NewzIntel.com

Category: Intelligence

  • MIL-OSI Security: Burley Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Federal Prison for Producing Child Sexual Abuse Material

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    POCATELLO – Michael Allen Montoya, 40, of Burley, was sentenced to 360 months in federal prison for sexual exploitation of a child, Acting U.S. Attorney Justin Whatcott announced today.

    According to court records, the investigation began when the FBI became aware that a person, later identified as Montoya, was distributing child sexual abuse material through an online social media platform. The FBI also learned that during online chat conversations, Montoya had discussed his sexual interest in children and had exchanged child sexual abuse material with other offenders. The FBI referred the investigation to the Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (“ICAC”). The ICAC obtained a federal search warrant for Montoya’s Burley residence. During a forensic examination of Montoya’s electronic devices, ICAC located numerous files of child sexual abuse material. ICAC also discovered that Montoya had produced explicit images and videos of himself sexually abusing an infant and an 8-year-old child in his care.

    “Law enforcement in Idaho has zero tolerance for those that target children for abuse and exploitation.” Acting U.S. Attorney Whatcott said. “As this case illustrates, images of child sexual abuse material are not just images – they are evidence of sexual abuse committed by predators like this defendant. I am thankful that we have outstanding professionals in the ICAC, the FBI, and our office that are dedicated to protecting Idaho’s children and ensuring this type of abhorrent conduct results in significant prison sentences.”

    “Our commitment to protecting children from abuse is unwavering,” said Idaho Attorney General Labrador. “I am grateful for our ICAC Task Force and the partnership we have with Acting U.S. Attorney Whatcott’s office. By working together, we can continue making Idaho safer by investigating, arresting, and prosecuting one bad guy at a time.”

    Senior U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also sentenced Montoya to lifetime supervised release and ordered him to pay restitution to his victims. Montoya will be required to register as a sex offender as a result of the conviction.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Whatcott commended the cooperative efforts of the Idaho ICAC Task Force, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Rupert Police Department, the Idaho State Police, the Minidoka County Sheriff’s Office, and the Cassia County Sheriff’s Office, which led to the charge. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Kassandra McGrady and Erin Blackadar.

    This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice.  As part of Project Safe Childhood, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Idaho and the Idaho Attorney General’s Office partner to marshal federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

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    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Four People Sentenced for Kidnapping and Stealing $7000 From 83-Year-Old Veteran

    Source: US FBI

    ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Four people have been sentenced to prison for kidnapping an 83-year-old Arlington man and taking $7,000 from him.

    According to court documents, on Dec. 30, 2023, Phillip Anderson, 37, Anthony Brockington, 22, Damien Griffin, 23, and K’la Hargrove, 27, traveled to the victim’s home intending to rob him. Hargrove’s boyfriend, who was incarcerated, owed $4,000 to Anderson for drugs, and had performed yardwork and handiwork for the victim. Hargrove, who had previously met the victim through her boyfriend, contacted the victim and arrived at the residence first. After the victim allowed Hargrove into his home, some of her co-conspirators, all of whom were armed, forced their way inside the home, assaulted the victim, and held him at gunpoint while demanding he give them money.

    When the victim explained he didn’t have enough cash in his home, the co-conspirators kidnapped the victim and took him to a “trap house” in Washington, where they physically restrained the victim and continued to assault him. The victim was forced to transfer $7,000 to the bank account of an associate of Griffin. While the victim was being held, Griffin used the victim’s credit card to make purchases from McDonalds, DoorDash, and a gas station, and attempted to purchase gift cards at a CVS Pharmacy. During the night of Dec. 31, 2023, Griffin and Brockington, at Anderson’s direction, returned to the victim’s home, broke into a locker, and stole firearms. They transferred the firearms to Anderson, who later sold them.

    On Jan. 1, 2024, the victim escaped from the trap house and returned to his home. A neighbor called 911 to report the kidnapping, and the victim was taken to a hospital for treatment. The kidnappers caused the victim to sustain fractures to his sternum and hands, broken ribs, and bruises and lacerations to his head and face.

    On Oct. 30, 2024, Griffin pled guilty to conspiracy to kidnap. On Jan. 30, he was sentenced to 17 years and six months in prison.

    Anderson pled guilty on Jan. 16, to conspiracy to kidnap and kidnapping. On May 1, he was sentenced to 20 years in prison.

    On Jan. 30, Brockington pled guilty to kidnapping and aiding and abetting kidnapping. On May 1, he was sentenced to 17 years and six months in prison.

    Hargrove pled guilty on March 13 to aiding and abetting kidnapping. She was sentenced today to six years in prison.

    Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Emily Odom, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office’s Criminal and Cyber Division, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Michael S. Nachmanoff.

    The Arlington County Police Department provided valuable assistance in the investigation.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Sehar F. Sabir and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Cristina Stam prosecuted the case.

    A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:24-cr-196.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Rapid City Man Sentenced to Eight Years in Federal Prison for Voluntary Manslaughter

    Source: US FBI

    RAPID CITY – United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Camela C. Theeler has sentenced a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Voluntary Manslaughter. The sentencing took place on June 18, 2025.

    Luke Standing Bear, age 19, was sentenced to eight years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

    A federal grand jury indicted Standing Bear in July 2024. He pleaded guilty on March 21, 2025.

    On July 6, 2024, Standing Bear was in his neighborhood, in the Eastridge community in Pine Ridge, where he tried to fight several other men. The victim, who was one of the men whom Standing Bear tried to fight, told Standing Bear to go home. Standing Bear went back to his house and armed himself with a knife. Standing Bear returned to the scene of the first argument and got into another argument with the victim. Standing Bear was disarmed by bystanders, but then retrieved a second knife from his home and returned again to the street where the victim was standing. Standing Bear approached the victim after being insulted and stabbed the victim one time in the ribs. The victim took one step and collapsed to the ground. The knife had pierced several internal organs and the victim’s aorta. The victim survived the flight to the hospital in Rapid City but died during surgery.

    This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian country be prosecuted in Federal court as opposed to State court.

    This case was investigated by the FBI and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Knox prosecuted the case.

    Standing Bear was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Two Tajik Men Charged with Smuggling Illegal Aliens Into the U.S. for Financial Gain

    Source: US FBI

    PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Bekhzod Rakhmatov, 30, of Maineville, Ohio, and Munis Khojiev, 31, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, were arrested and charged by indictment with attempting to bring an alien to the United States for private financial gain and conspiring to bring aliens to the United States for private financial gain, arising from a human smuggling scheme. Both defendants are Tajik nationals who entered the United States on the same day without legal authorization.

    The indictment alleges that, as part of their conspiracy, the defendants assisted in smuggling Co-Conspirator #1 into the United States, and then received referrals through Co-Conspirator #1 to smuggle additional illegal aliens into the U.S.

    As further alleged, from about December 2022 to about May 2025, in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and elsewhere, Rakhmatov and Khojiev engaged with other individuals to obtain visas and passports to enable illegal aliens to travel throughout various countries with the goal of arriving at the United States-Mexico border. The defendants solicited and received funds from, and on behalf of, illegal aliens, as payment for smuggling the illegal aliens into the United States.

    If convicted, the defendants each face a maximum possible sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment on each count.

    The case was investigated by the FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Danielle Bateman and Everett Witherell.

    The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Two Tajik Men Charged with Smuggling Illegal Aliens Into the U.S. for Financial Gain

    Source: US FBI

    PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Bekhzod Rakhmatov, 30, of Maineville, Ohio, and Munis Khojiev, 31, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, were arrested and charged by indictment with attempting to bring an alien to the United States for private financial gain and conspiring to bring aliens to the United States for private financial gain, arising from a human smuggling scheme. Both defendants are Tajik nationals who entered the United States on the same day without legal authorization.

    The indictment alleges that, as part of their conspiracy, the defendants assisted in smuggling Co-Conspirator #1 into the United States, and then received referrals through Co-Conspirator #1 to smuggle additional illegal aliens into the U.S.

    As further alleged, from about December 2022 to about May 2025, in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and elsewhere, Rakhmatov and Khojiev engaged with other individuals to obtain visas and passports to enable illegal aliens to travel throughout various countries with the goal of arriving at the United States-Mexico border. The defendants solicited and received funds from, and on behalf of, illegal aliens, as payment for smuggling the illegal aliens into the United States.

    If convicted, the defendants each face a maximum possible sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment on each count.

    The case was investigated by the FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Danielle Bateman and Everett Witherell.

    The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Tri-Cities Man Who Strangled and Assaulted His Girlfriend Sentenced to Federal Prison

    Source: US FBI

    Yakima, Washington – Acting United States Attorney Richard R. Barker announced that Jordan Michael Gunlock, age 33, was sentenced after pleading guilty to strangling and assaulting his girlfriend. United States District Judge Mary K. Dimke imposed a sentence of 24 months in prison to be followed by 3 years supervised release.

    According to court documents and information presented at the sentencing hearing, in November 2023, Gunlock got into an argument with his girlfriend at her home in Wapato, Washington, after she moved his jacket. During the argument, Gunlock grabbed his girlfriend by the back of the head and pulled her hair, injuring her.  After Gunlock stopped pulling her hair, the girlfriend told Gunlock to leave her home. Gunlock initially refused, but fled the residence after his girlfriend called for law enforcement to respond.

    In November 2024, Gunlock and his girlfriend were staying at the Legends Hotel Casino in Toppenish, Washington. While in their room, Gunlock put his hands on his girlfriend’s neck and strangled her. After Gunlock stopped strangling his girlfriend, she left the hotel room and went to the hotel lobby.  While sitting in the hotel lobby, the girlfriend was crying and gasping for air. Legends employees approached the girlfriend and called for law enforcement to respond.  Gunlock’s strangulation assault left red marks on her neck that were still visible to law enforcement later that evening.

    In asking for the 2-year sentence, Assistant United States Attorney Bree Black Horse noted that Gunlock has repeatedly assaulted and threatened to harm his girlfriend and members of her family if she left Gunlock or did not act had he directed.  AUSA Black Horse argued that the 2-year sentence of imprisonment in a federal facility followed by 3 years of supervised release as well as a federal no-contact order with his girlfriend would deter future acts of Intimate Partner Violence perpetrated by Gunlock against his girlfriend.

    At the sentencing hearing Judge Dimke noted that at the time of his arrest, Gunlock was located at his girlfriend’s residence in violation of a state court domestic violence protection order and that he had pressured her not to cooperate with state and federal authorities pursuing domestic violence assault charges against him.  The Court specifically noted text messages from Gunlock indicating that he believed if his girlfriend did not show up to court that domestic violence charges against him would be “dropped.”  In sentencing Gunlock to 2 years imprisonment, the Court stated it wanted to send a message that it takes domestic violence crimes on the Yakama Nation Indian Reservation seriously, and that interfering with the criminal justice system and demonstrating a lack of respect for court orders would result in serious consequences.

    “Protecting victims and ensuring their safety is a top priority for our office, particularly in cases involving intimate partner violence in Indian Country,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Richard R. Barker. “This prosecution reflects our ongoing commitment to working with Tribal partners to hold offenders accountable and to disrupt cycles of abuse that threaten the safety and well-being of Native women. Prosecution of MMIP-adjacent cases like this one is critical to protecting our Tribal communities throughout Eastern Washington.”

    “Mr. Gunlock’s sentencing demonstrates the FBI’s continued commitment to the safety of the state’s tribal communities,” said W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Seattle field office.  “Domestic violence cannot and will not be tolerated, and the FBI will continue to work diligently with our partners to bring justice for the victims of these deplorable crimes.”

    This case is part of the Department of Justice’s Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Regional Outreach Program, which aims to aid in the prevention and response to missing or murdered Indigenous people through the resolution of MMIP and MMIP-related cases and communication, coordination, and collaboration with federal, Tribal, state, and local partners.  The Department views this work as a priority for its law enforcement components.  Through the MMIP Regional Outreach Program, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify MMIP cases and issues in Tribal communities and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.

    This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Bree Black Horse. 

