December 2023 Intelligence News

Egyptian Intelligence Delegation Visits Israel to Discuss Gaza Truce - Reports Sputnik 31 Dec 2023 -- An Egyptian intelligence delegation paid a visit to Tel Aviv on Thursday to reconcile positions on a possible deal to end the hostilities in the Gaza Strip, but Israel is yet to respond, Al Araby Al Jadeed newspaper reported, citing a source in Egypt.
Man detained on suspicion of colluding with China in 2022 elections CNA 30 Dec 2023 -- A man has been detained for allegedly financing a pro-unification New Taipei City Council candidate in Taiwan's local elections held late last year on the instructions of Beijing, the New Taipei District Prosecutors Office said Saturday.
Iran releases names of executed Mossad-linked saboteurs IRNA 30 Dec 2023 -- Iran has identified the names of four members of a sabotage team, who acted against Iran's security under Mossad direction, and were executed on Friday morning.
Four Iranians Tehran Accused Of Spying For Israel Executed RFE/RL 30 Dec 2023 -- Four Iranians - three men and one woman - have been executed after being accused of spying for Israel, the Mizan news agency said.
Keelung ward chief returned to custody over China trip case CNA 29 Dec 2023 -- A ward chief in Keelung was returned to custody on Friday after prosecutors appealed to have his bail overturned over his alleged involvement in organizing a recent "disproportionately subsidized" trip to China.
Where did Taiwan's fake presidential election poll come from? Radio Free Asia 29 Dec 2023 -- On the evening of Dec. 22, Taiwanese prosecutors confirmed the arrest of Lin Hsien-yuan, a journalist of the online news site Fingermedia. They said they suspected him of concocting a "fabricated" presidential poll and taking direction from the Chinese Communist Party in Fujian province, across the Taiwan Strait.
Iran executes four Mossad-related saboteurs IRNA 29 Dec 2023 -- Four members of a Mossad-related team, which carried out acts of sabotage in different parts of Iran, have been executed.
Four Mossad-linked saboteurs executed: Iran judiciary Press TV 29 Dec 2023 -- Four convicts who were found guilty of working with the Israeli Mossad spy agency and participating in armed kidnapping, intimidation and assault of security forces in the northwestern province of West Azarbaijan were executed on Friday.
Journalists, Government Critics in India Targeted With Pegasus Spyware VOA 28 Dec 2023 -- The founding editor of one of India's largest news websites is among the journalists to be targeted by the Pegasus spyware.
Kenya Pushes Ahead With Anti-Counterfeit Phone Plan; Activists Fear Surveillance VOA 28 Dec 2023 -- The Kenyan government announced this month that it intends to go forward with a plan that it says will help address the problem of counterfeit phones, but digital rights activists say it poses a risk to privacy.
'Troll' accounts taking cues from China state-affiliated media: Researchers CNA 27 Dec 2023 -- "Troll groups" attempting to shape online discourse about Taiwan's Jan. 13, 2024 presidential election appear to be taking cues from Chinese state-affiliated media, a research group said Wednesday.
Anti-espionage efforts of China against US spies 'essential, effective' Global Times 27 Dec 2023 -- US espionage and intelligence agencies that work to infiltrate other countries are complaining to the US media about the difficulties of their malicious undertakings against other countries' national security, in order to convince Washington's politicians and decision-makers to allocate them more resources and money. In other words, they are "pleading poverty," said Chinese experts on intelligence and security affairs on Wednesday.
Man indicted for organizing China tours to allegedly sway Taiwan voters CNA 26 Dec 2023 -- A man has been indicated for breaching laws against election interference by organizing group tours to China partially funded by local Chinese governments, during which participants were asked to vote for Beijing's preference in the 2024 election, Kaohsiung prosecutors said Monday.
Questions Raised Over China's 'Consular Volunteers' VOA 22 Dec 2023 -- The deployment of so-called "consular volunteers" by China's diplomatic missions overseas is raising concerns among some analysts and watchdogs who see them as part of the Communist Party's "long arm" abroad and fear they could be used to monitor dissent - something Beijing denies.
Iranian Spies Wanted To Assassinate London-Based Journalists, ITV Investigation Finds RFE/RL 21 Dec 2023 -- Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) plotted to assassinate two U.K.-based Iranian journalists using a people smuggler to organize and carry out the killings in exchange for $200,000, British television channel ITV News has revealed.
China uses AI to generate propaganda on YouTube, report finds Radio Free Asia 21 Dec 2023 -- In a YouTube video, a voice in English announces that China has researched and developed its own ultra-thin 1-nanometer chip - a staggering claim given that the chip isn't expected in commercial devices for another decade.
