The INTSUM begins

Really looking forward to sharing more interesting things as time goes on!!

This is just a reading list of current events that will have larger effects as they develop. The INTSUM aims to provide lists such as these and other more in-depth topics that will come up. Really looking forward to sharing more interesting things as time goes on!!

Strategic Risk:

• Russia will formally annex the Ukrainian territories it has taken on Friday. This, combined with the pipeline sabotage and offensive actions of Russian satellites, has the potential to take this war to the next level of NATO involvement. 

• NATO’s statement on the sabotaging of the pipelines is hawkish and leaves the door open for further overt NATO offensive operations to “deter and defend against the coercive use of energy and other hybrid tactics by state and non-state actors.”

• Approaching Xi’s unprecedented third term, China is doubling down on its “Wolf Warrior” diplomacy and has called for lawmakers to have more of a fighting spirit 

Economics & Finance: 

• Germany plans to launch a 200 billion euro relief package for rising energy prices 

• A weak Euro & Pound may bring investment from Americans pending escalations in the war, but there are opportunities to put USD to work in the Eurozone.  

• The new UK Prime Minister is defending her tax cuts that will potentially open her country to new investment amid global economic unrest.

Counterintelligence

• A new report interviewing captured Iranians who were former US assets shows them blaming their handlers for getting caught and saying they were abandoned. No real shock “send flowers.” Also, the timing of the release is very interesting considering the recent protests in Iran

• Chinese national convicted of espionage after joining the US Army

• Even ransomware groups have insider threats, an angry exploit developer leaked a ransomware building platform on Twitter because they were angry 

Hackers in the Wild:               

·         Meta gives an in-depth look at two large disinformation networks run by China and Russia before they were taken down 

·         Russian internet censorship agency Roskomnadzor not only blocks messages not approved by the government but collects data and builds dossiers on individuals posting content critical of the government 

·         Online magazine Fast Company was hacked and defaced this week, and the hackers explained how they did it