September 2023 Intelligence News

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson's Remarks on the US State Department's Report Targeting China PRC MofA 30 Sep 2023
China says US true 'empire of lies', hitting back at report into information manipulation Press TV 30 Sep 2023 -- The United States is the true "empire of lies," says China in response to a State Department report that accuses Beijing of using "deceptive and coercive methods" to shape the global information environment.
America's Ears in Space: NRO Declassified NRL-Developed Electronic Intelligence Satellite Program US Navy 29 Sep 2023 -- During a Centennial Exhibition, held at the Pentagon on Sept. 28, to commemorate the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory's (NRL) 100 years of operations, the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) declassified an NRL-developed electronic intelligence satellite program called Parcae.
Report Finds China Exploiting Taiwan Voter Doubts About US VOA 28 Sep 2023 -- In the run-up to Taiwan's highly competitive presidential and legislative elections in January 2024, China is exploiting doubts voters may have about the United States and its intentions toward Taiwan, according to political experts in the self-governing island that Beijing considers its territory.
How the People's Republic of China Seeks to Reshape the Global Information Environment US Dept. of State 28 Sep 2023 -- Today, the Department of State released a landmark report on how the People's Republic of China, or PRC, seeks to reshape the global information environment to its advantage. Beijing has invested billions of dollars to construct a global information ecosystem that promotes its propaganda and facilitates censorship and the spread of disinformation.
US diplomat: 'We're in an undeclared information war' Radio Free Asia 28 Sep 2023 -- China spends billions of dollars each year in efforts to achieve "dominance" in global information flows, a new U.S. government report says, with the aim of furthering its propaganda so countries "subordinate their economic and security interests to Beijing's."
US Warns of China's Plans for Information Domination VOA 28 Sep 2023 -- China is pouring billions of dollars into efforts to reshape the global information environment and, eventually, bend the will of multiple nations to Beijing's advantage, according to a new assessment from U.S. officials.
AI Security Center to Open at National Security Agency DoD News 28 Sep 2023 -- National Security Agency Director Army Gen. Paul M. Nakasone today announced the creation of a new entity to oversee the development and integration of artificial intelligence capabilities within U.S. national security systems.
IRGC to use Nour-3 satellite for military intelligence purposes: Chief commander Press TV 27 Sep 2023 -- The chief commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) says the elite force will use the newly-launched Nour-3 imaging satellite for military intelligence purposes.
Iran's Revolutionary Guard Reveals Mission of New Nour-3 Satellite Sputnik 27 Sep 2023 -- The Noor-3 (lit. 'Light-3') space satellite was blasted off into orbit aboard a Qased ('lit. Messenger') carrier rocket on Wednesday. Previous satellites in the series were met with mockery and derision from Pentagon officials, but the ridicule soon stopped after Iran showed off the spacecraft's impressive capabilities.
Iran reports successful launch of Nour 3 imaging satellite IRNA 27 Sep 2023 -- Iran has successfully launched an imaging satellite into space as the country moves ahead with plans to expand the use of satellites for research and management activities.
Iran successfully launches Nour-3 satellite into orbit Press TV 27 Sep 2023 -- Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force successfully launched the homegrown imaging satellite Nour-3 into orbit on Wednesday morning.
Iran Launches Homegrown Noor-III Military Satellite Into Orbit Sputnik 27 Sep 2023 -- Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force has successfully put the Noor-III military satellite into orbit 450 kilometers (279.6 miles) above the Earth's surface with the Qased carrier rocket, Minister of Communications and Information Technology Issa Zarepour stated on Wednesday.
Five Bulgarians Charged With Spying For Russia Remanded In Custody By London Court RFE/RL 26 Sep 2023 -- Five Bulgarian nationals charged in the U.K. with spying for Russia appeared in a London court on September 26 and were remanded in custody until their next hearing in mid-October.
U.S. and Bulgaria to Collaborate on Combatting Disinformation US Dept. of State 25 Sep 2023 -- The United States and Bulgaria signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today that increases cooperation to counter foreign information manipulation.
FM condemns US' political manipulation of pervasive cyber theft, spreading fake information Global Times 25 Sep 2023 -- The Chinese Foreign Ministry stated on Monday that China condemns the US government's pervasive cyber espionage against China, adding that the US' action is not for so-called national security purposes but to obstruct the development of Chinese enterprises through illegal and unfair means, after China's Ministry of State Security (MSS) disclosed US infiltration of Huawei dating back to 2009.
