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☆ 2 little-known intel agencies are helping US partners keep an eye on Russia's and China's frontline forces
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-17 | by ( Stavros Atlamazoglou | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Two little-known US intelligence agencies have made significant contributions to countering Russia in Ukraine. The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and the National Reconnaissance Office have gathered and distributed valuable information about Russian activity. Little-known intel agenciesA National Reconnaissance Office payload is launched into space from Vandenberg Air Force Base in September 2017. US Air Force/Senior Airman Ian DudleyThe US response to Russia's war in Ukraine has pulled the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) and the National Reconnaissance Office out of the shadows. NRO satellites have many customers, but the NGA is probably the most reliant on the satellites operated by the NRO.

☆ The deadly missile incident in Poland is a 'propaganda gift' for the Ukrainians and Zelenskyy, Russia expert says
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-16 | by ( Erin Snodgrass | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Two people were killed after Russian-made missiles landed in Poland, according to reports. The incident could benefit Zelenskyy's efforts to stir up further assistance, a Russia expert said. "This is a propaganda gift for the Ukrainians," said Simon Miles, an assistant professor at Duke. But what marks the first seeming spillover of Russia's war beyond Ukraine could ultimately benefit Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's ongoing efforts to stir up additional assistance and support, a Russia expert told Insider. On top of being a fatal tragedy for Poland, the Tuesday incident also bolsters Ukraine's ongoing wartime rhetoric.

☆ NATO could invoke Article 4 after Russian missiles struck Poland. Here's what that means.
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-15 | by ( Erin Snodgrass | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

The incident could invoke NATO Article 4, which allows any member to call for a consultation when threatened. Several NATO countries previously invoked Article 4 after Russia invaded Ukraine in February. Such defiant language ostensibly appeals to the collective defense principle at the heart of NATO Article 5. As such, NATO and its members have no binding obligation to defend Ukraine against Russia's attacks. Biden has made clear that US troops thus far deployed to Eastern Europe are there to bolster NATO member countries wary of nearby Russian aggression.

☆ A top Senate Democrat warns that if Russia is behind the fatal strike in Poland then it's 'definitely an enlargement' of the Ukraine war and raises questions for NATO: report
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-15 | by ( John Haltiwanger | Lloyd Lee | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A US intelligence official told The AP that Russian missiles landed in Poland and killed two people. Poland is a NATO member, which means an attack against it could trigger a response from allies. Sen. Bob Menendez told Politico that the attack could mark an escalation of the Ukraine war. Obviously, if it was intentional, that has all kinds of consequences to it," Menendez told Politico. It stipulates that an attack against one NATO country, such as Poland, is considered an attack against all members of the alliance.

☆ Russian missiles struck NATO ally Poland and killed 2 people as Putin's forces barraged Ukraine, a US defense official told the AP
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-15 | by ( Jake Epstein | Charles R. Davis | John Haltiwanger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Two people were reportedly killed after Russian missiles landed in an eastern Polish village. The missiles landed in the village of Przewodów, which is located in eastern Poland a short distance from Ukraine's western border. The US and its Western allies have warned Russia repeatedly that an attack on NATO territory would trigger a strong response. "We are aware of the press reports alleging that two Russian missiles have struck a location inside Poland near the Ukraine border. Criminal Russian regime fired missiles which target not only Ukrainian civilians but also landed on NATO territory in Poland.

☆ The trade issues at stake for US and China economies at Indonesia meeting
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-14 | by ( Juliana Liu | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Frustrated by China’s huge trade surplus and accusing it of stealing US intellectual property, former President Donald Trump slapped tariffs on $50 billion of Chinese goods in June 2018. China, with its nearly $18 trillion economy, has in recent years been the main driver of global growth. China responded by slapping tariffs of its own on iconic American products like Harley-Davidson and Jack Daniel’s. Tech curbsBekink said she did not expect any dramatic shifts in trade flows to emerge as a result of the Biden-Xi meeting. US imports of semiconductors from China are 26% lower than before the imposition of 25% tariffs, according to Peterson.

