Good Morning. 

North Korea is expanding a weapons plant that manufactures missiles used by Russia against Ukraine, Russia launched an unprecedented 188-drone assault across Ukraine while gaining territory in Donetsk, an Interpol operation targeting African cybercrime leads to over 1,000 arrests and uncovered $193 million in losses across 19 countries, three American citizens were released after years in Chinese prison, and a Gulf drug cartel generates millions from illegal red snapper fishing operations in U.S. waters while also smuggling drugs.

Let’s dive in.

— 🐈‍⬛ Acoustic Kitty

Chinese Ship's Crew Accused of 100-Mile Anchor Drag in Baltic Cable Sabotage

• A Chinese bulk carrier, Yi Peng 3, is currently surrounded by NATO warships in the Baltic Sea after allegedly dragging its anchor for over 100 miles and severing two critical underwater data cables while transporting Russian fertilizer with its transponder turned off.

• While the Chinese government is not suspected of involvement, investigators believe the ship's Chinese captain may have been induced by Russian intelligence to carry out the sabotage, with the vessel's owner Ningbo Yipeng Shipping cooperating in the investigation despite NATO's inability to force the ship to port under maritime law.

• The incident mirrors a pattern of suspected Russian-orchestrated attacks on European infrastructure, notably following the Yi Peng 3's sudden shift from exclusively Chinese operations to Russian cargo transport in March 2024, and echoing a similar case where another Chinese-registered vessel cut a gas pipeline in 2023.

Counterterrorism

• North Korea expands missile factory that produces weapons used by Russia in Ukraine, adding assembly building and worker housing. ➚

• The UN reports Taliban have detained Afghan journalists 256 times since 2021, forcing remaining media to work under severe censorship and restrictions. ➚

• Thousands of Iranian workers across multiple sectors launch protests and sit-ins over economic conditions amid high inflation and stagnant wages. ➚

Military & Defense

• Russia launches unprecedented 188-drone assault across Ukraine while gaining territory in Donetsk, with 76 drones intercepted by defenses. ➚

• Pakistani police violently dispersed thousands of Imran Khan supporters in Islamabad, arresting nearly 1,000 protesters amid conflicting casualty reports. ➚

• Biden administration can't spend $6.5B in Ukraine weapons funding before January, leaving Trump significant leverage over future military aid. ➚

• France indicates Netanyahu may avoid ICC arrest due to Israel's treaty status, easing tensions around Lebanon cease-fire deal. ➚

• The U.S. urges Ukraine to lower conscription age from 25 to 18, citing critical manpower shortage of 160,000 troops amid Russian advances. ➚

Cybersecurity

• An Interpol operation targeting African cybercrime leads to over 1,000 arrests across 19 countries, uncovering $193 million in losses. ➚

• Russian hacking group RomCom exploited Firefox and Windows zero-day vulnerabilities to deploy backdoors against US and European targets. ➚

• South Dakota's political influence on cybersecurity grows as Noem, Rounds, and Thune take key national security positions. ➚

Counterintelligence & Espionage

• Three Americans detained in China - Mark Swidan, Kai Li, and John Leung - released after years in prison amid Biden's diplomatic efforts. ➚

Transnational Organized Crime

• A Gulf drug cartel generates millions from illegal red snapper fishing in U.S. waters, using boats that also smuggle drugs. ➚

• Rapper Sean 'Diddy' Combs denied $50 million bail request, will remain jailed until May 2025 sex-trafficking trial begins. ➚

• Mexico's new president Sheinbaum struggles to address Trump's 25% tariff threat over cartels, given their entrenched control nationwide. ➚

• The UN begins evacuating some staff from Haiti as gang violence intensifies, forcing over 40,000 residents to flee Port-au-Prince in ten days. ➚

• A leader of the Aryan Brotherhood prison gang allegedly attacked two California State Prison officers with an improvised weapon during a transfer from medical care. ➚

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.