June 2024 Intelligence News

Agency Director Pledges to Get Government's Background Checking System on Track DoD News 27 Jun 2024 -- The Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency, now responsible for conducting 95% of background investigations for the federal government, has struggled to get the National Background Investigation Services fully operational since taking over the role in 2020.
Russian National Charged for Conspiring with Russian Military Intelligence to Destroy Ukrainian Government Computer Systems and Data US Dept. of Justice 26 Jun 2024 -- A federal grand jury in Maryland returned an indictment yesterday charging Amin Timovich Stigal (Амин Тимович Стигал), 22, a Russian citizen, with conspiracy to hack into and destroy computer systems and data. In advance of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, targets included Ukrainian Government systems and data with no military or defense-related roles. Later targets included computer systems in countries that were providing support to Ukraine, including the United States. Stigal remains at large.
Emotional homecoming for WikiLeaks' Assange VOA 26 Jun 2024 -- WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange arrived in his home country of Australia a free man Wednesday after agreeing to a plea deal with U.S. prosecutors over espionage charges, ending a 14-year legal odyssey.
Wikileaks founder Julian Assange expected to plead guilty in deal with U.S. People's Daily 25 Jun 2024 -- Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, has reached a tentative deal with U.S. Justice Department to plead guilty to a single felony count of violating the Espionage Act, with no additional prison time, according to court filings released Monday evening.
China's Ministry of State Security warns passengers against unauthorized photographing at military-civilian airports Global Times 24 Jun 2024 -- China's Ministry of State Security (MSS) warned on Monday that passengers on civilian flights are required to comply with regulations and are prohibited from taking unauthorized photographs of sensitive military areas and equipment. This warning followed the circulation of an online video showing a foreigner suspected of illegally photographing a military-civilian airport in China, which garnered widespread public attention.
China's state security authorities warn of foreign spies hunting military info on messaging app Global Times 23 Jun 2024 -- China's Ministry of State Security on Saturday posted a short film calling on the public to enhance national security awareness, as the film describes a case of espionage in which a military enthusiast was deceived by a foreign spy disguised as a pretty girl on instant messaging app into giving up sensitive military information.
Supreme Court upholds High Court verdict in military espionage case CNA 21 Jun 2024 -- The Supreme Court on Friday upheld the sentences given to two retired Air Force officers who helped or attempted to help a Chinese Ministry of State Security agent recruit intelligence assets in Taiwan.
Secretary Antony J. Blinken And Romanian Foreign Minister Luminita Odobescu At the Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding On Countering Foreign State Information Manipulation US Dept. of State 21 Jun 2024
The United States of America and Romania Sign Memorandum of Understanding on Countering Foreign State Information Manipulation US Dept. of State 21 Jun 2024 -- Today, U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and Romania's Minister of Foreign Affairs Luminița Odobescu signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to strengthen cooperation between the United States and Romania on countering foreign state information manipulation.
Cities, provinces across China join global propaganda push VOA 21 Jun 2024 -- Each year, China's government spends billions on foreign propaganda and until recently those efforts were largely driven by departments in the central government and state media. Now, a growing number of cities are joining that effort, with the China Media Project, an independent research group, recently documenting at least 23 foreign propaganda centers at China's city and provincial levels.
Turner Warns of Russia's Nuclear Anti-Satellite Weapons Program During Speech at CSIS House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence 20 Jun 2024 -- Today, Congressman Mike Turner (OH-10), Chairman of the House Permanent Select on Intelligence, a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, and head of the U.S. delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly delivered a major speech about the Russian nuclear anti-satellite threat at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
US 'sleepwalking' into space disaster, lawmaker warns VOA 20 Jun 2024 -- A key U.S. lawmaker warned Thursday that Russia is on the verge of ushering in the end of the Space Age with its new, nuclear anti-satellite weaponry.
