May 2025 Intelligence News

Two Foreign Nationals Indicted for Plot to Silence U.S. Dissident and Smuggle U.S. Military Technology to China US Dept. of Justice 30 May 2025 -- Federal grand juries in Milwaukee and Los Angeles each returned indictments charging two foreign nationals, Cui Guanghai, 43, of China, and John Miller, 63, of the United Kingdom and a U.S. lawful permanent resident, with interstate stalking and conspiracy to commit interstate stalking (Los Angeles) and conspiracy, smuggling, and violations of the Arms Export Control Act (Milwaukee).
NSA Whistleblower Edward Snowden Is Now A Registered Russian Taxpayer, RFE/RL Finds RFE/RL 30 May 2025 -- Edward Snowden is a registered Russian taxpayer. The former US National Security Agency whistleblower, who has lived in Russia since his revelations rocked the US intelligence community in 2013, has a taxpayer identification number, RFE/RL's Russian investigative unit, Systema, has found.
Foreign Ministry summons Austrian chargé d'affaires her country's 'irresponsible and provocative' claims IRNA 30 May 2025 -- Michaela Pacher, the chargé d'affaires of the Austrian Embassy in Tehran, has been summoned by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs due to Vienna's unfounded claims regarding Iran's peaceful nuclear program in its annual assessment of Austria's intelligence agency.
Iran says false Austrian report on its nuclear program discredits I.A.E.A. IRNA 30 May 2025 -- Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baqaei has described a recent report by Austria's intelligence body about Iran's peaceful nuclear program as "false," saying that the report discredits the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Iran summons Austria's charge d'affaires over 'irresponsible, provocative' nuclear claims Press TV 30 May 2025 -- The Iranian Foreign Ministry has summoned Austria's chargé d'affaires to Tehran to protest an "irresponsible and provocative" claim by the European country's domestic intelligence agency about Tehran's peaceful nuclear program.
Iran asks Austria to explain 'false' report on its nuclear program Press TV 30 May 2025 -- Iran has rejected a "false and baseless" report by Austria's domestic intelligence agency about the country's peaceful nuclear activities, calling on Vienna to provide an explanation for levelling "irresponsible" accusations at Tehran.
U.S. government employee arrested for attempting to provide classified information to foreign government U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Virginia 29 May 2025 -- Federal grand juries in Milwaukee and Los Angeles each returned indictments charging two foreign nationals, Cui Guanghai, 43, of China, and John Miller, 63, of the United Kingdom and a U.S. lawful permanent resident, with interstate stalking and conspiracy to commit interstate stalking (Los Angeles) and conspiracy, smuggling, and violations of the Arms Export Control Act (Milwaukee).
Taiwanese man arrested in South Korea for filming NIS building CNA 30 May 2025 -- A Taiwanese man was arrested by South Korean police on Thursday for allegedly filming the interior of the National Intelligence Service (NIS) building.
Douyin, RedNote seen as China's propaganda tools: MAC CNA 29 May 2025 -- There are growing suspicions that Chinese social media apps like Douyin and RedNote are being used by China in its united front propaganda efforts against Taiwan, Chiu Chui-cheng (邱垂正), head of Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC), said Thursday
Iran Executes Man Accused Of Spying For Israel As Human Rights Groups Condemn 'Killing Spree' RFE/RL 28 May 2025 -- Iran said it has executed Pedram Madani, who was accused of "spying for Israel" in a case human rights groups said was filled with "fundamental flaws" and based on confessions made under duress.
Mossad spy executed in Iran IRNA 28 May 2025 -- A Mossad spy has been executed after being convicted of intelligence cooperation with the Israeli regime.
A man convicted of espionage for Israel's Mossad executed in Iran Press TV 28 May 2025 -- A man arrested in 2020 and convicted of extensive collaboration with the Israeli spy agency Mossad has been executed, the Iranian judiciary announced on Wednesday.
We Can See from the Information Obtained by Intelligence and from Open-Source Data That Putin and His Entourage Do Not Plan to End the War - Address by the President President of Ukraine 26 May 2025
China's Ministry of State Security reminds the public of potential espionage of foreign spies under disguised as scholars and detectives and tourists Global Times 26 May 2025 -- China's Ministry of State Security (MSS) on Sunday warned the public of potential espionage threats by summarizing several common disguises used by foreign spies and the deceptive tactics they employ to conduct activities that endanger China's national security.
