Global Cyber Attack

Cyber Security Attack, Espionage Act Overreach, BRICS Influence, and more.

DESENSITIZED.

Good Evening! It’s Monday, June 19th and we’re covering everything from the Global Cyber Security Attack and Jack Teixeira’s Indictment to Antony Blinken’s Beijing Visit, BRICS Growing Influence, and so much more. First time reading? Sign up HERE.

Let’s look at the top stories over the last week:

  • Global Cyber Attack Targets U.S. Agencies

  • BRICS Influence Rises As Summer Summit Approaches

  • Blinken x Beijing

  • Jack Teixeira’s Indictment Under Espionage Act

  • + So much more you need to know.

Juneteenth

Celebrating Black America’s Independence Day

Juneteenth is an annual holiday celebrating the end of slavery in the United States. It commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced that all enslaved people in the state were free.

This announcement occurred two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed.

Still, due to the lack of enforcement in Texas, many enslaved people remained in bondage.

When did Americans start celebrating it?

Juneteenth has been celebrated by African Americans since the late 1800s, and in recent years, it has gained wider recognition and observance.

It officially became a federal holiday in 2021 when President Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law.

The holiday is a time to reflect on the legacy of slavery in the United States and celebrate African Americans' contributions and achievements.

It is typically marked by celebrations, picnics, and other community events highlighting black culture and history.

Social significance

Juneteenth has taken on added significance in recent years as the country grapples with racial justice and inequality issues.

It serves as a reminder of the progress that has been made and the work that still needs to be done to achieve true equality for all Americans.

— DG

Cyber Security

Global Cyber Attack Targets U.S. Government Agencies

TippaPatt/Shutterstock.

Last week, the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), which is a part of the Department of Homeland Security, announced a significant cyberattack targeting multiple federal government agencies.

The full extent of the attack, the number of agencies affected, and the identity of the attackers remain undisclosed at this time.

CISA's Executive Assistant Director for Cybersecurity, Eric Goldstein, stated that the agency is providing assistance to several federal agencies dealing with intrusions.

Urgent efforts are underway to assess the impacts and promptly address the breaches. However, CISA has yet to confirm the responsible party or whether they have identified the perpetrators.

National defense concerns

Cybersecurity has become a crucial aspect of national defense in recent years, considering the potential disruption of critical infrastructures such as power and communications.

Roughly five years ago, Former Director of National Intelligence Daniel Coats said that a cyber attack was at the top of global threats to the U.S., and well, it seems like he was right to be concerned.

It is widely speculated that cyber attacks would play a significant role in any potential armed conflict, potentially serving as the initial strike.

Is the attack part of a larger cybercrime wave?

Regarding recent cyber incidents, a Russia-linked hacking group called "CLOP" claimed responsibility for high-profile attacks on various institutions, including Johns Hopkins University, Georgia's state-wide university system, the BBC, British Airways, and Shell.

While not explicitly targeted, these institutions were part of a broader hack in which CLOP exploited the file-transfer software "MOVEit" using a zero-day exploit. Not believed to be state-affiliated, CLOP emerged in 2019 and employed data breaches as part of ransomware extortion.

Although state and provincial governments, including those in Minnesota, Illinois, and Nova Scotia, were impacted by the MOVEit hack, CLOP announced that they had not exploited any stolen data from governments.

Their website stated, "If you are a government, city, or police service, do not worry, we erased all your data... We have no interest to expose such information."

Bottom line

While CLOP remains a potential suspect given its recent activities, the connection to the cyberattack on federal agencies remains unclear.

Nevertheless, the series of attacks in a short period emphasizes the vulnerabilities faced by major companies and the U.S. government in terms of cybersecurity.

As technology advances and global politics become increasingly complex, it is evident that stronger defense measures are imperative to combat ransomware and other cyber threats.

— Chief

U.S.-China Relations

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken Engages in High-Stakes Talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang

Reuters.

