Good Morning. 

Iran threatens retaliation after attacks in Lebanon, Taiwan's coastal defenses are questioned, the FBI disrupts a Chinese hacking operation, Israel's Unit 8200 is linked to Hezbollah pager attacks, and U.S.-Dominican officials crack down on a drug trafficking ring.

Let’s dive in.

— 🐈‍⬛ Acoustic Kitty

Russia's Military Resurgence Raises Concerns for U.S. Air Force

• U.S. Air Force General James Hecker warns that Russia's military has grown larger and more capable since invading Ukraine in 2022, despite heavy casualties.

• Ukraine has successfully shot down over 100 Russian aircraft, forcing both sides to limit air operations and resulting in a war of attrition with significant civilian casualties.

• The U.S. military is exploring cost-effective solutions, including commercial satellite imagery and inexpensive sensor systems, to counter the evolving threat landscape and improve situational awareness.

Counterterrorism

• Iran threatens retaliation after its ambassador was wounded in explosions. ➚

• North Korea fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles towards its east coast. ➚

• Iran's nuclear chief claims the country has no "covert objectives" for its nuclear program. ➚

Military & Defense

• Chinese man's illegal entry into Taiwan by rubber boat has raised concerns about the island's coastal defense capabilities. ➚

• Hezbollah walkie-talkie blasts kill 14, injure 450 in Lebanon. ➚

• Ukrainian drone attack explodes Russian arsenal. ➚

• Blinken in Egypt for Gaza cease-fire talks. ➚

• Chinese carrier enters Japan's waters for first time. ➚

Cybersecurity

• FBI disrupted a Chinese hacking operation that infected over 200K consumer devices to create a massive botnet for cybercrimes. ➚

• U.S. sanctions spyware firm for targeting dissidents, journalists. ➚

• AT&T fined $13M for cloud breach affecting 8.9M customers. ➚

Counterintelligence & Espionage

• Israel's Unit 8200, a secretive military intelligence unit, linked to the recent pager attacks against Hezbollah. ➚

• Chinese engineer charged in the U.S. for a cyber espionage targeting NASA, military, and private aerospace companies. ➚

Transnational Organized Crime

• U.S. and Dominican officials arrested nearly a dozen suspects in a joint operation targeting a regional drug trafficking ring. ➚

• Ethiopian militia clashes leave 9 dead, 30+ injured. ➚

• Mexican president challenges ex-official's cartel claims. ➚

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.