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CIA, Ukraine Exchange Pre-Divorce Propaganda

TK News by Matt Taibbi β€’ 8743 implied HN points β€’ 27 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Espionage International relations Conflict
  1. The New York Times exposΓ© 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.

Everything is espionage: Things I learned researching Assange

DYNOMIGHT INTERNET NEWSLETTER β€’ 807 implied HN points β€’ 14 Mar 24
πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ U.S. Politics Espionage Julian Assange Presidents Extradition
  1. The US Espionage Act is defined very broadly and has been used over time in various ways to charge individuals with offenses related to obtaining or communicating information harmful to national defense.
  2. There is a history of government restraint in charging individuals with espionage, focusing mainly on actual spies, but recent administrations have expanded the use of the Act to charge whistleblowers and journalists.
  3. Julian Assange's case has raised questions about the constitutionality of the Espionage Act and the need for clarity in distinguishing between whistleblowing and espionage in the modern era.

Let’s Talk About Espionage Not Dementia

AND Magazine β€’ 1552 implied HN points β€’ 10 Feb 24
πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ U.S. Politics Espionage 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

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

Simplicius's Garden of Knowledge β€’ 7802 implied HN points β€’ 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.
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Special Report: Emergency Situation as Prigozhin Goes Nuclear Option

Simplicius's Garden of Knowledge β€’ 7586 implied HN points β€’ 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.

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

Natto Thoughts β€’ 199 implied HN points β€’ 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.

A Time To Kill

Vicky Ward Investigates β€’ 373 implied HN points β€’ 16 Jan 24
πŸ“š 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.

i-SOON Operations: A View from Kazakhstan

Natto Thoughts β€’ 79 implied HN points β€’ 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.

Age of Invention: How to Steal Technology

Age of Invention, by Anton Howes β€’ 1040 implied HN points β€’ 10 Oct 23
πŸ’Ύ 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.

Gigaheroes

Trantor Publishing β€’ 219 implied HN points β€’ 01 Feb 24
βš” 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.

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 β€’ 176 implied HN points β€’ 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.

When β€œVolt Typhoon” Blows Over: Cases of China’s Offensive Cyber Operation

Natto Thoughts β€’ 99 implied HN points β€’ 09 Feb 24
πŸ•Ή 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.

Black Gold: The Smithsonian Connection

α΄‹ΚŸα΄€α΅Ύs β€’ 825 implied HN points β€’ 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.

Links for Friday, March 1

God's Spies by Thomas Neuburger β€’ 25 implied HN points β€’ 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.

What You Should Know

Yasha Levine β€’ 471 implied HN points β€’ 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.

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

Geopolitical Economy Report β€’ 637 implied HN points β€’ 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.

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

The Hunt for Tom Clancy β€’ 412 implied HN points β€’ 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.

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

Dr. Pippa's Pen & Podcast β€’ 55 implied HN points β€’ 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.

CIA and NATO are waging sabotage attacks inside Russia

Geopolitical Economy Report β€’ 418 implied HN points β€’ 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.

Polish Railway Sabotage on the Cheap

Natto Thoughts β€’ 99 implied HN points β€’ 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.

Cold War 2023

Stove Top β€’ 117 implied HN points β€’ 23 Jun 23
πŸ•Ή 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.

China Joins the Name-and-Shame Game

Natto Thoughts β€’ 59 implied HN points β€’ 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.

Julian Assange’s Final Appeal

The Chris Hedges Report β€’ 8 HN points β€’ 18 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Extradition Espionage Government Justice System Press freedom
  1. Julian Assange faces his final appeal for extradition, which could silence investigations into government power by press.
  2. Assange published classified documents revealing U.S. war crimes, leading to his persecution under charges violating the Espionage Act.
  3. The legal battle reflects a complex situation with questions of press freedom, unfair trial, and the future of investigative journalism.

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

Geopolitical Economy Report β€’ 378 implied HN points β€’ 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

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

Natto Thoughts β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 04 Aug 23
πŸ•Ή 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.

VOL 59: Behind Enemy Lines: When a US Spy Plane Was Shot Down Over the USSR

MAP's Tech Newsletter. β€’ 9 implied HN points β€’ 25 Apr 23
πŸ’Ύ History Cold War Espionage
  1. In 1960, an American U-2 spy plane was shot down over the Soviet Union, leading to tensions and significant consequences in US-Soviet relations.
  2. The U-2 spy plane was a top-secret aircraft used for high-altitude reconnaissance missions to gather intelligence behind the Iron Curtain.
  3. After the U-2 incident, the US government initially lied about the mission, but eventually had to admit it was a spying operation, leading to diplomatic fallout and a prisoner exchange.

Red Apollo and Operation Cloud Hopper

Espionage& β€’ 2 implied HN points β€’ 16 Jun 23
πŸ•Ή Technology Cybersecurity Espionage Malware
  1. Red Apollo conducted a technology theft campaign starting in 2006, targeting various sectors and institutions using spearphishing techniques.
  2. Operation Cloud Hopper, launched in 2014, expanded Red Apollo's activities to targeting a Managed Service Provider and client organizations in 12 countries.
  3. Red Apollo, also known as APT10, is a Chinese state-sponsored cyberespionage group involved in stealing confidential data and intellectual property.

Canadian intelligence's dirty little secret

Espionage& β€’ 1 implied HN point β€’ 21 Sep 23
🌍 World Politics Intelligence Terrorism Espionage Investigation Conspiracy
  1. Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) destroyed valuable tapes after an aircraft bombing investigation, hindering the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) inquiry.
  2. CSIS failed to cooperate with the RCMP investigation, leading to wasting time, energy, and pursuing wrong leads in the case.
  3. Surjan Singh Gill, an agent of CSIS and co-conspirator in the Air India bombings, was never charged, indicating possible malice in CSIS's actions.

What's hidden in Ukraine? Dutch intelligence says cyber attacks "not yet" public knowledge

Cody's Version β€’ 2 HN points β€’ 23 Feb 23
🌍 World Politics Sabotage Espionage Military operations
  1. Cyber attacks during war may not be publicly known due to covert operations and deniability.
  2. Cyber activities are often part of broader strategic objectives, making it challenging to attribute isolated incidents.
  3. Targeted institutions have no incentive to advertise successful cyber compromises during war.

Ottawa Has Fallen

TOP SECRET UMBRA β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 27 Feb 23
🌍 World Politics Espionage Democracy Election interference National Security Foreign influence
  1. Canada faced serious Chinese interference during their 2021 federal election, raising concerns about democracy and security.
  2. American media has largely ignored the story of Chinese interference in Canada, despite potential implications for US security.
  3. The situation in Canada highlights the need for stronger laws and counterintelligence measures to combat foreign influence.