Category: Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) / Twitter

For the first time since 2013, there is not a single Russian warship left in the Mediterranean. Russia’s permanent naval presence has evaporated.

Meanwhile, their only aircraft carrier, the Admiral Kuznetsov, is reportedly heading to the scrapheap after 9 years and $1 billion wasted on failed repairs. It is in such terrible shape that no one even wants to buy it for scrap metal.

Which begs the question: how is the legendary Russian submarine fleet holding up?

The reality under the surface isn’t much better. Submarine maintenance requires advanced high-tech alloys, precision engineering, and specialized electronics—precisely the things Russia can no longer import due to sanctions. While they still have a few modern hulls, the majority of the fleet is plagued by:

Noisy propulsion systems: Lack of precision parts makes them easier for NATO to track.

Delayed refits: Shipyards are clogged with broken surface ships and starved of cash.

Safety cuts: A dangerous cocktail when dealing with nuclear reactors.

A self-proclaimed naval superpower, now reduced to a green-water navy with rusted hulls and empty docks

If our spy agencies have to toe a political line instead of telling the truth, we’re flying blind. When loyalty to one man outweighs loyalty to the mission, America gets weaker- plain and simple.  #IntelCrisis  #NationalSecurity  #intelligence  #politics  bloomberg.com/opinion/articl…

President Donald Trump accused China of interfering with US elections in 2020, threatening to upend ties with the world’s second-biggest economy as he focuses on securing a victory in the midterms in November.

Speaking in a prime-time address from the White House, Trump said the Chinese government stole 220 million voter files, including names, addresses and other sensitive data in what is “believed to be the largest compromise of election data in history” — claims that US intelligence agencies have previously debunked. More here:  bloom.bg/4ppanhh

📷: Saul Loeb/AFP/Bloomberg

America’s Spy Agencies Risk Putting Political Loyalty Ahead of Truth – Bloomberg  bloomberg.com/opinion/articl…

#Security and  #Intelligence  #News Review

Global Escalation and Shifting Power Dynamics … Netanyahu’s canceled US visit – AI Briefs and Tweets – 7.16.26  thenewsandtimes.blogspot.com…
AI Briefs and Tweets

#CIA  #DIA  #FBI
AI News Review Today
x.com/mikenov/status/2077871…Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) #Security and  #Intelligence  #News Review

Global Escalation and Shifting Power Dynamics … Netanyahu’s canceled US visit – AI Briefs and Tweets – 7.16.26  thenewsandtimes.blogspot.com…
AI Briefs and Tweets—  https://x.com/mikenov/status/2077871366720667716

#CIA  #Mossad  #Iran
x.com/mikenov/status/2077855…Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) #Global Escalation and Shifting  #Power Dynamics Amid Rising Tensions  rss.app/brief/posts/c71e5e85…
#AIBrief
Global Escalation and Shifting Power Dynamics Amid Rising Tensions
Thursday, July 16, 20264:34 PM
Summary
Geopolitical tensions surged as military strikes, drone attacks, and cyber threats intensified across multiple regions, signaling a rapid escalation in global instability. The U.S. and Iran exchanged direct military actions, while Ukraine’s drone strikes on Russian infrastructure and Iranian attacks on Gulf states underscored widening conflict zones. Simultaneously, domestic political divisions in the U.S. and legislative power shifts in Israel may reshape regional alliances and electoral landscapes.

Key Stories

U.S. and Iran engage in sixth round of military strikes as attacks deepen — Reports confirm the U.S. launched a sixth round of strikes targeting Iranian positions in Bushehr and Ahvaz, with explosions also hitting key infrastructure like bridges and refineries. Iranian drone attacks on Kuwait and Dubai suggest retaliatory escalation, while strikes near Hamidiyeh indicate broadening conflict zones.

Ukraine expands drone warfare with strikes on Russian oil refineries — Ukrainian drones targeted a refinery in Yaroslavl, marking a strategic shift in long-range attacks on Russian energy infrastructure. The incident, verified by OSINT analysts, may signal an acceleration of asymmetric warfare tactics to disrupt supply chains.

Political rhetoric heats up as U.S. election tensions flare — Former President Trump issued urgent warnings amid heightened security alerts, while Senator Jon Ossoff criticized Trump’s response to the 2020 election as “the world’s most famous sore loser.” Polls show Trump’s approval rating at 37%, with strong support hitting a record low of 15%, reflecting deepening polarization.

Cyber threats and foreign interference fears resurface ahead of U.S. elections — Reports highlight a surge in cyber threats targeting critical infrastructure, alongside persistent concerns about foreign election interference. The FBI is investigating a shooting at a federal immigration building in Phoenix, adding to domestic security anxieties.

Media and OSINT roles expand amid global instability — CNN’s Visual Investigations team is hiring OSINT specialists to cover breaking news and long-term conflicts, reflecting growing demand for open-source intelligence in crisis reporting. Meanwhile, Iranian state media downplayed attacks, illustrating information warfare tactics.—  https://x.com/mikenov/status/2077855826417529071

#CIA  #FBI  #Mossad
x.com/mikenov/status/2077849…Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) #CyberThreats and  #Geopolitical Tensions Escalate Globally – AI Mode
share.google/aimode/MDVOcfKG…
#AIBrief – Cyber Threats and Geopolitical Tensions Escalate Globally
rss.app/brief/posts/780bca28…
Thursday, July 16, 20264:01 PM
Summary
Recent developments highlight a surge in cyber threats targeting critical infrastructure and government entities, alongside heightened geopolitical tensions. Foreign interference in elections remains a persistent concern, with new admissions and historical patterns resurfacing. Military actions and domestic security incidents further underscore escalating instability.
Key Stories

Foreign interference in elections confirmed as Putin admits 2016 election meddling — Russian President Vladimir Putin publicly acknowledged directing efforts to help Donald Trump win the 2016 U.S. election, reigniting debates over foreign influence in democratic processes. This admission aligns with long-standing allegations and suggests a pattern of state-sponsored interference.