    1:25-cr-02005-MKD

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Omak, Washington, Man Who Shot at a Person on the Colville Reservation Sentenced to Federal Prison

    Source: US FBI

    Spokane, Washington – Acting United States Attorney Richard R. Barker announced that William Luquin Xhurape, 34, of Omak, Washington, was sentenced after pleading guilty to a charge of Felon in Possession of a Firearm. United States District Judge Thomas O. Rice imposed a sentence of 57 months in prison to be followed 3 years of supervised release.

    According to court documents and information presented at the sentencing hearing, on April 1, 2024, Xhurape, who is a convicted felon and not allowed to possess firearms, pulled out a .22 caliber handgun and fired six shots into the ground outside the front door of a trailer on the Colville Reservation. Xhurape then pointed the firearm at the head of a person inside the trailer and fired two shots. The person quickly moved to avoid the shots.

    “I am grateful for the excellent partnership between the FBI, Tribal Police, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office on this case,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney, Rich Barker.  When we share information and work together, we can achieve so much in our efforts toward public safety within Eastern Washington’s incredible Native American nations and communities.

    “As a convicted felon, Mr. Xhurape was well aware of the consequences of possessing a firearm,” said W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Seattle field office. “His reckless use of a weapon nearly ended in tragedy, and I am thankful no one was injured. The FBI and our partners continue to strive together towards making our state’s tribal lands a safer place.”

    This case was investigated by the FBI and the Colville Tribal Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael J. Ellis.

    2:24-cr-00078-TOR

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Mexican Drug Trafficker Caught with 84 Pounds of Methamphetamine and Thousands of Fentanyl Pills Sentenced to Federal Prison

    Source: US FBI

    Yakima, Washington – Acting United States Attorney Richard Barker announced that Jose Bautista Andrade, age 46, of Mexico, was sentenced after pleading guilty to fentanyl trafficking charges. Chief United States District Judge Stanley A. Bastian imposed a sentence of 132 months in prison to be followed by 5 years of supervised release.

    According to court documents and information presented at the sentencing hearing, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) developed information that Andrade was working for drug dealer based in Mexico. Andrade would make regular trips to pick up dugs in California, store the drugs at his home and storage units in the Yakima area, then deliver the drugs to customers in Western Washington and accept payment from customers.

    In October and November 2023, the FBI conducted two controlled purchases for total of four pounds of methamphetamine from Andrade. Both purchases took place at the Tacoma mall.

    On February 6, 2024, law enforcement agents executed search warrants at Andrade’s home and a storage unit. In total, agents located nearly 5 pounds of fentanyl pills, approximately 84 pounds of methamphetamine, and four firearms.

    At the sentencing hearing Chief Judge Bastian noted the large amount of drugs in this case and that Andrade was a major player in the drug trafficking operation.

    “Assistant U.S. Attorney Ben Seal did an outstanding job bringing this case to a successful resolution,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Richard R. Barker. “His meticulous preparation and tenacious advocacy ensured that a major fentanyl and methamphetamine trafficker was held accountable. Prosecuting cases like this—where the scale of drug trafficking threatens the health and safety of entire communities—is essential to our mission, and AUSA Seal’s work exemplifies the dedication and excellence we strive for in the Eastern District of Washington.”

    “Even in small quantities, fentanyl and other dangerous drugs can kill, destroying lives and devastating communities. However, Mr. Bautista Andrade was found to possess not small quantities but several dozen pounds of methamphetamine and thousands of fentanyl pills,” said W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Seattle field office. “By removing this drug trafficker and his supplies from the streets, our investigators have undoubtedly made Yakima a safer place. I am grateful to them for their diligent work on this case and continued dedication to removing this toxin from our neighborhoods.”

    This case was investigated by the FBI, the Yakima County Sheriff’s Office, and the Thurston County Narcotics Task Force. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin D. Seal.

    1:24-cr-02064-SAB

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Repeat Domestic Abuser Sentenced to Federal Prison for Assaulting and Strangling His Partner

    Source: US FBI

    Yakima, Washington – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington announced today that Anthony John Maldonado, age 32, was sentenced after pleading guilty to assaulting his partner. Chief United States District Judge Stanley A. Bastian imposed a sentence of 15 months to be followed by 3 years of supervised release.  The Court also issued a 3-year federal no-contact order for the protection of the victim following Maldonado’s term of imprisonment.

    According to court documents and information presented at the sentencing hearing, on April 6, 2024, Maldonado and his partner E.J., were at E.J.’s apartment in Wapato, Washington, when they began to argue in a bedroom. During the argument, Maldonado punched E.J in the head and she fell to the floor. Maldonado kicked and punched E.J. while she was on the floor. Maldonado then began to strangle E.J. once she was on the ground. E.J. then bit Maldonado on the arm and escaped to the kitchen where she called the police.

    Maldonado consistently assaulted and harassed E.J. during their eight-year relationship resulting in domestic violence charges and convictions in Yakama Nation Tribal Court. Just two months before the assault that resulted in federal charges, Maldonado entered into a Deferred Sentence Agreement in Yakama Nation Tribal Court on domestic violence charges that included a requirement that he not “harm or harass E.J.”  At sentencing, U.S. District Court Chief Judge Bastian found that the Yakama Nation Tribal Court “no harm or harass order” in place at the time of the strangulation assault represented a “court protection order” under the Violence Against Women Act.

    At sentencing, MMIP Assistant United States Attorney Bree Black Horse stated “an assault involving non-fatal strangulation is a very serious offense,” explaining that “research shows a history of non-fatal strangulation is one of the most accurate predictors for the subsequent homicide of victims of domestic violence.”  ASUA Black Horse also highlighted that “Indigenous women like the victim in this case experience crime victimization and Intimate Partner Violence at higher rates than non-Indian people,” and that “Intimate Partner Violence is an important factor in the rates of homicide in Tribal communities, particularly for Indigenous women and girls.”

    “The pattern of traumatic abuse and domestic violence Mr. Maldonado inflicted on his partner is unconscionable, and the FBI will remain steadfast in its dedication to rooting out this type of violence in our tribal communities,” said W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Seattle field office. “I am proud of the work of our investigators and Tribal partners to ensure Mr. Maldonado was held accountable for his actions.”

    This case is part of the Department of Justice’s Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Regional Outreach Program, which aims to aid in the prevention and response to missing or murdered Indigenous people through the resolution of MMIP and MMIP-related cases and communication, coordination, and collaboration with federal, Tribal, state, and local partners.  The Department views this work as a priority for its law enforcement components.  Through the MMIP Regional Outreach Program, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify MMIP cases and issues in Tribal communities and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.

    This case was investigated by the FBI. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Bree R. Black Horse. 

    1:24-cr-02057-SAB

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Philadelphia Vertical Farmer Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud and Tax Evasion

    Source: US State of North Dakota

    A Pennsylvania man pleaded guilty yesterday to wire fraud and tax evasion.

    The following is according to court documents and statements made in court: John (Jack) Griffin of Philadelphia was the principal and founder of Second Story Farming Inc., which did business as Metropolis Farms. Second Story Farming had several lines of business, including growing crops in vertical farms to sell to customers, developing sustainable vertical farming technologies, and selling vertical farming systems to customers. Vertical farming refers to a practice of growing crops vertically and in horizontally stacked layers.

    In 2017, Griffin, through Second Story Farming, sold vertical farming systems along with the equipment, supplies, materials, and operational instructions necessary to operate them to two companies. Before entering into the contracts, Griffin provided financial projections to them that grossly overstated the anticipated revenues that could be generated by the vertical farms and grossly understated the anticipated expenses necessary to operate the vertical farms. In reliance on the financial projections, the companies each paid Second Story Farming to set up vertical farms for them. Rather than use those funds to provide them with vertical farms, Griffin used most of the money to pay his own personal expenses and operate Second Story Farming’s research and development line of business.

    In 2017, Griffin earned income from his work at Second Story Farming. Despite being legally required to file a tax return for that year, Griffin did not do so. Griffin tried to conceal that he received any income in 2017 by, among other things, withdrawing cash and paying personal expense from his business’s bank accounts and transferring funds from his business to his wife, and withdrawing cash from Second Story Farming’s business bank account.  

    Griffin is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 22. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on each of the wire fraud charges and a maximum penalty of five years in prison on the tax evasion charge. He also faces a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney Karen E. Kelly of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney David Metcalf for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania made the announcement.

    IRS Criminal Investigation, the FBI, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service are investigating the case.

    Trial Attorney Catriona Coppler of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis Weber for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania are prosecuting the case.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Atlanta Men who Robbed Greenville Jewelry Store Sentenced to Federal Prison

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    GREENVILLE, S.C. — Two Atlanta men have been sentenced to federal prison for the armed robbery of a Greenville jewelry store. Tony Nico Clark, 35, was sentenced to nine years and Dedrek Jaquon Hale, 30, was sentenced to nine-and-a-half years.  

    Evidence obtained in the investigation showed that on the afternoon of May 17, 2023, three men robbed a jewelry store located in Greenville. The robbery began when Clark, who was not wearing a mask, approached the door to the store that was locked between guests and was allowed in. Clark then held the door for two masked men, who rushed into the store brandishing handguns and ordering the employees and customers to the floor.

    One of the masked men, who remains unidentified, broke display cases using a hammer, while Hale used his handgun to smash the glass on the cases. Surveillance footage showed the men pointing their guns at employees and customers as they snatched jewelry from the broken cases. Clark stood nearby calmly calling out the time remaining before the men needed to exit the store. The robbers fled in a waiting car and returned to the Atlanta area.

    Through careful investigation, law enforcement was able to tie Clark and Hale to the robbery using DNA and other physical evidence. Clark and Hale were arrested in October of 2024 and, in March of this year, pleaded guilty to robbery and conspiracy to commit robbery affecting interstate commerce and to using firearms in furtherance of a violent crime.

    United States District Judge Jacquelyn D. Austin sentenced Clark to 110 months imprisonment, and sentenced Hale to 115 months imprisonment, with both sentences to be followed by five-year terms of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system. The court also ordered each defendant to make restitution of over $140,000.

    The investigation was led by the FBI Columbia field office, with assistance from the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office and the Greenville Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Schoen is prosecuting the case.

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    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Atlanta Men who Robbed Greenville Jewelry Store Sentenced to Federal Prison

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    GREENVILLE, S.C. — Two Atlanta men have been sentenced to federal prison for the armed robbery of a Greenville jewelry store. Tony Nico Clark, 35, was sentenced to nine years and Dedrek Jaquon Hale, 30, was sentenced to nine-and-a-half years.  

    Evidence obtained in the investigation showed that on the afternoon of May 17, 2023, three men robbed a jewelry store located in Greenville. The robbery began when Clark, who was not wearing a mask, approached the door to the store that was locked between guests and was allowed in. Clark then held the door for two masked men, who rushed into the store brandishing handguns and ordering the employees and customers to the floor.

    One of the masked men, who remains unidentified, broke display cases using a hammer, while Hale used his handgun to smash the glass on the cases. Surveillance footage showed the men pointing their guns at employees and customers as they snatched jewelry from the broken cases. Clark stood nearby calmly calling out the time remaining before the men needed to exit the store. The robbers fled in a waiting car and returned to the Atlanta area.

    Through careful investigation, law enforcement was able to tie Clark and Hale to the robbery using DNA and other physical evidence. Clark and Hale were arrested in October of 2024 and, in March of this year, pleaded guilty to robbery and conspiracy to commit robbery affecting interstate commerce and to using firearms in furtherance of a violent crime.

    United States District Judge Jacquelyn D. Austin sentenced Clark to 110 months imprisonment, and sentenced Hale to 115 months imprisonment, with both sentences to be followed by five-year terms of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system. The court also ordered each defendant to make restitution of over $140,000.

    The investigation was led by the FBI Columbia field office, with assistance from the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office and the Greenville Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Schoen is prosecuting the case.

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    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Cuban men arrested for roles in nationwide multimillion-dollar auto theft ring

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    McALLEN, Texas – Two Cuban nationals have been taken into custody on charges related to the exportation of stolen motor vehicles, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

    Sadiel Noa-Aguila, 42, and Miguel Baez-Echevarria, 36, resided in Pharr and Las Vegas, Nevada, respectively. 

