/CIG/ Telegram | Counter Intelligence Global

18 Dec 2024 10:59

🇨🇳🇲🇽 Over the past 3 years, the number of Chinese companies in Mexican industrial sites has doubled.

The FT's latest digital report with a very useful graphic to help visualize where China's companies are investing.

📎 Ryan Berg

/CIG/ Telegram | Counter Intelligence Global

18 Dec 2024 09:14

"Have any of the drone sightings been accompanied with sightings of large rectangular black monolith?"

Ryder: "I probably have to think back to the words of a very wise prophet Obi Wan Kenobi who said, 'These aren't the drones you're looking for."

📎 CSPAN

/CIG/ Telegram | Counter Intelligence Global

18 Dec 2024 08:20

California schools would be off-limits to ICE agents under new proposal

The California Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond is proposing a statewide policy that school districts not cooperate with ICE.

"We don't want kids going to school being fearful that they may come home and their parents aren't there anymore," Thurmond said.

Thurmond is sponsoring a bill that would prevent ICE agents on school campuses or even within a mile of a school campus without a warrant from a judge.

https://www.cbsnews.com/sacramento/news/california-schools-off-limits-to-ice-new-proposal/

/CIG/ Telegram | Counter Intelligence Global

18 Dec 2024 07:14

🇹🇷❌🇺🇸Senator Chris van Hollen warns Turkey on X:

"Attacks from Turkish-backed forces on our Syrian Kurdish partners undermine regional security & efforts to prevent an ISIS resurgence. Turkey must accept a ceasefire & demilitarized zone or we’ll move forward with bipartisan sanctions legislation."

📎 ChrisVanHollen

/CIG/ Telegram | Counter Intelligence Global

17 Dec 2024 21:49

🇷🇺🇦🇫 Russia's parliament approves a bill that could pave the way for Moscow to lift its designation of the Afghan Taliban as a banned "terrorist" organisation

https://www.trtworld.com/asia/russia-moves-to-drop-afghanistans-taliban-from-terror-list-18244486

/CIG/ Telegram | Counter Intelligence Global

17 Dec 2024 20:29

🇪🇺🤝🇸🇾 EU to discuss closure of Russian bases with Syrian rebels

Some European Union countries want the bloc to push the new leadership in Damascus to close Russian military bases in Syria, Kallas said Monday.

"Many foreign ministers took this up to say that, you know, it should be a condition for the new leadership that they also get rid of the Russian influence there because it is a base where they also conduct their activities toward Africa and southern neighbors," Kallas told journalists after a gathering of the EU's foreign ministers in Brussels. "So we will raise this issue with the leadership when we have the meetings."

The EU is reaching out to the rebel groups that ousted former dictator Bashar Assad and has laid out a number of conditions that need to be met before the bloc grants formal recognition to the incoming authorities or establishes formal diplomatic relations, Kallas said. The EU previously suspended all diplomatic relations with Assad's government.

Kallas said that the EU would raise the question of Russia's Tartus and Khmeimim bases in Syria during initial contacts with the rebel forces. Russia has drawn back some of its forces from those bases, but not fully withdrawn from Syria.

Earlier on Monday, the former Estonian prime minister said she was sending an EU diplomat to Syria to establish contact with rebel groups, which include Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. The move comes after United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Washington was in direct contact with the group.

🔗 https://www.politico.eu/article/syria-rebels-russia-bases-brussels-kaja-kallas-bashar-assad/

/CIG/ Telegram | Counter Intelligence Global

17 Dec 2024 19:44

🇮🇱❌🇹🇷 Syria Could Become a Turkish Protectorate, Limiting Israel's Freedom of Action

With a strategic interest in turning Syria into an anti-Kurdish bulwark, Turkey is seeking to take the place of Russia and Iran – including control of Syria's airspace

The invasion of Syria represents the second regional international agreement Israel has violated, following its takeover of the Philadelphi corridor and deployment of forces in Gaza – actions that Egypt claims breach both the Camp David Accords and the 2005 Movement and Access Agreement. The situations differ, however. With Egypt, Israel maintains ongoing negotiations.