U.S. helps Canada confirm India's involvement in Sikh leader's killing People's Daily 25 Sep 2023 -- Recent leaks indicate that the United States has contributed to Canada's allegation that India is responsible for the assassination of a Canadian citizen, playing a crucial role in the simmering diplomatic tiff between New Delhi and Ottawa.
Chinese national security agency exposes cases of espionage through telecom fraud Global Times 25 Sep 2023 -- The Chinese national security agency exposed several cases of espionage through telecommunications fraud on Monday, reminding netizens to be wary of not only telecommunications fraud from northern Myanmar, but also low-interest loans, dating apps, high-paying part-time jobs and other spy networks.
Former FBI Agent Pleads Guilty to Concealing Loan From Former Intelligence Officer VOA 23 Sep 2023 -- Former FBI official Charles McGonigal pleaded guilty on Friday to accepting $225,000 from Albanian-American Agron Nezaj, a former Albanian intelligence officer who McGonigal admitted was helping him foster relationships in Albania to help lay the groundwork for future business opportunities in the country.
U.S. Senator Robert Menendez, His Wife, And Three New Jersey Businessmen Charged With Bribery Offenses US Attorney for the Southern District of New York 23 Sep 2023 -- Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and James Smith, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation ("FBI"), announced that an Indictment was unsealed this morning charging U.S. Senator ROBERT MENENDEZ, his wife NADINE MENENDEZ, a/k/a "Nadine Arslanian," and three New Jersey businessmen, WAEL HANA, a/k/a "Will Hana," JOSE URIBE, and FRED DAIBES, with participating in a years-long bribery scheme.
New Jersey Senator Menendez Stands Accused of Bribery, Corruption VOA 22 Sep 2023 -- New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez and his wife, Nadine, have been charged with several counts of bribery, according to a corruption indictment unsealed Friday.
Menendez 'Temporarily' Resigns as US Foreign Relations Panel Chair Amid Bribery Probe Sputnik 22 Sep 2023 -- US Senator Bob Menendez is temporarily resigning as chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee following an indictment for crimes including bribery and conspiracy to commit extortion, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said on Friday.
Retired FBI Special Agent in Charge Pleads Guilty to Concealing Information from the FBI US Dept. of Justice 22 Sep 2023 -- Charles F. McGonigal, 54, a former FBI Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office, pleaded guilty today to concealment of material facts for his undisclosed receipt of $225,000 in cash from an individual who had business interests in Europe while McGonigal was supervising counterintelligence efforts.
Independent Intelligence Review Prime Minister of Australia 22 Sep 2023 -- The Australian Government has commissioned an Independent Review into Australia's intelligence agencies.
Japanese citizen placed under compulsory measures in line with law for suspected engagement in espionage activities: Chinese FM Global Times 21 Sep 2023 -- A Japanese citizen who is suspected of engaging in espionage activities, violating China's Criminal Law and the Counter-Espionage Law, has been placed under compulsory measures by the relevant authorities in accordance with the criminal procedure law, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at Thursday's routine press briefing, commenting on whether China will formally arrest a Japanese citizen suspected of engaging in espionage activities.
U.S. Government Contractor Arrested on Espionage Charges US Dept. of Justice 21 Sep 2023 -- A U.S. government contractor was arrested on Aug. 24 based on espionage charges in a complaint unsealed today. Abraham Teklu Lemma, 50, a naturalized U.S. citizen of Ethiopian descent, of Silver Spring, Maryland, is charged with delivering national defense information to aid a foreign government, conspiracy to deliver national defense information to aid a foreign government, and the willful retention of national defense information.
Today's Announcement of Espionage Charges Against a State Department Contractor US Dept. of State 21 Sep 2023 -- Following the arrest earlier this year of a member of the Massachusetts Air National Guard for the unauthorized disclosure of classified national defense information, in mid-April 2023, the Bureau of Intelligence and Research (INR) undertook a self-initiated 60-day Internal Security Review of the Department of State's Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) network, systems, and applications to identify opportunities to strengthen how we safeguard data in the TS/SCI environment.
Judge sets trial date for New Yorker accused of spying Radio Free Asia 21 Sep 2023 -- A federal judge on Thursday set a date for the trial of July 15, 2024, in the prosecution of Wang Shujun, 76, of Queens, New York, an historian and a former Columbia University scholar.