☆ After 40 years of safe skies, US special operators have to worry about threats from above, SOCOM commander says
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-10 | by ( Stavros Atlamazoglou | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

AP Photo/Efrem LukatskyUkraine's military claims to have shot down over 1,000 Russian drones, but unmanned aerial systems continue to proliferate. Ukraine is also using its fair share of unmanned aerial systems. Special operators vs. dronesA member of the Iraqi federal police with a destroyed drone used by ISIS in Mosul in March 2017. "But now with everything from quad-copters that very small up to very large unmanned aerial vehicles, we won't always have that luxury." DELIL SOULEIMAN/AFP via Getty ImagesGenerally, US special operators can take out unmanned aerial systems in two ways.

☆ Russia's war in Ukraine rages on without a clear end in sight. Here are 6 ways the conflict could play out.
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-06 | by ( Alia Shoaib | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

As Russia's war in Ukraine continues, there does not appear to be a clear end in sight. Russian victoryWhen it began its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, Russia's goal was to take over the country completely. Rather than taking more territory, Russia's objectives in the current stage of war seem to be to weaken Ukraine's resources, economy, and army. Nuclear war and/or NATO interventionPutin has repeatedly made nuclear threats since he began the invasion of Ukraine and, in September, claimed that it was "not a bluff." One senior official previously said that a Russian nuclear strike could trigger a "physical response" from NATO itself.

☆ Ex-KGB sleeper agent on Russia's nuclear threats: 'Putin is not a suicide bomber'
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-04 | by ( John Haltiwanger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Putin's repeated nuclear threats during the Ukraine war have raised alarm worldwide. But Jack Barsky, a former KGB agent, threw cold water on the possibility Putin would use a nuke. Putin could even decide to attack Ukraine with a tactical nuclear weapon if he gets desperate enough, Western governments and top Russia analysts have warned. "During the Cold War, it was pretty tense and we got pretty close to nuclear war a couple of times. Shortly after the war began, Putin claimed to have placed Russia's nuclear deterrent forces on high alert.

☆ Former US ambassador says Putin using a nuke would spell 'the end of the Russian military'
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-02 | by ( Mia Jankowicz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

A former US ambassador said Russian use of nukes in Ukraine would "end" Putin's military. Putin recently said he wouldn't use nuclear weapons, following earlier hints that he would. US intelligence learned that senior Russian military leaders recently held discussions over using a tactical nuclear weapons, as The New York Times reported. Russia is estimated to have around 2,000 tactical nuclear weapons amid an even larger stockpile of bigger, strategic nukes. "They also know that there would be a devastating military response against Russian forces if they did it," he said.

☆ Top Russian generals frustrated by humiliating losses mused about nuking Ukraine — but US intelligence isn't sure what to make of it
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-02 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Russian generals have reportedly deliberated using tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine. Because of this, some within the US intelligence community are less concerned that Russia is preparing to use tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine, the report said. The New York Times was the first to report on the new US intelligence about tactical nuclear weapons conversations among Russian generals. Notably, it's ultimately up to Putin whether or not Russia uses a tactical nuclear weapon in Ukraine. The country's nuclear doctrine states only the president can make the decision to use nuclear weapons.

☆ Exclusive: How operating system startup OpenFin landed an investment from the CIA's VC firm and expanded from serving Goldman Sachs to the government sector
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-01 | by ( Stephanie Palazzolo | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

OpenFin offers an operating system where users can easily interact with apps all on one screen. The startup received $10 million from ING Ventures and an undisclosed investment from In-Q-Tel. OpenFin, a startup that offers a user-friendly operating system, has announced a $10 million investment from corporate VC firm ING Ventures and an undisclosed investment from In-Q-Tel, a VC firm serving the CIA and broader US intelligence community. OpenFin also allows users to easily reorganize their screen to ensure they have access to the most relevant information at any time. In addition to using third party apps on OpenFin, users can also build their own apps on the platform and integrate them with other tools.

☆ China's alarming decline could tank the stock market, take down the global economy, and spark a dangerous showdown with the US
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-30 | by ( Linette Lopez | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +14 min

In the Western capitals and boardrooms, it appears the horror of Beijing's transformation has finally settled in, and the lure of China's economic future is fading. Economic dangerIf you want a clue to just how far China's economy has fallen, look no further than Beijing's attempts to hide information about the country's growth. Beyond the short-term signs of trouble, there are more enduring signs pointing to China's economic distress. That's a big if, and even if Beijing is successful, the slow-moving blob of debt will choke off economic growth for years to come. Xi has tightened his grip on China's economy and government from education to public health.