India to examine information on alleged links to plot to assassinate Sikh separatist in U.S., says Modi People's Daily 21 Dec 2023 -- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India will look into any information it receives on its alleged links to a foiled plot to assassinate a Sikh separatist leader in the United States.
ODNI Releases Intelligence Community Assessment of Foreign Threats to the 2022 U.S. Elections Director of National Intelligence 18 Dec 2023 -- The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) today released the declassified Intelligence Community Assessment of Foreign Threats to the 2022 U.S. Elections.
Joint Statement from the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security Assessing the Impact of Foreign Interference During the 2022 U.S. Mid-Term Election US Dept. of Justice 18 Dec 2023 -- The Department of Justice, including the FBI, and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), including the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), released today a report with key findings and recommendations from a classified joint report to the President issued earlier this year on addressing the impact of foreign governments and their agents on the security and integrity of the infrastructure relied upon in the 2022 U.S. federal elections.
Statement by the Prime Minister's Office on behalf of the Mossad Israel - Prime Minister 18 Dec 2023
Iran Executes Mossad Agent, IRNA Says VOA 16 Dec 2023 -- An Israeli intelligence officer was executed Saturday in Iran, according to IRNA, Iran's state news agency.
Iran puts agent of Israeli Mossad spy agency to death in Sistan and Baluchestan Province Press TV 16 Dec 2023 -- Iranian Judiciary authorities have executed a man convicted of affiliation to foreign intelligence services, particularly the Israeli Mossad spy agency, in the country's southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchestan.
Zionist spy executed in southeastern Iran IRNA 16 Dec 2023 -- A person has been executed in Zahedan, southeastern Iran, after being found guilty of spying for foreign intelligence agencies including Mossad.
Prime Minister's Office: Mossad Statement Israel - Prime Minister 15 Dec 2023 -- Mossad Director David Barnea, last night, at Mossad headquarters, met with US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan.
Former Special Agent in Charge of the New York FBI Counterintelligence Division Sentenced to 50 Months for Conspiring to Violate U.S. Sanctions on Russia US Dept. of Justice 14 Dec 2023 -- A former Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of the FBI Counterintelligence Division in New York, was sentenced to 50 months in prison and ordered to pay a $40,000 fine for conspiring to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and to commit money laundering in connection with his 2021 agreement to provide services to Oleg Deripaska, a sanctioned Russian oligarch.
Prime Minister's Office: Joint Mossad-ISA Announcement Israel - Prime Minister 14 Dec 2023 -- Following an accelerated and comprehensive intelligence investigation, security and law enforcement agencies in Denmark arrested seven terrorists acting on behalf of the Hamas terrorist organization, and thwarted an attack, the goal of which was to kill innocent civilians on European soil.
Pakistan's Ex-Leader Indicted Over Revealing US-Tied State Secrets VOA 13 Dec 2023 -- A special Pakistani court Wednesday indicted former Prime Minister Imran Khan on unprecedented and disputed charges of disclosing classified information involving the United States while in office.
Defence of Democracy - Commission proposes to shed light on covert foreign influence European Commission 13 Dec 2023 -- Today, the European Commission adopted a Defence of Democracy package, ahead of the 2024 European elections.
China Ramps Up Efforts to Interfere in Taiwan's Coming Elections VOA 12 Dec 2023 -- Analysts say China is ramping up its efforts to interfere in Taiwan's coming presidential and legislative elections, launching high-level, coordinated disinformation campaigns on social media and sponsoring Taiwanese politicians on trips to China, hoping to sway public opinion through influential local leaders.
Russian Diplomat Expelled Amid EU Spy Purge Is Now An OSCE Election Observer In Serbia RFE/RL 12 Dec 2023 -- A Russian diplomat and alleged spy expelled by the European Union for "illegal and disruptive actions" is serving as an election observer for upcoming parliamentary and local elections in Serbia as part of a mission with Europe's largest security body, an RFE/RL investigation has found.
Results of Investigation into A1C Texiera's Unit following unauthorized disclosure of classified documents US Air Force 11 Dec 2023 -- The Department of the Air Force released its report on the results of an Air Force Inspector General investigation in response to the unauthorized disclosure of classified information by an individual at the 102nd Intelligence Wing, Otis Air National Guard Base, Massachusetts.
Discipline Handed Down for US Intelligence 'Discord Leaks' VOA 11 Dec 2023 -- The U.S. Air Force took disciplinary action against 15 airmen, charging that a lack of supervision and a failure to take action contributed to the so-called 'Discord intelligence leaks' that rattled the U.S. intelligence community.