    Noa-Aguila is set to make his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge J. Scott Hacker in McAllen at 9 a.m., while Baez is expected to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Brenda Wexler in Las Vegas.  

    According to the criminal complaint unsealed upon their arrests, authorities launched an investigation in 2024 that uncovered a large ring linked to numerous vehicle thefts nationwide. The charges allege the vehicles were primarily stolen from major metropolitan airports and surrounding areas, including Las Vegas; Phoenix, Arizona; Salt Lake City, Utah; Denver, Colorado; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; and Texas cities including Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston.

    As part of the scheme, co-conspirators allegedly used electronic devices to steal the vehicles and reprogram key fobs. They then equipped the vehicles with fraudulent license plates or altered vehicle identification numbers before reselling them, according to the charges. Several vehicles were also allegedly exported to Mexico through ports of entry in Hidalgo County and El Paso. 

    Noa-Aguila allegedly attempted to export one of the vehicles, a 2022 GMC Sierra AT4 through a port of entry in Hidalgo County Oct. 1, 2024. It had been reported stolen in Denver the previous month, according to the allegations.

    The charges allege Baez is linked to the theft of at least 15 additional vehicles and estimates the organization stole vehicles worth millions of dollars in total.

    Both are charged with aiding and abetting the exportation of stolen motor vehicles which carries a maximum 10-year-prison term, upon conviction. Baez also faces charges of conspiracy to commit money laundering for which he could receive up to 20 years in federal prison.  

    Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) – Homeland Security Investigations and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are conducting the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation with the assistance of the FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, Customs and Border Protection, ICE – Enforcement and Removal Operations, Texas Department of Public Safety, Dallas Fort Worth Airport Department of Public Safety, Tarrant County District Attorneys’ Office and Tarrant County Regional Auto Crimes Task Force as well as sheriff’s offices in El Paso and Hidalgo Counties; Otero County, New Mexico; Broward County, Florida; and police departments in El Paso, Houston and Pharr; Las Vegas; Phoenix; Salt Lake City; and Denver.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Roberto Lopez Jr. is prosecuting the case.

    This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s OCDETF and Project Safe Neighborhood.

    A criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Cuban men arrested for roles in nationwide multimillion-dollar auto theft ring

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    McALLEN, Texas – Two Cuban nationals have been taken into custody on charges related to the exportation of stolen motor vehicles, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

    Sadiel Noa-Aguila, 42, and Miguel Baez-Echevarria, 36, resided in Pharr and Las Vegas, Nevada, respectively. 

    Noa-Aguila is set to make his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge J. Scott Hacker in McAllen at 9 a.m., while Baez is expected to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Brenda Wexler in Las Vegas.  

    According to the criminal complaint unsealed upon their arrests, authorities launched an investigation in 2024 that uncovered a large ring linked to numerous vehicle thefts nationwide. The charges allege the vehicles were primarily stolen from major metropolitan airports and surrounding areas, including Las Vegas; Phoenix, Arizona; Salt Lake City, Utah; Denver, Colorado; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; and Texas cities including Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston.

    As part of the scheme, co-conspirators allegedly used electronic devices to steal the vehicles and reprogram key fobs. They then equipped the vehicles with fraudulent license plates or altered vehicle identification numbers before reselling them, according to the charges. Several vehicles were also allegedly exported to Mexico through ports of entry in Hidalgo County and El Paso. 

    Noa-Aguila allegedly attempted to export one of the vehicles, a 2022 GMC Sierra AT4 through a port of entry in Hidalgo County Oct. 1, 2024. It had been reported stolen in Denver the previous month, according to the allegations.

    The charges allege Baez is linked to the theft of at least 15 additional vehicles and estimates the organization stole vehicles worth millions of dollars in total.

    Both are charged with aiding and abetting the exportation of stolen motor vehicles which carries a maximum 10-year-prison term, upon conviction. Baez also faces charges of conspiracy to commit money laundering for which he could receive up to 20 years in federal prison.  

    Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) – Homeland Security Investigations and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are conducting the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation with the assistance of the FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, Customs and Border Protection, ICE – Enforcement and Removal Operations, Texas Department of Public Safety, Dallas Fort Worth Airport Department of Public Safety, Tarrant County District Attorneys’ Office and Tarrant County Regional Auto Crimes Task Force as well as sheriff’s offices in El Paso and Hidalgo Counties; Otero County, New Mexico; Broward County, Florida; and police departments in El Paso, Houston and Pharr; Las Vegas; Phoenix; Salt Lake City; and Denver.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Roberto Lopez Jr. is prosecuting the case.

    This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s OCDETF and Project Safe Neighborhood.

    A criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Wakpala Woman Sentenced to 13 Years in Federal Prison for Killing Her Mother within the Standing Rock Reservation

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ABERDEEN – United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann has sentenced a Wakpala, South Dakota, woman convicted of Voluntary Manslaughter. The sentencing took place on June 23, 2025.

    Malania Rose Fast Horse, age 25, was sentenced to 13 years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

    Fast Horse was indicted by a federal grand jury in January 2025. She pleaded guilty on March 6, 2025.

    Fast Horse quarreled with her mother in their Wakpala, South Dakota, home, within the Standing Rock Sioux Indian Reservation, on Christmas Eve 2024. Fast Horse lost her temper and stabbed her mother several times in the chest, arm, and hand. Fast Horse ambled to her grandmother’s home next door and told her grandmother and brother she had stabbed her mother. She then grabbed some cigarettes and left. Fast Horse’s brother ran next door, finding his mother lying in a pool of blood on the floor, alive but incoherent. Although EMS was promptly dispatched, Fast Horse’s mother later succumbed to her injuries.

    This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian country be prosecuted in federal court as opposed to State court.

    This case was investigated by the FBI and the Bureau of Indian Affairs – Office of Justice Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carl Thunem prosecuted the case.

    Fast Horse was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Wakpala Woman Sentenced to 13 Years in Federal Prison for Killing Her Mother within the Standing Rock Reservation

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ABERDEEN – United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann has sentenced a Wakpala, South Dakota, woman convicted of Voluntary Manslaughter. The sentencing took place on June 23, 2025.

    Malania Rose Fast Horse, age 25, was sentenced to 13 years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

    Fast Horse was indicted by a federal grand jury in January 2025. She pleaded guilty on March 6, 2025.

    Fast Horse quarreled with her mother in their Wakpala, South Dakota, home, within the Standing Rock Sioux Indian Reservation, on Christmas Eve 2024. Fast Horse lost her temper and stabbed her mother several times in the chest, arm, and hand. Fast Horse ambled to her grandmother’s home next door and told her grandmother and brother she had stabbed her mother. She then grabbed some cigarettes and left. Fast Horse’s brother ran next door, finding his mother lying in a pool of blood on the floor, alive but incoherent. Although EMS was promptly dispatched, Fast Horse’s mother later succumbed to her injuries.

    This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian country be prosecuted in federal court as opposed to State court.

    This case was investigated by the FBI and the Bureau of Indian Affairs – Office of Justice Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carl Thunem prosecuted the case.

    Fast Horse was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Four SoCal Residents Sentenced for Their Roles in an Armed Robbery and Carjacking at Car Repair Shop in San Bernardino County

    Source: US FBI

    Three Southern California residents on June 23 were sentenced to prison for their roles in a 2024 armed robbery and carjacking at a Bloomington, California, auto repair shop and ordered to pay $11,980 in restitution.

    All four defendants were found guilty by a jury of participating in an armed robbery and carjacking of a car repair business in Bloomington, California, in which one victim was pistol-whipped into near unconsciousness. At the conclusion of a 13-day trial, a federal jury on late June 18 returned a guilty verdict on all counts against the following defendants:

    • Marcos Guerrero, 49, of Glendora, California, was sentenced to 219 months in federal prison.
    • Elijah Gafare, 36, of West Covina, California, was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison.
    • Cinthia Leal, 39, of Glendora, California, was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison.
    • A fourth defendant, Vincent Solarez, 59, of Upland, California, was sentenced to four years in prison on June 2. Solarez was also ordered to pay $11,980 in restitution.

    All four defendants were found guilty of one count of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act), one count of Hobbs Act robbery, and one count of carjacking.

    Guerrero, Gafare, and Leal also were found guilty of witness tampering and using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of and in relation to a crime of violence. Guerrero, further, was found guilty of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

    According to evidence presented at trial, Guerrero, Gafare, Leal, and Solarez participated in an armed robbery of a car repair shop in Bloomington, California, in the early morning hours of March 12, 2024. During the robbery, two of the defendants brandished firearms, and one of the defendants pistol-whipped one of the victims into near-unconsciousness.

    The defendants kept the victims hostage and threatened to kill them if the victims didn’t hand over cash, their car, and if they ever called law enforcement. In total, defendants stole several thousand dollars in cash and the business surveillance system, in addition to the victim’s car and other property.

    Law enforcement tracked the defendants down and arrested them in May and June of 2024.

    On May 30, 2024, Guerrero illegally possessed a .45-caliber firearm and dozens of rounds of ammunition. He isn’t permitted to possess firearms and ammunition because his criminal history includes convictions in San Bernardino County Superior Court for home invasion robbery, first-degree residential burglary, false imprisonment by violence, possession of a firearm by a felon, and evading a police officer.

    The FBI Inland Violent Crimes Suppression Task Force and the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department investigated this matter.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua J. Lee and Neil P. Thakor of the General Crimes Section, and Tritia L. Yuen of the Riverside Branch Office, are prosecuting this case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Philadelphia Vertical Farmer Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud and Tax Evasion

    Source: United States Attorneys General

    A Pennsylvania man pleaded guilty yesterday to wire fraud and tax evasion.

    The following is according to court documents and statements made in court: John (Jack) Griffin of Philadelphia was the principal and founder of Second Story Farming Inc., which did business as Metropolis Farms. Second Story Farming had several lines of business, including growing crops in vertical farms to sell to customers, developing sustainable vertical farming technologies, and selling vertical farming systems to customers. Vertical farming refers to a practice of growing crops vertically and in horizontally stacked layers.

    In 2017, Griffin, through Second Story Farming, sold vertical farming systems along with the equipment, supplies, materials, and operational instructions necessary to operate them to two companies. Before entering into the contracts, Griffin provided financial projections to them that grossly overstated the anticipated revenues that could be generated by the vertical farms and grossly understated the anticipated expenses necessary to operate the vertical farms. In reliance on the financial projections, the companies each paid Second Story Farming to set up vertical farms for them. Rather than use those funds to provide them with vertical farms, Griffin used most of the money to pay his own personal expenses and operate Second Story Farming’s research and development line of business.

    In 2017, Griffin earned income from his work at Second Story Farming. Despite being legally required to file a tax return for that year, Griffin did not do so. Griffin tried to conceal that he received any income in 2017 by, among other things, withdrawing cash and paying personal expense from his business’s bank accounts and transferring funds from his business to his wife, and withdrawing cash from Second Story Farming’s business bank account.  

    Griffin is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 22. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on each of the wire fraud charges and a maximum penalty of five years in prison on the tax evasion charge. He also faces a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney Karen E. Kelly of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney David Metcalf for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania made the announcement.

    IRS Criminal Investigation, the FBI, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service are investigating the case.

    Trial Attorney Catriona Coppler of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis Weber for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania are prosecuting the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: International Arms Dealer Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Export Firearms to Russia

    Source: US State Government of Utah

    Defendant Unlawfully Exported American-Made Firearms Through JFK International Airport

    Yesterday in federal court in Brooklyn, Sergei Zharnovnikov, 46, of Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit export violations. The defendant exported firearms and ammunition worth over $1.5 million from the United States to Russia, in violation of U.S. law. When sentenced, Zharnovnikov faces up to 20 years in prison.

    “By his own admission, Zharnovnikov willfully violated U.S. export controls to smuggle American-made firearms into Russia,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg. “The National Security Division will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to disrupt illicit arms networks and prosecute those who illegally transfer U.S. weaponry abroad.”

    “The defendant admitted that he purchased American-made, military-grade firearms and re-exported them to Russia,” said U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella for the Eastern District of New York. “Today’s guilty plea is the culmination of extensive investigative work, showing that this office will not allow merchants of lethal weapons and Russia to flout U.S. sanctions.”

