Terrorism in the News
Russians Hack the FBI
The recent cyber attack on the FBI in November 2022 has been claimed by the Russians. The hacking group known as Killnet. They posted photos on their social media account of a failed attempt to gain access to the FBI site. Killnet has been responsible for other incidents this year including the attack on several US airports, other US state government websites, and Lockheed Martin.
Meddling in US Government
The United Arab Emirates has been attempting to meddle in US politics for decades, and have recently attempted to employee former US intelligence officials to watch American leaders. Methods of persuasion have included campaign contributions, lobbying susceptibility, and disclosure laws being relaxed. There have allegedly been 3 former intelligence and military officials that have been hired to surveil politicians, journalists, dissidents, and US companies. In some situations they have been breaking into computers to gain information. The individuals were charged in court and had to pay reparation fees, but did not serve jail time.
Supplying China
Three individuals in Kentucky were charged with wire fraud, violations of the Arms Export Control Act, and smuggling of goods in connection with China. The items included in the smuggling were controlled defense related technical data, and supplying US DoD with Chinese made earth magnets for aviation systems and military items. The incidents occurred between January 2012-December 2018. They planned to send 70 drawings of export controlled technical data to a company in China without US authorization. These allegations fall under the Arms Export Control Act and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations. The items are used for aviation, submarine, radar, tank, mortars, missile, infrared, thermal imaging targeting systems and fire control systems for the DoD. The company that sold Chinese made rare earth magnets was called Quadrant Magnetics.
Further Reading:
Basics of export control
Hamas and Espionage
The terror group Hamas has now emerged as a new cyber espionage entity. The development of their cyber capabilities poses a threat for Israel, Palestine Authority, and US interests in those regions. These attacks have exposed Israel’s military secrets, infiltrated the law enforcement apparatus, and emergency services network. Hamas recently displayed their newfound power in April to attack different Israeli networks. The Atlantic Council, overseeing the group, states that their methods are similar to that of Russia.
https://freebeacon.com/national-security/hamas-emerges-as-newest-cyber-espionage-powerhouse/
Navy couples Classified Conspiracy
A US Navy nuclear engineer and his wife have been sentenced to about 20 years in prison. They were attempting to sell classified design information of a nuclear warship to a foreign country for cryptocurrency. The engineer was sentenced to more than 19 years, and his wife was sentenced to more than 21 years. The couple coordinated to drop off SD cards with classified data about Virginia class submarines to a person, they believed, was a foreign government.
Further Reading:
Espionage