In the past, it even allowed Egyptian forces to exceed Camp David limitations by strengthening their military presence in Sinai, including the use of air power, to combat Islamist organizations in the peninsula. In contrast, Israel has no dialogue with Syria and shows no intention of withdrawing from its newly seized territories in the foreseeable future.

Unlike Israel's virtually unlimited freedom of action in Gaza – backed by international and Arab legitimacy to act forcefully against Hamas, though not against civilians – its position regarding Syria is markedly different. While Al-Golani and his government weren't democratically elected, coming to power through military force with concerns about potential civil war, he has already garnered significant Arab and international credibility.

eyond receiving congratulations from major Arab states like Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, concrete actions have followed. Turkey reopened its Damascus embassy on Saturday, with Qatar expected to follow suit on Sunday. European nations also appear ready to normalize relations with Syria after a 13-year break, particularly since some had already been considering reestablishing ties with Assad's regime.

The growing international support for Syria's new government may soon translate into pressure on Israel to withdraw from its newly occupied territories. Unlike Hamas, which faces broad international consensus against its role in Gaza's future governance, Syria's Ha'yat Tahrir al-Sham is increasingly viewed as a legitimate authority – despite still being listed as a terrorist organization and its leader carrying a $10 million bounty.

The Turkish-Syrian relationship's evolution could significantly impact Israel's operations in Syria. Beyond leading international efforts to remove IDF forces from the buffer zone, Turkey may determine Israel's aerial operational freedom in Syria. While Israel previously enjoyed nearly unrestricted access coordinated with Russian command at the Khmeimim air base, Russian forces have begun withdrawing.

Turkey may become the de facto controller of Syrian airspace and, in partnership with the Syrian government, could end Israel's operational freedom. While Israel's need for such freedom might diminish significantly with the departure of most Iranian forces and al-Golani's intention to prevent Hezbollah's activities in Syria, Israel remains skeptical of the new Syrian government's ability to block weapons transfers from Syria to Lebanon.

🔗 https://archive.ph/y46Lp

/CIG/ Telegram | Counter Intelligence Global

17 Dec 2024 18:55

🇺🇸❌🇹🇷 Author for the Washington D.C. think tank, Middle East Forum (MEF), Michael Rubin:

The United States Needs to Prepare to Kill Turks in Syria

Turkey’s Actions Already Cross the Rubicon and Place American Forces and Interests in Jeopardy

The celebrations that ended the more than half-century of Assad family tyranny in Syria are over. In the short term, Russia and Iran are losers; Turkey is the winner. After all, Turkey was the prime backer of the Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham rebel group that swept through Syria.

Many defense professionals still embrace Turkey because of Turkey’s role in NATO. It was one of only two NATO countries to border the Soviet Union during the Cold War, and it has the second largest military of any NATO country. Troop numbers, however, are a meaningless metric; what matters more is the potential to utilize them for NATO missions.

While the strategic importance of Incirlik Air Base has declined with the openings of alternatives in Greece and Romania, as well as more advanced amphibious assault vessels capable of transporting F-35s nearly anywhere in the world, the bureaucratic dynamic remains in the Pentagon loath to forfeit any base access. In effect, like Qatar with the al-Udeid Air Base, Turkey leverages the Incirlik as a get-out-of-jail-free card to avoid accountability for any number of malign behaviors. Defense professionals argue that Turkey’s early warning radar station at Malatya is essential to detect any launch of a potential Iranian nuclear weapon.

It may be diplomatically impolitic to say directly, but if Turkish-backed forces encourage terrorism and continue to pose threats to American forces countering the Islamic State in the region, it behooves the United States to begin a conversation about whether it may be necessary to target Turkish terror sponsors in the region. Turkey is a NATO member, but striking at its forces outside Turkey’s boundaries would not trigger NATO self-defense clauses. Nor should there be outrage at such discussion.

If Turkey is willing to kill Americans operating in pursuit of official American policy inside Syria, then the United States should adopt the same policy and be willing to kill Turks outside Turkey’s own borders.