    According to court filings and statements made during the plea proceeding, the defendant is the owner of an arms dealer located in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan (Kyrgyzstan Company-1). Since at least March 2020, the defendant, together with others, has conspired to export firearms controlled by the U.S. Department of Commerce from the United States to Russia. The defendant exported $1,582,836.52 worth of U.S.-manufactured firearms and ammunition from the United States to Russia without the required licenses from the Department of Commerce. In one transaction, he entered into a five‑year, $900,000 contract with a company in the United States (U.S. Company‑1) to purchase and export U.S. Company-1 firearms to Kyrgyzstan. DOC issued a license for U.S. Company-1 to export firearms to Kyrgyzstan Company-1. The license, however, explicitly prohibited the export or re-export of the firearms to Russia. Nevertheless, the defendant exported and re-exported U.S. Company‑1 firearms, including semi‑automatic hybrid rifle-pistols, to Russia via Kyrgyzstan without the necessary approvals.

    According to an export filing, in connection with the defendant’s contract with U.S. Company-1, U.S. Company-1 exported semi-automatic rifles from John F. Kennedy International Airport to Kyrgyzstan Company-1 on or about July 10, 2022. On or about Nov. 14, 2022, the General Director of a Russian company that is a client of the defendant executed a tax form listing the same semi‑automatic rifle‑pistols that U.S. Company‑1 had exported to Kyrgyzstan Company‑1, the defendant’s company. The defendant did not apply for, obtain, or possess a license to export or re-export the semi‑automatic pistol-rifles to Russia.

    The defendant traveled from Kyrgyzstan to the United States on or about Jan. 18, 2025. The defendant traveled to Las Vegas, Nevada, where he attended the Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show to meet with U.S. arms dealers.

    The FBI New York Field Office and U.S. Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security Office of Export Enforcement are investigating the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ellen H. Sise for the Eastern District of New York and Trial Attorney Leslie Esbrook of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case, with assistance from Litigation Analyst Rebecca Roth. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: International Arms Dealer Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Export Firearms to Russia

    Source: United States Attorneys General

    Defendant Unlawfully Exported American-Made Firearms Through JFK International Airport

    Yesterday in federal court in Brooklyn, Sergei Zharnovnikov, 46, of Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit export violations. The defendant exported firearms and ammunition worth over $1.5 million from the United States to Russia, in violation of U.S. law. When sentenced, Zharnovnikov faces up to 20 years in prison.

    “By his own admission, Zharnovnikov willfully violated U.S. export controls to smuggle American-made firearms into Russia,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg. “The National Security Division will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to disrupt illicit arms networks and prosecute those who illegally transfer U.S. weaponry abroad.”

    “The defendant admitted that he purchased American-made, military-grade firearms and re-exported them to Russia,” said U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella for the Eastern District of New York. “Today’s guilty plea is the culmination of extensive investigative work, showing that this office will not allow merchants of lethal weapons and Russia to flout U.S. sanctions.”

    According to court filings and statements made during the plea proceeding, the defendant is the owner of an arms dealer located in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan (Kyrgyzstan Company-1). Since at least March 2020, the defendant, together with others, has conspired to export firearms controlled by the U.S. Department of Commerce from the United States to Russia. The defendant exported $1,582,836.52 worth of U.S.-manufactured firearms and ammunition from the United States to Russia without the required licenses from the Department of Commerce. In one transaction, he entered into a five‑year, $900,000 contract with a company in the United States (U.S. Company‑1) to purchase and export U.S. Company-1 firearms to Kyrgyzstan. DOC issued a license for U.S. Company-1 to export firearms to Kyrgyzstan Company-1. The license, however, explicitly prohibited the export or re-export of the firearms to Russia. Nevertheless, the defendant exported and re-exported U.S. Company‑1 firearms, including semi‑automatic hybrid rifle-pistols, to Russia via Kyrgyzstan without the necessary approvals.

    According to an export filing, in connection with the defendant’s contract with U.S. Company-1, U.S. Company-1 exported semi-automatic rifles from John F. Kennedy International Airport to Kyrgyzstan Company-1 on or about July 10, 2022. On or about Nov. 14, 2022, the General Director of a Russian company that is a client of the defendant executed a tax form listing the same semi‑automatic rifle‑pistols that U.S. Company‑1 had exported to Kyrgyzstan Company‑1, the defendant’s company. The defendant did not apply for, obtain, or possess a license to export or re-export the semi‑automatic pistol-rifles to Russia.

    The defendant traveled from Kyrgyzstan to the United States on or about Jan. 18, 2025. The defendant traveled to Las Vegas, Nevada, where he attended the Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show to meet with U.S. arms dealers.

    The FBI New York Field Office and U.S. Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security Office of Export Enforcement are investigating the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ellen H. Sise for the Eastern District of New York and Trial Attorney Leslie Esbrook of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case, with assistance from Litigation Analyst Rebecca Roth. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: International Arms Dealer Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Export Firearms to Russia

    Source: United States Attorneys General

    Defendant Unlawfully Exported American-Made Firearms Through JFK International Airport

    Yesterday in federal court in Brooklyn, Sergei Zharnovnikov, 46, of Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit export violations. The defendant exported firearms and ammunition worth over $1.5 million from the United States to Russia, in violation of U.S. law. When sentenced, Zharnovnikov faces up to 20 years in prison.

    “By his own admission, Zharnovnikov willfully violated U.S. export controls to smuggle American-made firearms into Russia,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg. “The National Security Division will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to disrupt illicit arms networks and prosecute those who illegally transfer U.S. weaponry abroad.”

    “The defendant admitted that he purchased American-made, military-grade firearms and re-exported them to Russia,” said U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella for the Eastern District of New York. “Today’s guilty plea is the culmination of extensive investigative work, showing that this office will not allow merchants of lethal weapons and Russia to flout U.S. sanctions.”

    According to court filings and statements made during the plea proceeding, the defendant is the owner of an arms dealer located in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan (Kyrgyzstan Company-1). Since at least March 2020, the defendant, together with others, has conspired to export firearms controlled by the U.S. Department of Commerce from the United States to Russia. The defendant exported $1,582,836.52 worth of U.S.-manufactured firearms and ammunition from the United States to Russia without the required licenses from the Department of Commerce. In one transaction, he entered into a five‑year, $900,000 contract with a company in the United States (U.S. Company‑1) to purchase and export U.S. Company-1 firearms to Kyrgyzstan. DOC issued a license for U.S. Company-1 to export firearms to Kyrgyzstan Company-1. The license, however, explicitly prohibited the export or re-export of the firearms to Russia. Nevertheless, the defendant exported and re-exported U.S. Company‑1 firearms, including semi‑automatic hybrid rifle-pistols, to Russia via Kyrgyzstan without the necessary approvals.

    According to an export filing, in connection with the defendant’s contract with U.S. Company-1, U.S. Company-1 exported semi-automatic rifles from John F. Kennedy International Airport to Kyrgyzstan Company-1 on or about July 10, 2022. On or about Nov. 14, 2022, the General Director of a Russian company that is a client of the defendant executed a tax form listing the same semi‑automatic rifle‑pistols that U.S. Company‑1 had exported to Kyrgyzstan Company‑1, the defendant’s company. The defendant did not apply for, obtain, or possess a license to export or re-export the semi‑automatic pistol-rifles to Russia.

    The defendant traveled from Kyrgyzstan to the United States on or about Jan. 18, 2025. The defendant traveled to Las Vegas, Nevada, where he attended the Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show to meet with U.S. arms dealers.

    The FBI New York Field Office and U.S. Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security Office of Export Enforcement are investigating the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ellen H. Sise for the Eastern District of New York and Trial Attorney Leslie Esbrook of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case, with assistance from Litigation Analyst Rebecca Roth. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Crown of Life and Financial Harvest Announce First NFL Player Affiliation

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    WINTER PARK, Fla., June 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Crown of Life Advisors proudly announces its affiliation with NFL wide receiver Jaylin Lane. Crown of Life is a division of Financial Harvest Wealth Advisors, dedicated to providing personalized wealth management and financial planning services to collegiate and professional athletes. With firsthand insights into the unique demands and decisions athletes face, from NIL to contracts to post-career asset management, Crown of Life takes athletes beyond what is thought possible with their wealth.

    Lane, a former wide receiver at Virginia Tech, was the 26th pick in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. As part of the Washington Commanders, Lane is projected to start immediately as a punter/kick returner and will compete for playing time his first year, most likely as a Slot Receiver or “WR3”. The National Football League Players Association recognized Lane as a Premier Rookie for 2025.

    Kellen H. Williams, Principal and Wealth Advisor at Financial Harvest and co-founder of Crown of Life Advisors, said, “Most advisors see dollar signs when an athlete walks in. I see someone juggling 5 a.m. workouts, game film, memorizing a playbook, and family obligations while attempting to make sense of a signing bonus. By working with our team, Jaylin is well-positioned to focus on this important next step in his life. He can devote his energy to his career, confident that Crown of Life is working in partnership with him now, and for decades ahead.”

    Kellen is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, and holds FINRA Series 7, 66, 9 and 10. He played four years of Division I NCAA football at Vanderbilt University. He is the son of Reggie Williams, an NFL legend, and the brother of state and national championship winners in track and field and wrestling. His older brother is a professional mixed martial artist and coach. “I have an understanding of the athlete’s experience because I have personally witnessed or lived the challenges of elite athletes at every level.”

    Follow Crown of Life Advisors on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.

    About Financial Harvest Wealth Advisors

    David Witter, a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and a Certified Succession Planner™ in partnership with his wife, Katie M. Witter, licensed fiduciary Investment Advisor, Certified Succession Planner™, Wealth Advisor and Strategist, and their carefully curated team of financial industry professionals provide customized, fee-based financial planning and wealth advisory services. Clients typically hold at least $1 million in assets for investment purposes. Financial Harvest is majority owned by women and minorities.

    info@financialharvest.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Micron Elevates PC Performance, Unveils Adaptive Write Technology and G9 QLC NAND

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    A Media Snippet accompanying this announcement is available in this link.

    BOISE, Idaho, June 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — SSDs are vital to enhancing user experience and system performance for PCs and client devices. Micron Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq: MU) today announced the Micron 2600 NVMe™ SSD, a value client storage solution designed for OEMs. Built with the industry’s first 9th-generation QLC NAND in an SSD, the 2600 SSD features Micron’s innovative Adaptive Write Technology™ (AWT) to deliver exceptional PCIe Gen4 performance with QLC economics.1 The Micron 2600 SSD achieves up to 63% faster sequential write and 49% faster random write speeds than competing value QLC and TLC SSDs,2 offering a best-in-class user experience for demanding client users.

    “The Micron 2600 QLC SSD achieves superior performance compared to competitive value TLC drives,” said Mark Montierth, corporate vice president and general manager of the Mobile and Client Business Unit at Micron Technology. “Micron’s unparalleled combination of high-performance G9 NAND and innovative Adaptive Write Technology unlocks the performance previously only considered possible with TLC drives and is in qualification with Micron’s OEM customers. This Micron innovation milestone allows for broader commercial adoption of QLC NAND.”

    Optimized QLC NAND performance 

    Micron AWT improves the write performance of QLC NAND by delivering an industry-first multi-tiered SLC, TLC and QLC dynamic caching architecture to improve sequential write speeds. Improved write performance provides up to four times faster sequential write speeds while continuously writing up to 800GB of data to a 2TB SSD.3

    The cutting-edge six-plane NAND architecture of Micron’s 2Tb G9 QLC NAND allows for higher degrees of parallelism and increases read and write commands issued to the NAND simultaneously to improve performance. With speeds up to 3.6 GB/s, the 2600 SSD offers the fastest NAND I/O rate now shipping in a client SSD.4

    Storage matters
    Powerful PC storage solutions enable improved application productivity and optimized user experience. The Micron 2600 SSD transforms everyday computing experiences, significantly boosting productivity for commonly used applications.

