Good Morning. 

Iran-backed Iraqi fighters entered Syria to help Assad fight rebels who captured Aleppo, the Biden administration approved a $725 million weapons package for Ukraine before Trump takes office in January, Russian authorities charged notorious hacker Mikhail Matveev with creating ransomware used for extortion, China's spy agency warned that foreign intelligence services are exploiting open-source information and social media data for espionage purposes, and Colombia’s military commander said armed groups exploited peace talks to strengthen their military and economic power.

Let’s dive in.

— 🐈‍⬛ Acoustic Kitty

U.S. Navy Develops At-Sea Missile Reloading System to Counter China

• The US Navy is testing a new TRAM system that will enable warships to reload missiles at sea, transforming a two-month port delay into a matter of days.

• The current requirement for ships to return to major ports for missile reloading creates a significant strategic vulnerability in potential Pacific conflicts, forcing vessels to travel up to 5,000 miles.

• Engineers have developed a sophisticated system that combines specialized radar, motion sensors, and crane technology to safely transfer 6,000-pound missiles between ships moving on ocean waves.

Counterterrorism

• Iran-backed Iraqi fighters enter Syria to help Assad fight rebels who captured Aleppo, while Hezbollah stays out. ➚

• A terminally ill North Korean defector broadcasts banned news twice daily into North Korea despite regime's harsh censorship. ➚

• The U.S. and UAE discussed lifting sanctions on Syria's Assad if he breaks ties with Iran and Hezbollah. ➚

Military & Defense

• The Biden administration approves $725 million weapons package for Ukraine before Trump takes office in January. ➚

• The White House confirms U.S. won't return nuclear weapons to Ukraine that it gave up after Soviet collapse. ➚

• Romania's leftist parties win parliamentary election while court decides validity of controversial presidential vote first round. ➚

Cybersecurity

• Russian authorities charge notorious hacker Mikhail Matveev (Wazawaka) with creating ransomware used for extortion, facing up to 4 years in prison. ➚

• The UK's cyber security chief warns of 16% increase in hostile cyber incidents in 2024, with 430 cases handled compared to 371 last year. ➚

• A U.S. appeals court overturns Treasury Department sanctions on Tornado Cash crypto mixer, ruling it exceeded authority by sanctioning technology rather than property. ➚

Counterintelligence & Espionage

• China's spy agency warns that foreign intelligence services are exploiting open-source information and social media data for espionage purposes. ➚

• London court reveals Russian spy ring's 'honeytrap' operation where two female agents were meant to seduce targets across Europe. ➚

• A U.S. military aircraft violated Ugandan and DRC airspace in November while conducting unauthorized surveillance missions disguised as transport flights. ➚

Transnational Organized Crime

• Colombian military commander claims armed groups exploited peace talks to strengthen their military and economic power. ➚

• In Brazil's Amazon, Indigenous involvement in illegal gold mining complicates government efforts to crack down on wildcat operations. ➚

• Texas officials offer land and expertise to help Trump administration implement strict immigration policies and border control measures. ➚

• ADM faces criminal probe over misleading investors through inflated profits at its Nutrition division and questionable internal transactions. ➚

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.