic of Poland 08 Jun 2023 -- Today, the European Commission opened an infringement procedure by sending a letter of formal notice to Poland for violations of EU law. This decision follows a thorough assessment by the Commission of the new law in Poland on the State Committee for the Examination of Russian influence on the internal security of Poland between 2007 and 2022, which is in force since 31 May 2023.
China slams UK for hyping up 'secret police stations,' urging it to stop smearing China Global Times 07 Jun 2023 -- China slammed the UK on Wednesday for hyping up the so-called secret police stations rhetoric, and urged the British side to stop spreading disinformation and stop smearing China after the UK had ordered China to close its "overseas police stations" but did not reveal any illegal activity at those sites.
Finland to expel nine Russian diplomats over 'intelligence activities' Press TV 07 Jun 2023 -- Finland says it will expel nine diplomats working at the Russian Embassy in Helsinki, accusing them of being engaged in intelligence activities, as relations between the two sides are at a deep low.
CIA knew of Ukraine's plan to attack Nord Stream pipelines: Report Press TV 07 Jun 2023 -- A US media report has revealed that America's Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) knew about Ukraine's plan to attack the Nord Stream natural gas pipelines three months before it happened in September last year.
VOA Interview: US Intends to Sign More Agreements With Allies to Counter Disinformation VOA 06 Jun 2023 -- The United States is working with allies to detect and counter the violation of what it calls "information space integrity" around the world, a senior State Department official told VOA on Tuesday.
In secret meeting, two dozen world's spy chiefs gather in Singapore: Report Press TV 05 Jun 2023 -- About two dozen of senior officials from the world's intelligence agencies gathered in secret in Singapore this weekend concurrent with the Shangri-La Dialogue security summit, according to a report.
Robert Hanssen, 'Most Damaging Spy' in FBI History, Found Dead in Colorado Prison Cell Sputnik 05 Jun 2023 -- Robert Hanssen, an FBI agent who secretly passed intelligence to the Soviet Union and later the Russian Federation, has died at the age of 79. He was serving 15 consecutive life sentences for espionage and conspiracy to commit espionage - charges to which he pleaded guilty in 2002.
U.S. Sanctions Seven Russians For Attempt To Destabilize Moldova RFE/RL 05 Jun 2023 -- The United States has sanctioned seven leading members of a Russian influence group with links to intelligence services for their role in Moscow's campaign to destabilize Moldova and instigate an insurrection.
U.S. Sanctions Leading Members of Russian Intelligence-Linked Group Plotting to Destabilize the Government of Moldova US Dept. of State 05 Jun 2023 -- The United States is designating seven leading members of a Russian intelligence-linked group and one entity for their role in Russia's malign influence campaigns and destabilization operations in Moldova.
Treasury Sanctions Russian Intelligence-Linked Malign Influence Actors Targeting Moldova US Treasury 05 Jun 2023 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated seven leading members of a Russian intelligence-linked malign influence group for their role in the government of the Russian Federation's destabilization campaign and continued malign influence campaigns in Moldova. An entity owned or controlled by one of these individuals has also been designated.
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Meets With 'Five Eyes' Defense Policy Senior Officials DoD 04 Jun 2023 -- U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Ely Ratner; Australian Deputy Secretary of Defence Strategy, Policy, and Industry Group Hugh Jeffrey; Canadian Assistant Deputy Minister (Policy) Peter Hammerschmidt, United Kingdom Director General for Security Policy Paul Wyatt; and New Zealand Ministry of Defence Deputy Secretary Policy & Planning Richard Schmidt convened a meeting of "Five Eyes" (FVEY) senior defense policy officials on the margins of the Shangri-La Dialogue, today in Singapore.
U.S. Envoy Warns About Russian Efforts To Use Disinformation To Divide U.S. Allies In Balkans RFE/RL 02 Jun 2023 -- The Kremlin is "weaponizing information" to divide U.S. allies in the Balkans, and media outlets in the region should increase efforts to detect Russian disinformation and distinguish it from the truth, a top U.S. diplomat said on June 1 in an interview with RFE/RL.
DNI Haines As-Delivered Remarks at GEOINT 2023 Director of National Intelligence 02 Jun 2023
Russia says U.S. conducts intelligence operation via Apple mobile devices People's Daily 02 Jun 2023 -- Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) said on Thursday that it uncovered a reconnaissance operation by U.S. intelligence agencies carried out with Apple mobile devices.
DNI Haines Statement on President Biden's Nomination of Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Kruse to Lead the Defense Intelligence Agency Director of National Intelligence 01 Jun 2023
DNI Haines Statement on President Biden's Nomination of Lt. Gen. Timothy D. Haugh to Lead the National Security Agency and U.S. Cyber Command Director of National Intelligence 01 Jun 2023
Russian Security Service Claims Thousands Of Diplomats' iPhones Hacked; Moscow-Based Kaspersky Also Hit RFE/RL 01 Jun 2023 -- Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) claims thousands of iPhones belonging to the country's diplomats have suffered a massive hacking attack.
CIA hacked iPhones of diplomats in Russia: Intelligence agency Press TV 01 Jun 2023 -- A Russian intelligence agency has said that the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) installed malware on thousands of Apple phones used by Russian citizens and foreign diplomats serving in the country.
Press release on new facts of global surveillance by the United States Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 01 Jun 2023
Russian FSB Says US Spied on Foreign Diplomats in Russia Using Apple Gadgets Sputnik 01 Jun 2023 -- The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) said on Thursday that it had disclosed a reconnaissance operation by US intelligence agencies involving several thousand Apple gadgets, including those registered with foreign embassies in Russia.

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