Counterterrorism

At Least 30 Islamist Militants Killed in Mali Joint Operations, France says

At least 30 Islamist militants were killed and dozens of vehicles and weapons destroyed during joint operations between the French-led Takuba task force and Malian soldiers last week, the French Army Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday. During the main operation on Feb. 3…

Emhoff Whisked from Black History Event After Bomb Threat

Doug Emhoff, the husband of Vice President Kamala Harris, was whisked out of an event Tuesday at a Washington high school by Secret Service agents following a bomb threat. Emhoff was at Dunbar High School to help commemorate Black History Month and was in…

Alleged 'Boogaloo' Extremist to Change Plea in Killing of Federal Officer During George Floyd Protest

A former U.S. Air Force sergeant plans to change his not guilty plea in the fatal shooting of a federal security officer in Northern California during 2020 protests against police brutality, court records filed Monday showed. Steven Carrillo, 33, pleaded not guilty in July 2020 in the…

Military & Defense

Israeli Forces Kill 3 Suspected Militants in West Bank City

Israel says security forces killed three Palestinian militants in the occupied West Bank city of Nablus on Tuesday who had been responsible for recent shooting attacks. The Shin Bet internal security agency initially said they were killed in a “clash,” but police later…

UPDATED: Russian Navy Amphibious Group Enters Black Sea as Warships Mass in the Mediterranean

A group of three Russian warships capable of landing tanks and troops ashore now in the Black Sea, as the Russian Navy begins to mass ships in the Mediterranean, according to Tuesday photos of the warships provided to USNI News. Three Ropucha-class tank landing…

Iran Is ‘No. 1 Destabilizing’ Threat In Middle East, CENTCOM Nominee Says

The officer nominated to lead U.S. Central Command wants to use artificial intelligence to counter Iran, which he called the “No. 1 destabilizing factor” in the region. America must step up its capabilities and maintain strong relationships, said Lt. Gen. Michael Kurilla…

Cybersecurity

Airport Services Provider Hit by Cyber Attack

Airport ground services and air cargo operator Swissport has been hit by a ransomware attack that disrupted some operations, it said on Friday. On Thursday, 22 flights were delayed by up to 20 minutes at Zurich Airport, a spokesperson said, adding that the group could not yet…

Cyberattack Brings Down Vodafone Portugal Mobile, Voice, and TV Services

Vodafone Portugal said today that a large chunk of its customer data services went offline overnight following “a deliberate and malicious cyberattack intended to cause damage and disruption.” The company’s 4G and 5G mobile networks, along with fixed voice, television…

NetWalker Ransomware Gang Affiliate Pleads Guilty, Slapped with 7-Year Sentence

Netwalker ransomware gang affiliate Sebastien Vachon-Desjardins was sentenced to seven years in prison for his involvement with the group after pleading guilty in an Ontario court on January 31. Court documents published on February 1 revealed that Vachon-Desjardins…

Counterintelligence & Espionage

PRC Firm Allegedly Stole Motorola's Secrets

The United States has charged a telecommunications company based in the People’s Republic of China with conspiring to steal trade secrets from Chicago-based Motorola Solutions Inc. A federal indictment, partially unsealed in the Northern District of Illinois on Monday, alleges…

Report: 16 on Trial in Turkey Charged with Spying for Israel

Sixteen people went on trial in Istanbul on Tuesday, charged with “political and military” espionage on behalf of Israel, Turkish media reports said. The defendants, including Palestinians and Syrians, were arrested in October in an operation by Turkey’s national…

Spy World Wary as Biden Team Keeps Leaking Russia Intel

The Biden administration has gone to unusual lengths to publicly share intelligence about Russia’s threat to Ukraine, using targeted media leaks and other methods to warn the world of everything from the specifics of Moscow’s troop build-up to an alleged Kremlin plot to fake…

Transnational Organized Crime

Border Patrol Rescues 132 Migrants Jammed into Cargo Trailer

El Paso Sector Border Patrol Agents found 132 migrants inside a commercial cargo trailer during a human smuggling attempt in far east El Paso, Monday night. The incident began late Sunday night, when Ysleta Border Patrol Agents assigned to the Anti-Smuggling (ASU) unit…

Why the ELN is Attacking One Specific Town Along Venezuela's Orinoco River

A move by the ELN to expand its control along the banks of the Orinoco River in Venezuela appears to be part of a broader strategy to control criminal economies in Colombia and Venezuela. On January 1, authorities attributed an attack around the town of Barrancas del…

When The MS13 Played Possum in Guatemala

In this run-down neighborhood in Guatemala City, the Mara Salvatrucha (MS13) does not exist. And yet, there are still a host of emeeses, as the gang's members are known. One of the walls at the entrance to the community is emblazoned with graffiti claiming the presence of…