Cyberattacks target French firefighters and U.S. commercial infrastructure — Threat actors advertised administrative access to France’s national firefighter federation database and leaked a WordPress database tied to a Dallas mixed-use facility. These breaches may indicate a broader trend of targeting public safety and commercial entities for disruption or espionage.

U.S. launches new airstrikes on Iran amid rising regional tensions — The U.S. resumed airstrikes on western Iranian cities, signaling an escalation in military actions. Explosions reported across multiple locations suggest a coordinated effort, potentially exacerbating existing geopolitical conflicts.

Shots fired at ICE building in Phoenix prompt FBI investigation — An attack on a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Phoenix resulted in no injuries but drew immediate FBI involvement. The incident reflects growing domestic security risks and potential targeting of federal agencies.

Espionage and political disruption resurface as key themes in intelligence briefs — Historical and modern cases of espionage and foreign influence in U.S. politics are being revisited, suggesting a renewed focus on hybrid threats. This may indicate efforts to contextualize current risks within broader historical patterns.—  https://x.com/mikenov/status/2077849063152660961

#Global Escalation and Shifting  #Power Dynamics Amid Rising Tensions  rss.app/brief/posts/c71e5e85…
#AIBrief
Global Escalation and Shifting Power Dynamics Amid Rising Tensions
Thursday, July 16, 20264:34 PM
Summary
Geopolitical tensions surged as military strikes, drone attacks, and cyber threats intensified across multiple regions, signaling a rapid escalation in global instability. The U.S. and Iran exchanged direct military actions, while Ukraine’s drone strikes on Russian infrastructure and Iranian attacks on Gulf states underscored widening conflict zones. Simultaneously, domestic political divisions in the U.S. and legislative power shifts in Israel may reshape regional alliances and electoral landscapes.

Key Stories

U.S. and Iran engage in sixth round of military strikes as attacks deepen — Reports confirm the U.S. launched a sixth round of strikes targeting Iranian positions in Bushehr and Ahvaz, with explosions also hitting key infrastructure like bridges and refineries. Iranian drone attacks on Kuwait and Dubai suggest retaliatory escalation, while strikes near Hamidiyeh indicate broadening conflict zones.

Ukraine expands drone warfare with strikes on Russian oil refineries — Ukrainian drones targeted a refinery in Yaroslavl, marking a strategic shift in long-range attacks on Russian energy infrastructure. The incident, verified by OSINT analysts, may signal an acceleration of asymmetric warfare tactics to disrupt supply chains.

Political rhetoric heats up as U.S. election tensions flare — Former President Trump issued urgent warnings amid heightened security alerts, while Senator Jon Ossoff criticized Trump’s response to the 2020 election as “the world’s most famous sore loser.” Polls show Trump’s approval rating at 37%, with strong support hitting a record low of 15%, reflecting deepening polarization.

Cyber threats and foreign interference fears resurface ahead of U.S. elections — Reports highlight a surge in cyber threats targeting critical infrastructure, alongside persistent concerns about foreign election interference. The FBI is investigating a shooting at a federal immigration building in Phoenix, adding to domestic security anxieties.

Media and OSINT roles expand amid global instability — CNN’s Visual Investigations team is hiring OSINT specialists to cover breaking news and long-term conflicts, reflecting growing demand for open-source intelligence in crisis reporting. Meanwhile, Iranian state media downplayed attacks, illustrating information warfare tactics.

#CyberThreats and  #Geopolitical Tensions Escalate Globally – AI Mode
share.google/aimode/MDVOcfKG…
#AIBrief – Cyber Threats and Geopolitical Tensions Escalate Globally
rss.app/brief/posts/780bca28…
Thursday, July 16, 20264:01 PM
Summary
Recent developments highlight a surge in cyber threats targeting critical infrastructure and government entities, alongside heightened geopolitical tensions. Foreign interference in elections remains a persistent concern, with new admissions and historical patterns resurfacing. Military actions and domestic security incidents further underscore escalating instability.
Key Stories

Foreign interference in elections confirmed as Putin admits 2016 election meddling — Russian President Vladimir Putin publicly acknowledged directing efforts to help Donald Trump win the 2016 U.S. election, reigniting debates over foreign influence in democratic processes. This admission aligns with long-standing allegations and suggests a pattern of state-sponsored interference.

Cyberattacks target French firefighters and U.S. commercial infrastructure — Threat actors advertised administrative access to France’s national firefighter federation database and leaked a WordPress database tied to a Dallas mixed-use facility. These breaches may indicate a broader trend of targeting public safety and commercial entities for disruption or espionage.

U.S. launches new airstrikes on Iran amid rising regional tensions — The U.S. resumed airstrikes on western Iranian cities, signaling an escalation in military actions. Explosions reported across multiple locations suggest a coordinated effort, potentially exacerbating existing geopolitical conflicts.

Shots fired at ICE building in Phoenix prompt FBI investigation — An attack on a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Phoenix resulted in no injuries but drew immediate FBI involvement. The incident reflects growing domestic security risks and potential targeting of federal agencies.

Espionage and political disruption resurface as key themes in intelligence briefs — Historical and modern cases of espionage and foreign influence in U.S. politics are being revisited, suggesting a renewed focus on hybrid threats. This may indicate efforts to contextualize current risks within broader historical patterns.