Good Morning. 

The U.S. is shifting focus from North Korean denuclearization to nuclear deterrence, China is hosting an African leaders forum to boost economic ties and influence, TfL is facing a cyber attack, a suspected Russian spy whale died off the Norwegian coast, Starlink is defying a Brazil court order to block X, and Aerovironment got a $990M Army contract for Switchblade drones.

Let’s dive in.

— 🐈‍⬛ Acoustic Kitty

China's Belt and Road in Africa: Progress, Challenges, and Shifting Focus

• China has invested heavily in African infrastructure through its Belt and Road Initiative, with projects ranging from railways and ports to bridges and power plants, totaling over $700B in contracts between 2013 and 2023.

• While these projects have improved connectivity and economic development, they have also faced criticism for creating debt burdens, environmental concerns, and corruption allegations in some countries.

• China is shifting its focus in Africa towards mining minerals crucial for high-tech and green industries, while also increasing investments in renewable energy projects in response to environmental concerns.

Counterterrorism

• U.S. shifts focus from North Korean denuclearization to nuclear deterrence. ➚

• Houthi rebels attack ships in Red Sea, disrupting regional trade. ➚

• Kabul suicide bombing kills 6, wounds 13; ISIS affiliate suspected. ➚

• Iranian reformist faces new charges, possible 6-year sentence extension. ➚

Military & Defense

• China hosts African leaders forum to boost economic ties and influence. ➚

• U.S. identifies likely Russian site for new nuclear-powered cruise missile. ➚

• Algeria joins BRICS bank, advancing global financial integration. ➚

Cybersecurity

• TfL faces cyber attack; no data compromise or service impact yet. ➚

• Seattle airport battles cyberattack outages during busy travel period. ➚

• Sophisticated attack targets Chinese businesses using Cobalt Strike. ➚

• CISA launches portal for voluntary cyber incident reporting. ➚

Counterintelligence & Espionage

• Suspected Russian spy whale dies off Norwegian coast at 15. ➚

• Algeria arrests 7 for alleged espionage before presidential election. ➚

• Russia increasingly uses civilian spies after diplomatic expulsions. ➚

Transnational Organized Crime

• U.S. seizes Maduro's plane over sanctions violations. ➚

• Sinaloa state sees attacks amid fears of escalating cartel violence. ➚

• Ex-drug lord Cárdenas Guillén released from U.S. prison, faces deportation. ➚

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.