Bulgaria Expels One Russian, Two Belarusian Clerics Accused of Spying RFE/RL 21 Sep 2023 -- Bulgaria on September 21 said it was expelling one Russian and two Belarusian nationals for carrying out "activities directed against" the country's national security and interests.
US Warns Cases of Transnational Repression Mounting VOA 20 Sep 2023 -- High-level allegations this week that India was involved in the killing of a Sikh leader on Canadian soil are renewing fears that governments worldwide are no longer afraid to cross boundaries to silence dissenting voices.
China's Ministry of State Security reveals US' infiltration of Huawei traced back to 2009 Global Times 20 Sep 2023 -- The US' infiltration of Huawei headquarters' servers can be traced back to 2009, China's Ministry of State Security (MSS) said in an article released on Wednesday. The Chinese ministry disclosed despicable methods of cyber espionage adopted by US intelligence agencies, which include establishing cyberattack arsenals, coercing technology companies to cooperate, and distorting the truth to accuse others.
Turkish Citizen Reportedly Abducted In Tajikistan, Brought To Turkey RFE/RL 19 Sep 2023 -- Turkish media reports say a Turkish citizen who had resided in Tajikistan for 28 years was abducted by unknown individuals in Dushanbe on September 16 and forcibly taken to Turkey, where he is wanted for alleged links with the Gulen movement that is banned in Turkey.
Suspected covert Chinese outpost sparks push for S. Korea 'spy bill' Radio Free Asia 19 Sep 2023 -- The Han River parks located in the heart of Seoul have been an urban oasis for locals for decades. A Friday night in September was no exception as people kickstarted their weekend jogging and cycling, while families enjoyed a picnic meal watching the sun set.
India Dismisses Canada's Allegations of Links to Sikh Leader's Killing VOA 19 Sep 2023 -- India has rejected allegations by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that the Indian government has links to the killing of a Canadian Sikh leader as "absurd and motivated" and expelled a Canadian diplomat amid spiraling tensions between the two countries.
India expels a senior Canadian Diplomat India MEA 19 Sep 2023 -- The High Commissioner of Canada to India was summoned today and informed about the decision of the Government of India to expel a senior Canadian diplomat based in India.
India rejects allegations by Canada India MEA 19 Sep 2023 -- "We have seen and reject the statement of the Canadian Prime Minister in their Parliament, as also the statement by their Foreign Minister. Allegations of Government of India's involvement in any act of violence in Canada are absurd and motivated."
Chinese embassy condemns UK side's hyping up of so-called "Chinese spies" People's Daily 16 Sep 2023 -- The Chinese Embassy in the United Kingdom (UK) on Friday strongly condemned the hyping up of the so-called "Chinese spies" by the UK side.
Identity of NSA hacker behind cyberattack on China's leading aviation university identified; to be disclosed in due course: source Global Times 14 Sep 2023 -- During the investigation of the cyberattack against Northwestern Polytechnical University (NPU), a leading Chinese aviation university, China has successfully extracted multiple samples of the spyware named SecondDate, and with the collaborative efforts of partners in various countries, the real identity of the US' National Security Agency (NSA) personnel responsible for launching the cyberattack on NPU has been successfully identified, Global Times learnt from National Computer Virus Emergency Response Center (CVERC) and Chinese internet security company 360 on Thursday.
Contacts of UK Spy Suspect Recount Curious Encounters VOA 12 Sep 2023 -- Two U.K.-based activists have described troubling interactions with a researcher in the British parliament who was arrested on suspicion of spying for Beijing.
Britain Rejects Calls to Label China a 'Threat' After Suspicions of Spying VOA 12 Sep 2023 -- The British government has rejected calls to officially label China a threat to its interests. Several lawmakers have called for a tougher line from the government after it was revealed that a researcher in the British parliament was arrested on suspicion of spying for Beijing.
UK's 'Chinese spy' farce exposes undercurrents of anti-China force, chaotic views on Beijing Global Times 12 Sep 2023 -- The "Chinese spy" farce continues in the UK. Some MPs were "furious" and voiced concerns in a latest parliament debate over the allegations against a British parliamentary researcher who was reportedly arrested on the suspicion of spying for China, putting much more pressure on the Sunak administration that has been trying to seek a delicate balance regarding UK's China relations.
