Good Morning. 

Video evidence appears to confirm reports that North Korean soldiers are being equipped and trained in Russia, Israel expands its campaign against Hezbollah by striking banks in Lebanon linked to the militant group, Brazilian Federal Police arrest a suspect allegedly responsible for major data breaches, the U.S. charges a former Indian intelligence officer for allegedly directing a foiled plot to assassinate a Sikh separatist in New York, and a Mexican newspaper's offices in Sinaloa are hit by gunfire.

Let’s dive in.

— 🐈‍⬛ Acoustic Kitty

U.S. Military's Pacific Pivot: Reviving WWII Airfields to Counter China's Missile Threat

• The U.S. is revitalizing and upgrading numerous airfields across the Pacific, including World War II-era bases like Tinian's North Field, to disperse aircraft and reduce vulnerability to China's missile arsenal.

• This strategy, called Agile Combat Employment (ACE), aims to scatter U.S. warplanes across multiple locations rather than concentrating them at a few large bases, making it harder for China to target them in a potential conflict.

• The approach faces significant logistical challenges, including supplying dispersed units, negotiating access with allies, and upgrading infrastructure quickly enough to meet strategic needs.

Counterterrorism

• Video evidence appears to confirm reports that North Korean soldiers are being equipped and trained in Russia for likely deployment to Ukraine. ➚

• Iran hosts joint naval drills with Russia and Oman in the Indian Ocean, with nine other countries observing. ➚

• The U.S. and allies are leading efforts to enforce North Korea sanctions through surveillance and intelligence sharing, with less help from China and Russia. ➚

• Germany arrested a Libyan citizen suspected of planning a terrorist attack on the Israeli embassy in Berlin after discussing plans with an IS member. ➚

• Iran summons Hungary's ambassador to protest an EU-GCC statement supporting UAE's claim to three disputed islands controlled by Iran. ➚

Military & Defense

• Israel expands its campaign against Hezbollah by striking banks in Lebanon linked to the militant group. ➚

• The U.S. is investigating the unauthorized release of classified documents detailing Israel's plans to attack Iran. ➚

• Ukraine launched over 100 drones at Russian regions while Russia conducted missile strikes on Ukraine, injuring 17 people in Kryvyi Rih. ➚

• Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic reaffirmed Serbia's refusal to impose sanctions on Russia following a phone call with Putin. ➚

• DJI has sued the U.S. DoD for designating it as a Chinese military company, claiming it is not owned or controlled by the Chinese military. ➚

Cybersecurity

• Brazilian Federal Police arrested a suspect allegedly responsible for major data breaches, including those at National Public Data and the FBI's InfraGard. ➚

• U.S. and allied intelligence agencies warn of a year-long Iranian cyberattack campaign targeting critical infrastructure sectors through brute-force attacks and other tactics. ➚

Counterintelligence & Espionage

• The U.S. has charged Vikash Yadav, a former Indian intelligence officer, for allegedly directing a foiled plot to assassinate a Sikh separatist in New York, escalating tensions between the U.S. and India. ➚

Transnational Organized Crime

• A Mexican newspaper's offices in Sinaloa were hit by gunfire. ➚

• A senior Tanzanian opposition party official was abducted and seriously injured, the second such incident in two months. ➚

• Prabowo Subianto was sworn in as Indonesia's eighth president, vowing to tackle corruption and make the country more self-sufficient. ➚

• Mozambique police shot two people as about 300 individuals invaded a pit at Gemfields Group's ruby mine. ➚

• The leader of a Texas burglary ring targeting high-end homes was sentenced to 37 years in prison. ➚

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.