The hottest Espionage Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top U.S. Politics Topics

CIA, Ukraine Exchange Pre-Divorce Propaganda

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 8743 implied HN points • 27 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Espionage International relations Conflict
  1. The New York Times exposé revealed extensive details about the CIA-Ukraine relationship, including the presence of secret spy bases along the Russian border.
  2. Officials often emphasize the need to protect 'sources and methods' for national security, yet the Times published a wealth of detailed information about CIA operations.
  3. The public disclosure of such classified details raises questions about the future of the CIA-Ukraine alliance and the potential for a breakup.

SITREP 7/4/23: Final Hour of Zelensky's Terror Ploy

Simplicius's Garden of Knowledge • 7933 implied HN points • 04 Jul 23
🌍 World Politics Military Conflicts Diplomacy Espionage International Organizations
  1. Zelensky may be planning a falseflag at the ZNPP to galvanize NATO members before the summit.
  2. Western MSM articles are discussing the potential fallout from a disaster at the Ukrainian nuclear plant.
  3. There are concerns about Russian forces massing around Kharkiv for a potential counterattack.

Special Report: Emergency Situation as Prigozhin Goes Nuclear Option

Simplicius's Garden of Knowledge • 7713 implied HN points • 24 Jun 23
🌍 World Politics International Conflict Coup Espionage Military
  1. Important events are unfolding related to Prigozhin initiating a coup attempt.
  2. The situation has been developing for a while, potentially due to Prigozhin refusing to sign a contract with the Russian MOD.
  3. There are theories ranging from Prigozhin collaborating with enemies to orchestrating an internal coup within the Russian military.

Moscow Marjorie

Diane Francis • 1119 implied HN points • 18 Apr 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Espionage Legislation Disinformation Democracy
  1. Russia is spreading misinformation and trying to weaken democracies around the world. This includes spying and undercover operations in Europe and the US.
  2. Donald Trump and Marjorie Taylor Greene are seen as supporters of Russia, often sharing ideas that align with Russian narratives.
  3. There are concerns about Trump's demand to limit the FISA Act, which helps protect the US from foreign threats, despite warnings from former officials about the risks.

Geopolitical Cyber Warfare

Identity Revive • 38 implied HN points • 26 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Cybersecurity Cyber Warfare Espionage Nation-states
  1. Nation-state cyber attacks are on the rise, with groups like Silk Typhoon and Salt Typhoon targeting critical US infrastructure for espionage and data theft. These attacks show how vulnerable important systems can be.
  2. One effective way to defend against these cyber threats is by sticking to basic security practices. Simple steps can help protect against a wide range of attacks.
  3. Understanding how these threat groups operate is crucial, but often the tactics they use highlight the importance of following established cybersecurity protocols to minimize risks.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Putin's Perfect Spy

Diane Francis • 939 implied HN points • 11 Apr 24
🌍 World Politics Espionage Russia Europe Politics Scandal
  1. A major scam involving Wirecard became a big spying scandal connecting Russia to Europe. A man named Jan Marsalek was at the center of this scheme.
  2. Marsalek used his position at Wirecard to sell secrets and financial data to Russia, while also committing fraud.
  3. He reportedly worked with intelligence officials and Russian operatives to spy on citizens and plan harmful operations.

Let’s Talk About Espionage Not Dementia

AND Magazine • 1552 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Espionage Dementia National Security
  1. The Biden administration's defense against mishandling classified information involves his senility, raising questions about his capability to lead
  2. The Penn Biden Center, funded by China, found with classified documents triggers concerns about espionage and national security
  3. Despite the focus on Biden's memory issues, the real issue at hand is not dementia but rather the potential compromise of sensitive intelligence and national security

A Spy Among Friends

Castalia • 339 implied HN points • 21 Apr 24
💾 History Cold War Espionage Intelligence Biographies Conspiracies
  1. The series _A Spy Among Friends_ explores the relationship between Kim Philby and Nicholas Elliott, highlighting their deep friendship and how it complicated the betrayal Philby committed against British intelligence.
  2. There is a debate about why Philby became a spy for the Soviets. Some think it was ideological, while others believe it was more about seeking elite social status or personal connections.
  3. The idea of intelligence sharing among spies suggests that they may have operated more like a close partnership rather than strict adversaries, raising questions about loyalty and the nature of espionage.

