Good Morning. 

Iraqi forces killed nine ISIS commanders during a raid in the Hamrin Mountains, South Korea threatened to send weapons and personnel to Ukraine in response to reports of North Korean troop deployments, Russian-linked hacker groups launched DDoS attacks against Japanese logistics firms and government organizations, the Kremlin pressured Central Asian nations to crack down on Russian war critics and dissidents, and former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries was arrested and charged with running an international sex-trafficking ring.

Let’s dive in.

— 🐈‍⬛ Acoustic Kitty

Hezbollah Ramps Up European Drug Trade Amid Israeli Strikes

• Following Israeli airstrikes on its infrastructure and banking institutions in Lebanon, Hezbollah is urgently seeking to expand its drug trafficking operations in Europe to offset financial losses.

• Former U.S. officials report their European sources are seeing increased outreach from Hezbollah-affiliated actors this month to arrange drug deliveries, particularly targeting Europe as the world's largest cocaine market.

• While Europe presents a lucrative opportunity for quick revenue generation, Hezbollah faces significant obstacles including competition from established criminal networks and heightened Europol surveillance operations.

Counterterrorism

• Iraqi forces killed nine ISIS commanders, including their top leader in Iraq, during a raid in the Hamrin Mountains. ➚

• The U.S. charged an Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps official and others in a plot to assassinate Iranian-American journalist Masih Alinejad in New York. ➚

• Kim Jong Un visited strategic missile bases and criticized U.S. nuclear capabilities while calling for modernization of his forces. ➚

• The FBI is investigating the leak of classified documents detailing Israel's plans for a retaliatory strike against Iran that were circulated on Telegram. ➚

Military & Defense

• South Korea threatened to send weapons and personnel to Ukraine in response to reports of North Korean troop deployments supporting Russia. ➚

• Blinken urged Netanyahu to reach a Gaza cease-fire after Sinwar's killing while pressing for more humanitarian aid and hostage releases. ➚

• Russian officials reported Ukrainian drone strikes hit a biochemical plant in Tambov and distilleries in Tula region. ➚

• Xi and Putin met at the BRICS summit in Kazan, emphasizing their growing strategic partnership. ➚

• Treasury Secretary Yellen announced G7 and EU allies are close to finalizing a $50B loan package for Ukraine backed by frozen Russian assets. ➚

• Taiwan's defense ministry reported a Chinese aircraft carrier group led by the Liaoning sailed through the Taiwan Strait heading north. ➚

Cybersecurity

• Russia-linked hacker groups launched DDoS attacks against Japanese logistics firms and government organizations following Japan's increased military spending and exercises with allies. ➚

• Microsoft reports a 300% rise in ransomware attacks on healthcare facilities since 2015, with Iranian hackers leading the surge. ➚

• The SEC fined four companies for downplaying the impact of the 2020 SolarWinds hack in their regulatory filings. ➚

Counterintelligence & Espionage

• The Kremlin is pressuring Central Asian nations to crack down on Russian war critics and dissidents through arrests, extraditions, and surveillance systems including facial recognition technology. ➚

• U.S. officials are pressing India for swift accountability regarding an Indian intelligence official's alleged involvement in a foiled plot to assassinate Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on U.S. soil. ➚

Transnational Organized Crime

• Former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries was arrested and charged with running an international sex-trafficking ring from 2008-2015, allegedly coercing aspiring male models into sex acts. ➚

• Haiti's security situation has deteriorated further according to UN officials, with gangs expanding attacks into new territories. ➚

• Peru's government announced plans to monitor Venezuelan migrants' remittances amid rising crime concerns, with President Boluarte implementing stricter migration policies. ➚

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.