Saturday, April 22, 2023 // (IG): BB // Financial Enabler // Coffee for Bob
Sudan Internet shutting down as fighting causes power cuts
Analyst Comments: The ongoing conflict in Sudan has not only caused a humanitarian crisis but also an internet outage, disrupting communication and creating challenges for civilians and aid organizations. The outages highlight the vulnerability of internet infrastructure in conflict zones and the need for reliable backup power sources to maintain connectivity. The widespread cuts to essential services, including healthcare, are a cause for concern and call for immediate attention from the international community to prevent further suffering. The ongoing conflict and internet outages demonstrate the importance of cybersecurity and infrastructure resilience, especially in areas of political instability and conflict.
FROM THE MEDIA: Sudan is experiencing internet outages due to a power struggle between the army and a paramilitary force in the capital city of Khartoum and across the country. Multiple internet providers have been affected by outages, and the root causes range from power shortages to difficulties in supplying backup generators with gasoline due to heavy weapons strikes on population centers. The conflict has caused more than 400 deaths and over 3,500 injuries since the fighting began, and widespread cuts to water and electricity services have been reported. Major hospitals have been forced to close due to power reductions and supply shortages. The Red Cross has reported widespread civilian casualties and bodies left in the streets of Khartoum.
READ THE STORY: The Record
Russian ‘Spy Ship’ With Mystery Armed Guards Seen Near U.K. Power Supplies As Vladimir Putin Prepares ‘Sabotage Mission’
Analyst Comments: Admiral Vladimirsky is a Russian naval research vessel that has allegedly been involved in mapping offshore wind farms, gas pipelines, power lines, and internet cables, according to Western intelligence agencies. The ship has attracted attention due to its suspected involvement in a program launched by Putin to prepare for a sabotage mission against NATO, in the event of further escalation due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. In February 2022, the Admiral Vladimirsky was spotted near a UK power supply plant with armed guards on board, raising concerns among intelligence agencies. While some argue that the ship is primarily used for scientific research, others accuse Russia of using it to gather intelligence on other countries' infrastructure and potential vulnerabilities.
FROM THE MEDIA: A Russian "spy ship" named Admiral Vladimirsky has been spotted off the eastern coast of the UK. The ship reportedly has armed guards and equipment such as antennae and radar. Western intelligence agencies suspect that the ship is part of a program launched by Russian President Vladimir Putin to map offshore wind farms, gas pipelines, power lines, and internet cables. There are concerns that the Russian men onboard the ship is preparing to "tap" into cables to intercept secret military communications or sever the cables to deliver a devastating blow to NATO's vital transmissions. The sightings of Admiral Vladimirsky come shortly after UK Cabinet Minister Oliver Dowden announced Putin is actively trying to "disrupt and destroy" the UK's critical infrastructure.
READ THE STORY: RADAR
A Tale of Two Visits and the Importance of Taiwanese Politics
Analyst Comments: The article further explores the strategic implications of the visits, particularly in terms of US-Taiwan and China-Taiwan relations. While Tsai's visit is seen as part of the increasingly close US-Taiwan relationship, Ma's visit marks something different. The decision by Beijing to approve Ma's visit is seen as a tacit recognition of his importance in cross-strait relations and plays to the hand of the dovish faction of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). However, the CCP is also engaging in escalation with Taiwan, conducting military drills around the island in response to Tsai's visit. The article argues that the future development of cross-strait relations and US-China rivalry rests significantly on the domestic development of Taiwanese politics. The world should pay attention to the competing foreign policy visions, as well as domestic dynamics, in Taiwan building up to the 2024 election.
FROM THE MEDIA: This article discusses the recent visits of Taiwan's current President Tsai Ing-wen to the US and former President Ma Ying-jeou to mainland China and their different messages regarding cross-strait relations. President Tsai's visit was largely uneventful, with stops in New York and California to receive an award and meet with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. President Ma's visit, on the other hand, was historic as the first visit by a Taiwanese leader to mainland China, where he advocated for peace and the preservation of the status quo. The article notes that these conflicting narratives reflect the differing views of Taiwan's major political parties and highlight the importance of domestic politics in shaping Taiwan's foreign policy. The article also examines the strategic implications of the visits for US-Taiwan and China-Taiwan relations, as well as the potential impact on the US-China rivalry.
READ THE STORY: Modern Diplomacy
China Tops the List for State-Sponsored Cyberattacks (Getting Caught) in 2022
Analyst Comments: The interview with Mike McLellan provided insightful information on the rising threat of state-sponsored cyberattacks and the role of China in this trend. The discussion around the potential link between cyberattacks and geopolitical tensions was particularly intriguing, as it highlighted the complex interplay between cyber warfare and real-world conflicts. McLellan's expertise in the field provided valuable insights into the motives and tactics of state-sponsored cyber attackers, which are crucial in understanding and mitigating cyber threats.
FROM THE MEDIA: In an interview with Mike McLellan, Director of Intelligence at the SecureWorks Counter Threat Unit, the rising number of state-sponsored cyberattacks and the threat posed by China were discussed. The interview also touched on the potential connection between cyberattacks and geopolitical tensions, particularly in relation to Taiwan and Ukraine. McLellan stated that the increase in state-sponsored cyberattacks by China was expected, given their longstanding policy of cyber activity as a component of their strategic objectives. He also noted that the Chinese government's interests and priorities were reflected in their cyber activity, which often targeted defense, industrial base, governments, and regional governments. McLellan further highlighted that cyberattacks could be used as a smokescreen to hide espionage activity or generate cash, as seen in instances where state-sponsored groups use ransomware.
READ THE STORY: T_HQ
The “Belt and Road” initiative and China’s globalization model in the Middle East
Analyst Comments: The BRI is a plan to build an integrated market that enhances China's cooperation in Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Europe, through infrastructure projects and economic development initiatives. It is considered a significant part of Beijing's foreign policy, to the point of being included in the constitution of the Chinese Communist Party. The BRI is viewed by some experts as a sophisticated Chinese plan to transfer hegemony from the West and the United States to China peacefully without war or conflict. China's indirect role in resolving the issue of the dispute over the maritime borders between Democratic Timor-Leste and Australia serves as an example of China's efforts to mediate and resolve regional disputes, thereby increasing its geopolitical influence.
FROM THE MEDIA: The Chinese Belt and Road Initiative is a plan to peacefully transfer hegemony from the West and the United States to China without creating tensions or a direct collision. The initiative aims to build an integrated market that enhances China's cooperation in Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. It seeks to strengthen the position of the Chinese "yuan" globally, and China is actively seeking to expand its influence in the region, not only economically but also militarily, diplomatically, and politically. The initiative has become an essential part of Beijing's foreign policy, to the point of being included in the constitution of the Chinese Communist Party.
READ THE STORY: Modern Diplomacy
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