📝: No. The situation calls for a withdrawal of US forces from Syria. Pres. Trump has a golden opportunity to open a new page w/Turkey by negotiating an orderly departure of troops. The US interest is not served by a prolonged troop presence.

🔗 https://www.meforum.org/mef-observer/the-united-states-needs-to-prepare-to-kill-turks-in-syria

/CIG/ Telegram | Counter Intelligence Global

17 Dec 2024 18:41

🇮🇱❌🇸🇾 Israeli invasion of Syria December 17th 2024.

Israeli troops have so far created what they are calling the Security Zone beyond the Buffer Zone.

This new Security Zone beyond the buffer zone is roughly 246 km² and with the buffer zone is roughly 505 km².

Areas in sky blue are within the buffer zone likely under Israeli control.
Areas in Dark Blue are under Israeli control and are outside the buffer zone.
Red Lines are the Alpha and Bravo Lines of the buffer zone.

🔗 IntelSchizo

/CIG/ Telegram | Counter Intelligence Global

17 Dec 2024 15:49

🇮🇱/🇸🇾/🇹🇷 Israeli Foreign Ministry on X:

"Israel rejects the false statements made by the Turkish Foreign Ministry regarding Israel in relation to Syria.

The facts are the following:

Turkey has systematically encroached on Syrian territory, a process that began with military operations in 2016, 2018, and 2019, and continues to this day. Turkey has established proxy zones where armed groups, such as the Syrian National Army, operate under its control. Currently, approximately 15% of Syria’s territory is under the control of Turkish-backed forces. In these areas, the Turkish currency is in use, and Turkish bank branches and postal services have been operating.

Furthermore, the Turkish military bombards infrastructure in the northeastern autonomous region of Syria using aircraft and UAVs.

Turkey supports jihadist forces that operate against Kurds in Syria.

The last country that can speak about occupation in Syria is Turkey, with 15% of Syria’s territory under the control of proxies operating under its patronage. There is no justification for the continuation of Turkish aggression and violence against Kurds in Syria!"

📎 IsraelMFA

/CIG/ Telegram | Counter Intelligence Global

17 Dec 2024 13:21

✝️👶 Religion can be a powerful force to combat low birth rates.

The Netherlands is mostly a secular country and has a fertility rate of just 1.43 births per woman, far below replacement.

But there is a "Dutch Bible Belt" with high % of conservative Protestants, and their TFR is 2.03!

📎 MoreBirths

/CIG/ Telegram | Counter Intelligence Global

17 Dec 2024 10:46

🇵🇱 Poland has become the first EU country to introduce compulsory gun & shooting classes in all its elementary schools

Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Polish state wants to familiarize all kids from a young age with weapons

Patriotism is a key component of the classes

@CIG_telegram

/CIG/ Telegram | Counter Intelligence Global

17 Dec 2024 10:09

"SNA massing troops on Qere Qozaq line. Ceasefire is DEAD as Turkey rejects SDF's Suleyman Shah proposal. Heavy buildups east & west of Kobani. US forces are still in the city of Kobani."

📎 Karim Franceschi

/CIG/ Telegram | Counter Intelligence Global

17 Dec 2024 09:17

Roshel opens first U.S. production facility in Michigan

Roshel, a global leader in the design and manufacturing of smart armored vehicles, has officially inaugurated its first U.S.-based production facility in Shelby Township, Michigan.

This strategic move marks a pivotal moment for the company as it brings its manufacturing capabilities closer to its U.S. customers, who now represent the majority of Roshel’s demand.

