Good Morning. 

The U.S. is relocating military assets in West Africa to counter terrorist expansions, Russia launched a counteroffensive to reclaim Ukrainian-held territory in the Kursk region during Blinken's Kyiv visit, CISA alerted agencies to patch 4 exploited Microsoft vulnerabilities, the CIA and MI6 are adopting generative AI for intelligence operations, and Uganda is experiencing a surge in coffee theft as prices soar.

Let’s dive in.

— 🐈‍⬛ Acoustic Kitty

America Unites in Remembrance: 23rd Anniversary of 9/11 Attacks

• President Biden, Vice President Harris, and former President Trump attended the Ground Zero memorial ceremony in New York, setting aside political differences to honor the victims.

• Commemoration events were held at all 3 attack sites: New York's World Trade Center, Shanksville, Pennsylvania, and the Pentagon, with moments of silence and the reading of victims' names.

• Biden emphasized the nation's resilience and unity in the face of terrorism, stating that while the "longest war" is over, vigilance against future attacks remains paramount.

Counterterrorism

• U.S. relocates military assets in West Africa to counter terrorist expansion. ➚

• Pakistani man faces terrorism charge for plot to assassinate U.S. officials. ➚

• Wagner mercenaries suffered heavy losses in Mali ambush by Tuareg rebels. ➚

• Polio vaccination team attacked near Afghan border. ➚

Military & Defense

• Russia launches counteroffensive to reclaim Ukrainian-held territory in Kursk region during Blinken's Kyiv visit. ➚

• China-Philippines talks planned amid rising South China Sea tensions. ➚

• Turkey's naval expansion alarms neighbors despite claims of defensive purposes. ➚

• Conflicts have closed 14.3K schools in 24 African countries, affecting 2.8M children. ➚

Cybersecurity

• CISA alerts agencies to patch 4 exploited Microsoft vulnerabilities. ➚

• Texas committee on foreign threats hacked with Russian propaganda. ➚

• Chinese hackers expand Southeast Asian espionage campaign with new tactics. ➚

• Pentagon's new cyber chief focuses on improved cybersecurity metrics. ➚

Counterintelligence & Espionage

• CIA and MI6 adopt generative AI for intelligence operations despite risks. ➚

Transnational Organized Crime

• Uganda sees surge in coffee theft as prices soar. ➚

• Sheriff reports cartel assassins operating in U.S. to Congress. ➚

• U.S. sanctions Mexican cartel members for fuel theft operations. ➚

The America Builds podcast sits at the nexus of national security, technology, and venture capital. Hosts Will Allen and Hayley Menser interview the brilliant operators and investors pushing the boundaries of frontier technology.