In US, fake news websites now outnumber real local media sites VOA 20 Jun 2024 -- Fake websites masquerading as news now outnumber legitimate local news websites, with Russia playing a leading role in their proliferation, say media analysts.
Foreign Agents Bill Adopted in Canada With Unprecedented Speed - Russian Foreign Ministry Sputnik 20 Jun 2024 -- On June 3, the Speaker of the Georgian Parliament, Shalva Papuashvili, signed the debatable law on foreign agents.
Espionage case appeals rejected by Supreme Court CNA 14 Jun 2024 -- Taiwan's Supreme Court on Thursday upheld most of the sentences in an espionage case centered around a retired Air Force colonel, rejecting appeals from both the defendants and the prosecutors.
MSS unveils case of suspect recruited by foreign spies after 'showing off' sensitive job Global Times 14 Jun 2024 -- China's Ministry of State Security (MSS) on Friday unveiled details of a case in which a suspect was recruited by foreign intelligence after the suspect leaked information related to his sensitive job on social media platforms. The ministry warned the public to be vigilant when socializing online, to enhance the awareness to protect personal information.
Agent linked to Israeli Mossad spy agency, anti-Iran media captured in central Iran Press TV 14 Jun 2024 -- Iranian intelligence forces have captured an individual in the country's central province of Qom on charges of affiliation to the Israeli Mossad spy agency and collaboration with foreign-based media outlets involved in a propaganda campaign against the Islamic Republic.
DIA Report Details Effects of Houthi Attacks on Commercial Shipping DIA 13 Jun 2024 -- The Defense Intelligence Agency has released a new report detailing how Houthi maritime attacks have affected international trade supported by an expansion of military capabilities with help from Iran.
Resident of China Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Send Leading Electric Vehicle Company's Trade Secrets to Undercover U.S. Agent US Dept. of Justice 13 Jun 2024 -- Klaus Pflugbeil, 58, a Canadian national and resident of the People's Republic of China (PRC), pleaded guilty today to conspiring to send trade secrets that belonged to a leading U.S.-based electric vehicle company (Victim Company). Pflugbeil and his co-defendant, Yilong Shao, who remains at large, are owners of a PRC-based business (Business-1) that sold technology used to make batteries, including batteries used in electric vehicles. Pflugbeil, a former employee of a company later purchased by Victim Company-1, stole trade secrets from his then employer and later used the trade secrets to build Business-1, marketing his business as a replacement for Victim Company-1's products.
Two secret-related personnel dealt with for selling confidential military documents as scrap Global Times 13 Jun 2024 -- A retired enthusiast of military reading materials happened to help uncover a case in which two personnel who handled secret documents sold confidential military documents as scrap for around a mere 20 yuan ($2.76), the Chinese Ministry of State Security (MSS) disclosed on its official WeChat account on Thursday.
Czech Official Says Letter To EU's Borrell Asks To Curb Moves Of Russian Diplomats RFE/RL 13 Jun 2024 -- Foreign ministers from eight EU countries have sent a letter to EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell asking him to curb Russian diplomats' movement in the Schengen area over their concern that the free movement of the diplomats facilitates "malign activities."
Austria Says Security Concern Was Behind Decision To Pull TASS Accreditation RFE/RL 12 Jun 2024 -- Austria annulled the accreditation of two correspondents working for Russia's TASS news agency in April "due to a negative security assessment by the security authorities," the Interior Ministry said.
Busting US-Zionist spy network in Yemen great victory: Ansarullah leader IRNA 12 Jun 2024 -- The leader of Yemen's Ansarullah Movement has hailed the country's military for dismantling an American-Israeli espionage network, calling it "a great and important victory" for the Arab country.
Sayyed al-Houthi: Exposed spy network reveals US breach of sovereignty ISNA 12 Jun 2024 -- The leader of the Ansar Allah movement affirms that the dismantling of the dangerous espionage network reveals the destructive and conspiratorial face of the United States.