    • Enhanced performance: The 2600 SSD accelerates data access, along with read and write speeds, leading to quicker boot times, faster application launch time and enhanced system responsiveness. Reduced OS image installation time ensures more efficient manufacturing process and fast commercial PC drive imaging for IT departments.
    • AI PC applications: Storage performance is a key contributor to advancements in AI-driven applications. The 2600 SSD’s fast read access allows AI models to be loaded quickly, enabling seamless transitions between tasks.
    • User experience: AWT helps ensure active data is optimally stored in the SSD, resulting in smoother performance for content creation, casual gaming and everyday computing. In PCMark® 10 testing, the 2600 SSD achieved up to 44% better scoring and 43% better bandwidth versus competitive value TLC SSDs, helping demonstrate the excellent user experience provided by the 2600 SSD.5

    The Micron 2600 NVMe SSD is now shipping to OEMs globally in 22x30mm, 22x42mm, and 22x80mm form factors, with capacities ranging from 512GB to 2TB. The variation of smaller form factors, capacity options and a single-sided design is perfect for handhelds, ultra-thin laptops and workstations. For example, the compact 2TB, 22x30mm form factor is ultra-small and high-capacity for use in limited-space designs such as handheld gaming devices.

    For more information, visit the Micron 2600 Client SSD webpage.

    Industry quotes

    “The Micron 2600 QLC SSD is one of the best examples of client storage, bringing high-capacity, efficient and responsive performance to modern computing. As AMD advances processor technology, Micron’s innovations help users get the best possible user experience for everyday applications,” said Joe Macri, senior vice president and chief technology officer of Compute and Graphics at AMD.

    “Building upon Micron’s legacy of NAND innovation, the Micron G9 QLC NAND has the potential to set a new level of performance for QLC NAND. As part of our ongoing collaborative efforts, IBM is eager for the opportunity to integrate this exceptional NAND into our products,” said Alistair Symon, vice president of Storage Systems Development at IBM Storage.

    “The Micron 2600 SSD is a groundbreaking product that showcases the power and potential of Intel’s latest technology. We are excited to see this innovative solution transform the industry and drive new levels of performance for value SSDs on Intel Platforms. Furthermore, the Micron 2600 SSD is now included on Intel’s Platform Component List (PCL),” said Todd Lewellen, vice president of the Client Ecosystem Group at Intel.

    “The Micron 2600 SSD, powered by Phison’s industry-leading E29T controller, supports high NAND flash speeds, redefining user experiences for value-based client SSDs. In the data center storage realm, Micron’s G9 QLC NAND marks a significant technological advancement that will bolster our lightning-fast Pascari enterprise drives,” said K.S. Pua, chief executive officer at Phison.

    “Micron G9 QLC NAND is a substantial leap forward in QLC NAND technology. Pure Storage continues to lead the way in QLC NAND deployment for the enterprise, and now for hyperscale customers. The initiation of the testing and implementation phases for the innovative Micron G9 QLC NAND marks a significant milestone for both companies,” said Bill Cerreta, vice president and general manager of Hyperscale at Pure Storage. 

    Additional resources:

    About Micron Technology, Inc.
    Micron Technology, Inc. is an industry leader in innovative memory and storage solutions, transforming how the world uses information to enrich life for all. With a relentless focus on our customers, technology leadership and manufacturing and operational excellence, Micron delivers a rich portfolio of high-performance DRAM, NAND and NOR memory and storage products through our Micron® and Crucial® brands. Every day, the innovations that our people create fuel the data economy, enabling advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and compute-intensive applications that unleash opportunities — from the data center to the intelligent edge and across the client and mobile user experience. To learn more about Micron Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq: MU), visit micron.com.

    © 2025 Micron Technology, Inc. All rights reserved. Information, products, and/or specifications are subject to change without notice. Micron, the Micron logo, and all other Micron trademarks are the property of Micron Technology, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

    Micron Product and Technology Communications Contact:
    Mengxi Liu Evensen
    +1 (408) 444-2276
    productandtechnology@micron.com

    Micron Investor Relations Contact
    Satya Kumar
    +1 (408) 450-6199
    satyakumar@micron.com

    1 AWT is available on select 2600 SSD SKUs and may not be available from every OEM.

    2 SSD comparisons are based on currently in-production, commonly available 2TB QLC & value TLC NAND client SSDs from the top five competitive suppliers of OEM SSDs by revenue (using 1TB where the supplier does not offer 2TB), excluding consoles and Apple® products, as per Forward Insights analyst report, “SSD Supplier Status Q1/25”. Performance comparisons are based on publicly available data sheet information.

    3 Refers to rated capacity, formatted capacity will be less, 1TB = 1 trillion bytes. AWT accelerates large file transfers for 40% of the SSD capacity based on internal Micron testing results.

    4 Statements are based on publicly available information and Micron lab testing results available at the time of product announcement. NAND analysis based on production NAND from the top five competitive NAND suppliers, as noted in the Forward Insights analyst report, “NAND Quarterly Insights Q1/25.” SSD analysis is based on currently in-production, commonly available 2TB QLC & value TLC client SSDs from the top five competitive suppliers of OEM SSDs by revenue (using 1TB where the supplier does not offer 2TB), excluding consoles and Apple® products, as per Forward Insights analyst report, “SSD Supplier Status Q1/25.”

    5 The PCMark 10 Full System Drive Benchmark suite uses a wide-ranging set of real-world traces from popular applications such as Adobe and Microsoft, along with PC games such as Call of Duty, to fully test common tasks and performance of the fastest modern drives.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Micron Elevates PC Performance, Unveils Adaptive Write Technology and G9 QLC NAND

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    A Media Snippet accompanying this announcement is available in this link.

    BOISE, Idaho, June 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — SSDs are vital to enhancing user experience and system performance for PCs and client devices. Micron Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq: MU) today announced the Micron 2600 NVMe™ SSD, a value client storage solution designed for OEMs. Built with the industry’s first 9th-generation QLC NAND in an SSD, the 2600 SSD features Micron’s innovative Adaptive Write Technology™ (AWT) to deliver exceptional PCIe Gen4 performance with QLC economics.1 The Micron 2600 SSD achieves up to 63% faster sequential write and 49% faster random write speeds than competing value QLC and TLC SSDs,2 offering a best-in-class user experience for demanding client users.

    “The Micron 2600 QLC SSD achieves superior performance compared to competitive value TLC drives,” said Mark Montierth, corporate vice president and general manager of the Mobile and Client Business Unit at Micron Technology. “Micron’s unparalleled combination of high-performance G9 NAND and innovative Adaptive Write Technology unlocks the performance previously only considered possible with TLC drives and is in qualification with Micron’s OEM customers. This Micron innovation milestone allows for broader commercial adoption of QLC NAND.”

    Optimized QLC NAND performance 

    Micron AWT improves the write performance of QLC NAND by delivering an industry-first multi-tiered SLC, TLC and QLC dynamic caching architecture to improve sequential write speeds. Improved write performance provides up to four times faster sequential write speeds while continuously writing up to 800GB of data to a 2TB SSD.3

    The cutting-edge six-plane NAND architecture of Micron’s 2Tb G9 QLC NAND allows for higher degrees of parallelism and increases read and write commands issued to the NAND simultaneously to improve performance. With speeds up to 3.6 GB/s, the 2600 SSD offers the fastest NAND I/O rate now shipping in a client SSD.4

    Storage matters
    Powerful PC storage solutions enable improved application productivity and optimized user experience. The Micron 2600 SSD transforms everyday computing experiences, significantly boosting productivity for commonly used applications.

    • Enhanced performance: The 2600 SSD accelerates data access, along with read and write speeds, leading to quicker boot times, faster application launch time and enhanced system responsiveness. Reduced OS image installation time ensures more efficient manufacturing process and fast commercial PC drive imaging for IT departments.
    • AI PC applications: Storage performance is a key contributor to advancements in AI-driven applications. The 2600 SSD’s fast read access allows AI models to be loaded quickly, enabling seamless transitions between tasks.
    • User experience: AWT helps ensure active data is optimally stored in the SSD, resulting in smoother performance for content creation, casual gaming and everyday computing. In PCMark® 10 testing, the 2600 SSD achieved up to 44% better scoring and 43% better bandwidth versus competitive value TLC SSDs, helping demonstrate the excellent user experience provided by the 2600 SSD.5

    The Micron 2600 NVMe SSD is now shipping to OEMs globally in 22x30mm, 22x42mm, and 22x80mm form factors, with capacities ranging from 512GB to 2TB. The variation of smaller form factors, capacity options and a single-sided design is perfect for handhelds, ultra-thin laptops and workstations. For example, the compact 2TB, 22x30mm form factor is ultra-small and high-capacity for use in limited-space designs such as handheld gaming devices.

    For more information, visit the Micron 2600 Client SSD webpage.

    Industry quotes

    “The Micron 2600 QLC SSD is one of the best examples of client storage, bringing high-capacity, efficient and responsive performance to modern computing. As AMD advances processor technology, Micron’s innovations help users get the best possible user experience for everyday applications,” said Joe Macri, senior vice president and chief technology officer of Compute and Graphics at AMD.

    “Building upon Micron’s legacy of NAND innovation, the Micron G9 QLC NAND has the potential to set a new level of performance for QLC NAND. As part of our ongoing collaborative efforts, IBM is eager for the opportunity to integrate this exceptional NAND into our products,” said Alistair Symon, vice president of Storage Systems Development at IBM Storage.

    “The Micron 2600 SSD is a groundbreaking product that showcases the power and potential of Intel’s latest technology. We are excited to see this innovative solution transform the industry and drive new levels of performance for value SSDs on Intel Platforms. Furthermore, the Micron 2600 SSD is now included on Intel’s Platform Component List (PCL),” said Todd Lewellen, vice president of the Client Ecosystem Group at Intel.

    “The Micron 2600 SSD, powered by Phison’s industry-leading E29T controller, supports high NAND flash speeds, redefining user experiences for value-based client SSDs. In the data center storage realm, Micron’s G9 QLC NAND marks a significant technological advancement that will bolster our lightning-fast Pascari enterprise drives,” said K.S. Pua, chief executive officer at Phison.

    “Micron G9 QLC NAND is a substantial leap forward in QLC NAND technology. Pure Storage continues to lead the way in QLC NAND deployment for the enterprise, and now for hyperscale customers. The initiation of the testing and implementation phases for the innovative Micron G9 QLC NAND marks a significant milestone for both companies,” said Bill Cerreta, vice president and general manager of Hyperscale at Pure Storage. 

    Additional resources:

    About Micron Technology, Inc.
    Micron Technology, Inc. is an industry leader in innovative memory and storage solutions, transforming how the world uses information to enrich life for all. With a relentless focus on our customers, technology leadership and manufacturing and operational excellence, Micron delivers a rich portfolio of high-performance DRAM, NAND and NOR memory and storage products through our Micron® and Crucial® brands. Every day, the innovations that our people create fuel the data economy, enabling advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and compute-intensive applications that unleash opportunities — from the data center to the intelligent edge and across the client and mobile user experience. To learn more about Micron Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq: MU), visit micron.com.

    © 2025 Micron Technology, Inc. All rights reserved. Information, products, and/or specifications are subject to change without notice. Micron, the Micron logo, and all other Micron trademarks are the property of Micron Technology, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

    Micron Product and Technology Communications Contact:
    Mengxi Liu Evensen
    +1 (408) 444-2276
    productandtechnology@micron.com

    Micron Investor Relations Contact
    Satya Kumar
    +1 (408) 450-6199
    satyakumar@micron.com

    1 AWT is available on select 2600 SSD SKUs and may not be available from every OEM.

    2 SSD comparisons are based on currently in-production, commonly available 2TB QLC & value TLC NAND client SSDs from the top five competitive suppliers of OEM SSDs by revenue (using 1TB where the supplier does not offer 2TB), excluding consoles and Apple® products, as per Forward Insights analyst report, “SSD Supplier Status Q1/25”. Performance comparisons are based on publicly available data sheet information.

    3 Refers to rated capacity, formatted capacity will be less, 1TB = 1 trillion bytes. AWT accelerates large file transfers for 40% of the SSD capacity based on internal Micron testing results.

