Good Morning. 

Explosions near the Israeli Embassy in Copenhagen lead to three Swedish arrests, the UN reports Russia systematically tortures Ukrainian POWs, the DHS warns Russia, Iran, and China may deploy AI for U.S. election interference, the CIA expands online recruitment efforts, and Myanmar's civil war fuels a surge in cross-border drug trafficking to Thailand.

Let’s dive in.

— 🐈‍⬛ Acoustic Kitty

Iran's Khamenei Warned Nasrallah of Israeli Assassination Plot

• Iran's Supreme Leader warned Nasrallah of an Israeli plot to kill him, sending an envoy to urge him to flee Lebanon for Iran days before his assassination in an Israeli strike.

• Nasrallah's death reveals extensive Israeli infiltration of Hezbollah and Iranian ranks, leading to arrests in Iran and a major investigation within Hezbollah, including the questioning of hundreds of members.

• Hezbollah struggles to appoint a successor and organize a funeral for Nasrallah, fearing further attacks and grappling with a loss of trust both internally and with Iran, while also dealing with the loss of several other senior commanders.

Counterterrorism

• Explosions near Israeli Embassy in Copenhagen lead to three Swedish arrests. ➚

• Pakistani forces kill six insurgents in Balochistan raid. ➚

• Iran says it won't send forces to confront Israel in Lebanon or Gaza. ➚

• North Korean defector detained trying to return to North Korea on stolen bus. ➚

Military & Defense

• UN: Russia systematically tortures Ukrainian POWs throughout captivity. ➚

• Israel boosts Lebanon offensive after first eight troop deaths in clashes with Hezbollah. ➚

• WWII-era bomb explodes near runway, closing Japanese airport and cancelling 87 flights. ➚

• Israel bars UN chief Guterres over his response to Iran's missile attack. ➚

Cybersecurity

• DHS: Russia, Iran, China likely to deploy AI for U.S. election interference. ➚

• 700K+ DrayTek routers vulnerable to new security flaws. ➚

• U.S. allies shift to proactive cyber strategy over deterrence. ➚

Counterintelligence & Espionage

• CIA expands online recruitment efforts to target potential informants in China, Iran, and North Korea. ➚

• Four Russian journalists go on trial in Moscow for alleged involvement with Navalny's anti-corruption group. ➚

Transnational Organized Crime

• Myanmar's civil war fuels surge in cross-border drug trafficking to Thailand. ➚

• Global monkey torture network ringleaders face prison sentences following BBC investigation and international law enforcement crackdown. ➚

• Russia arrests 100 in cybercrime money laundering raids. ➚

• Over 100 arrested in Sacramento human trafficking sting, two minors rescued. ➚

• Gunmen kill four men and wound two others in attack on Mexican drug rehab center. ➚

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.