UK appeal against US extradition for Julian Assange to begin VOA 11 Jun 2024 -- WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange will begin his final appeal against extradition from Britain to the United States July 9-10, a judicial spokesperson said Tuesday.
Exclusive: National security officers, experts refute false claims of 'everyone entering China will have their cellphones checked' Global Times 11 Jun 2024 -- Administrative Law Enforcement Procedures of the National Security Agencies and the Criminal Case Handling Procedures of the National Security Agencies, issued recently by China's Ministry of State Security (MSS) will take effect on July 1, 2024.
China's state security authority unveils details of college student pretending to turn himself in Global Times 11 Jun 2024 -- China's Ministry of State Security on Tuesday unveiled a spy case in which a college student joined a foreign intelligence agency and then pretended to turn himself in, but was ultimately discovered by the national security authorities.
Poland and the United States sign a Memorandum of Understanding to Counter Foreign State Information Manipulation Poland - Ministry of Foreign Affairs 10 Jun 2024 -- On June 10th, Poland and the United States signed a Memorandum of Understanding to Counter Foreign State Information Manipulation.
The United States and Poland Sign Memorandum of Understanding to Counter Foreign State Information Manipulation US Dept. of State 10 Jun 2024 -- Today, U.S. Special Envoy and Coordinator for the Global Engagement Center James P. Rubin and Polish Foreign Minister's Plenipotentiary for Countering International Disinformation Tomasz Chłoń signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to strengthen cooperation between the United States and Poland on countering foreign state information manipulation.
The United States and Poland Announce New Ukraine Communications Group US Dept. of State 10 Jun 2024 -- Today, the United States and Poland jointly launched a new Ukraine Communications Group (UCG) based in Warsaw to support Ukraine against Russia's aggression in the information space.
Ukraine Comunications Group launched in Warsaw Poland - Ministry of Foreign Affairs 10 Jun 2024 -- On June 10, Plenipotentiary of the Minister of Foreign Affairs for Countering International Disinformation Tomasz Chłoń and U.S. Special Envoy and Coordinator for the Global Engagement Center James P. Rubin attended the opening ceremony of Ukraine Communications Group.
US, Poland join forces to counter Russian disinformation in Ukraine VOA 10 Jun 2024 -- The United States and Poland are creating a group to help Ukraine fight Russian disinformation, the U.S. State Department's Global Engagement Center announced Monday.
Yemen dismantles large US, Israeli espionage network Press TV 10 Jun 2024 -- Yemen's security authorities say they have dismantled a large espionage network that was working for the United States and Israel amid the Arab country's military campaign to support the people of Gaza in their struggle against the Israeli aggression.
Russian election meddlers hurting Biden, helping Trump, US intelligence warns VOA 09 Jul 2024 -- Russia is turning to a familiar playbook in its attempt to sway the outcome of the upcoming U.S. presidential election, looking for ways to boost the candidacy of former President Donald Trump by disparaging the campaign of incumbent President Joe Biden, according to American intelligence officials.
China Airlines ex-employee implicated in diabolo instructor spy case CNA 09 Jun 2024 -- An ongoing espionage case involving a diabolo instructor recently implicated an ex-China Airlines (CAL) employee in leaking the details of presidential trip itineraries among other sensitive information, a prosecutor said Sunday.
IRGC intelligence forces nab counter-revolutionary agent in northwestern Iran Press TV 08 Jun 2024 -- The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) intelligence forces have arrested an individual in Iran's northwestern province of Ardabil on charges of directing a disinformation campaign against the Islamic establishment, and manipulation of the public opinion.
Iran's judiciary alleges activist has ties to Israeli spy agency VOA 08 Jun 2024 -- Following the arrest of Hossein Shanbehzadeh, a literary editor, activist and former political prisoner, the prosecutor accused him of having "ties with high-ranking Mossad officers."