“This is a defining moment for Roshel. It has been a long journey to get here, but now we are ready to serve the U.S. market with products proudly ‘Made in USA,’” said Roman Shimonov, CEO of Roshel. “By establishing a production facility in the United States, we’re bringing manufacturing closer to our customers, strengthening our ability to adapt to evolving challenges by fostering local partnerships with the communities we serve.”

https://defence-blog.com/roshel-opens-first-u-s-production-facility-in-michigan/

/CIG/ Telegram | Counter Intelligence Global

17 Dec 2024 08:05

🇧🇴 Bolivia issues arrest warrant for ex-president Morales over minor 'trafficking'

Bolivian authorities have issued an arrest warrant for ex-President Evo Morales, accused of trafficking a 15-year-old during his tenure from 2006 to 2019. Prosecutor Sandra Gutierrez confirmed the warrant was issued on Oct. 16, delayed announcement due to the case's complexity and Morales' vehement denials.

https://www.france24.com/en/americas/20241217-bolivia-prosecutor-morales-arrest-warrant-trafficking-minor

/CIG/ Telegram | Counter Intelligence Global

18 Dec 2024 10:00

🇨🇳🇲🇽🇺🇸How China is setting up shop in America's backyard

An increasingly close trade relationship is causing concern in Washington

On a recent Friday morning in Alianza Industrial Park, dust billowed up as diggers and lorries cleared land near a site for Chinese tyre maker ZC Rubber. A crane was poised to lift material for lithium and lead battery maker Leoch. A sign at its entrance welcomed another new firm in Mandarin and English.

Alianza is one of multiple sites in Mexico with a growing Chinese presence that seeks to take advantage of the country’s free trade agreement with the US and Canada, known as USMCA.

That has drawn the attention of politicians in Washington and Ottawa, just as president-elect Donald Trump threatened Mexico’s government with 25 per cent tariffs if it cannot stop the flow of migrants and drugs north.

FT analysis shows that over the past few years, Chinese companies have established themselves deeper into supply chains, developed stronger trade links and increased manufacturing in Mexico.

“From a purely economic perspective, significant Chinese investment activity in Mexico is going to raise alarm bells in DC,” says Connor Pfeiffer, director of congressional relations at US national security think-tank FDD Action.

“Mexico is right here, and they have a very different set of access to the US market than some of the other countries.”

https://ig.ft.com/china-mexico-tariffs/

📝 David Adler: "Yes, the FT just called Mexico "America's backyard." And yes, it was in service of a new Cold War narrative about the "alarming" efforts of the Chinese Communist Party to "exploit" the "backdoor" to the United States."

/CIG/ Telegram | Counter Intelligence Global

18 Dec 2024 08:21

The MS-13 gang clique that was based in a San Fernando Valley high school murdered at least 10 people, including a 16-year-old student at the school

One victim had their heart cut out by machete

19 of the 22 defendants entered the country illegally

📎 skepticalifornia

/CIG/ Telegram | Counter Intelligence Global

18 Dec 2024 07:41

Drones spotted above New Jersey and New York are “spy drones” from China, according to House Foreign Affairs Committee chairman Michael McCaul.

https://nypost.com/2024/12/17/us-news/spy-drones-from-china-are-likely-cause-of-unexplained-aircraft-wreaking-havoc-over-us-house-foreign-affairs-chair-says-in-bombshell-claim/

📎 Patrick Webb

/CIG/ Telegram | Counter Intelligence Global

18 Dec 2024 06:02

Elon Musk boosts Jeffrey Sachs interview by Tucker Carlson discussing the 1996 Clean Break memo and Greater Israel.

📎 AF Post

/CIG/ Telegram | Counter Intelligence Global

17 Dec 2024 20:57

🇬🇧 Keir Starmer branded ‘dictator’ as he delays 2025 local elections

Labour is delaying some elections in a supposed bid to stop Reform UK's momentum.

Nigel Farage has torn into Prime Minister Keir Starmer after it emerged this morning some crucial local elections will now not be held next year.

Mr Farage blasted: “The two old parties’ century-long stranglehold on British politics is breaking and they are terrified.

“Their day of reckoning is fast approaching.”

Reform had been hungrily preparing for the next major electoral test, however local government reforms now mean they may not take place until 2027.

Jim McMahon, a senior Local Government minister, said councils that are being merged or abolished could “hold off” elections until the reforms are complete.