Black Gold: The Smithsonian Connection

ᴋʟᴀᵾs • 825 implied HN points • 08 Jul 23
🌍 World Politics Espionage Intelligence Finance Corruption Conspiracy
  1. Smithsonian Institution was involved in covert operations such as hidden military and intelligence programs, despite its public image as a museum.
  2. The Smithsonian faced Congressional investigation for financial misconduct, including converting public funds into private money and secretive financial accounts.
  3. The institution's past connections to intelligence networks and illicit activities suggest a deep entanglement in hidden finance and corrupted power structures.

Age of Invention: How to Steal Technology

Age of Invention, by Anton Howes • 1040 implied HN points • 10 Oct 23
💾 History Espionage Industrial Revolution Innovation
  1. John Holker was a master of industrial espionage, using his skills to steal British textile technologies for the French government in the 18th century.
  2. Britain was already a leader in European technological development in the 1710s, with industries like iron founding, clock-making, and sailcloth-making.
  3. Holker not only stole technology, but also set up a system to adapt and spread the skills in France, leading to the success of introducing cotton velvet manufacture.

A Time To Kill

Vicky Ward Investigates • 379 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
📚 Literature Thriller Espionage War
  1. Lea Carpenter's novel Ilium tells a story of complexity and shades of grey in humanity amidst espionage and revenge.
  2. The book explores the theme of moral vengeance in war, questioning the idea of who deserves to die.
  3. The narrative suggests that at the start of any war, each side believes they are right, emphasizing the perpetual nature of violence.

US admits weather pushed Chinese balloon off course, US shot down hobbyists' $12 balloon in $2M missile attack

Geopolitical Economy Report • 637 implied HN points • 19 Feb 23
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics International relations Military Diplomacy Espionage
  1. US officials acknowledged the Chinese balloon they shot down was likely blown off course by unexpected weather.
  2. The US Air Force spent roughly $2 million using missiles to destroy a $12 hobbyist balloon, causing unnecessary expenditure.
  3. US intelligence officials later admitted that the Chinese balloon may have been diverted off course by weather, leading to a potential misunderstanding and an unnecessary military response.

Google TPU V6 Designs are Probably in China

AI Research & Strategy • 237 implied HN points • 07 Mar 24
🕹 Technology AI Espionage Cybersecurity Product Design Intellectual Property
  1. A Google engineer was arrested for leaking important AI designs, which could have serious effects on the company's competitive edge. It's alarming that such sensitive information can be accessed so easily.
  2. Once Google discovered the employee's suspicious activity, they didn't act quickly enough. Instead of launching a serious investigation, they let him continue working for a bit, which gave him a chance to escape.
  3. This situation raises concerns about how other companies might handle security. If a major firm like Google has weaknesses, it makes you wonder about the safety of information in smaller firms and universities.

i-SOON: Kicking off the Year of the Dragon with Good Luck … or Not

Natto Thoughts • 199 implied HN points • 28 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics China Cybersecurity Government Military Espionage
  1. The leaked documents provide valuable insights into the business culture and practices of China's hacker-for-hire industry, showing the importance of connections and relationships in the pursuit of profits.
  2. The relationship between i-SOON and Chengdu 404 is complex, involving not just business partnerships but also competition, bid rigging, and sharing of tools and vulnerabilities.
  3. i-SOON's business struggles illustrate that the commercial hacking industry in China is profit-driven and reliant on navigating relationships and government policies to secure contracts and business opportunities.

What You Should Know

Yasha Levine • 471 implied HN points • 24 Jun 23
🌍 World Politics Russian Politics Warfare Espionage Middle East Immigration
  1. Prigozhin criticizes Putin's military leadership and corruption, highlighting issues in Russia's military structure.
  2. Czech president suggests monitoring Russians abroad, drawing parallels to Japanese internment during WWII.
  3. Discussion on forgotten history, liberal bigotry, and a new book revealing Israel's secret service attacks in Baghdad to trigger Jewish migration.

Gigaheroes

Trantor Publishing • 219 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
⚔ Fiction Superheroes Espionage Dystopian Crime
  1. Enzyme effects vary based on compatibility and can lead to extraordinary powers but quick deterioration.
  2. Corporate entities exploit enzyme production from high-powered individuals for clandestine purposes.
  3. The heist plan involves infiltration, manipulation of security systems, and retrieval of a discreet 'Registry' item.

A Senator, A University and...CIA Farmboys?

The Hunt for Tom Clancy • 412 implied HN points • 16 Jun 23
🌍 World Politics Espionage CIA Intelligence Government
  1. The story involves spies, cops, suspected drug dealing, and time in jail at a place called Camp Peary.
  2. CIA operations officers are trained at Camp Peary, also known as 'The Farm', adopting pseudonyms for their careers.
  3. An incident with a CIA instructor and student during a simulated agent meet at a university is shared, but the full details are available for paid subscribers only.