Announcement by the Prime Minister's Office on Behalf of the Mossad and the National Security Council Israel - Prime Minister 10 Dec 2023 -- The Cypriot security and law enforcement agencies, in cooperation with the Mossad, thwarted an Iranian terrorist infrastructure that planned to carry out attacks against Israeli and Jewish targets in Cyprus.
Court upholds 7.5-year sentence for ex-colonel in China allegiance case CNA 08 Dec 2023 -- Taiwan's Supreme Court upheld a seven-and-a-half-year prison sentence Thursday for a retired Army colonel found guilty of corruption and taking money in return for declaring his allegiance to China.
Taiwan relaxes rules to accelerate declassification of state secrets CNA 08 Dec 2023 -- Taiwan's Legislative Yuan passed amendments Friday to abolish rules allowing some national security information to remain permanently classified, which could lead to more political archives from Taiwan's authoritarian past being made available.
NSA Focuses on Talent as Pace of Technology Quickens DoD News 08 Dec 2023 -- The National Security Agency's ability to recruit and retain top talent is key to meeting the demands of the future, agency Director Army Gen. Paul M. Nakasone, said today.
Kremlin Propaganda on Uptick in Latin America VOA 08 Dec 2023 -- Javier Vrox, the host of a political program on a YouTube channel in Chile who constantly monitors social networks in his country, recently noticed an uptick in pro-Russian political messaging, which had already been common in the country.
Australian statement on Russian cyber targeting of democratic processes Australia MFA 08 Dec 2023 -- The Australian Government joins the United Kingdom and other international partners in expressing serious concerns about attempts to use cyber operations to interfere with democratic processes.
Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna condemns Russia's cyberattacks against the United Kingdom Estonia MFA 08 Dec 2023
US Deals with Allies Signal Concerns Over China's Disinformation Campaign VOA 08 Dec 2023 -- Western foreign policy experts are welcoming recent U.S. agreements to jointly tackle foreign disinformation with Seoul and Tokyo, saying they are needed to counter Chinese efforts to undermine liberal democracies through the spread of fake news.
The Ukrainian Fingerprints On A Shadowy Assassination Campaign On Russian Soil RFE/RL 07 Dec 2023 -- An exploding statue in a St. Petersburg café. A remotely detonated land mine destroying a car in a village in the Nizhny Novgorod region. A car bombing in a Moscow suburb. A fatal shooting in a bedroom community outside Moscow.
Ukrainian Intelligence Official Says Slain Former Lawmaker Likely Aided By Russia RFE/RL 07 Dec 2023 -- A former Ukrainian lawmaker who was gunned down near Moscow took safety precautions that were likely aided by the Russian authorities, as he "took an active part in pushing Russian propaganda," an official from Ukraine's military intelligence has said.
Peretyatko Korinets indictment DOJ 07 Dec 2023
Two Russian Nationals Working with Russia's Federal Security Service Charged with Global Computer Intrusion Campaign US Dept. of Justice 07 Dec 2023 -- Indictment Alleges the So-Called "Callisto Group" Hacked Computers in the United States and Allied Countries, and Stole Information Used in Foreign Malign Influence Operations Designed to Influence the U.K.'s 2019 Elections
U.S. Takes Action to Further Disrupt Russian Cyber Activities US Dept. of State 07 Dec 2023 -- The United States government is taking a series of actions today against cyber actors Callisto Group, Star Blizzard, and COLDRIVER, which are connected to Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) Center 18 for long-running cyber espionage campaigns that targeted numerous U.S.-based entities and individuals.
U.K., U.S. Sanction Two Russians Accused Of Cyber Spying On British Politicians, Journalists RFE/RL 07 Dec 2023 -- The British Foreign Office and the U.S. Treasury Department announced sanctions on December 7 against two Russians for their ties to a group of cybercriminals sponsored by Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) that Britain and the United States say has targeted people and entities in the two countries and other partner countries.
US, UK Act Against Russian Hacker Group VOA 07 Dec 2023 -- The U.S. government on Thursday unveiled measures to combat Russian hackers accused of targeting U.S-based entities and individuals and meddling in a British election.
Russian FSB Cyber Actor Star Blizzard Continues Worldwide Spear-phishing Campaigns CISA 07 Dec 2023 -- The Russia-based actor is targeting organizations and individuals in the UK and other geographical areas of interest.
UK exposes attempted Russian cyber interference in politics and democratic processes UK FCDO 07 Dec 2023 -- The UK condemns Russia's sustained attempts at political interference in the UK and globally.