🔗 https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/1989417/keir-starmer-dictator-nigel-farage

/CIG/ Telegram | Counter Intelligence Global

17 Dec 2024 20:24

🇺🇸🗯💥🇮🇷☢️ — 🇺🇸 The Wall Street Journal | Trump Team Weighs Options, Including Airstrikes, to Stop Iran’s Nuclear Program | Advisers to president-elect, concerned economic pressure isn’t enough to contain Tehran, consider military action | December 13, 2024:

"President-elect Donald Trump is weighing options for stopping Iran from being able to build a nuclear weapon, including the possibility of preventive airstrikes, a move that would break with the longstanding policy of containing Tehran with diplomacy and sanctions.

The military-strike option against nuclear facilities is now under more serious review by some members of his transition team, who are weighing the fall of the regime of President Bashar al-Assad—Tehran’s ally—in Syria, the future of U.S. troops in the region, and Israel’s decimation of regime proxy militias Hezbollah and Hamas. Iran’s weakened regional position and recent revelations of Tehran’s burgeoning nuclear work have turbocharged sensitive internal discussions, transition officials said. All deliberation on the issue, however, remains in the early stages.

Trump has told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in recent calls that he is concerned about an Iranian nuclear breakout on his watch, two people familiar with their conversations said, signaling he is looking for proposals to prevent that outcome. The president-elect wants plans that stop short of igniting a new war, particularly one that could pull in the U.S. military, as strikes on Tehran’s nuclear facilities have the potential put the U.S. and Iran on a collision course."

🗄 Archive

🔗 Source:

/CIG/ Telegram | Counter Intelligence Global

17 Dec 2024 19:42

🎬 UCLA Diversity Report Finds White Men Dominate Most-Watched Streaming Shows as Lead Actors, Series Creators

https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/ucla-diverse-stories-women-viewership-1236251093/

/CIG/ Telegram | Counter Intelligence Global

17 Dec 2024 18:46

🇸🇾❌🇸🇾🇸🇾🇹🇷 Imminent military operation by Syrian National Army (SNA) on Ayn al-Arab (Kobani)

Syrian opposition forces (SNA) prepare for an operation in Ayn al-Arab.

Objective: Unite SNA regions (Manbij & Tal Abyad) and push away the YPG and the SDF away from Turkey's borders.

🔗 Clash Report

/CIG/ Telegram | Counter Intelligence Global

17 Dec 2024 18:38

🇷🇺🇱🇾 Lot of Russian navy movements to-from Mediterranean. Linked to or shaped by the situation in Syria (and Ukraine), but some may have been planned earlier.

Expecting major withdrawal of equipment from Tartus

🔗 H. Sutton

/CIG/ Telegram | Counter Intelligence Global

17 Dec 2024 13:30

🇪🇺❌📱 EU Launches Probe Into TikTok Over Romania Vote 'Interference'

The EU said on Tuesday it had opened a formal investigation into TikTok following allegations the platform was used by Russia to sway the result of Romania's later annulled presidential election.

The EU said on Tuesday it had opened a formal investigation into TikTok following allegations the platform was used by Russia to sway the result of Romania's later annulled presidential election.

The probe, under a mammoth law known as the Digital Services Act (DSA), centres on concerns the short-video app failed to "assess and mitigate systemic risks" linked to election integrity, the European Commission said.

"We must protect our democracies from any kind of foreign interference. Whenever we suspect such interference, especially during elections, we have to act swiftly and firmly," said commission chief Ursula von der Leyen.

The EU said the decision to open the probe was in part based on declassified intelligence reports by the Romanian authorities.

The investigation would focus on the TikTok's "recommender systems" -- which uses data to suggest users content they might like -- and its policies on political advertisements and paid-for political content, commission said.

The European executive, which acts as the EU's digital watchdog under the DSA, stressed that the opening of formal proceedings does not prejudge its outcome and there is no deadline for the probe's completion.