My latest column: Why does China’s most secretive spy agency no longer wish to remain clandestine?

Wang Xiangwei's Thought of the Day on China • 176 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics China National Security Espionage Xi Jinping Global relations
  1. China's Ministry of State Security (MSS) is becoming more open and public under President Xi Jinping, shifting focus to national security since 2018.
  2. New spy chief Chen Yixin is pushing for MSS to take a high-profile role, being close to Xi Jinping and advocating for the agency's visibility.
  3. China's party leadership is considering adding Xi Jinping Thought on National Security as a new pillar, with MSS potentially aiming to support this initiative.

CIA and NATO are waging sabotage attacks inside Russia

Geopolitical Economy Report • 418 implied HN points • 01 Jan 23
🌍 World Politics Espionage Military Conflict Alliance NATO
  1. The CIA, with support from a European NATO ally, is conducting sabotage attacks within Russia, including attacks on infrastructure like railways, bridges, and military facilities.
  2. Evidence suggests the CIA has been involved in a proxy war in Ukraine, providing training and military support to Ukrainian forces since 2015.
  3. There's a risk of the proxy war escalating into a direct conflict between the US and Russia, with potential for serious consequences.

i-SOON Operations: A View from Kazakhstan

Natto Thoughts • 79 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
🌍 World Politics Cybersecurity China Government Response Espionage
  1. The leaked materials from Chinese information security company i-SOON exposed cyber-vulnerabilities in Kazakhstan and highlighted the country's strategic importance to China in terms of economy and politics.
  2. Kazakh non-governmental cybersecurity experts criticize the government's cybersecurity efforts, pointing out weaknesses in infrastructure and the need for a separate, independent agency responsible for cybersecurity.
  3. Official responses from Kazakhstan avoid directly naming China in connection to the cyber-attacks, opting for diplomatic language and acknowledging foreign hacker activity without outright accusing a specific country.

When “Volt Typhoon” Blows Over: Cases of China’s Offensive Cyber Operation

Natto Thoughts • 99 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Cybersecurity Espionage Ransomware
  1. China's state-backed cyber threat group Volt Typhoon is targeting critical infrastructure in the US, showing a shift from espionage to preparing for destructive cyberattacks.
  2. Chinese cyber campaigns have evolved to focus on offensive operations like disrupting or destroying target organizations, in addition to traditional cyber espionage.
  3. China's interest in offensive cyber operations has been growing since at least 2000, involving the integration of military, government, and private sector resources to build offensive cyber capabilities.

Cold War 2023

Stove Top • 117 implied HN points • 23 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Telecommunications Espionage Cybersecurity AI Surveillance
  1. Huawei is accused of being a piece of Chinese spyware with ties to government and espionage.
  2. France is taking extreme measures against encryption, raising concerns about privacy and government surveillance.
  3. Consuming true crime content raises complex questions on its impact on mental health and society, with discussions on privacy and ethical concerns.

Polish Railway Sabotage on the Cheap

Natto Thoughts • 99 implied HN points • 15 Sep 23
🌍 World Politics Security Sabotage Tensions Espionage Elections
  1. Recent disruptions in Poland's train system raise concerns about the vulnerability of critical infrastructures.
  2. There is suspicion of amateurish sabotage involving the activation of emergency brakes on trains in Poland, highlighting system vulnerabilities.
  3. The incidents on Polish railroads underscore the importance of digital system transitions to enhance security and prevent potential threats.

Spain's spy agency backed 2017 'ISIS' attacks to 'scare' Catalonia before independence referendum

Geopolitical Economy Report • 378 implied HN points • 17 Jan 22
🌍 World Politics Espionage Terrorism Independence Intelligence Government
  1. Spain's spy agency allegedly supported 2017 'ISIS' attacks in Catalonia to intimidate the region before an independence referendum
  2. The terror attacks caused 16 deaths and over 150 injuries, with the leader of the terror cell being a longtime informant for Spain's National Intelligence Center (CNI)
  3. There is ongoing debate on whether the CNI directly orchestrated the attacks, but evidence suggests the agency facilitated them to create a sense of threat for Catalonia

Russiagate 2.0 loading...

