Good Morning. 

U.S. federal agents arrested a Chinese national who smuggled American guns to North Korea through Hong Kong for $2 million, President Biden visited Angola during his first Africa trip as president, U.S. officials reported Chinese hackers remain embedded in telecommunications networks, NATO has struggled to protect Baltic Sea infrastructure from sabotage as storms hampered surveillance during military exercises, and Mexico's president Sheinbaum rejected Trump administration's plans to deploy U.S. special forces against drug cartels.

Let’s dive in.

— 🐈‍⬛ Acoustic Kitty

South Korean President Reverses Martial Law After Parliamentary Rejection

• South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law late Tuesday night, citing threats from "pro-North Korean forces," but was forced to lift it after Parliament voted 190-0 against the measure in an emergency session where lawmakers had to scale fences to enter the National Assembly.

• The dramatic political crisis, which unfolded as Yoon's approval ratings hit below 20%, sparked immediate protests in Seoul and sharp criticism from both opposition and his own conservative party members who called the move unconstitutional.

• The political instability caused significant market turbulence, with major South Korean companies' U.S. shares dropping and the Korean won falling against the dollar, while calls for Yoon's impeachment have begun to emerge from prominent media outlets.

Counterterrorism

• U.S. federal agents arrested a Chinese national who smuggled American guns to North Korea through Hong Kong for $2 million. ➚

• Syrian rebels are advancing toward Hama city while Kurdish forces open new fronts, threatening Assad's weakened government position. ➚

• Abu Mohammed al-Jawlani, a former ISIS member, has captured Aleppo while promising protection for minorities and religious tolerance. ➚

Military & Defense

• President Biden made his first visit to Angola, focusing on economic partnerships while avoiding public criticism of human rights issues. ➚

• Palestinian officials announced that Fatah and Hamas are close to agreeing on appointing independent technocrats to govern post-war Gaza. ➚

• The United States expressed "grave concern" over South Korean President Yoon's martial law declaration and hopes for resolution through legal means. ➚

• Ukrainian President Zelensky has indicated willingness to consider a cease-fire with Russia in exchange for NATO membership guarantees. ➚

• Israel and Hezbollah's week-old cease-fire is deteriorating as both sides exchange fire and accuse each other of violations. ➚

• Spain plans to offer visas to 900,000 undocumented migrants over three years while simultaneously working to reduce new arrivals. ➚

Cybersecurity

• U.S. officials report Chinese hackers remain embedded in telecommunications networks, targeting Trump and other political figures' communications. ➚

• Polish authorities arrest former intelligence chief Pogonowski for investigation into government's alleged misuse of Pegasus spyware. ➚

Counterintelligence & Espionage

• NATO struggles to protect Baltic Sea infrastructure from sabotage as storms hamper surveillance during military exercises. ➚

• Taiwan monitors Chinese carrier movements as intelligence suggests Beijing may launch military exercises near the island this weekend. ➚

• The FBI informant John Leung, who infiltrated Chinese political circles in America, returns home through prisoner exchange. ➚

• Germany launches special intelligence taskforce to protect February's election from foreign interference, particularly focusing on Russian threats. ➚

Transnational Organized Crime

• Mexico's president Sheinbaum rejects Trump administration's plans to deploy U.S. special forces against drug cartels. ➚

• Final YSL defendants Kendrick and Stillwell were acquitted of murder and gang charges after Georgia's longest trial. ➚

• Vietnam's highest court upholds death sentence for tycoon Truong My Lan in $12 billion fraud case. ➚

• Eight people died when gunmen attacked a roadside stand in Mexico's Guanajuato state, a cartel-plagued region. ➚

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.