A Munich Courtroom Casts A Spotlight On Russia's Amateur Saboteurs RFE/RL 24 May 2025 -- The career path of Dieter S. ran from an illegal armed group in eastern Ukraine in 2014 to a Russian terrorist cell in Germany, a high-security courtroom in Munich heard this week.
Probe Says Russian Military Hackers Target Romanian Surveillance Cameras To Track Ukraine Aid RFE/RL 23 May 2025 -- Russian military intelligence (GRU) has targeted thousands of surveillance cameras across Romania and other NATO countries bordering Ukraine in an attempt to monitor the flow of military and humanitarian aid to Kyiv, according to a recent investigation involving the United States and several European nations.
Israeli police, protesters clash after Netanyahu names new Shin Bet chief Press TV 23 May 2025 -- Israeli police have clashed with protesters after prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu appointed the new head of the Shin Bet spy agency in defiance of the attorney general's instruction to freeze the process.
A Staff Member of the Indian High Commission, Islamabad, Declared Persona Non Grata Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs 22 May 2025 -- The Government of Pakistan has declared a staff member of the High Commission of India, Islamabad, as persona non grata for engaging in activities inconsistent with his privileged status. The concerned official has been directed to leave Pakistan within 24 hours.
PM Netanyahu Decides to Appoint Maj.-Gen. David Zini as the next Director of the ISA Israel - Prime Minister 22 May 2025 -- rime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, this evening , announced his decision to appoint Maj.-Gen. David Zini as the next Director of the Israeli Security Agency (ISA).
NSA's AISC Releases Joint Guidance on the Risks and Best Practices in AI Data Security NSA Central Security Service 22 May 2025 -- The National Security Agency's Artificial Intelligence Security Center (AISC) is releasing the joint Cybersecurity Information Sheet (CSI), "AI Data Security: Best Practices for Securing Data Used to Train & Operate AI Systems," to provide best practices and recommendations for the data security of AI systems.
Ukrainian Former Yanukovych Adviser Andriy Portnov Reportedly Shot Dead In Spain RFE/RL 21 May 2025 -- Andriy Portnov, an adviser to former pro-Russian Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, was reportedly shot dead on May 21 just outside of Madrid after dropping off his children at school.
What's Known About Ex-Adviser to Yanukovych Shot Dead in Spain? Sputnik 21 May 2025 -- The body of Andriy Portnov, ex-adviser to former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, has been removed from the crime scene. The area remains cordoned off, with police still on-site, Sputnik correspondent reported.
NSA and Others Publish Advisory Warning of Russian State-sponsored Cyber Campaign Targeting Western Logistics and Technology Entities NSA Central Security Service 21 May 2025 -- The National Security Agency (NSA) is joining several United States and foreign entities to release the Cybersecurity Advisory (CSA), "Russian GRU Targeting Western Logistics Entities and Technology Companies," to call attention to a Russia state-sponsored cyber campaign targeting Western government organizations and commercial logistics entities, transportation services, and technology companies, including those involved in providing assistance to Ukraine.
DPP expels 5 members over alleged Chinese espionage CNA 21 May 2025 -- The ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has expelled five members accused of spying for China, a move that aims to "uphold party discipline and safeguard national security," the party's Central Evaluation Committee chairman said Wednesday.
Sweden signs Memorandum of Understanding on the protection of critical undersea infrastructure Government Offices of Sweden 21 May 2025 -- On May 16, Sweden signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) concerning the protection of critical undersea infrastructure in the Baltic Sea.
NBI has closed a criminal investigation into suspected unauthorised intelligence activities Police of Finland 21 May 2025 -- The National Bureau of Investigation has closed a criminal investigation into suspected unauthorised intelligence activities in Southeastern Finland in 2022.
Pakistani official declared persona non grata India MEA 21 May 2025 -- The Government of India has declared a Pakistani official, working at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, persona non grata for indulging in activities not in keeping with his official status in India.
U.S. FBI closes unit policing compliance with surveillance rules: report People's Daily 21 May 2025 -- U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel has closed an internal watchdog office established in 2020 to uncover and reduce the risk of misuses of national security surveillance, reported The New York Times on Tuesday.