China's security authorities disclose details of a US meritorious medal-awarded spy Global Times 11 Sep 2023 -- China's national security authorities on Monday released details about the case of John Shing-wan Leung, a permanent resident of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and a US passport holder. Leung was sentenced to life in prison on espionage charges, including serving as an informant of a US intelligence agency and conducting spy activities for the US under the disguise of charity.
UK's Chinese spy slander 'completely fabricated'; hype caters to the West's antagonistic mind-set Global Times 11 Sep 2023 -- Roughly 10 days after a senior UK diplomat visited China and made significant progress in high-level talks, London did an about-face by hyping the so-called Chinese spy incident and accusing Beijing of "interference in British parliamentary democracy." Beijing refuted the claim as completely fabricated and malicious slander.
China says 'resolutely opposes' UK spying allegations Press TV 11 Sep 2023 -- China has rejected as "pure fabrication" allegations that an espionage suspect arrested in the United Kingdom was gathering information for Beijing.
UK prime minister deplores Chinese interference in democracy Radio Free Asia 11 Sep 2023 -- United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has accused China of meddling in Britain's democracy as he faces a government split at home over whether to formally designate China a threat to national security.
NRO & Space Force partner to launch SILENTBARKER/NROL-107 mission NRO 10 Sep 2023 -- The National Reconnaissance Office, in partnership with U.S. Space Force's (USSF) Space Systems Command, Space Launch Delta 45, and United Launch Alliance, successfully launched the SILENTBARKER/NROL-107 mission from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station today, at 8:47 a.m. EDT.
Israeli Spy Chief Says Iran's Attempts To Supply Russia With Missiles 'Foiled' RFE/RL 10 Sep 2023 -- The head of Israel's intelligence agency said on September 10 that Iran's attempts to supply Russia with missiles had been foiled, The Times of Israel reported.
Germany charges 2 citizens with treason in Russia spying case Press TV 08 Sep 2023 -- A German intelligence officer and a Russian-born German diamond trader have been accused of working with a Russian businessman to "procure sensitive information" from Germany's foreign intelligence agency BND.
Germany Charges Intel Officer, Businessman With Treason For Passing Documents To Russia's FSB RFE/RL 08 Sep 2023 -- An employee of Germany's Federal Intelligence Service (BND) and a self-employed German businessman have been charged with treason for allegedly passing secret documents to Russia, German prosecutors said on September 8.
US Considers Eliminating Nigerien Military Leadership - Russia's Foreign Intel Sputnik 07 Sep 2023 -- The United States is considering an option of physically eliminating some African leaders, including representatives of the military leadership in Niger, the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) said on Thursday.
Ukraine, US Intelligence Suggest Russia Cyber Efforts Evolving, Growing VOA 07 Sep 2023 -- Russia's cyber operations may not have managed to land the big blow that many Western officials feared following Moscow's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, but Ukrainian cyber officials caution Moscow has not stopped trying.
Iran intelligence forces deal 'blow' to network planning riots IRNA 06 Sep 2023 -- Iran's Intelligence Ministry and the Intelligence Unit of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) have issued a joint statement, announcing "a serious blow" to a network planning riots in the Islamic Republic.
Iran delivers 'serious blow' to riot organization network Press TV 06 Sep 2023 -- Iran's intelligence apparatuses have delivered a "serious blow" to a network seeking to organize riots across the country.
Moldova Kicked Out Most Of Russia's Diplomats, But The Embassy In Chisinau Still Has Close Ties To Spies RFE/RL 06 Sep 2023 -- In August, Moldova kicked out 45 Russian diplomats and embassy staff, citing fears of Moscow's efforts to "destabilize" the country after a media investigation found an "excessive" number of antennas on the roof of the embassy buildings.
Readout of President Biden's Meeting with the President's Intelligence Advisory Board The White House 06 Sep 2023
China's Ministry of State Security reveals how first US CIA employee died overseas after espionage in China's Xinjiang and Xizang regions Global Times 05 Sep 2023 -- China's Ministry of State Security (MSS) on Tuesday revealed how Douglas Mackiernan, the first black star on CIA's Memorial Wall which represents fallen CIA operatives overseas, was countered by China's anti-spy agencies and military-civilian forces against his espionage in China's Xinjiang and Xizang regions
Taiwanese man returns home after detention in China for spying CNA 02 Sep 2023 -- Taiwanese businessman Lee Meng-chu (李孟居) returned to Taiwan on Saturday after being detained in China on charges of spying in 2019, a total of 1,475 days since he last stepped foot in the country.

NEWSLETTER

Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list