In a significant development to stabilize strained relations between the United States and China, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken engaged in "candid, substantive, and constructive" talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang in Beijing, according to the US Department of State.

Why is this meeting significant?

This visit marks the highest-level trip by a US official to China in nearly five years, highlighting the urgency to address a wide range of disputes between the rival superpowers.

During the talks on Sunday, Secretary Blinken emphasized the importance of diplomacy and maintaining open channels of communication to mitigate the risk of misperception and miscalculation, as stated by State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller.

In response, Qin Gang expressed China's commitment to building a "stable, predictable, and constructive" relationship with the United States, emphasizing the core interest of Taiwan as a prominent concern in Sino-US relations.

Did diplomacy happen?

Despite initial skepticism regarding the possibility of significant breakthroughs, the talks provided an opportunity for both sides to raise issues of concern and explore potential areas of cooperation.

Secretary Blinken extended an invitation to Qin Gang to visit Washington, DC, to continue the discussions, with plans to schedule a reciprocal visit in the future.

This diplomatic mission holds great significance amidst frosty bilateral ties and escalating tensions.

Goals of the visit

The visit aims to establish crisis management mechanisms, advance the interests of the United States and its allies, and foster open dialogue about related concerns.

As the US seeks to prevent the competition with China from escalating into conflict, Secretary Blinken emphasizes the importance of effective communication as the starting point.

While major breakthroughs may be unlikely, this visit signifies a crucial step in mitigating tensions and preventing the possibility of a military clash over Taiwan.

It also highlights the concerns of China's neighboring countries, who fear that deteriorating relations between the two global powers could spiral out of control.

As Secretary Blinken's trip unfolds, the international community watches closely, recognizing the need for dialogue to navigate the complex geopolitical landscape.

— Chief

Global Affairs

BRICS Alliance Attracts International Interest as Dozens of Nations Seek Membership

The global interest in the BRICS alliance, comprised of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, has reached new heights, reflecting its increasing influence and potential for creating substantial global change.

As the highly anticipated BRICS Summit approaches, nearly two dozen nations have expressed their strong desire to become part of this influential economic bloc.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov confirmed on TASS, a Russian state-run news agency, the surge in membership requests, highlighting the growing prominence of the alliance and signaling a shifting economic landscape.

Who wants in?

Notably, regions currently unrepresented in BRICS, such as the Arab world and the Asia-Pacific area, are displaying a significant interest in joining the alliance.

The upcoming Summer Summit in August will extensively discuss these applications and shape the expansion strategy of BRICS. The considerations and opinions of existing members will play a vital role in determining the future membership and agenda of the alliance.

Ryabkov emphasized the ethos of BRICS, describing it as a platform where members drive a mutually agreed upon and constructive agenda, rather than operating on a leader-follower model.

BRICS currency model

Central to the expansion discussions is the concept of a common BRICS currency.

Economist Herbert Poenisch suggests that this currency would coexist with the established dollar-centric global monetary system, rather than replacing the US dollar.

China's role as a significant trading partner for all BRICS nations becomes pivotal in this potential currency change.

Poenisch proposes aligning bilateral exchange rates and pegging to the renminbi, the official term for Chinese currency, as initial steps.

However, challenges lie ahead in the creation of a common BRICS currency. Trade deficit countries, such as India and South Africa, would require a system to credit them.

Poenisch also emphasizes the need for institutions similar to the European Payments Union (EPU) and a managing agent like the Bank for International Settlements (BIS).

Looking ahead

The BRICS Summit holds great potential to shape the future of global economics.

The possibility of expanded membership and the introduction of a common currency adds a captivating dimension to the narrative, with the world closely observing as the BRICS alliance navigates these promising, yet complex, waters.

— Chief

Security State

Jack Teixeira, Suspected Pentagon Leaker, Indicted on Six Violations of Espionage Act

In a shocking turn of events, 21-year-old Jack Teixeira, a former Massachusetts Air National Guardsman, has been indicted by a federal grand jury under the Espionage Act with six additional counts of willful retention and transmission of national defense information.

