March 2024 Intelligence News

China Spy Agency Fingers Consultancies as Espionage Threat VOA 31 Mar 2024 -- China's Ministry of State Security issued a fresh warning this week about overseas spy agencies and what it says are their efforts in recent years to obtain state secrets under the disguise of consulting agencies.
Malaysia arrests heavily-armed man suspected of spying for Israel Press TV 30 Mar 2024 -- The Malaysian police have arrested a heavily-armed man on suspicion of spying for Israel, amid the Muslim-majority country's staunch support for Palestinians against the war on the besieged Gaza Strip.
U.S. Ambassador Issues Rare Statement On Warning Before Russia's Crocus Massacre RFE/RL 29 Mar 2024 -- The U.S. ambassador to Russia on March 29 issued an unusual diplomatic statement refuting Russian government claims about information that the United States shared with Russia ahead of the terrorist attack last week on a concert hall outside Moscow that killed more than 140 people.
MSS warns of foreign spy agencies stealing national secrets through 'consulting and investigation' Global Times 28 Mar 2024 -- China's national security agency released a microfilm on Thursday adapted from a real case, revealing how a foreign intelligence agency used investigation and consulting activities as a cover to steal sensitive information from China's key sectors, thus posing a serious risk to national security and interests.
Assange faces further wait for appeal against extradition to U.S. People's Daily 27 Mar 2024 -- Wikileaks founder Julian Assange faces a further wait to find out whether he can bring an appeal against his extradition to the United States, the High Court ruled on Tuesday.
Intimidation, Torture by Military-Run Spy Agency VOA 27 Mar 2024 -- A majority of federal High Court judges in Pakistan have jointly accused the country's military-run spy agency of intimidating them and their relatives through abduction, torture, and secret video surveillance inside their bedrooms to influence judicial outcomes.
Latvia, Ukraine and Lithuania organize discussion on safeguarding information integrity and countering disinformation Latvia MFA 26 Mar 2024 -- On 22 March on the margins of the 55th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council the Permanent Missions of Latvia, Ukraine and Lithuania organized a discussion "Safeguarding Information Integrity: Exploring State Strategies".
Moscow Terrorist Attack 'Serious Intelligence Failure,' Says Ex-U.S. Envoy To Russia RFE/RL 24 Mar 2024 -- A former U.S. envoy to Moscow said the worst terrorist attack on Russian soil in nearly two decades represents "a serious intelligence failure" and warned that President Vladimir Putin could use it to justify further mobilization and oppression.
Detained Terrorists Had Contacts on Ukrainian Side - FSB Sputnik 23 Mar 2024 -- Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) published a statement on the Moscow concert hall terror attack investigation.
Eleven People Including Four Terrorists Directly Involved in Attack Detained - FSB Head to Putin Sputnik 23 Mar 2024 -- Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) chief Alexander Bortnikov has informed Russian President Vladimir Putin of the detention of 11 people in connection with the terrorist attack in the concert venue near Moscow, including all four who were directly involved in the killings, the Kremlin said in a statement.
US shared intel on possible terror attack was general: Russian source IRNA 23 Mar 2024 -- A Russian intelligence source has said that the country's intelligence services received information from the United States about a planned terrorist attack, but the information was general without specifying.
Imposing Sanctions on Actors Supporting Kremlin-Directed Disinformation Efforts US Dept. of State 20 Mar 2024 -- The United States is today designating two individuals and two entities for providing services to the government of Russia in connection with a foreign malign influence campaign.
Treasury Sanctions Actors Supporting Kremlin-Directed Malign Influence Efforts US Treasury 20 Mar 2024 -- Today, the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated two individuals and two entities for services they provided the Government of the Russian Federation (GoR) in connection with a foreign malign influence campaign, including attempting to impersonate legitimate media outlets.
Estonia is expelling a member of the staff of the Russian embassy Estonia MFA 19 Mar 2024 -- Today 19 March, the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the chargé d'affaires of the Russian embassy to present a diplomatic note on declaring a member of the Russian embassy's staff with diplomatic status persona non grata.
Blinken Warns Democracy Summit of Dangers of Disinformation VOA 18 Mar 2024 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken says that in a year where more than half the world will be holding elections, new technologies including social media and artificial intelligence have made disinformation a greater threat than ever.