☆ Saudi ruler Mohammed bin Salman is seeking to humiliate Biden as part of a global power play
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-28 | by ( Tom Porter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Saudi ruler Mohammed bin Salman wants to assert himself internationally. It is a change driven by the Saudi crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, who is deliberately snubbing the US in an attempt to chart a more independent path, an expert told Insider. Specifically, this has taken the form of Saudi Arabia joining Russia other oil-rich nations to announce a steep cut in production. Cafiero, the analysts, said that Crown Prince Mohammed believes that drawing closer to Russia and China will secure more "leverage" internationally. "Bin Salman and others in Saudi Arabia took a tremendous amount of offense to that rhetoric.

☆ CIA director made a secret visit to Ukraine to meet Zelenskyy and pledge deeper US support, CNN says
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-27 | by ( Sophia Ankel | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

CIA Director William J. Burns secretly went to Ukraine earlier this month, two sources told CNN. Burns met with Zelenskyy and pledged continued US support amid Russia's invasion. Burns traveled to Kyiv earlier this month, CNN said. It is unclear how many trips Burns has made to Ukraine since the start of Russia's invasion in February. But Burns told CBS News last month that the intelligence community has not seen "any practical evidence" that there is an "imminent threat."

☆ Phil Mickelson says Saudi-backed LIV Golf series is ‘not going away’
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-27 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Veteran golfer Phil Mickelson says the controversial LIV Golf series is a “force” in the sport and it’s “not going away.”Speaking ahead of the season finale at the Trump National Doral Golf Club, near Miami, Mickelson praised the Saudi-backed series for how much it has grown during a tumultuous debut year. “It’s pretty remarkable how far LIV Golf has come in the last six, seven months. I don’t think anybody can disagree with that.”Earlier this month, American Dustin Johnson secured the inaugural season-long LIV Golf individual championship, earning himself $18 million. This weekend LIV Golf will hold a team competition with a $50 million prize purse. In August, the LIV series joined an antitrust lawsuit from some of its stars that alleges the PGA Tour threatened to place lifetime bans on players who participate on the LIV golf series, adding that “unprecedented suspensions” were placed upon them.

☆ Classified documents from Mar-a-Lago contained highly sensitive information on Iran and China that could expose US intelligence secrets if disclosed: report
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-21 | by ( Lloyd Lee | Oma Seddiq | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Some of the classified records seized from Mar-a-Lago contained highly sensitive intelligence on Iran and China, per The Washington Post. They're among the most sensitive documents identified so far, according to the report. The sources told The Post that they were among the most sensitive documents federal agents recovered. FBI agents recovered 20 boxes from Mar-a-Lago and at least 11 sets of classified documents. Experts told The Post that disclosing information in such documents could reveal US intelligence secrets and put people responsible for intelligence work in danger.

☆ Russia denied using Iranian suicide drones to attack Ukraine, even though there are pictures of it
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-18 | by ( Kieran Corcoran | Sinéad Baker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Russian on Tuesday denied deploying Iran-made suicide drones to attack Ukraine. A Russian drone is seen during a Russian drone strike, in Kyiv, Ukraine October 17, 2022. YASUYOSHI CHIBA/AFP via Getty Images; InsiderThe White House yesterday said that the drones used were Shahed-136 models. Britain's Ministry of Defence also said that Shahed-136 drones had been used in Ukraine, identifying them in an assessment published Tuesday. Denmark also said that Iranian drones were used, with its foreign minister saying on Monday: "Iranian drones are used apparently to attack in the middle of Kyiv, this is an atrocity."

☆ Russia launched a new bombardment of Ukraine's capital, deploying Iranian 'suicide drones,' officials say
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-17 | by ( Sinéad Baker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Russia launched fresh attacks on Kyiv on Monday morning with explosive drones. Reports and Ukrainian officials identified the drones used as ones made in Iran. Residents fled to shelters as air raid sirens went off, and Ukrainian troops tried to shoot down the drones that Ukrainian officials said were single-use "kamikaze drones" which explode on contact. A Russian drone is seen during a Russian drone strike, in Kyiv, Ukraine October 17, 2022. Russia also until recently relied on missiles, rather than drones, to attack Kyiv, the AP noted.

