Good Morning. 

The EU imposed sanctions on Iranian officials and airlines for supplying weapons to Russia, Netanyahu reportedly agreed to limit Israel's retaliation against Iran to military targets, Sri Lankan police arrested 198 Chinese men suspected of operating a cybercrime ring, Western governments struggled with China's vast espionage activities, and Trudeau accused Indian diplomats of backing criminal activities against Canadians.

Let’s dive in.

— 🐈‍⬛ Acoustic Kitty

China Conducts Military Exercises Around Taiwan to 'Deter Separatist Forces'

• China launched a new round of military exercises around Taiwan, dubbed "Joint Sword-2024B," involving sea-air combat patrols and simulated blockades of key ports.

• The drills come in response to Taiwan President Lai Ching-te's National Day speech, where he rejected China's claim over Taiwan and vowed to resist annexation.

• While China aims to deter "separatist forces," analysts suggest the exercises may have limited impact on Taiwanese public opinion and could further damage China's image in the region.

Counterterrorism

• The EU imposed sanctions on Iranian officials and airlines for supplying drones, missiles, and equipment to Russia for use in the Ukraine war. ➚

• A funeral procession was held in Iraq for Iranian General Abbas Nilforushan, who was killed alongside Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in an Israeli strike on Beirut in September. ➚

• Zelenskyy claimed that North Koreans are fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, indicating a strengthening alliance between Russia and North Korea. ➚

Military & Defense

• Netanyahu has reportedly agreed to limit Israel's retaliation against Iran to military targets, avoiding strikes on oil infrastructure or nuclear installations. ➚

• Chinese Premier Li Qiang began a visit to Pakistan amid security concerns and strained relations due to recent attacks on Chinese nationals. ➚

• Israel expanded its military operations in Lebanon, killing at least 21 people in an airstrike on a Christian town in the north. ➚

• China urged caution in Israel-Iran tensions and called for a ceasefire in Gaza during a phone call between the Chinese and Israeli foreign ministers. ➚

Cybersecurity

• Sri Lankan police arrested 198 Chinese men suspected of operating a cybercrime ring from various locations in the country. ➚

• Amazon is integrating security into its satellite-based internet project, Project Kuiper, to ensure robust protection against cyber threats. ➚

• Around 87K IP addresses are vulnerable to a critical Fortinet flaw that the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has labeled as a "must patch" vulnerability. ➚

Counterintelligence & Espionage

• Western governments struggle with China's vast espionage activities involving state and private actors to undermine rivals and boost its economy. ➚

• German intelligence warns of rising Russian espionage in Germany, predicting potential Russia-NATO conflict by 2030. ➚

Transnational Organized Crime

• Trudeau accused Indian diplomats of backing criminal activities against Canadians, escalating a diplomatic dispute that began with allegations of India's involvement in a Sikh activist's murder. ➚

• ICC prosecutor to reopen investigation into alleged crimes in Congo's North Kivu province since 2022. ➚

• Five decapitated bodies found on road in Mexico, likely linked to drug cartel activity. ➚

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.