🔗 https://www.barrons.com/news/eu-launches-probe-into-tiktok-over-romania-vote-interference-994b1285

/CIG/ Telegram | Counter Intelligence Global

17 Dec 2024 12:06

🇸🇾 Arab tribes in Raqqa, northern Syria vowed to reclaim their lands, which have been under the occupation of the terrorist group PKK/YPG since 2017

Representatives of Raqqa’s Arab tribes convened in the liberated district of Tel Abyad, emphasizing their collective commitment to reclaim the region.

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/arab-tribes-in-syrias-raqqa-vow-to-reclaim-lands-from-occupation-of-pkk-ypg-terrorists/3426076

/CIG/ Telegram | Counter Intelligence Global

17 Dec 2024 10:44

🇮🇱❌🇸🇾 In the south of Daraa and Qunaitra provinces, Israeli tanks have crossed the buffer zone and cut off the road between the villages of Ma’alqa and Saida.

Israeli forces have also entered the villages of Jamla and Maaraba.

The Israeli army also broadcasting an audio message through loudspeakers, called on local elders in the village of Koya to prevent armed activities by the locals and to collect the people’s weapons and hand them over to the Israeli military.

Current Military Situation in Southern Syria Following Israeli Ground Operation

The Israeli army has so far occupied at least 25 points in southern Syria.

🔗 IWN

/CIG/ Telegram | Counter Intelligence Global

17 Dec 2024 10:09

🇺🇸🇹🇷 U.S. Fears Military Buildup by Turkey Signals Preparations for Incursion Into Syria

Senior U.S. officials say Turkey and its militia allies are building up forces along the border with Syria, raising alarm that Ankara is preparing for a large-scale incursion into territory held by American-backed Syrian Kurds.

Ilham Ahmed, an official in the Syrian Kurds’ civilian administration, told President-elect Donald Trump in a Monday letter that a Turkish military operation appeared imminent, urging him to press Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan not to send troops across the border.

Turkey’s goal is to “establish de facto control over our land before you take office, forcing you to engage with them as rulers of our territory,” Ahmed wrote to Trump in a letter viewed by The Wall Street Journal. “If Turkey proceeds with its invasion, the consequences will be catastrophic.”

The forces include militia fighters and Turkish uniformed commandos and artillery in large numbers that are concentrated near Kobani, a Kurdish-majority city in Syria on the northern border with Turkey, the officials said. A Turkish cross-border operation could be imminent, one of the U.S. officials said.

https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/u-s-fears-military-buildup-by-turkey-signals-preparations-for-incursion-into-syria-1c2e88e9

https://archive.ph/kRcJs

/CIG/ Telegram | Counter Intelligence Global

17 Dec 2024 08:25

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Department of Defense (DoD) have released a joint statement on the drone sightings in New Jersey.

Excerpt:
“We assess that the sightings to date include a combination of lawful commercial drones, hobbyist drones, and law enforcement drones, as well as manned fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and stars mistakenly reported as drones.”

https://www.dhs.gov/news/2024/12/16/dhs-fbi-faa-dod-joint-statement-ongoing-response-reported-drone-sightings

📎 OSINTdefender

/CIG/ Telegram | Counter Intelligence Global

17 Dec 2024 06:59

Trump, White House Spar Over Northeast US Mystery Drones

The White House insisted Monday that mystery drones which have caused a public panic in parts of the United States were flying legally, after President-elect Donald Trump suggested there had been a government cover-up.

Trump said the US government "knows what is happening" as he weighed on the flurry of sightings over New Jersey and New York that have sparked something increasingly akin to mass panic.

Outgoing President Joe Biden's administration has faced mounting criticism for not clearly identifying the origins of the objects, but on Monday it rejected any suggestion of a cover-up.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby insisted the government was being "open and transparent," and said most sightings involved drones operating "legally and lawfully."

"We assess that the sightings to date include a combination of lawful commercial drones, hobbyist drones and law enforcement drones, as well as manned fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters and even stars that were mistakenly reported as drones," Kirby told reporters.

"We have not identified anything anomalous or any national security or public safety risk."

https://www.barrons.com/news/mystery-us-drones-all-operating-legally-and-lawfully-white-house-8f3a6043