State security authority warns public of cyberattacks by foreign spies via phishing emails Global Times 17 Mar 2024 -- Commonly used email has become a key target for foreign spy intelligence agencies to steal information, the Chinese Ministry of State Security said in its latest article on Sunday, noting that computer networks of the Party and government agencies, as well as those of sensitive units as the main channels, with the phishing emails being the common method of cyberattacks.
Department of Defense Announces New Director for Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency DoD 15 Mar 2024
CIA covert campaign against China shows 'necessity of counter-espionage efforts' Global Times 15 Mar 2024 -- A Reuters report on the US' covert influence operations against China and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) chief's pledge of more China-targeted resources corroborated each other and again demonstrated the US' continuous disinformation campaign and cognitive warfare against China, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said at Friday's routine press briefing.
U.S. judge in Florida denies Trump's motion to dismiss classified documents case People's Daily 15 Mar 2024 -- The U.S. district judge in Florida overseeing the federal criminal case regarding former President Donald Trump's handling of classified documents on Thursday rejected one of his two motions to dismiss the case.
Lithuania Says Hammer Attack On Navalny Aide 'Likely' Organized By Russia RFE/RL 13 Mar 2024 -- Lithuania said an attack in Vilnius on Leonid Volkov, a former close aide to late Russian opposition leader Aleksei Navalny, "likely" organized by Moscow as part of a series of provocations in the Baltic country aimed at intimidating President Vladimir Putin's opponents abroad.
Chinese security authority warns of espionage traps in online dating and job hunting Global Times 13 Mar 2024 -- Are they your like-minded "online friends"? Intimate "lovers"? Caring "friends"? Helpful "good Samaritans"? Or perhaps, these are all just sweet "traps" set by espionage forces, Chinese Ministry of State Security warned the public in its latest article published on Wednesday.
Experts stress significance of national security education to avoid spy traps Global Times 13 Mar 2024 -- With espionage activities targeting China and its people, such tactics are also becoming more diverse. Chinese experts believe we should further promote national security education in more methods to prevent some people from falling into traps set by spy forces.
China In Eurasia Briefing: Chinese-Made Surveillance Equipment Used At Romanian Military Sites RFE/RL 13 Mar 2024
Chinese international purchasing agency for military equipment has agency qualification revoked for serious risk of information leakage Global Times 13 Mar 2024 -- A Chinese international purchasing agency has had its purchasing agency qualification revoked for serious risk of information leakage due to the company's internal mismanagement and poor practices around managing sensitive data, the Equipment Development Department (EDD) of China's Central Military Commission (CMC) announced in a statement on Tuesday.
DNI Releases FY 2025 Budget Request Figure for the National Intelligence Program Director of National Intelligence 12 Mar 2024 -- The Director of National Intelligence (DNI) is disclosing the aggregate amount of $73.4 billion in requested appropriations for the Fiscal Year 2025 National Intelligence Program (NIP).
Department of Defense Releases Fiscal Year 2025 Military Intelligence Program Budget Request DoD 12 Mar 2024 -- Today, the Department of Defense released the Military Intelligence Program (MIP) top line budget request for fiscal year 2025. The total is $28.2 billion and is aligned to the strategic priorities of the Secretary of Defense.
Russia Steps Up Spy War on West VOA 12 Mar 2024 -- Russia has successfully relaunched its spy operations against the West after hundreds of its operatives were ejected following Moscow's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, according to analysts. They warn that the Kremlin is using a network of proxies to infiltrate European nations and carry out a range of intelligence operations.
Classified Document Hearing Shows Stiff Partisan Divides on Biden's Responsibility, Memory VOA 12 Mar 2024 -- Members of Congress on Tuesday turned a hearing about President Joe Biden's handling of classified documents into a charged referendum on a question central to the upcoming presidential election: the 81-year-old's mental fitness.
US 'reluctant to let go hegemony' in intelligence assessment Global Times 12 Mar 2024 -- The US' latest intelligence report is part of the country's cognitive warfare against designated "competitors" and "rivals," and exposes that Washington is anxious and reluctant to accept that US supremacy is waning, Chinese observers said on Tuesday.
US Intelligence Chiefs Deliver Grim Warning for Ukraine VOA 12 Mar 2024 -- The frozen military conflict between Ukraine and Russia is starting to thaw and will likely tilt in Moscow's favor if the United States fails to quickly come through with additional military aid, according to top U.S. intelligence officials, in a grim assessment delivered to U.S. lawmakers.
Russia's intelligence says US seeks to interfere in presidential election Press TV 11 Mar 2024 -- Russia's foreign intelligence service, known as SVR, has revealed that the United States is trying to interfere in the upcoming presidential election.