The indictment alleges that Teixeira leaked classified Pentagon documents on a private Discord server, which were later posted to other public forums.

Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy of the District of Massachusetts said that Teixeira jeopardized our nation’s national security when he leaked the documents but failed to comment on the covert operations exposed in the leaks.

What did the Discord leaks reveal?

Evidently, the U.S. Security State remains invested in silencing its dissidents by throwing the book at whistleblowers like Teixeria, Snowden, Manning, and Assange.

How serious are the charges?

The charges against Teixeira come with the possibility of a maximum prison term of 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000 for each count.

According to the indictment, Teixeira possessed a top-secret security clearance and received training on the handling of classified materials.

He is accused of improperly retaining and transmitting classified national defense information through a social media platform.

Furthermore, he allegedly took photos of classified documents and shared them, bearing markings that clearly indicated their classified nature.

Teixeira's attorney declined to comment on the indictment, leaving many unanswered questions surrounding the motive behind his actions.

As he remains in federal custody, prosecutors have argued that he poses a flight risk, suggesting the potential gravity of the information he accessed and shared.

Dangerous implications

This alarming case exposes the delicate balance between national security and individual freedoms.

In the DOJ's pursuit of espionage cases, Teixeira's case takes a backseat to another high-profile one.

Recently, former President Donald Trump faced arrest and arraignment on 37 criminal charges in connection with classified documents he held onto after leaving office.

The indictment against Trump alleges 31 counts of violating the Espionage Act through the willful retention of national defense information.

The implications of the Teixeira indictment reverberate throughout society, highlighting the state’s punishing treatment of whistleblowers which prevents transparency and accountability in government actions.

— Chief

On The Radar

Global Affairs

U.S. Politics

  • RFK JR. joins Joe Rogan’s Podcast To Share Dissenting Views on Covid-19 and Vaccines Parking Potential Debate With Dr. Peter Hotez. Presidential candidate RFK Jr. recently appeared on Joe Rogan's podcast to talk about his campaign and express concerns about the public’s blind acceptance of vaccines without assessing potential dangers. While the MSM continues their smear campaigns against Kennedy, the bold podcast episode has sparked anticipation for a potential debate with Dr. Peter Hotez, a prominent voice of the establishment in the field.

  • The indictment of Former President Trump Unsealed in Classified Documents Probe. Former President Donald Trump faces 37 federal charges in the unsealed indictment related to the unlawful retention and obstruction of classified documents. The charges allege that Trump stored numerous classified documents at his Florida resort and failed to return them to the FBI and the National Archives.

  • DOJ Exposes Years of Racism and Excessive Force in Minneapolis Police Department. On Friday, the Justice Department released a scathing evaluation of the Minneapolis police, asserting that inadequate oversight and a cumbersome complaint investigation process allowed racial discrimination and excessive use of force to persist unchecked prior to the tragic killing of George Floyd.

  • Trump Allegedly Lacked The Power To Declassify Nuclear Arms Documents. Security experts have contradicted former President Donald Trump's claim that he possessed the legal authority to declassify a U.S. nuclear weapons-related document while in office. According to these experts, the document in question, designated as No. 19 in the indictment against Trump for endangering national security, can only be declassified through a specific process outlined by the Atomic Energy Act. This process necessitates involvement from the Department of Energy and the Department of Defense, as stipulated by the statute.

  • Weekend Spree of Mass Shootings and Violence Claims Lives and Injures Many Across the U.S. Over the course of the weekend, acts of mass shootings and violence resulted in casualties and injuries throughout the United States. Tragic incidents included the discovery of four individuals fatally shot in a small Idaho town, the ambush killing of a Pennsylvania state trooper, gunfire directed at a holiday crowd in Illinois, and teenagers engaging in a party in Missouri where bullets were fired.

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