Good Morning. 

The U.S. warns that 8K North Korean troops in Russian uniforms are positioned near Ukraine's border and are expected to join combat operations within days, China has issued a rare public rebuke to Pakistan over security failures after 21 Chinese workers died in militant attacks on Belt and Road projects in the past decade, a Dutch cybersecurity expert has been arrested for massive data theft while working legitimately in the industry, China claims to have discovered foreign underwater surveillance devices monitoring its ships and submarines along its coastline, and El Salvador has deployed 2.5K troops to surround a neighborhood in its latest anti-gang operation under Bukele's emergency powers.

Let’s dive in.

— 🐈‍⬛ Acoustic Kitty

U.S. Officials in Israel Draft Proposal to End Lebanon War

• U.S. officials are discussing a draft peace agreement in Israel that would allow Israeli forces to continue strikes in Lebanon for 60 days while requiring Israeli withdrawal within a week, though Netanyahu's circle doesn't expect a deal before U.S. elections.

• The proposal faces strong resistance from Hezbollah and Lebanese government, who view the continued strike allowance as a violation of sovereignty and UN Resolution 1701.

• Signs of potential progress include Hezbollah's private willingness to separate Lebanon negotiations from Gaza conflict, while Israeli security establishment supports a diplomatic solution, believing they've achieved many military objectives through airstrikes against Hezbollah leadership.

Counterterrorism

• The U.S. warns that 8K North Korean troops in Russian uniforms are positioned near Ukraine's border and expected to join combat operations within days. ➚

• Israeli strikes destroyed Iran's air defenses and weakened its proxy network, severely limiting its deterrence capabilities. ➚

• UN demands investigation into protest killings that forced Bangladesh PM Hasina to flee to India. ➚

• Zelenskiy slams allies' "zero" response to North Korea sending troops and workers to aid Russia's war effort, warning this weakness will embolden Putin. ➚

Military & Defense

• China issues rare public rebuke to Pakistan over security failures after 21 Chinese workers died in militant attacks on Belt and Road projects in the past decade, including seven killed in recent bombings. ➚

• Georgian opposition contests election results and calls for protests after exit poll disputes ruling party's win. ➚

• Ukraine deploys dozens of domestically-made AI-powered drones to autonomously find targets despite Russian signal jamming. ➚

Cybersecurity

• Dutch cybersecurity expert, 20, arrested for massive data theft while working legitimately in the industry. ➚

• U.S. presidential candidates differ on cybersecurity approaches while sharing focus on infrastructure protection. ➚

• North Korean state hackers collaborate with Play ransomware group in unprecedented partnership. ➚

Counterintelligence & Espionage

• China claims to have found foreign underwater surveillance devices monitoring its ships and submarines along its coastline. ➚

• EU Commission President is urged to create a CIA-style European intelligence service to counter foreign threats and improve information sharing. ➚

• Canadian spy agency warns India is using cyber capabilities to track Sikh separatists and attack government networks following diplomatic tensions. ➚

• Israel arrests Israeli couple accused of spying for Iran by gathering intelligence on infrastructure and Mossad headquarters. ➚

Transnational Organized Crime

• El Salvador deploys 2.5K troops to surround neighborhood in latest anti-gang operation under Bukele's emergency powers. ➚

• U.S. sanctions senior members of Mexican cartel La Linea linked to fentanyl trafficking and 2019 killing of nine Americans. ➚

• Mexican authorities report cartel gunmen killed U.S. citizen Nicholas Quets near Sonora border, with one suspect being a Honduran military deserter. ➚

• Mexico's Sinaloa state bans Halloween costumes to prevent confusion with cartel members amid escalating violence. ➚

• Canadian police bust largest drug "super lab" in the country, seizing massive amounts of fentanyl and methamphetamine linked to organized crime. ➚

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.