October 2025 Intelligence News

DNI Releases Appropriated Budget Figure For 2025 National Intelligence Program Director of National Intelligence 31 Oct 2025 -- Congress appropriated an aggregate amount of $73.3 billion to the National Intelligence Program (NIP) for Fiscal Year 2025. This includes supplemental funding.
DNI Gabbard Joins U.S. Delegation in Bahrain, Delivers Remarks at Manama Dialogue Director of National Intelligence 31 Oct 2025 -- Today, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard delivered remarks at the opening night of the Manama Dialogue in Bahrain, where she highlighted President Trump's historic record of peace.
Two Russian Mob Leaders Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Murder-For-Hire Targeting a Journalist on Behalf of the Iranian Government US Dept. of Justice 30 Oct 2025 -- The Justice Department announced today that RAFAT AMIROV, a/k/a "Farkhaddin Mirzoev," a/k/a "Pᴎᴍ," a/k/a "Rome," and POLAD OMAROV, a/k/a "Araz Aliyev," a/k/a "Polad Qaqa," a/k/a "Haci Qaqa," were each sentenced yesterday to 25 years' in prison for their participation in a murder-for-hire plot targeting Masih Alinejad, a journalist, author, and human rights activist, on behalf of the Government of Iran.
National Guardsman Arrested and Charged with Export Violation US Dept. of Justice 30 Oct 2025 -- Canyon Anthony Amarys, 28, of Alamogordo, New Mexico, was arrested on October 28 in connection with his indictment for the attempted violation of the Export Control Reform Act. Amarys will make his initial appearance today in federal court in the District of Kansas at 1:30 p.m. Central Time.
Former General Manager for U.S. Defense Contractor Pleads Guilty to Selling Stolen Trade Secrets to Russian Broker US Dept. of Justice 29 Oct 2025 -- Peter Williams, 39, an Australian national, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court today in connection with selling his employer's trade secrets to a Russian cyber-tools broker, the Justice Department announced today.
Failed covert plot: US reportedly tried to recruit Maduro's pilot to capture Venezuelan leader Press TV 29 Oct 2025 -- A US federal agent attempted to recruit Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's personal pilot, Gen. Bitner Villegas, in a covert plan, to divert the president's plane into American custody, the Associated Press reports.
Paris Declaration on Multilateral Action for Information Integrity and Independent Media. Élysée - President of France 29 Oct 2025
Kremlin 'Alarmed' at France's Gamble to Send Troops to Ukraine Sputnik 28 Oct 2025 -- A recent intelligence report about French troops preparing to enter Ukraine has been described as "alarming" by Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
French General Staff Gearing Up To Send 2,000 Troops To Ukraine - Russian Foreign Intel Sputnik 28 Oct 2025 -- French Foreign Legion assault troops, currently stationed in Poland, are preparing for redeployment to central Ukraine, Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) has revealed.
China firmly opposes spreading disinformation about so-called 'Chinese spy activities,' warns anti-China forces could backfire on UK Global Times 28 Oct 2025 -- Responding to media inquiry regarding whether China is worried about the so-called "China Spy" case could harm bilateral relations or China's reputation with people in Britain, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said China has repeatedly stated its position on relevant issues. We firmly oppose spreading disinformation about the so-called "Chinese spy activities" and vilifying and smearing China, Guo said.
UK should correctly view some individuals keen to hype up 'China threat' narrative, says FM on so-called China spy case Global Times 28 Oct 2025 -- On Tuesday, responding to media inquiries about whether China is concerned that the so-called "China spy" case in the UK could impact bilateral relations or China's image among the British public, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated that China has repeatedly expressed its stern position on this matter and firmly opposes attempts to smear and slander China through hyping so-called "Chinese espionage activities."
Eleven negative decisions on real estate transactions Finnish MoD 27 Oct 2025 -- On 24 October 2025, Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen denied eleven prospective buyers from outside the EU and EEA a permit to buy real estate in Finland.