    4 Statements are based on publicly available information and Micron lab testing results available at the time of product announcement. NAND analysis based on production NAND from the top five competitive NAND suppliers, as noted in the Forward Insights analyst report, “NAND Quarterly Insights Q1/25.” SSD analysis is based on currently in-production, commonly available 2TB QLC & value TLC client SSDs from the top five competitive suppliers of OEM SSDs by revenue (using 1TB where the supplier does not offer 2TB), excluding consoles and Apple® products, as per Forward Insights analyst report, “SSD Supplier Status Q1/25.”

    5 The PCMark 10 Full System Drive Benchmark suite uses a wide-ranging set of real-world traces from popular applications such as Adobe and Microsoft, along with PC games such as Call of Duty, to fully test common tasks and performance of the fastest modern drives.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Venezuelan National Residing Unlawfully in the U.S. Indicted on Federal Charges

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    TOLEDO, Ohio – A federal grand jury has returned a four-count indictment charging Anthony Emmanuel Labrador-Sierra, 24, a Venezuelan national residing in Perrysburg, Ohio, with possession of a firearm by an alien unlawfully in the United States, making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm, and making or using false writings or documents.

    According to the indictment, the defendant is accused of submitting a false date of birth to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services on federal applications for Temporary Protective Status and Employment Authorization Documents in 2024 and 2025.

    In the original criminal complaint and underlying affidavit filed May 22, 2025, investigators learned that Perrysburg Schools reported to the Perrysburg Police Department that they received information that Labrador-Sierra, a student attending Perrysburg High School, was actually a 24-year-old man who enrolled under false pretenses.

    The grand jury further charges that Labrador-Sierra was in possession of a Taurus G3C 9mm, semiautomatic pistol, which he did not have lawful status to purchase or own in the United States, and that he submitted false information on the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) Form 4473 to purchase the firearm. Among the alleged false statements the defendant submitted that were intended and likely to deceive the licensed firearms dealer at the point of sale, were that:

    • He was a United States citizen or national.
    • He was not illegally or unlawfully in the United States.
    • He was not an alien who had entered the United States under a nonimmigrant visa.

    If convicted, Labrador-Sierra faces up to 15 years in prison for possession of a firearm by an alien; 10 years in prison for making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm; and up to five years in prison for making or using false writings or documents.

    This case is being investigated by the City of Perrysburg Police Department, United States Border Patrol−Sandusky Bay Station, the FBI Toledo Field Office, and the ATF, with assistance from the Wood County Prosecutor’s Office.

    The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert N. Melching and Tracey Tangeman for the Northern District of Ohio, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Dobson.

    This investigation is ongoing. Anyone with knowledge and information about this matter, please call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or visit fbi.gov/tips.

    An indictment is merely an allegation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Israel bombed an Iraqi nuclear reactor in 1981 − it pushed program underground and spurred Saddam Hussein’s desire for nukes

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Jeffrey Fields, Professor of the Practice of International Relations, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences

    The Osirak nuclear power research station in 1981. Jacques Pavlovsky/Sygma via Getty Images

    Israel, with the assistance of U.S. military hardware, bombs an adversary’s nuclear facility to set back the perceived pursuit of the ultimate weapon. We have been here before, about 44 years ago.

    In 1981, Israeli fighter jets supplied by Washington attacked an Iraqi nuclear research reactor being built near Baghdad by the French government.

    The reactor, which the French called Osirak and Iraqis called Tammuz, was destroyed. Much of the international community initially condemned the attack. But Israel claimed the raid set Iraqi nuclear ambitions back at least a decade. In time, many Western observers and government officials, too, chalked up the attack as a win for nonproliferation, hailing the strike as an audacious but necessary step to prevent Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein from building a nuclear arsenal.

    But the reality is more complicated. As nuclear proliferation experts assess the extent of damage to Iran’s nuclear facilities following the recent U.S. and Israeli raids, it is worth reassessing the longer-term implications of that earlier Iraqi strike.

    The Osirak reactor

    Iraq joined the landmark Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in 1970, committing the country to refrain from the pursuit of nuclear weapons. But in exchange, signatories are entitled to engage in civilian nuclear activities, including having research or power reactors and access to the enriched uranium that drives them.

    The International Atomic Energy Agency is responsible through safeguards agreements for monitoring countries’ civilian use of nuclear technology, with on-the-ground inspections to ensure that civilian nuclear programs do not divert materials for nuclear weapons.

    But to Israel, the Iraqi reactor was provocative and an escalation in the Arab-Israeli conflict.

    Israel believed that Iraq would use the French reactor – Iraq said it was for research purposes – to generate plutonium for a nuclear weapon. After diplomacy with France and the United States failed to persuade the two countries to halt construction of the reactor, Prime Minister Menachem Begin concluded that attacking the reactor was Israel’s best option. That decision gave birth to the “Begin Doctrine,” which has committing Israel to preventing its regional adversaries from becoming nuclear powers ever since.

    Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin addresses the press after the 1981 attack on the Osarik nuclear reactor.
    Israel Press and Photo Agency/Wikimedia Commons

    In spring 1979, Israel attempted to sabotage the project, bombing the reactor core destined for Iraq while it sat awaiting shipment in the French town of La Seyne-sur-Mer. The mission was only a partial success, damaging but not destroying the reactor.

    France and Iraq persisted with the project, and in July 1980 – with the reactor having been delivered – Iraq received the first shipment of highly enriched uranium fuel at the Tuwaitha Nuclear Research Center near Baghdad.

    Then in September 1980, during the initial days of the Iran-Iraq war, Iranian jets struck the nuclear research center. The raid also targeted a power station, knocking out electricity in Baghdad for several days. But a Central Intelligence Agency situation report assessed that “only secondary buildings” were hit at the nuclear site itself.

    It was then Israel’s turn. The reactor was still unfinished and not in operation when on June 7, 1981, eight U.S.-supplied F-16s flew over Jordanian and Saudi airspace and bombed the reactor in Iraq. The attack killed 10 Iraqi soldiers and a French civilian.

    Revisiting the ‘success’ of Israeli raid

    Many years later, U.S. President Bill Clinton commented: “Everybody talks about what the Israelis did at Osirak in 1981, which I think, in retrospect, was a really good thing. You know, it kept Saddam from developing nuclear power.”

    But nonproliferation experts have contended for years that while Saddam may have had nuclear weapons ambitions, the French-built research reactor would not have been the route to go. Iraq would either have had to divert the reactor’s highly enriched uranium fuel for a few weapons or shut the reactor down to extract plutonium from the fuel rods – all while hiding these operations from the International Atomic Energy Agency.

    As an additional safeguard, the French government, too, had pledged to shut down the reactor if it detected efforts to use the reactor for weapons purposes.

    In any event, Iraq’s desire for a nuclear weapon was more aspirational than operational. A 2011 article in the journal International Security included interviews with several scientists who worked on Iraq’s nuclear program and characterized the country’s pursuit of a nuclear weapons capability as “both directionless and disorganized” before the attack.

    Iraq’s program begins in earnest

    So what happened after the strike? Many analysts have argued that the Israeli attack, rather than diminish Iraqi desire for a nuclear weapon, actually catalyzed it.

    Nuclear proliferation expert Målfrid Braut-Hegghammer, the author of the 2011 study, concluded that the Israeli attack “triggered a nuclear weapons program where one did not previously exist.”

    In the aftermath of the attack, Saddam decided to formally, if secretively, establish a nuclear weapons program, with scientists deciding that a uranium-based weapon was the best route. He tasked his scientists with pursuing multiple methods to enrich uranium to weapons grade to ensure success, much the way the Manhattan Project scientists approached the same problem in the U.S.

    In other words, the Israeli attack, rather than set back an existing nuclear weapons program, turned an incoherent and exploratory nuclear endeavor into a drive to get the bomb personally overseen by Saddam and sparing little expense even as Iraq’s war with Iran substantially taxed Iraqi resources.

    From 1981 to 1987, the nuclear program progressed fitfully, facing both organizational and scientific challenges.

    As those challenges were beginning to be addressed, Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1990, provoking a military response from the United States. In the aftermath of what would become Operation Desert Storm, U.N. weapons inspectors discovered and dismantled the clandestine Iraqi nuclear weapons program.

    The Tammuz nuclear reactor was hit again during the 1991 Gulf War.
    Ramzi Haidar/AFP via Getty Images

    Had Saddam not invaded Kuwait over a matter not related to security, it is very possible that Baghdad would have had a nuclear weapon capability by the mid-to-late 1990s.

    Similarly to Iraq in 1980, Iran today is a party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. At the time President Donald Trump withdrew U.S. support in 2018 for the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, colloquially known as the Iran nuclear deal, the International Atomic Energy Agency certified that Tehran was complying with the requirements of the agreement.

    In the case of Iraq, military action on its nascent nuclear program merely pushed it underground – to Saddam, the Israeli strikes made acquiring the ultimate weapon more rather than less attractive as a deterrent. Almost a half-century on, some analysts and observers are warning the same about Iran.

    Jeffrey Fields receives funding from the Carnegie Corporation of New York and Schmidt Futures.

    – ref. Israel bombed an Iraqi nuclear reactor in 1981 − it pushed program underground and spurred Saddam Hussein’s desire for nukes – https://theconversation.com/israel-bombed-an-iraqi-nuclear-reactor-in-1981-it-pushed-program-underground-and-spurred-saddam-husseins-desire-for-nukes-259618

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI: KraneShares KOID ETF: Humanoid Robot Rings Nasdaq Opening Bell

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, June 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Krane Funds Advisors, LLC (“KraneShares”), a global asset management firm recognized for its innovative investment solutions, celebrated the launch of the KraneShares Global Humanoid and Embodied Intelligence Index ETF (Ticker: KOID). The historic event featured the first-ever humanoid robot to ring the iconic Nasdaq Opening Bell.

    “We are thrilled to bring the first humanoid to ring the opening bell at Nasdaq to celebrate our Global Humanoid ETF: KOID,” said Jonathan Krane, CEO of KraneShares. “This event is a testament to the rapid advancements in robotics and artificial intelligence that could transform our world.”

    Humanoid robots are already demonstrating impressive performance in human tasks in both factory and home settings. The Morgan Stanley Global Humanoid Model projects that there could be 1 billion humanoids and $5 trillion in annual revenue by 2050.1

    “Today’s historic bell ringing by a humanoid robot marks a new era for investing in robotics and AI,” said Giang Bui, Head of Equities and ETFs at Nasdaq. “Nasdaq is proud to support KraneShares and the launch of KOID as we celebrate innovation at the heart of global finance.”

    The humanoid robot featured in the bell-ringing ceremony is the Unitree G1 Ultimate, supplied by RoboStore, the official partner of Unitree. RoboStore has been collaborating with Unitree for several years to drive the distribution and development of robotics within the U.S. education system.

    “Robotics, especially humanoids, are on the verge of widespread adoption. The people accelerating this shift include educators and research teams like OpenMind, a Stanford-based group developing open-source robotics software,” said Teddy Haggerty, a representative from RoboStore. “Our goal at RoboStore is to get this technology into the hands of major universities, empowering the next generation of innovators.”

    RoboStore and OpenMind jointly customized the robot, named “Iris,” for the occasion. Iris runs on OM1, OpenMind’s open-source operating system for embodied artificial intelligence, demonstrating advanced autonomy and human interaction. OM1 is set to be integrated into educational curricula nationwide through RoboStore’s programs.

    The Nasdaq Opening Bell Ringing by a Humanoid Robot was a first for the exchange and a testament to the growing impact of robotics across industries.

    For more information on the KraneShares Global Humanoid and Embodied Intelligence Index ETF (Ticker: KOID), please visit https://kraneshares.com/koid or consult your financial advisor.

    About KraneShares

    KraneShares is a specialist investment manager focused on China, Climate, and Alternatives. KraneShares seeks to provide innovative, high-conviction, and first-to-market strategies based on the firm and its partners’ deep investing knowledge. KraneShares identifies and delivers groundbreaking capital market opportunities and believes investors should have cost-effective and transparent tools for attaining exposure to various asset classes. The firm was founded in 2013 and serves institutions and financial professionals globally. The firm is a signatory of the United Nations-supported Principles for Responsible Investment (UN PRI).