ODNI Releases 2024 Annual Threat Assessment of the U.S. Intelligence Community Director of National Intelligence 11 Mar 2024 -- The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) today released the 2024 Annual Threat Assessment of the U.S. Intelligence Community.
US intelligence: Beijing may try to influence 2024 election Radio Free Asia 11 Mar 2024 -- Beijing has improved its ability to covertly spread disinformation and may try to influence America's 2024 presidential election, according to a report issued Monday by the U.S. intelligence community.
U.S.' China policy likely to continue whoever wins presidency: NSB CNA 11 Mar 2024 -- Taiwan's top intelligence chief on Monday said the United States' stance of containing China and maintaining a Taiwan-friendly approach is expected to continue regardless of whether President Joe Biden or former President Donald Trump wins the race for the top job in November.
ODNI and CIA Release the Intelligence Community OSINT Strategy for 2024-2026 Director of National Intelligence 08 Mar 2024 -- The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) today released the Intelligence Community (IC) Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) Strategy for 2024-2026.
US Army analyst arrested for selling military secrets Radio Free Asia 08 Mar 2024 -- A U.S. Army intelligence analyst with "top secret" clearance was arrested on Thursday for allegedly sending troves of sensitive military planning documents related to China - including plans to defend Taiwan in case of an invasion - to a person in Hong Kong.
Latest National Security Threat Assessment: what is the security status quo? Lithuania MND 07 Mar 2024 -- On March 7 the Defence Intelligence and Security Service under the Ministry of National Defence and the State Security Department presented trends of Lithuania's security situation in the 9th Security Threat Assessment.
U.S. Army Intelligence Analyst Arrested and Charged with Conspiracy to Obtain and Disclose National Defense Information, Export Control Violations and Bribery US Dept. of Justice 07 Mar 2024 -- Korbein Schultz, a U.S. Army soldier and intelligence analyst, was arrested today at Fort Campbell following an indictment by a federal grand jury charging him with conspiracy to obtain and disclose national defense information, exporting technical data related to defense articles without a license, conspiracy to export defense articles without a license, and bribery of a public official.
Chinese-Made Surveillance Cameras At Romanian Military Sites Raise Security Concerns RFE/RL 07 Mar 2024 -- A seemingly mundane purchase by the Romanian military on January 16 for Chinese-made surveillance equipment could have far-reaching national-security implications.
Iran's Armed Forces maintain full intelligence dominance over enemies: Army chief Press TV 06 Mar 2024 -- The chief commander of the Iranian Army says the Islamic Republic's Armed Forces maintain complete dominance in the field of intelligence over the enemies and are fully prepared to defend the country's national interests.
Chinese National Residing in California Arrested for Theft of Artificial Intelligence-Related Trade Secrets from Google US Dept. of Justice 06 Mar 2024 -- A federal grand jury indicted Linwei Ding, aka Leon Ding, charging him with four counts of theft of trade secrets in connection with an alleged plan to steal from Google LLC (Google) proprietary information related to artificial intelligence (AI) technology. The announcement was made by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland this afternoon while participating in a "Fireside Chat" at the American Bar Association's 39th National Institute on White Collar Crime in San Francisco.
Former Google Engineer Charged With Trade Secret Theft VOA 06 Mar 2024 -- A former Google software engineer was charged with four counts of federal trade secret theft for an alleged plan to steal artificial intelligence technology from Google while also secretly working for two China-based companies, according to a Justice Department indictment Wednesday.
Two hotel staff in Beijing detained for obstructing state security police performing duties Global Times 06 Mar 2024 -- Two staff members of a hotel, where police found a foreign spy was secretly carrying out illegal work, have been detained for obstructing China's Ministry of State Security (MSS) police officers from performing their official duties, according to a statement published by MSS' official WeChat account on Tuesday.
China Ex-Foreign Minister: Spy or State Secret Keeper? VOA 05 Mar 2024 -- When China opened its annual National People's Congress in Beijing on Tuesday, one rising star from last year's gathering was absent: former foreign minister Qin Gang.
Iranian Judiciary Says 'Mossad Agent' Executed In Connection With Attack In Isfahan RFE/RL 05 Mar 2024 -- Iran's judiciary has announced the execution of a person it claims was a Mossad agent involved in an explosion at a Defense Ministry workshop complex in the city of Isfahan last year.
