Good Morning. 

The U.S. imposes sanctions on a Palestinian group for alleged terrorist funding, Taiwan reports China used a record 153 military aircraft in war games, China accuses the U.S. of fabricating a hacker group to hide its cyber espionage activities, German intelligence warns of increased Russian aggression, and a Haitian gang leader was injured in a police raid on gang territory.

Let’s dive in.

— 🐈‍⬛ Acoustic Kitty

North Korea Blows Up Inter-Korean Road and Rail Links in Symbolic Act of Anger

• North Korea demolished parts of unused road and rail connections with South Korea, symbolizing growing anger against the South's conservative government.

• The action follows North Korea's accusations of South Korean drone incursions over Pyongyang and Kim Jong Un's recent order to abandon peaceful unification goals.

• South Korea responded with warning shots and increased military readiness, while condemning the demolitions as "highly abnormal" and "regressive."

Counterterrorism

• The U.S. imposes sanctions on the Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network, accusing it of being a fundraiser for the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, designated as a terrorist organization. ➚

• Kim Jong Un convenes a top security meeting, directing "immediate military action" amid rising tensions with South Korea over alleged drone incursions. ➚

• Iran summons Hungary's ambassador to protest new EU sanctions related to alleged ballistic missile transfers to Russia, which Iran denies. ➚

Military & Defense

• Taiwan reports China used a record 153 military aircraft in war games around the island, raising tensions in the region. ➚

• The U.S. threatens to cut military aid to Israel if it doesn't significantly increase humanitarian assistance to Gaza within 30 days. ➚

• A Russian missile attack on Ukraine's Mykolaiv region killed at least one person and injured 16 others, damaging infrastructure and residential areas. ➚

Cybersecurity

• China's cybersecurity agency accuses the U.S. of fabricating the Volt Typhoon hacking group to conceal its own global cyber espionage activities and frame China for cyberattacks. ➚

• Microsoft reports that Russia, China, and Iran are increasingly collaborating with criminal networks for cyber espionage and hacking operations against the U.S. and its allies. ➚

• The Internet Archive suffered a major data breach exposing 31M users' information, while also facing DDoS attacks and legal challenges. ➚

Counterintelligence & Espionage

• German intelligence chiefs warn of a sharp rise in aggressive behavior by Russian agents, including a suspected sabotage attempt that almost caused a plane crash. ➚

• A Russian court rejected an appeal by a detained South Korean citizen accused of espionage, ordering him to remain in custody until at least November 15. ➚

Transnational Organized Crime

• A Haitian gang leader was injured in a shootout with Haitian and Kenyan police during their first major incursion into gang-controlled territory since the UN-backed mission began. ➚

• A former DEA agent was convicted on multiple charges of corruption for protecting drug traffickers associated with organized crime. ➚

• Mexican military forces are accused of killing three civilians, including an 8-year-old girl, during pursuits of suspected cartel vehicles near the U.S. border in Nuevo Laredo. ➚

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.