    Citations:

    1. “Humanoids: 1bn Robots and $5tn Revenues by 2050, China is in Pole Position” Morgan Stanley Research, 4/28/2025.

    Carefully consider the Funds’ investment objectives, risk factors, charges and expenses before investing. This and additional information can be found in the Funds’ full and summary prospectus, which may be obtained by visiting www.kraneshares.com/koid. Read the prospectus carefully before investing.

    Risk Disclosures:

    Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal. There can be no assurance that a Fund will achieve its stated objectives. Indices are unmanaged and do not include the effect of fees. One cannot invest directly in an index.

    This information should not be relied upon as research, investment advice, or a recommendation regarding any products, strategies, or any security in particular. This material is strictly for illustrative, educational, or informational purposes and is subject to change. Certain content represents an assessment of the market environment at a specific time and is not intended to be a forecast of future events or a guarantee of future results; material is as of the dates noted and is subject to change without notice.

    The Fund may invest in derivatives, which are often more volatile than other investments and may magnify the Fund’s gains or losses. A derivative (i.e., futures/forward contracts, swaps, and options) is a contract that derives its value from the performance of an underlying asset. The primary risk of derivatives is that changes in the asset’s market value and the derivative may not be proportionate, and some derivatives can have the potential for unlimited losses. Derivatives are also subject to liquidity and counterparty risk. The Fund is subject to liquidity risk, meaning that certain investments may become difficult to purchase or sell at a reasonable time and price. If a transaction for these securities is large, it may not be possible to initiate, which may cause the Fund to suffer losses. Counterparty risk is the risk of loss in the event that the counterparty to an agreement fails to make required payments or otherwise comply with the terms of the derivative.

    AI-exposed companies face profitability challenges due to high research costs, competition, IP reliance, and regulatory risk. Product failures or safety concerns could be detrimental. Identifying AI companies accurately is complex. Tech firms face risks of product failure, obsolescence, regulatory impact, and uncertain profitability due to technological advancements and government policies. Certain tech investments may lack current profitability and future success is uncertain. The Fund is subject to non-U.S. issuers risk, which may be less liquid than investments in U.S. issuers, may have less governmental regulation and oversight, are typically subject to different investor protection standards than U.S. issuers, and the economic instability of the non-U.S. countries. Fluctuations in currency of foreign countries may have an adverse effect to domestic currency values. The Fund may invest in Initial Public Offerings (IPOs). Securities issued in IPOs have no trading history, and information about the companies may be available for very limited periods. In addition, the prices of securities sold in IPOs may be highly volatile. In addition, as the Fund increases in size, the impact of IPOs on the Fund’s performance will generally decrease.

    Neither MerQube, Inc. nor any of its affiliates (collectively, “MerQube”) is the issuer or producer of KraneShares Global Humanoid & Embodied Intelligence Index ETF (the “Fund”) and MerQube has no duties, responsibilities, or obligations to investors in The Fund. The index underlying the The Fund is a product of MerQube and has been licensed for use by Krane Funds Advisors, LLC and its affiliates. Such index is calculated using, among other things, market data or other information (“Input Data”) from one or more sources (each a “Data Provider”). MerQube® is a registered trademark of MerQube, Inc. These trademarks have been licensed for certain purposes by Krane Funds Advisors, LLC and its affiliates in its capacity as the issuer of the The Fund. The Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by MerQube, any Data Provider, or any other third party, and none of such parties make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in The Fund particularly, nor do they have any liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions of the Input Data, MerQube Global Humanoid and Embodied Intelligence Index, or any associated data. Neither MerQube nor the Data Providers make any representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the shares of The Fund or to any member of the public, of any kind, including regarding the ability of the MerQube Global Humanoid and Embodied Intelligence Index to track market performance or any asset class. The MerQube Global Humanoid and Embodied Intelligence Index is determined, composed and calculated by MerQube without regard to Krane Funds Advisors, LLC and its affiliates or the The Fund. MerQube and Data Providers have no obligation to take the needs of Krane Funds Advisors, LLC and its affiliates or the owners of The Fund into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the MerQube Global Humanoid and Embodied Intelligence Index. Neither MerQube nor any Data Provider is responsible for and have not participated in the determination of the prices or amount of The Fund or the timing of the issuance or sale of The Fund or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which The Fund is to be converted into cash, surrendered or redeemed, as the case may be. MerQube and Data Providers have no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of The Fund. There is no assurance that investment products based on the MerQube Global Humanoid and Embodied Intelligence Index will accurately track index performance or provide positive investment returns. MerQube is not an investment advisor. Inclusion of a security within an index is not a recommendation by MerQube to buy, sell, or hold such security, nor is it considered to be investment advice.

    NEITHER MERQUBE NOR ANY OTHER DATA PROVIDER GUARANTEES THE ADEQUACY, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE MERQUBE GLOBAL HUMANOID AND EMBODIED INTELLIGENCE INDEX OR ANY DATA RELATED THERETO (INCLUDING DATA INPUTS) OR ANY COMMUNICATION WITH RESPECT THERETO. NEITHER MERQUBE NOR ANY OTHER DATA PROVIDERS SHALL BE SUBJECT TO ANY DAMAGES OR LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR DELAYS THEREIN. MERQUBE AND ITS DATA PROVIDERS MAKE NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND THEY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES, OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE OR AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY KRANE FUNDS ADVISORS, LLC AND ITS AFFILIATES, OWNERS OF THE THE FUND, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE MERQUBE GLOBAL HUMANOID AND EMBODIED INTELLIGENCE INDEX OR WITH RESPECT TO ANY DATA RELATED THERETO. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT WHATSOEVER SHALL MERQUBE OR DATA PROVIDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOSS OF PROFITS, TRADING LOSSES, LOST TIME OR GOODWILL, EVEN IF THEY HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR OTHERWISE. THE FOREGOING REFERENCES TO “MERQUBE” AND/OR “DATA PROVIDER” SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO INCLUDE ANY AND ALL SERVICE PROVIDERS, CONTRACTORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, AND AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVES OF THE REFERENCED PARTY.

    Large capitalization companies may struggle to adapt fast, impacting their growth compared to smaller firms, especially in expansive times. This could result in lower stock returns than investing in smaller and mid-sized companies. In addition to the normal risks associated with investing, investments in smaller companies typically exhibit higher volatility. The Fund is new and does not yet have a significant number of shares outstanding. If the Fund does not grow in size, it will be at greater risk than larger funds of wider bid-ask spreads for its shares, trading at a greater premium or discount to NAV, liquidation and/or a trading halt. Narrowly focused investments typically exhibit higher volatility. The Fund’s assets are expected to be concentrated in a sector, industry, market, or group of concentrations to the extent that the Underlying Index has such concentrations. The securities or futures in that concentration could react similarly to market developments. Thus, the Fund is subject to loss due to adverse occurrences that affect that concentration.

    A large number of shares of the Fund are held by a single shareholder or a small group of shareholders. Redemptions from these shareholders can harm Fund performance, especially in declining markets, leading to forced sales at disadvantageous prices, increased costs, and adverse tax effects for remaining shareholders. KOID is non-diversified.

    ETF shares are bought and sold on an exchange at market price (not NAV) and are not individually redeemed from the Fund. However, shares may be redeemed at NAV directly by certain authorized broker-dealers (Authorized Participants) in very large creation/redemption units. The returns shown do not represent the returns you would receive if you traded shares at other times. Shares may trade at a premium or discount to their NAV in the secondary market. Brokerage commissions will reduce returns. Beginning 12/23/2020, market price returns are based on the official closing price of an ETF share or, if the official closing price isn’t available, the midpoint between the national best bid and national best offer (“NBBO”) as of the time the ETF calculates the current NAV per share. Prior to that date, market price returns were based on the midpoint between the Bid and Ask price. NAVs are calculated using prices as of 4:00 PM Eastern Time.

    The KraneShares ETFs and KFA Funds ETFs are distributed by SEI Investments Distribution Company (SIDCO), 1 Freedom Valley Drive, Oaks, PA 19456, which is not affiliated with Krane Funds Advisors, LLC, the Investment Adviser for the Funds, or any sub-advisers for the Funds.

    Contact:
    KraneShares Investor Relations
    info@kraneshares.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ceb61dcd-df25-411a-a2fb-a19d618441cc

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Press release – European Parliament Press Kit for the European Council of 26 – 27 June 2025

    Source: European Parliament

    European Parliament President Roberta Metsola will represent the European Parliament at the summit, where she will address the heads of state or government at 11.00 and hold a press conference after her speech.

    When: Press conference at around 11.45 on 26 June

    Where: European Council press room and via Parliament’s webstreaming or EbS.

    At their meeting in Brussels, the heads of state or government will focus on ways to bolster EU competitiveness. They will also discuss how the EU can continue supporting Kyiv against Russia’s aggression – with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, how to strengthen the EU’s defence capabilities, and the EU’s response to the escalation in the Middle East. Leaders will also discuss migration and the situation in the Western Balkans.

    Competitiveness

    In a resolution, adopted on Thursday 19 June in response to the European Commission’s Clean Industrial Deal plan, Parliament stresses the need to combine climate action with industrial competitiveness. It underscores the importance of the EU’s newly established industrial decarbonisation bank, which MEPs consider vital for scaling up investment in clean technologies. The resolution addresses the importance of regulatory simplification and the need to streamline permitting procedures to support the transition and innovation efforts of small businesses. MEPs also support the action plan for affordable energy and want measures to boost cross-border energy infrastructure and to complete the energy union.

    On 18 June, MEPs adopted a resolution highlighting the stabilising effect of the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) at a time of significant economic uncertainty in Europe. They note that the RRF prevented the fragmentation of the EU internal market and promoted economic recovery in member states. MEPs are concerned that the short timeframe for the implementation of outstanding RRF funding poses challenges to the completion of key reforms, large-scale investments and innovative projects, as well as the 70% of milestones and targets that have still to be reached. They urge the Commission to set up new programmes, which should be flexible and reactive to changing circumstances and guarantee predictability. MEPs also demand an 18-month extension for ongoing mature projects.

    In a keynote speech at the event “Europe at the crossroads” on 13 May, Parliament President Roberta Metsola outlined her vision for a smarter, stronger and safer Europe. The President argued “the time of hypothetical crossroads is over. There is only one path left: forward and together”. She called for a different Europe, which is more realistic, more self-critical and supportive of its industries, with less regulation and more innovation. On the need to cut back regulation, she said: “Europe’s simplification agenda needs to signal the start of a new Europe and with the upcoming MFF, trigger an economic boom.”

    Further reading

    Clean Industrial Deal must marry industrial competitiveness with climate action

    National recovery plans should add to EU resilience and strategic autonomy

    Metsola calls to “re-launch Europe as a global power”

    MEPs call for a more competitive EU that respects social and labour standards

    Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine

    On 16 June, Parliament debated the human cost of Russia’s war against Ukraine and the urgent need to end Russian aggression, the situation of illegally detained civilians and prisoners of war, and the continued bombing of civilians. You can watch the debate here. Parliament ill vote on a resolution on 9 July.

    On 17 June, MEPs agreed to update the EU-Ukraine road transport agreement and extend it until the end of 2025, to continue facilitating the movement of goods in and out of the country. Concluded in June 2022, the agreement has facilitated the transport of vital goods such as fuel and humanitarian aid into Ukraine, and enabled Ukrainian exports such as grain, ore, and steel to reach the EU and beyond. Set to expire in June 2024, its application continued provisionally pending formal backing by MEPs and the EU Council of its extension until the end of 2025.

    On 22 May, MEPs backed increased tariffs on fertilisers and certain Russian and Belarusian agricultural goods, seeking to reduce EU dependency on those imports. Plenary has endorsed the Commission proposal to increase by 50% EU tariffs on agricultural products from Russia and Belarus that were not yet subject to extra customs duties. The aim is to reduce EU dependence on the two countries still further. Products targeted by the new tariffs include sugar, vinegar, flour and animal feed.