Prime Minister's Office-Mossad Israel - Prime Minister 26 Oct 2025-- From Australia to Europe: Exposing the Senior Iranian Official Who Promoted Terrorist Attacks Worldwide, and the Wave of Arrests of the Terrorist Cells Operating Under Him
ICYMI: DNI Gabbard, Homeland Security Task Force Launch Fusion Cell To Thwart Foreign Terrorist Gangs And Cartels Director of National Intelligence 24 Oct 2025 -- On Thursday, Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard joined a White House roundtable alongside President Trump, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Kash Patel, Attorney General Pamela Bondi, Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, and other top Administration officials to highlight the extraordinary successes of President Trump's interagency Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF).
China's state security ministry warns against personal data theft by foreign espionage in online shopping Global Times 24 Oct 2025 -- The Ministry of State Security (MSS) said on Friday that some online-shopping processes could be exploited by foreign intelligence agencies to steal sensitive information.
Mainland office condemns DPP sentencing of Taiwan's retired Lieutenant General Gao, calling it abusing judiciary to suppress pro-reunification, patriotic forces Global Times 24 Oct 2025 -- The State Council Taiwan Affairs Office on Friday denounced the recent sentencing of Taiwan's retired Lieutenant General Gao Anguo, saying the island's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is abusing the judiciary to persecute pro-reunification and "patriotic" forces on the island.
PM Netanyahu speaks at the welcoming ceremony for ISA Director David Zini Israel - Prime Minister 23 Oct 2025
Retired Taiwanese general sentenced to 7.5 years for China plot CNA 23 Oct 2025 -- The Taiwan High Court on Thursday sentenced retired Army Lt. Gen. Kao An-kuo (高安國) to seven years and six months in prison for attempting to form a China-backed organization in Taiwan in violation of the National Security Act.
Iran intel. op. exposes whereabouts of Mossad-linked information warmongers disguising as media professionals Press TV 22 Oct 2025 -- A successful Iranian intelligence operation has revealed the whereabouts of individuals linked to the Israeli spy agency Mossad, who would serve the Israeli regime's information war against the Islamic Republic.
Individual sentenced to life in prison for spying for foreign agencies: state secrets authority Global Times 22 Oct 2025 -- The public WeChat account affiliated with the National Administration of State Secrets Protection revealed on Wednesday several recent cases of foreign espionage infiltration, including one involving an employee surnamed Hao from a research institute directly under a central government department. Hao was reportedly recruited by foreign intelligence agents and provided classified information to them. He was convicted of espionage and sentenced to life imprisonment, with lifelong deprivation of political rights.
PM Netanyahu Meets with the Head of Egyptian Intelligence Israel - Prime Minister 21 Oct 2025
Nord Stream Sabotage Case Back In Court Amid Legal Setbacks, Political Blowback RFE/RL 21 Oct 2025 -- Germany's ongoing effort to pursue Ukrainian citizens it suspects of being behind explosions that damaged the Nord Stream gas pipelines faces its next battle in the high-security bunker courtroom at Bologna prison in northern Italy on October 23, following a series of recent legal and political setbacks.
Government Employee Arrested for Unlawful Retention of National Defense Information US Dept. of Justice 21 Oct 2025 -- Ashley Tellis, 64, a U.S. citizen residing in Vienna, Virginia, was arrested on Oct. 11 in connection with his alleged unlawful retention of classified national defense information. Tellis appeared today in the Eastern District of Virginia for a detention hearing.
Chinese MSS reveals case of new military equipment leakage, warns risk of temporary employees Global Times 21 Oct 2025 -- To effectively improve efficiency, control labor costs, and meet short-term or project-specific staffing needs, some organizations opt to hire temporary employees. The Ministry of State Security (MSS) on Tuesday revealed cases where temporary employees leaked classified information, warning that these employees tend to have high mobility and corresponding risks of leakage.
Former Russian Diplomat, Implicated In FBI Agent Scandal, Sentenced To 2 Months In Jail RFE/RL 18 Oct 2025 -- A former Russian diplomat linked to a sanctions-evasion scandal involving one of the FBI's top former counter-intelligence agents and a notorious Russian oligarch was sentenced to two months in jail on charges of lying to US law enforcement.
