🔥 Marine Security Belt ‘24

Good Morning. The United States continues to exert pressure on international terrorist groups.

On March 10, through its Africa Command (AFRICOM), the U.S. military executed an airstrike in southern Somalia, eliminating three members of the al-Shabab militant group.

This operation was conducted in response to the Somali federal government's request for "collective self-defense."

This incident represents the fifth U.S. airstrike in Somalia in 2024, succeeding 18 comparable operations conducted in 2023.

THE BOTTOM LINE UP FRONT

Iran, Russia and China will show off their marine capabilities in a joint naval drill

China, Iran, and Russia have initiated a joint naval exercise, "Marine Security Belt 2024," in the strategic waters of the Gulf of Oman, near the crucial oil transit chokepoint of the Strait of Hormuz.

This collaborative military effort, marking the trio's fourth joint drill since 2019, involves over 20 naval vessels, including the guided-missile destroyer Urumqi and frigate Linyi from China, and Russia's Slava-class cruiser, the Varyag.

Regional Dynamics. The drill underscores Iran's increased military collaboration with China and Russia amid tensions with the United States, highlighted by Iran's supply of military drones for Russia's engagement in Ukraine.

Security Context: The Gulf of Oman has been a hotspot for maritime incidents since 2019, including attacks and ship seizures attributed to Iran following the breakdown of its nuclear deal with major powers. Nations including Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Oman, Pakistan, and South Africa are observing the exercises.

INTERNATIONAL SECURITY & DIPLOMACY

Pro-Ukrainian militias, including the Freedom of Russia Legion, Russian Volunteer Corps, and Siberian Battalion, have reportedly launched attacks into Russia's Kursk and Belgorod regions. These actions come amid Ukraine's significant drone and missile offensive, which has already inflicted damage on two Russian oil refineries.

• Russian Response: Russia claims to have thwarted these attacks, employing air, rocket, and artillery forces to repel the "Ukrainian terrorist groups."

• Impact on Civilian Life: Following the skirmishes, Kursk has moved to online schooling, signaling the raids' impacts on local communities.

In other news…

🏴‍☠️ Twenty armed individuals have taken control of a Bangladesh-flagged bulk carrier off the coast of Somalia. The maritime security firm Ambrey reported the incident occurred approximately 600 nautical miles east of Mogadishu.

🇪🇺 Europol's year-long investigation has significantly impacted migrant smuggling operations in the Balkans, resulting in the arrest of 19 suspects in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia.

💨 India has initiated the withdrawal of its military personnel operating surveillance aircraft in the Maldives, following directives from the Maldives' new pro-China President Mohamed Muizzu.

🎙️ Sudan's military has successfully reclaimed the national radio and television headquarters in Omdurman from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a rival paramilitary group, marking a significant turn in the conflict that erupted in April last year due to tensions between the RSF commander and the military's head.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Researchers at the University of Chicago have identified a new cyber security threat in virtual reality (VR) systems, specifically targeting the Meta Quest VR system. This "Inception" attack allows hackers to clone the home screen and apps, enabling them to monitor and manipulate a user’s actions, including voice and motion tracking, keystrokes, browsing activities, and interactions with others in VR in real time.

• New Security Vulnerability: Hackers can access a wide range of personal data and interactions, making users vulnerable to unprecedented privacy breaches.

• Reality Check: The attack raises concerns about the ability to distinguish between real and artificial content, not just in VR but across digital mediums, echoing broader issues with generative AI.

In other news…

🧅 The Tor Project has introduced WebTunnel, a novel bridge type designed to bypass censorship by disguising Tor connections as regular HTTPS web traffic. This development aims to counteract efforts by regimes in countries like China and Iran to detect and block Tor connections.

⚡ In the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine, Ukrainian soldiers face challenges with their drone operations, notably against Russian electronic countermeasures. The drones, initially effective for striking Russian forces and compensating for a shortage of artillery shells, are now frequently jammed, losing signal and effectiveness.

DEALS & FUNDING

Leading American corporations are poised to announce investments exceeding $1 billion in the Philippines, as disclosed by U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo during a trade and investment mission accompanied by executives from major companies like United Airlines, Google, and Microsoft.

• Diverse Sector Focus: Investments will target key areas like electric vehicles, solar energy, and digital infrastructure. These investments are part of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, indicating strategic economic engagement in the region.

In other news…

💡 Tavus, a generative AI startup focused on creating digital "replicas" for personalized video campaigns, has announced a fresh funding round of $18 million led by Scale Venture Partners.

🧠 Nanonets, an AI startup focusing on automating back-office tasks, has secured $29 million in a Series B funding round led by Accel. This round raises its total funding to $42 million.