Germany, PH bat for intel sharing arrangement Philippine News Agency 20 May 2025 -- Germany and the Philippines on Tuesday highlighted the need for a mechanism that would facilitate exchange of classified information between their two militaries.
Israel claims two men arrested on suspicion of spying for Iran Press TV 20 May 2025 -- Israeli authorities say they have arrested two men suspected of surveilling minister of military affairs, Israel Katz, on behalf of Iran.
Moscow hits back at Romania's election 'interference' accusations Press TV 19 May 2025 -- Moscow has rejected claims of "Russian interference" in Romania's presidential election.
French Intelligence Rejects Durov Allegation Of Romanian Election Meddling RFE/RL 19 May 2025 -- Russian-born Pavel Durov said French intelligence asked him to ban Romanian right-wing comments on the Telegram messaging app he founded ahead of the weekend runoff presidential election in the Balkan country, an accusation the Directorate General for External Security (DGSE) rejected.
PM Office-Mossad: 60 Years after his Execution: Approximately 2,500 Documents, Photographs and Personal Items of Mossad Agent Eli Cohen are brought to Israel in a Covert Mossad Operation Israel - Prime Minister 18 May 2025 -- In a covert and complex Mossad operation, in cooperation with an allied foreign intelligence service, the official Syrian archive on Eli Cohen (https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/eli-cohen) - with thousands of findings that were held for decades by the Syrian security forces in a highly compartmentalized manner - have been brought to Israel.
Senior Officials Say Military Intel Budget Request Aligns With DOD Priorities DoD News 16 May 2025 -- The Defense Department's proposed military intelligence program budget for fiscal year 2026 aligns with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's strategic lines of effort both at home and abroad, according to a trio of senior intelligence officials who testified yesterday at a House Armed Services Committee intelligence and special operations subcommittee posture hearing on Capitol Hill.
Taiwan probing entertainers allegedly spreading Chinese propaganda CNA 15 May 2025 -- A senior Taiwanese cross-strait affairs official said Thursday that his agency has identified more than 20 entertainers who could be guilty of spreading Chinese propaganda and might face punishment.
North Korea could have 50 long-range missiles by 2035: US intel Radio Free Asia 14 May 2025 -- North Korea currently has up to 10 intercontinental ballistic missiles and could expand its arsenal to 50 ICBMs within a decade, according to U.S. intelligence.
Chinese FM says trial of Japanese national on espionage charges follows legal procedures Global Times 14 May 2025 -- In response to a media inquiry on that on Tuesday, a court in Shanghai sentenced a Japanese man to 12 years in prison for espionage and the Japanese government has requested that China ensure "transparency in judicial procedures," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Wednesday that China is a country governed by the rule of law. "The judicial authorities handled the case strictly in accordance with legal procedures and ensured the protection of all the lawful rights of the individual involved during the process."
Top US national intel officials sacked in ongoing purge Press TV 14 May 2025 -- US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has dismissed two top officials at the National Intelligence Council (NIC) as part of a move to tackle what the agency describes as the "weaponization" of intelligence.
DIA releases 'Golden Dome' missile threat assessment DIA 13 May 2025 -- The Defense Intelligence Agency recently released an unclassified assessment titled "Golden Dome for America: Current and Future Missile Threats to the U.S. Homeland" to depict threats a sophisticated missile defense system for the United States would defend against. The product presents the agency's unclassified intelligence on adversary missile threats and capabilities.
State security authorities disclose espionage case involving Chinese scholar providing sensitive data in exchange for intl publication opportunities Global Times 11 May 2025 -- China's Ministry of State Security (MSS) on Sunday disclosed an espionage case involving a Chinese university scholar provided sensitive data to a foreign nongovernmental organization in exchange for opportunities to publish papers in internationally renowned journals to boost his academic reputation.
INTERVIEW/Measures being prepared to counter Chinese espionage: Cho CNA 09 May 2025 -- Preparations for measures to tackle espionage, infiltration, propaganda and other national security threats from China are under way, Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) said Friday.
Cooperation in Balticconnector case to continue Police of Finland 09 May 2025 -- The National Bureau of Investigation continues cooperation with Chinese authorities in the investigation into the damaged Balticconnector gas pipeline. Information about any investigative measures taken by the authorities of China and Hong Kong is, however, provided by the competent authorities themselves.