Germany Blames Human Error After Russia Hacks Call on Ukraine Missiles VOA 05 Mar 2024 -- Germany said Tuesday that human error was to blame for Russia obtaining the recording of a phone call among senior German military officials discussing the supply of long-range weapons to Ukraine, denying its government communication systems had been compromised.
Ex-U.S. Army Officer Accused Of Sharing Ukraine War Intelligence On Dating Site Pleads Not Guilty RFE/RL 05 Mar 2024 -- A retired U.S. Army officer has pleaded not guilty to charges that he shared classified intelligence with a woman claiming to be from Ukraine, using e-mail and an online dating platform to send information that included Russian military targets in Ukraine.
U.S. airman accused of leaking classified intel info pleads guilty People's Daily 05 Mar 2024 -- A Massachusetts Air National Guardsman accused by federal prosecutors of posting classified intelligence information and sensitive documents online on Monday pleaded guilty to the crimes he was charged with, in exchange for a possible sentence of 16 years in prison.
Leak scandal sends further shockwave, complicating Ukraine crisis: experts Global Times 05 Mar 2024 -- Russia and Germany have recently been stuck in "eavesdropping" dispute over an audio recording of a meeting of senior German military officials. If it is confirmed that German military officers were involved in the attack on a bridge in Crimea, or even if it is proven that German officers trained Ukrainian missile forces, it would pose great pressure on Germany, experts warned on Monday.
U.S. airman accused of leaking classified intel info pleads guilty People's Daily 05 Mar 2024 -- A Massachusetts Air National Guardsman accused by federal prosecutors of posting classified intelligence information and sensitive documents online on Monday pleaded guilty to the crimes he was charged with, in exchange for a possible sentence of 16 years in prison.
Air National Guardsman Agrees to Plead Guilty to Unlawfully Disclosing Classified National Defense Information US Dept. of Justice 04 Mar 2024 -- Jack Douglas Teixeira, 22, of North Dighton, Massachusetts, a member of the U.S. Air National Guard (USANG) stationed in Massachusetts, has agreed to plead guilty to retaining and transmitting classified National Defense Information on a social media platform beginning in or around 2022 and continuing until his arrest in April 2023.
Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen Delivers Remarks on Guilty Plea by Air National Guardsman in National Security Case US Dept. of Justice 04 Mar 2024
Air Force Employee Indicted for Unlawful Disclosure of Classified National Defense Information US Dept. of Justice 04 Mar 2024 -- A civilian employee of the U.S. Air Force assigned to the U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM), at Offutt Air Force Base, was arrested Saturday, March 2, for allegedly conspiring to transmit and transmitting classified information relating to the national defense (National Defense Information or NDI) on a foreign online dating platform beginning in or around February 2022 until in or around April 2022.
Newly revised anti-espionage law enhances certainty and security of foreign investors: NPC spokesperson Global Times 04 Mar 2024 -- The newly revised anti-espionage law does not expand the scope of espionage activities, but rather, it improves the definition of espionage activities, clarifies the boundaries between illegal and legal activities, and enhances the certainty and security of foreign enterprises and individuals investing, working, and living in China, said a spokesperson for the National People's Congress (NPC) session on Monday.
Leaked audio indicates Germany's intention to strike Russia, Kremlin says Press TV 04 Mar 2024 -- Russia says leaked talks within the German military on the Ukraine war about potential strikes on Russian targets raises questions regarding Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz being in "control of the situation."
Berlin, Moscow Dispute Whether Ambassador Summoned Over Leaked Military Talks RFE/RL 04 Mar 2024 -- German Ambassador to Russia Alexander Lambsdorff spent about an hour at the Russian Foreign Ministry in Moscow on March 4 amid a dispute between the two countries over the publication of a recording of a confidential discussion between German military officials about providing the long-range Taurus missile to Ukraine.
Remote Communication Rules to Be Distributed in Bundeswehr Due to Leaked Recording Sputnik 04 Mar 2024 -- Recommendations on safe remote communication will be distributed in the Bundeswehr after an audio recording of a conversation of senior German military was leaked, a German Defense Ministry representative said on Monday.
Leaked Recording Of German Military Call On Taurus Missiles Is Part Of Putin's 'Information War,' Says Minister RFE/RL 03 Mar 2024 -- Berlin accused Russia on March 3 of trying to sow disunity following the leak of a confidential conference call between high-ranking German military staff discussing the possible use of German-made Taurus missiles by Ukraine.