Espionage& • 2 implied HN points • 09 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Espionage Intelligence Foreign Relations Political Scandals Military operations
  1. Russia allegedly spent $30 million to influence the Taliban against American soldiers, reportedly as revenge for past CIA actions in Afghanistan. This shows how geopolitics can be shaped with money.
  2. The article raises concerns about the role of British Intelligence and suggests they might be trying to influence U.S. politics, particularly regarding Trump’s support for Ukraine.
  3. There's a mention of the previous 'Russiagate' scandal which impacted Trump’s presidency, hinting that similar tactics may be used again in the future. This points to ongoing political manipulation.

China Joins the Name-and-Shame Game

Natto Thoughts • 59 implied HN points • 29 Sep 23
🌍 World Politics Cybersecurity United States China Espionage Collaboration
  1. China has shifted the practice of public cyber attribution from cybersecurity companies to government-led initiatives.
  2. Multiple Chinese government agencies, particularly the Ministry of State Security, are now actively involved in public cyber attribution against the US.
  3. China has increased the intensity and pace of public cyber attribution in 2023, calling out alleged US hacking activities several times and mirroring Western practices.

Vlad's Rad

Diane Francis • 319 implied HN points • 02 Sep 21
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Espionage Intelligence Military Health Technology
  1. The Havana Syndrome is a mysterious illness affecting U.S. diplomats and spies, with symptoms linked to strange sounds and neurological damage. This has prompted an investigation by a CIA task force.
  2. Officials suspect that advanced microwave technology may be involved, but there’s still no clear evidence of how it works or who is responsible. This raises concerns about hybrid warfare tactics.
  3. Past incidents, like the attacks on diplomats in Cuba and China, indicate a pattern of targeting U.S. officials, leading experts to believe the attacks could qualify as acts of war.

Swarm Geopolitics: Everything, Everywhere, All at Once: Hamas, Houthis, SMERSH, Spies, Ecuador and Organized Crime

Dr. Pippa's Pen & Podcast • 55 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics Espionage Military International relations
  1. Geopolitical conflicts are emerging globally and may be connected in a web of strategies.
  2. Russia and China are utilizing a clever swarm strategy to create problems for the US and NATO on multiple fronts.
  3. There are concerns about fake intelligence feeds and sophisticated cyberattacks influencing international events.

ESPionage: When the CIA Attempted Telepathy (Project Stargate)

Tripsitter • 39 implied HN points • 15 Jun 23
💾 History Supernatural Espionage Research Government Cold War
  1. Two scientists convinced the CIA to fund research on telepathic ability in 1973, believing it could be used for spying on other nations.
  2. The feds funded the research secretly as 'Project Stargate' for almost 20 years, with strange and unexplainable successes in the program.
  3. Former President Jimmy Carter leaked the existence of the research in 1995, leading to the end of 'Project Stargate.'

Commentator

Castalia • 79 implied HN points • 21 Sep 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Commentary Media influence International relations Far Right Politics Corruption Espionage
  1. The media should report on all stories, even those that might be uncomfortable for certain political groups. There has been a shift in how journalists view their role, leaning towards being more partisan.
  2. Ukraine's counter-offensive revealed serious weaknesses in the Russian military, with Ukrainian soldiers seeming surprised by their opponents' ineffectiveness. This highlights the chaotic nature of Russia's military strategy.
  3. Far-right political parties are gaining traction in Europe, such as the Sweden Democrats, which marks a shift away from liberal values. This highlights rising fears about immigration and societal changes in many countries.

China as a Target of Cyberattacks: What China Says About Who Are in Their Systems

Natto Thoughts • 19 implied HN points • 04 Aug 23
🕹 Technology Cybersecurity Geopolitics Espionage Vulnerabilities Threats
  1. The top APT groups targeting China come from Taiwan, Vietnam, India, North Korea, Russia, and the US, showing the diverse origin of cyber threats against China.
  2. China's geopolitical tensions with neighboring countries like India manifest in cyberspace, with APT groups from these regions actively targeting Chinese organizations.
  3. QAX's Global APT report points out the exploitation of zero-day vulnerabilities by overseas APT groups targeting China, such as the iMessage 0-click 0day vulnerability, reflecting the global nature of cyber threats.

Links for Friday, March 1

God's Spies by Thomas Neuburger • 25 implied HN points • 01 Mar 24
🌍 World Politics Espionage Government Science Music Censorship
  1. WikiLeaks' release of Vault 7 revealed significant CIA hacking tools and spy operations, resulting in global implications.
  2. The possibility of faster-than-light travel, explored by physicist Sabine Hossenfelder, challenges conventional beliefs.
  3. Notable musical treat: Honey Cone's 'Want Ads' showcases clever, bold lyrics that made it a success in the industry.