New Democratic Pact for Europe: Norway steps up efforts to tackle disinformation Council of Europe 17 Oct 2025
Are China's Spy Satellites A Lifeline For Russia's Struggling Space Intelligence? RFE/RL 17 Oct 2025 -- Earlier this month, air defense units in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv were unusually busy during an overnight bombardment by Russian missiles and drones. Some 700 kilometers above them, Chinese spy satellites were silently passing by, according to Ukrainian intelligence.
Appointment of new Director-General of National Intelligence Prime Minister of Australia 16 Oct 2025
Justice Department Statements Regarding Indictment of Former National Security Advisor John Bolton US Dept. of Justice 16 Oct 2025 -- A federal grand jury returned an indictment today charging former National Security Advisor John Bolton, 76, of Bethesda, Maryland, with serious crimes related to the mishandling of classified information. The indictment charges Bolton with eight counts of transmission of national defense information (NDI) and 10 counts of unlawful retention of NDI.
Director General Ken McCallum gives threat update MI5 16 Oct 2025 -- MI5 Director General Ken McCallum gave his annual threat update at our headquarters in Thames House, London today.
A Former Russian Diplomat, Implicated In FBI Agent Scandal, To Be Sentenced RFE/RL 16 Oct 2025 -- A former Russian diplomat linked to a sanctions-evasion scandal involving one of the FBI's top former counter-intelligence agents and a notorious Russian oligarch was set to be sentenced on charges of lying to U.S. law enforcement.
Venice Commission publishes Opinion on the Law of Georgia on registration of foreign agents, the amendments to the Law on grants and other Laws relating to "foreign influence" Council of Europe 15 Oct 2025 -- At the request of the Monitoring Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, the Venice Commission, at its latest plenary session, adopted its Opinion on the Law of Georgia on registration of foreign agents (GEOFARA), the amendments to the Law on grants and other Laws relating to "foreign influence". The opinion was published today.
Tehran Sentences French Pair For Allegedly Spying For Israel, France RFE/RL 14 Oct 2025 -- An Iranian court has sentenced two French citizens to lengthy prison terms for allegedly spying for France and Israel, the judiciary's official website reported on October 14, just days after Tehran and Paris suggested progress had been made on a prisoner swap.
Government to restore Police's right to collect intelligence New Zealand Government 09 Oct 2025 -- Cabinet has taken decisions to amend the Policing Act, to reaffirm Polices ability to gather intelligence in public places, and expand Police's powers to temporarily close areas in response to antisocial behaviour or public safety risks.
Prague Pushes EU To Rein In Russian Diplomats RFE/RL 02 Oct 2025 -- The European Commission opted against including a Russian tourist visa ban when it sent its latest sanctions proposal to EU member states earlier this month.
Former official of China's ministry sentenced to death with two-year reprieve for leaking state secrets: MSS Global Times 04 Sep 2025 -- China's Ministry of State Security (MSS) on Thursday disclosed three distinct tactics employed by overseas spies to deceive citizens into leaking state secrets. Among these cases, it revealed that a former official of a state ministry was lured into befriending a spy, then blackmailed using compromising information, ultimately leading to his conviction for espionage and a death sentence with a two-year reprieve.
NSA, CISA, and Others Release a Shared Vision of Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) NSA / Central Security Service 03 Sep 2025 -- The National Security Agency (NSA) is joining the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and others to release the Cybersecurity Information Sheet (CSI), "A Shared Vision of Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) for Cybersecurity," to inform producers, choosers, and operators of software of the advantages of integrating SBOM generation, analysis, and sharing into existing security processes and practices.
Understanding How GPS Jamming Works Amid Rise In Reported Cases RFE/RL 03 Sep 2025 -- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was flying into Bulgaria when her plane's GPS system was jammed in a suspected Russian operation, forcing pilots to rely on backup navigation and old-school paper maps to land safely.
Ofek 19 satellite successfully launched into space Israel MFA 02 Sep 2025 -- Israel MOD and IAI have successfully launched the Ofek 19 observation satellite to space.

NEWSLETTER

Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list