🔥 Escape from Haiti

Good Morning. Over the weekend, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), a key federal agency responsible for overseeing cybersecurity in the U.S., recently experienced a cyberattack that led to the temporary shutdown of two critical computer systems. These systems were involved in sharing security assessment tools among federal, state, and local officials, and in holding security assessment information for chemical facilities.

CISA responded promptly by taking the affected systems offline and stated that there has been no operational impact from the incident. The agency is in the process of upgrading and modernizing its systems, with the compromised systems already scheduled for replacement.

The identity of the hackers is not clear, but the intrusion exploited vulnerabilities in virtual private networking software by Ivanti, which has been under scrutiny for security flaws exploited by various hacker groups, including a Chinese espionage group.

THE BOTTOM LINE UP FRONT

US flies forces in to beef up security at embassy in Haiti and evacuate nonessential personnel

The U.S. military deployed forces to enhance security at the U.S. Embassy in Haiti, facilitating the exit of nonessential personnel due to escalating gang violence in Port-au-Prince. The operation, conducted by air with helicopters, explicitly excluded Haitian nationals to dispel rumors of high-profile evacuations. Gangs have intensified attacks in Port-au-Prince, targeting police stations and paralyzing the country, prompting a state of emergency and curfew extensions.

Political Turmoil. Haiti's Prime Minister Ariel Henry, amidst calls for resignation or a transitional council, is stranded abroad following unsuccessful efforts to secure a Kenyan police force deployment. Caribbean and international stakeholders struggle to foster a consensus for a transitional government in Haiti, with a general election aimed for mid-2025.

Regional Concern. The Dominican Republic has closed its border with Haiti, citing security threats. Caribbean leaders call for an emergency meeting to address Haiti's "dire" situation, highlighting the urgency for a peacekeeping force.

INTERNATIONAL SECURITY & DIPLOMACY

In a significant security operation, Turkish police have arrested 33 individuals linked to the Islamic State group, suspected of planning attacks in the lead-up to the upcoming local elections on March 31. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced the detentions on Sunday, emphasizing the government's unwavering commitment to combating terrorism. The arrests took place in Sakarya, northwest Turkey, where police confiscated weapons, cash, and materials indicative of the suspects' affiliations and plans.

Background Context

• The IS network in question was engaged in recruiting for conflict zones and financially supporting IS activities from clandestine locations, including unregistered mosques and religious schools.

• Turkey's history with IS includes several attacks, the most devastating being the Ankara peace rally bombing in October 2015, which claimed over 100 lives. Another recent incident was a gun attack on an Istanbul church in January, resulting in one fatality.

In other news…

🏍️ A motorcycle loaded with 4-5kg of explosives detonated in Peshawar, Pakistan, killing at least two and critically injuring another, amidst a rising wave of attacks in the region with the Pakistani Taliban and ISIL among the main perpetrators.

🐼 Evasive Panda, an advanced persistent threat group also known as Bronze Highland and Daggerfly, has been targeting Tibetans through sophisticated cyberespionage campaigns, leveraging compromised websites and trojanized applications to infect visitors and users with malware.

💂 A man was arrested after crashing a car into the gates of Buckingham Palace in London early Saturday morning, without causing injuries. The Metropolitan Police detained him on suspicion of criminal damage, later detaining him under the Mental Health Act after a hospital assessment.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

The Pentagon's All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) is advancing its capabilities in identifying and responding to Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) through the development of the Gremlin System. Announced by Tim Phillips, AARO’s acting director, this novel surveillance technology aims to equip personnel with sensor-equipped "kits" for real-time data capture on UAP incidents

• Innovative Surveillance: The Gremlin System comprises deployable sensor suites housed in Pelican cases, emphasizing flexibility and adaptability for field operations. This approach targets the collection of hyperspectral data to better understand and identify UAP signatures. Initial testing in Texas has shown promising results, with the Gremlin System effectively distinguishing between known and unknown aerial targets, including natural phenomena and orbiting objects.

• Strategic Partnerships: AARO's collaboration with government laboratories, including the Department of Energy and academic institutions like Georgia Tech, underlines a concerted effort to leverage cutting-edge technology and expertise in this endeavor.

In other news…

⚡ As the electric grid becomes increasingly populated with smart devices, the potential for cyberattacks grows, posing a threat to grid security and reliability. Researchers at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory have proposed a new strategy that shifts from tackling vulnerabilities individually to prioritizing and addressing cyber threats systematically.

🛫 General Atomics' XQ-67A drone, a part of the Gambit series and designed for the Air Force's collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) program, has successfully completed its maiden flight. This development marks a significant milestone towards introducing a "second generation" of autonomous aircraft.

🪖 The Army is implementing new strategies to accelerate the acquisition and deployment of advanced technology for its forces. Key initiatives include the formation of a cross-functional team dedicated to enhancing long-range targeting capabilities and the introduction of the High Accuracy Detection and Exploitation System for equipping jets with espionage equipment. Additionally, high-altitude spy balloons are being evaluated during Project Convergence in California.

DEALS & FUNDING

In a pivotal moment at a Heritage Foundation event, Sen. Roger Wicker, a Mississippi Republican, proposed a dramatic escalation in the U.S. defense budget to $1.4 trillion, arguing it's essential to counter global threats. This request, marking nearly a 50% increase over fiscal 2023, underscores the growing pressures and complexities facing U.S. military spending as it inches toward the $1 trillion mark.

Budget Realities. The current trajectory places the defense budget close to $1 trillion, factoring in existing commitments and the rising costs of military operations, personnel, and healthcare. The $1 trillion mark is both symbolic and contentious, triggering debates over the ROI of such spending and potential areas for cuts or reallocation.

In other news…

👎 The partnership between Techstars and J.P. Morgan for the $80 million Advancing Cities Fund, aimed at backing underrepresented founders, is facing challenges. Miscommunications and operational missteps have led to a strained relationship, with J.P. Morgan becoming disengaged and Techstars acknowledging its role in the tensions.

💲 The U.S. Army is advancing its Tactical Intelligence Targeting Access Node (TITAN) ground station program with Palantir as the prime contractor, focusing on enhancing data fusion and deep-sensing capabilities through artificial intelligence among other tools.