Good Morning. 

Putin is meeting the Iranian president in Turkmenistan to discuss bilateral issues, Israeli Defense Minister Gallant's U.S. visit is postponed due to Netanyahu's objections, ADT discloses its second cybersecurity incident in two months, the MI5 chief warns of a significant increase in assassination and sabotage attempts by Russia and Iran on UK soil, and a UN report warns that criminal networks in Southeast Asia are extensively using Telegram for large-scale illicit activities.

Let’s dive in.

— 🐈‍⬛ Acoustic Kitty

Cartel Chaos: Sinaloa's Descent into Violent Turmoil

• A betrayal within the Sinaloa cartel, involving the abduction of leader Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada García, has sparked a violent internal conflict in Mexico's Sinaloa state.

• The ongoing war between rival factions has led to widespread violence, including public killings, gun battles, and disruptions to daily life, causing economic losses and forcing residents to shelter in fear.

• Despite government intervention, including deploying soldiers and seizing local police weapons, the situation remains critical, with concerns about the violence spreading and challenging Mexico's new president, Claudia Sheinbaum.

Counterterrorism

• Putin to meet Iranian President in Turkmenistan to discuss bilateral issues and Middle East situation. ➚

• Iran considers accelerating its nuclear program as deterrent after Israel weakens its other military capabilities. ➚

• Israel claims to have killed Hezbollah leader successors and expands Lebanon offensive; Hezbollah signals openness to ceasefire. ➚

• Under Taliban rule, religious education in Afghanistan has surged with madrassas quadrupling in number. ➚

• FBI arrests Afghan man in Oklahoma allegedly plotting ISIS-inspired Election Day attack. ➚

Military & Defense

• Israeli Defense Minister Gallant's U.S. visit postponed due to Netanyahu's objections, amid escalating tensions with Iran and Hezbollah. ➚

• U.S. Secretary of State Blinken to attend ASEAN and East Asia Summit in Laos, engaging with new regional leaders and discussing key issues like Myanmar and South China Sea. ➚

• U.S. reaffirms peaceful resolution for Taiwan disputes as the island prepares to celebrate its national day, with tensions rising between Taiwan and China. ➚

Cybersecurity

• ADT, a security provider, disclosed its second cybersecurity incident in two months, involving stolen encrypted employee user account data. ➚

• CreditRiskMonitor, a credit monitoring and supply chain risk company, was hacked, with employee data stolen but customer information unaffected. ➚

• Organizations in Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Turkey face increased cyber threats, prompting efforts to simplify and modernize their cyber defenses. ➚

Counterintelligence & Espionage

• MI5 chief warns of a significant increase in assassination and sabotage attempts by Russia and Iran on UK soil, with Iran-backed plots rising sharply since 2022. ➚

Transnational Organized Crime

• UN report warns that criminal networks in Southeast Asia are extensively using Telegram for large-scale illicit activities. ➚

• Three alleged members of a Minneapolis street gang were convicted on federal charges related to a pattern of violence and murder, marking the first conviction in a broader gang crackdown using RICO statutes. ➚

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.