French Citizen Detained In Moscow On Suspicion Of Collecting Military Data RFE/RL 06 Jun 2024 -- A French man has been detained in Moscow on suspicion of collecting information related to the activities of Russia's armed forces, the Russian Investigative Committee said on June 6.
Russia detains French citizen accused of gathering military intelligence VOA 06 Jun 2024 -- Russia detained a French citizen on Thursday and accused him of gathering information about the Russian military and failing to register as a "foreign agent."
Exclusive: Azerbaijani Officials Targeted France With New Caledonia Disinformation Campaign RFE/RL 06 Jun 2024 -- An RFE/RL investigation has discovered that several individuals with links to Azerbaijan's ruling party were involved in what appears to have been a coordinated social media campaign targeting France over the recent unrest in the French-ruled Pacific island of New Caledonia.
FVEY Partners Warn of Evolving Efforts to Recruit Current and Former Western Service Members to Bolster the PRC's Military Director of National Intelligence 05 Jun 2024 -- The Office of the Director of National Intelligence's National Counterintelligence and Security Center (NCSC) today joined partners from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom in warning about continued efforts by the People's Republic of China (PRC) to recruit current and former Western military personnel to train the PRC military.
US, allies warn China aggressively 'headhunting' Western fighter pilots VOA 05 Jun 2024 -- China's military appears to be intensifying its efforts to recruit current and former Western fighter pilots, employing new and more intricate tactics to snare Western expertise.
Five Eyes nations say China is poaching Western ex-military Radio Free Asia 05 Jun 2024 -- China's navy and air force have been "aggressively recruiting Western military talent" to train their aviators in complex aerial maneuvers taught by U.S. armed forces, the American-led Five Eyes intelligence sharing network said in a bulletin on Wednesday.
New 'Overlays' Provide Guide on Path to Zero Trust DoD News 04 Jun 2024 -- The Defense Department's chief information officer today released the nearly 400-page "Zero Trust Overlays" document designed to serve as both a road map and guide for helping the department achieve goals set forth in a 2021 executive order signed by President Joe Biden.
Poland launches investigation into Russian, Belarusian political influence VOA 05 Jun 2024 -- Poland launched a special commission Wednesday to investigate Russian and Belarusian influence in the country, Prime Minister Donald Tusk said, amid growing fears of alleged sabotage and cyberattacks along the Poland-Belarus border.
Israel using massive campaign of influencing US lawmakers to back war: Report Press TV 05 Jun 2024 -- In a long-running social media campaign, Israel has been trying to influence legislators of the United States to support the occupying entity's actions in its genocidal war on the besieged Gaza Strip, according to a report by the New York Times.
Mossad agent arrested in northwest Iran IRNA 05 Jun 2024 -- Iran has arrested a fugitive spy working for Israel's Mossad agency in the northwestern province of Ardabil.
Iran intelligence forces identify, capture Mossad spy in Ardabil Province Press TV 05 Jun 2024 -- Iranian intelligence forces have identified and arrested an individual in the country's northwestern province of Ardabil on charges of espionage for the Israeli regime's Mossad spy agency.
Court acquits former Pakistani PM Khan of leaking state secrets VOA 03 Jun 2024 -- The Islamabad High Court has overturned the conviction of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan and his foreign minister, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, in a case pertaining to mishandling state secrets.
Ex-military man convicted of spying required to return pension CNA 03 Jun 2024 -- Retired Lieutenant Colonel Tu Yung-hsin (杜永心) has been deprived of his pension and other privileges after the Supreme Administrative Court upheld a ruling by a lower court following his conviction in a Chinese spying case.
China unveils case where MI6 recruited Chinese couple as spies Global Times 03 Jun 2024 -- China's Ministry of State Security (MSS) disclosed on Monday morning a major espionage case involving the British Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) recruiting a couple from a central state agency in China.
Readout of Assistant Secretary of Defense Ely Ratner's Meeting With "Five Eyes" Defense Policy Senior Officials DoD 02 Jun 2024

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