☆ Before-and-after photos show the moment an Iranian 'suicide drone' detonates in Russian strike on Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-17 | by ( Sinéad Baker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Multiple Ukrainian officials said Russia used Iran-made drones in the Monday morning strikes. Firefighters work after a drone fired on buildings in Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday, Oct. 17, 2022 AP Photo/Roman HrytsynaSerhiy Kruk, the head of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, said three people were killed. Klitschko and other Ukrainian officials, including President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said Russia used "kamikaze drones," which are drones that explode on impact. Multiple Ukrainian officials identified the drones as ones made in Iran, which are being increasingly seen on the battlefield in Ukraine. A drone is seen during an attack on Kyiv, Ukraine, on October 17, 2022.

☆ Putin will be replaced – but by someone even more extreme, warns former UK spy chief
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-15 | by ( Joshua Zitser | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

The UK's former spy chief, Sir Alex Younger, said Vladimir Putin will be replaced in "due course." Younger said he expects Putin's replacement to be even more right-wing and extreme. Sir Alex Younger, who served as MI6 chief from 2014 and 2020, appeared on BBC Newsnight on Tuesday and was asked by presenter Kirsty Wark whether Putin could be overthrown. Wark suggested to Younger that Putin's replacement might be more extreme and further to the right. He will be replaced, but will be replaced by critics from the right."

☆ Officials engaged in 'prudent planning' to prevent panic in the West if Russia detonates nuclear bomb in Ukraine, report says
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-15 | by ( Joshua Zitser | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Western officials are making plans to prevent chaos if Russia uses nukes in Ukraine, The Guardian reported. According to US intelligence, per BBC News, Russia has about 2,000 tactical nuclear weapons — small nuclear warheads that can be deployed on the battlefield. In recent speeches, Russian President Vladimir Putin has indicated he is willing to use nuclear weapons against Ukraine. In an interview with CNN on Tuesday, President Joe Biden said he doesn't think Putin will use nuclear weapons. French President Macron said France would "evidently" not use nuclear weapons in retaliation.

☆ Putin forced to endure a 7-minute-long rant from close ally who rebuked the Russian leader and demanded he shows respect
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-15 | by ( Bethany Dawson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The President of Tajikistan, a firm ally of Russia, appeared to berate Putin at an international summit. 'We do not need anything; just to be respected," Rahmon said. According to the New Voice of Ukraine, Rahmon also told Putin not to treat central Asian countries "as the former Soviet Union." The incident follows surprising public criticism from India's leader, another ally of Putin, of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Speaking at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in September, India's Prime Minister Modi told Putin that "now is not the time for war."

☆ Putin's nuclear threats are stirring fears of a nightmare scenario. Here's what's in his arsenal and what could happen if he orders the unthinkable.
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-13 | by ( John Haltiwanger | Charles R. Davis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +16 min

The use of a nuclear weapon is "directly tied to Russia's fate on the battlefield," one expert recently told Insider. Putin, who claimed to have placed Russia's nuclear deterrent forces on high alert just days later, has continued to remind the world of Russia's nuclear might in the months since. There are tactical nuclear weapons that are more than four times as powerful. At best, a single tactical nuclear weapon could destroy about a dozen tanks, Podvig said. Kristensen said during the ACA webinar on Tuesday that he believes it's unlikely that Russia employs nuclear weapons in Ukraine.

☆ Russia will run out of arms before Ukraine does because it has isolated itself so much, UK defence secretary says
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-13 | by ( Mia Jankowicz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The UK said on Thursday that Russia will run out of weapons before the West does in Ukraine. Defence Minister Ben Wallace said Russia is isolated and its supply chain broken. "They need a supply chain, and large parts of their supply chain were not in Russia, they came from all over the world including in Europe and including, indeed, even in Ukraine," he said. An assessment in September by the Center for Strategic and International Studies listed the stockpile status of five key weapons — including the famed HIMARS — as "limited." Russia has turned to to such pariah states for weapons supplies, with US intelligence claiming that North Korea had supplied it weapons.

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