Statement on Russia's malicious cyber activity affecting the United Kingdom Canada 07 Dec 2023 -- The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence, and the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs, today issued the following statement:
Statement on cyberattacks targeting electoral processes in the United Kingdom Poland - Ministry of Foreign Affairs 07 Dec 2023 -- Poland is deeply concerned about the information provided by the United Kingdom regarding Russian cyberattacks directed against the UK's democratic institutions and electoral processes.
Cyber: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the protection of democratic processes against malicious cyber activities EC/CEU 07 Dec 2023 -- The European Union and its Member States strongly condemn malicious cyber activities targeting democratic institutions and electoral processes.
United States and the United Kingdom Sanction Members of Russian State Intelligence-Sponsored Advanced Persistent Threat Group US Treasury 07 Dec 2023 -- Today, the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), in coordination with the United Kingdom, designated two individuals associated with an advanced persistent threat (APT) group that is sponsored by the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) and has targeted individuals and entities in the United States, United Kingdom, and other allied and partner countries.
Spain expels two US embassy staff accused of bribing intelligence agents: Report Press TV 07 Dec 2023 -- Spain has expelled two American embassy diplomats accused of infiltrating the Spanish intelligence agency (CNI) through alleged bribing local officers, a report says.
Naval Commander Pleads Guilty to Distributing Child Sexual Abuse Material and Retaining Classified National Defense Information US Dept. of Justice 06 Dec 2023 -- Gregory Edward McLean, 39, of Jacksonville, Florida, today pleaded guilty to one count of distributing videos depicting the sexual assault of children and one count of unlawful retention of classified national defense information.
U.S. Signs Memorandum of Cooperation with Japan on Countering Foreign Information Manipulation US Dept. of State 06 Dec 2023 -- On December 6, 2023, in Tokyo, U.S. Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Liz Allen and Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs Press Secretary, Assistant Minister, Director-General for Press and Public Diplomacy Kobayashi Maki signed a Memorandum of Cooperation to counter Foreign Information Manipulation, an increasing threat in the region and beyond.
China says Counter-Espionage Law won't impact normal business operation, opposing politicizing national security concept Global Times 07 Dec 2023 -- China's ministry of state security has issued two consecutive statements refuting malicious smears about the country's newly revised Counter-Espionage Law, stressing that China firmly opposes "politicizing and weaponizing the concept of national security."
China's Counter-Espionage Law won't impact foreign enterprises' legitimate operations: ministry Global Times 06 Dec 2023 -- China's newly revised Counter-Espionage Law puts its target on only a few espionage activities that threaten the national security. The law is not aimed at normal business activities and won't impact foreign enterprises' legitimate investment and operations in China, the Ministry of State Security said on Wednesday, in a response to some misunderstanding about the law.
Chinese interference 'looms large' over Taiwan's presidential poll Radio Free Asia 05 Dec 2023 -- The shadow of Chinese interference 'looms large' over democratic Taiwan, according to the island's foreign minister, whose warning came amid reports that the Chinese Communist Party is wooing district-level politicians in a bid to wield influence in the run-up to presidential elections in January.
FBI Director Warns Against Weakening US Surveillance Capabilities VOA 05 Dec 2023 -- A top U.S. law enforcement official is warning lawmakers that a failure to renew key surveillance authorities would amount to "unilateral disarmament" in the face of growing threats from terrorism as well as countries like China and Iran.
Pretrial Hearing Set for Former US Diplomat Accused of Spying for Cuba VOA 05 Dec 2023 -- A pretrial hearing for former U.S. diplomat Manuel Rocha is set for Wednesday.
Former U.S. Ambassador and National Security Council Official Charged with Secretly Acting as an Agent of the Cuban Government US Dept. of Justice 04 Dec 2023 -- Federal prosecutors have charged Victor Manuel Rocha, 73, of Miami, Florida, a former U.S. Department of State employee who served on the National Security Council from 1994 to 1995 and ultimately as U.S. Ambassador to Bolivia from 2000 to 2002, with committing multiple federal crimes by secretly acting for decades as an agent of the government of the Republic of Cuba.
Former US Diplomat Charged With Spying for Cuba for Decades VOA 04 Dec 2023 -- A former U.S. ambassador to Bolivia, Manuel Rocha, has been charged with spying for Cuba since at least 1981.
Australia Developing 'Secret Cloud Initiative' Interoperable With US, UK - Intelligence Chief Sputnik 04 Dec 2023 -- Australia is working to develop a "top secret cloud initiative" that will be "interoperable" with US and UK intelligence agencies, its director-general of national intelligence said Monday.

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