German Defense Minister on Leak: Discussing Scenarios Does Not Mean Giving Taurus Missiles to Kiev Sputnik 03 Mar 2024 -- German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said on Sunday that an audio recording published by Russian media showed German senior officers discussing "different scenarios" of events, not plans, and their conversation does not mean a "green light" to transferring Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine.
Leaked audio reveals German aid to Ukraine in planned Crimean Bridge attack Press TV 03 Mar 2024 -- Leaked audio obtained by Russia has revealed that German officials discussed plans to send missiles to Ukraine to take out the key Crimean Bridge amid a long-running war between Kiev and Moscow.
German Defense Ministry Concerned About Possibility of Wider Secret Talks Leak - Reports Sputnik 02 Mar 2024 -- The German Defense Ministry is concerned that the disclosed recording of confidential army talks on Russia and Ukraine could be part of a wider leak spanning the country's air force and other military divisions, German magazine Der Spiegel reported, citing unnamed sources.
Chancellor Scholz Promises to Provide Clarifications Over Leak of German Military Conversation Sputnik 02 Mar 2024 -- German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Saturday that a thorough, intensive and swift investigation was underway in connection with the leaked conversation between German military officers on security topics concerning Russia and Ukraine.
Bundeswehr Believes Rec. of German Conversation About Strike on Russia Authentic - Reports Sputnik 02 Mar 2024 -- The recording of a conversation between senior German military officials on security topics concerning Russia and Ukraine is circulating among the Bundeswehr officials, and they believe it is authentic, German newspaper Die Welt has reported, citing German soldiers.
German Bundeswehr Chatter: NATO Teetering on Edge of Direct Conflict With Russia Sputnik 01 Mar 2024 -- Western forces have long been fighting on Ukraine's side, intelligence veteran Leonid Reshetnikov told Sputnik, commenting on the German military representatives' discussion about blasting the Crimean Bridge with Taurus missiles.
Leaked Audio: German Top Brass Said to Implicate Brits in Plot Targeting Crimean Bridge Sputnik 01 Mar 2024 -- The text of a recording of what is purported to be a February discussion among senior German brass, alleges that UK military experts were in Ukraine to help Kiev ready attacks on Russia with Storm Shadow missile.
Russia Must Press Bundestag to Look Into Alleged German Plot to Strike Crimean Bridge - Official Sputnik 01 Mar 2024 -- It is necessary to send a demand for an investigation to Bundestag, the German parliament, after information about a recording of German officers discussing an attack on the Crimean Bridge, Russian lower house speaker Vyacheslav Volodin said on Friday.
German Defence Ministry Verifying Possible Interception of Conversation - Reports Sputnik 01 Mar 2024 -- The German Defence Ministry has initiated a probe into the possible interception of German Air Force communications about the alleged theoretical use of Taurus missiles, DPA reported.
Full Transcript of German Top Military Officials' Leaked Plot to Attack Crimean Bridge Sputnik 01 Mar 2024 -- On February 19, 2024, a conversation took place among Grafe (department head for operations and exercises at the Air Force Forces Command of the Bundeswehr), Gerhartz (Bundeswehr Air Force Inspector), Fenske and Frohstedte (employees of the Air Operations Command within the Space Operations Center of the Bundeswehr).
Turkish media reveal identities of alleged spies for China Radio Free Asia 01 Mar 2024 -- An alleged spy for China living in Istanbul evaded detection by Turkish authorities for years, Sadiq Memeteziz's undercover work taking him to Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Syria and Xinjiang in China's far-west, Turkish media reports said, citing official documents.
Wanted Former Wirecard Executive Spied For Russia For Years, Investigative Journalists Say RFE/RL 01 Mar 2024 -- The former chief operating officer of the defunct German fintech giant Wirecard, who fled to Russia in 2020 to evade possible prosecution on embezzlement and fraud charges, spied for Moscow for years, according to an investigation by German, Austrian, and Russian media outlets published on March 1.
Indicted former U.S. diplomat admits spying for Cuba People's Daily 01 Mar 2024 -- A former senior U.S. diplomat charged with spying for Cuba admitted Thursday the criminal counts he was accused of by federal prosecutors, U.S. media reported citing his remarks in court.
Ex-legislative candidate indicted on charges related to China CNA 01 Mar 2024 -- The Taoyuan District Prosecutors Office on Friday indicted former independent legislative candidate Ma Chih-wei (馬治薇) for passing information to and receiving financial support from China as she prepared to run in Taiwan's Jan. 13, 2024 elections.

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