All articles tagged with #militarysecurity
The Israel Air Force intercepted an unmanned aircraft that entered Israeli territory from the east overnight, with no casualties or damage reported. The IDF tracked the vehicle, which did not pose a threat, and no alerts were activated in accordance with policy.
The IDF and Shin Bet have eliminated Hamas terrorist Nasser Yakob Jabber Nasser, who played a significant role in funding the organization's military activities in Rafah, having transferred hundreds of thousands of dollars to Hamas for further military operations last December.
A faulty missile launcher on a Danish navy vessel led to the closure of airspace and shipping traffic in the Great Belt strait, a crucial maritime access to the Baltic Sea, due to the risk of "falling missile fragments." The military stated that the launcher was activated during a test and could not be deactivated, posing a risk of the missile firing and flying several kilometers away. The incident occurred during a naval exercise in the area, prompting a navigational warning and the closure of the sea lane, while the Great Belt bridge remained open to traffic.
U.S. Army sergeant Korbein Schultz was arrested on charges of conspiring to exchange sensitive military information with a co-conspirator in Hong Kong in exchange for cash. Schultz, who had a "Top Secret security clearance," allegedly provided classified information about weapons systems and a potential U.S. response to a Chinese military attack against Taiwan. He is accused of sharing documents that violated the Arms Export Control Act and is scheduled to appear in court. This arrest follows recent cases involving military personnel illegally disclosing classified information.
A former US Air Force member, David Franklin Slater, has been charged with sharing classified information about Russia's war with Ukraine on a foreign dating app after allegedly receiving requests for secrets from an unnamed woman. The Justice Department revealed that Slater, who retired as an Army lieutenant colonel and was assigned to the US Strategic Command, transmitted details about military targets and Russian capabilities despite signing paperwork pledging not to disclose classified information. Messages from the woman on the dating app included inquiries about NATO, Biden, and potential surprises for Putin. Slater is due to make his first court appearance on Tuesday.
Massachusetts Air National Guard member Jack Teixeira pleaded guilty to leaking highly classified military documents about the war in Ukraine and other national security secrets. He faces a prison sentence between 11 and nearly 17 years, with prosecutors seeking the high end of the range. Teixeira, 22, admitted to illegally collecting military secrets and sharing them on Discord, a social media platform. The leaks raised alarm over America’s ability to protect its closely guarded secrets and forced the Biden administration to scramble to contain diplomatic and military fallout. Teixeira remains in the Air National Guard in an unpaid status and must participate in a debrief with members of the intelligence community, the Defense Department, and the Justice Department about the leaks.
Tennessee National Guard soldiers are deploying to the U.S. Southern border to provide critical support in addressing rising crime, drug trafficking, and human trafficking. Governor Bill Lee visited the soldiers ahead of their deployment to Texas and committed to deploying two waves of state active-duty soldiers to assist in securing the border, citing the unprecedented border crisis. The soldiers are volunteering for this mission as the federal government fails to act, with other state officials offering their support.
Leaked Russian military files have revealed the criteria for a nuclear strike, shedding light on the country's decision-making process for the use of nuclear weapons. The leaked documents provide insight into the circumstances under which Russia would consider a nuclear strike, potentially impacting global security dynamics.
NORAD fighter jets intercepted a nonthreatening balloon flying over Utah, determining it posed no threat to national security or aviation. The balloon, believed to be made of mylar and carrying a two-foot cube box, was tracked at an altitude of about 44,000 feet. Officials have not disclosed its origin or purpose, but have reassured that it was not sent by a foreign adversary. The interception comes after heightened interest in reports of balloons flying over the U.S. following the shooting down of a Chinese spy balloon last year.
A small, nonthreatening balloon flying over Utah was intercepted by a fighter jet, but was determined to pose no threat to national security. NORAD is coordinating with the FAA to monitor the balloon, which was detected at high altitudes. Lawmakers and local officials have been monitoring the situation. This incident comes after the U.S. shot down a large Chinese spy balloon last year, part of a global surveillance program that Beijing has been conducting for several years.
The US military is tracking a high-altitude balloon flying over the Western US, which was intercepted by NORAD fighters over Utah and determined to not be a threat to national security or flight safety. Its origin is currently unknown, and its presence comes a year after a similar incident involving a high-altitude balloon from China caused political tension, although the Pentagon later stated that it did not collect any intelligence.
The US military is tracking a high-altitude balloon drifting over the Western US, which has been determined to not be a threat to national security. This comes after a Chinese spy balloon was shot down last year, with the Pentagon confirming its intelligence collection capabilities. The current balloon's origin and purpose are unknown, but it is being monitored by NORAD and the FAA to ensure flight safety.
Navy chief Bryce Steven Pedicini is facing eight espionage charge specifications for allegedly delivering classified information to a foreign contact between November 2022 and May 2023. He is accused of providing classified national defense documents to a citizen and employee of a foreign government, with the most recent alleged occurrence taking place in Japan. Pedicini, who has been held in pre-trial confinement since May, is also accused of transporting and processing classified material improperly, failing to report a foreign contact, and communicating defense information to foreign contacts. His trial date has not been announced, and the head of Naval Surface Forces is overseeing the case.
The commander of the Office of U.S. Naval Intelligence stated that threats by Houthi rebels to sabotage undersea cables in the Red Sea region are unrealistic, with the Russian Navy being seen as a greater threat. The Houthis have recently launched attacks on commercial vessels and U.S. forces, impeding trade in the economically vital waters. Despite the threats, the U.S. Navy remains vigilant and prepared to respond to potential maritime threats posed by the Houthi group.
A senior IDF official has expressed concern over suspected Hamas infiltration of the Israeli military, citing "heavy suspicion" that Hamas intelligence had access to sensitive information about the IDF's most classified sites before October 7. The official raised questions about how this information was obtained, suggesting potential assistance from a foreign power and deeming the situation a "double failure" for the Shin Bet, responsible for uncovering Hamas's plans and thwarting espionage attempts.