Budapest, Kyiv Expel Diplomats After Ukraine Says It Uncovered Hungarian Spy Network RFE/RL 09 May 2025 -- Ukraine's main security agency said it uncovered a Hungarian-run spy network that was seeking sensitive information about military defenses and public opinion in the western Zakarpattya region, which borders Hungary and has a substantial ethnic-Hungarian population.
Spies in DPP government expose weaknesses in vetting system for aides CNA 08 May 2025 -- Recent discoveries of people within the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government spying for China have exposed potential flaws in Taiwan's security vetting system and highlighted the difficulties involved in fixing them.
Danish FM to summon U.S. ambassador over reported espionage against Greenland People's Daily 08 May 2025 -- Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said on Wednesday that he will summon the United States ambassador to Denmark for a meeting following media reports suggesting that Washington plans to intensify espionage activities targeting Greenland.
Some of Hegseth's Passwords Exposed in Cyberattacks, Available on Internet - Reports Sputnik 08 May 2025 -- A number of passwords that Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth used to register for various websites have been compromised in cyberattacks and are available online, the New York Times reported.
U.S. intelligence agencies refute Trump's deportation rationale IRNA 06 May 2025 -- U.S. intelligence agencies have released a memo, challenging the Trump administration's rationale for using the Alien Enemies Act to rapidly deport Venezuelan men to a notorious prison in El Salvador, according to The New York Times.
The Honourable Prime Minister of Pakistan, Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister/ Foreign Minister, Defence Minister, and Services Chiefs visited the newly established National Intelligence Fusion and Threat Assessment Centre (NIFTAC) Pakistan - Prime Miinister's Office 06 May 2025 -- The Honourable Prime Minister of Pakistan, Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister/ Foreign Minister, Defence Minister, and Services Chiefs visited the newly established National Intelligence Fusion and Threat Assessment Centre (NIFTAC) today.
The Honourable Prime Minister of Pakistan, Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Defence Minister, and the Services Chiefs, visited the Headquarters of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Pakistan - Prime Miinister's Office 06 May 2025 -- The Honourable Prime Minister of Pakistan, Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Defence Minister, and the Services Chiefs, visited the Headquarters of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) today.
China strongly condemns US blatantly attempting to lure Chinese personnel to be informants: Chinese FM Global Times 06 May 2025 -- When responding to a question from the Global Times regarding the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) posting two Chinese-language videos on social media on Thursday for " recruiting Chinese officials to steal secrets," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Tuesday that the US not only maliciously smears and attacks China, but also blatantly attempts to lure Chinese personnel, even government officials, to be their informants. This is a serious infringement on China's national interest and pure political provocation, the spokesperson said.
Accountability sought as senators press probe into China-funded trolls Philippine News Agency 06 May 2025 -- Calls for accountability intensified Tuesday as Senators Sherwin Gatchalian and Francis Tolentino pressed for a deeper investigation into a Makati-based public relations firm allegedly operating a China-backed troll farm.
ODNI Releases 12th Annual Intelligence Community Transparency Report Director of National Intelligence 05 May 2025 -- The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) today released the Annual Statistical Transparency Report Regarding the Intelligence Community's (IC) Use of National Security Surveillance Authorities for Calendar Year 2024 (hereafter the ASTR).
ODNI Releases September 2024 FISC Opinion on FISA 702 Certification Amendments Director of National Intelligence 02 May 2025 -- Today, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), in consultation with the Department of Justice (DOJ), is publicly releasing a September 2024 Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC) opinion with redactions.
Signalgate fallout: Ousted US security advisor gets UN nomination despite scandal Press TV 02 May 2025 -- The 'Signalgate' security scandal has claimed its first high-profile victim, as President Trump removed National Security Advisor Mike Waltz—only to immediately nominate him as UN ambassador, ensuring the controversy will follow him to Senate confirmation hearings.
German Counterintelligence Recognizes AfD as Extremist - Statement Sputnik 02 May 2025 -- The German Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, the country's counterintelligence service, on Friday granted the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) party with the status of an extremist movement.
Philippines arrests Chinese man for operating surveillance device near voting agency Radio Free Asia 01 May 2025 -- The Philippines has arrested a Chinese man for operating a surveillance device near the offices of its election commission, less than two weeks before the country's midterm polls, adding further strain to relations between the two countries.

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