    In a resolution adopted on 8 May, MEPs strongly condemn Russia’s “genocidal strategy”, with the support of Belarus, designed to erase Ukrainian identity. The forced transfer and deportation of Ukrainian children, their illegal adoption, their assassination, and the forced Russification and militarisation must stop. Russia must report the identities and whereabouts of all deported Ukrainian children and ensure their well-being and safe and unconditional return. The Russian authorities must also, MEPs say, allow international organisations, such as the International Committee of the Red Cross, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and UNICEF, access to all deported Ukrainian children.

    On 8 May, MEPs voted to renew the suspension of import duties and quotas for certain imports from Ukraine, such as iron and steel, due to expire on 5 June 2025.With the adoption of the Autonomous Trade Measures (ATM) Regulation, the EU liberalised trade with Ukraine by suspending trade defence measures on 4 June 2022. MEPs have now approved the proposed prolongation of these trade liberalisation measures, which focus steel, to provide Ukraine with vital export revenues

    On 7 May, Parliament discussed with Commission President von der Leyen and Polish Minister for EU Affairs Szłapka how the EU can contribute to achieving a just, sustainable, and comprehensive peace deal for Ukraine. The debate focussed on the EU’s political, financial and military support for Ukraine, and its role in efforts to secure a peace settlement that preserves Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and is based on international law.

    Further reading

    European Parliament backs extension of EU-Ukraine road transport agreement

    Parliament approves new tariffs on Russian and Belarussian agricultural goods

    Parliament backs extension of trade liberalisation measure for Ukrainian imports

    The EU must contribute to robust security guarantees for Ukraine

    Joint statement on the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

    EP Conference of Presidents’ statement on EU support for Ukraine

    How the EU is supporting Ukraine

    EU stands with Ukraine


    European defence and security

    On 18 June, MEPs outlined their expectations for the 24 – 26 June NATO summit in The Hague, Netherlands, in a debate with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.

    On 24 April, the Committees on Industry, Research and Energy and Security and Defence have adopted their position on the proposed creation of a European defence industry programme (EDIP), designed to strengthen Europe’s defence industry, ramp up defence product manufacturing and provide more support for Ukraine. More specifically, MEPs backed measures to boost Europe’s defence technological and industrial base (EDTIB), to strengthen EU defence and integrate the EU defence industry. They want the new programme to focus on improving the supply of weapons, ammunition and other crisis-relevant products, boosting manufacturing capacities and ensuring their ramp-up, reducing lead times for production and delivery, and increasing stockpiles. MEPs and Council are now negotiating the final shape of the law.

    In a resolution adopted on 12 March, Parliament calls on the EU to act urgently and ensure its own security. This will mean, MEPs say, strengthening relationships with like-minded partners, and strongly diminishing reliance on non-EU countries. The EU needs “truly ground-breaking efforts” and actions “close to those of wartime”, say MEPs, who welcomed the recently tabled ReArm plan. To achieve peace and stability in Europe, the EU must support Ukraine and become more resilient itself, MEPs argue. The resolution says “Europe is today facing the most profound military threat to its territorial integrity since the end of the Cold War”. It calls on member states, international partners, and NATO allies to lift all restrictions on the use of Western weapons systems delivered to Ukraine against military targets on Russian territory.

    Further reading

    MEPs push for a more ambitious European defence industry programme

    MEPs urge the EU to ensure its own security

    “We cannot afford to depend on others to keep us safe”, Metsola tells EU leaders

    “Europe must be responsible for its own security”, Metsola tells EU leaders

    MEPs call on Europe to strengthen its defence capacity

    Rutte to MEPs: “We are safe now, we might not be safe in five years”


    Middle East

    On 17 June, MEPs and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas debated the situation in the Middle East. The debate focussed on the risk of further instability in the Middle East following the Israel-Iran military escalation, the review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

    On 17 June, the King of Jordan, His Majesty Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein, addressed MEPs at a formal sitting in Strasbourg. Welcoming King Abdullah II of Jordan to the hemicycle, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said: “The European Parliament appreciates Jordan’s critical efforts in reducing regional tensions, in pushing for a ceasefire in Gaza and for the return of hostages whilst also facilitating so much urgently needed humanitarian aid, as well as for the unwavering support for Palestinian and Syrian refugees and a two-State solution as a path to lasting peace.”

    The King outlined two essential areas for action: first, supporting development, because a thriving Middle East creates opportunities that benefit us all; and second, strong, coordinated action to ensure global security. “Our mutual security won’t be assured until our global community acts, not only to end the three-year war in Ukraine, but also the world’s longest and most destructive flashpoint, the eight-decade-long Palestinian-Israeli conflict.” King Abdullah II added: “Palestinians, like all people, deserve the rights to freedom, sovereignty, and, yes, statehood (…) The path to peace has been walked before. It can be again, if we have the courage to choose it, and the will to walk it together.”

    On 21 May, Parliament discussed the EU’s response to the Israeli government’s plan to seize the Gaza Strip, ensuring effective humanitarian support and the liberation of hostages.

    Further reading

    King Abdullah II of Jordan: “A shameful version of humanity is unfolding in Gaza”

    The EU must support the political transition and reconstruction of Syria


    Western Balkans

    In a vote on 24 June, the Foreign Affairs Committee backed North Macedonia’s EU path and called for bold reforms. Skopje must introduce constitutional changes, strengthen rule of law and fight corruption, MEPs say. The report underlines that EU accession is ultimately a matter of political will—both in enacting reforms and adopting constitutional amendments. MEPs call on all political parties in North Macedonia to engage in constructive dialogue to reach the required consensus, which would strengthen the country’s multi-ethnic character and accelerate EU progress.

    In two reports adopted on 18 June, MEPs welcomed Montenegro´s objective to join the EU in 2028 and praised Moldova’s EU membership efforts. Parliament is calling for political stability in Montenegro and substantial progress regarding electoral and judicial reforms as well as the fight against organised crime and corruption. MEPs stress that Montenegro remains the leading candidate in the EU enlargement process and point to the overwhelming support of its citizens and the majority of political actors for joining the EU in 2028. Parliament welcomes the country’s full alignment with the EU’s common foreign and security policy, including EU sanctions against Russia, and commends Montenegro for its support for the international rules-based order at the United Nations.

    Praising Moldova’s exemplary commitment to advancing its progress towards EU membership, Parliament recognises that EU-Moldova relations have entered a new phase. Cooperation has intensified alongside sustained efforts by the government in Chișinău to align Moldova’s laws with those of the EU (the so-called “EU acquis”). Despite significant internal and external challenges, such as the effects of Russia’s continuing war against neighbouring Ukraine and Moscow’s interference in Moldova’s democratic processes, MEPs are encouraged by the Moldovan government’s progress on meeting the EU’s enlargement requirements and the country’s ambition to open negotiations on more enlargement-related issues.

    In a report adopted on 4 June, the Foreign Affairs Committee has praised Albania’s steadfast commitment to EU accession. MEPs highlight Albania’s broad political consensus and strong public support for joining the EU, alongside full alignment with the EU’s foreign and security policy. While welcoming Albania’s aim to complete accession talks by 2027 and the progress already made, MEPs stress the urgent need to intensify reforms. Key priorities include strengthening judicial independence, combating corruption and organised crime, and protecting fundamental rights. Enhancing media pluralism and transparency remains crucial to building public trust. Plenary will vote on the report on 9 July.

    The Foreign Affairs Committee called urgently for reform and unity in Bosnia and Herzegovina to advance EU accession and tackle corruption and division, in a report adopted on 4 June. MEPs reaffirm their strong support for BiH’s EU accession bid, emphasising a merit-based process aligned with the Copenhagen criteria and grounded in the country’s unity, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and in equality among all citizens. Welcoming the European Council’s decision to open accession negotiations with BiH amid the changing geopolitical landscape following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the committee acknowledged key reforms but expressed concern over stalled progress and weak implementation. The vote in plenary is scheduled for 9 July.

    On 7 May, Parliament adopted two resolutions, saying Kosovo needs to accelerate its EU-related reforms and that Serbia must do more to protect the rule of law and media freedom and to fight corruption.

    Kosovo has made notable strides in its electoral reforms, economic resilience, and the protection of fundamental rights, say MEPs. However, challenges remain regarding judicial reforms, media freedom, public administration efficiency, and the digitalisation of public services. Continued commitment to comprehensive reforms and inclusive governance is essential for Kosovo to make progress on its European integration pathway, they stress.

    Despite some progress in negotiations, Serbia still has major hurdles to overcome, according to MEPs. Belgrade needs to improve its internal political dialogue, protect the rule of law, and make anti-corruption reforms. It also has to work on reaching a comprehensive normalisation agreement with Kosovo, and fully align with EU foreign policy. Parliament calls on Serbia’s authorities to ensure the independence of key institutions, including media regulators such as the country’s Regulatory Authority for Electronic Media.

    Further reading

    European Parliament backs North Macedonia’s EU path, calls for bold reforms

    Montenegro and Moldova: MEPs applaud EU membership progress

    MEPs call on Albania to accelerate reforms and strengthen democratic institutions

    Support for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s EU accession amid urgent calls for reform

    Parliament encourages Kosovo and Serbia to advance their EU accession reforms


    Migration

    On 18 June, Civil Liberties Committee MEPs backed proposals to give Europol and EU authorities more tools to fight migrant-smuggling and human trafficking. The proposed law would give the EU’s police agency Europol new tools to combat and investigate migrant-smuggling and human trafficking by coordinating the actions of EU national authorities. A European Centre Against Migrant Smuggling (ECAMS) would be formally established within Europol to support cross-border investigations. . Parliament and Council are now negotiating on the final shape of the law.

    On 19 May, Parliament and Council reached an agreement on gradually rolling out the Entry-Exit System (EES) at the EU’s external borders. Once operational, the system will register the data, including biometric data such as facial images and fingerprints, of third‑country nationals entering and leaving the Schengen area on short‑stay visas. The aim is to improve security, speed up the border check process, and reduce queues. The idea behind the gradual implementation over 180 days is to prevent a simultaneous launch in all countries from compromising the system. During the roll-out period, the launch could be temporarily suspended if waiting times become too long or there are technical issues. The vote in plenary will take place on 8 July.

    On 15 January, the Working Group on Asylum-Implementation of the Pact/CEAS (Common European Asylum System), formed by MEPs of all EP political groups, started to monitor the implementation of the EU Pact on Asylum and Migration. Chaired by Birgit Sippel (S&D, Germany), the Working Group will focus on scrutinising and monitoring the Common European Asylum System and the implementation of the Pact on Asylum and Migration.

    Further reading

    Migrant-smuggling: new resources and a stronger role for Europol

    Border security: agreement on gradual roll-out of Entry-Exit System

    MEPs kick off scrutiny work of the Asylum and Migration Pact

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Helping crisis-hit communities in the Democratic Republic of Congo

    Source: Scottish Government

    Scotland’s Humanitarian Emergency Fund activated.

    Oxfam Scotland and Tearfund have welcomed Scottish Government funding to deliver life-saving humanitarian aid in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) where millions of people face hunger, insecurity and the devastating impacts of violence and forced displacement.

    Since January, more than three million people in the DRC have been forced to flee their homes as fighting by armed groups intensifies and humanitarian needs increase exponentially, triggering one of the world’s most urgent and complex crises.

    The £250,000 provided through the Humanitarian Emergency Fund (HEF) will be distributed to Oxfam Scotland and Tearfund, and through local partners, to support emergency relief efforts across eastern DRC – helping families pay for essentials such as food, fuel, shelter or hygiene items, as well as accessing urgent medical care, trauma services and safe transport.

    External Affairs Secretary Angus Robertson said:

    “The humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo is on a scale we can hardly imagine here in Scotland. Successive waves of violence are claiming the lives of civilians, including children, with millions forced to flee to temporary accommodation where conditions are deteriorating.

    “The situation is being worsened by the scaling back of humanitarian assistance by other international donors. While our funding may only make a small impact in the face of such overwhelming need, we are determined to stand behind our values and Scotland’s long and proud history of responding to humanitarian crises around the world.”

    Manenji Mangundu, Oxfam Scotland’s Country Director in the Democratic Republic of Congo, said:

    “Every day, our partners and colleagues are meeting mothers who’ve walked for miles with nothing but their children in their arms, desperately searching for safety. They’ve lost everything: their homes, their loved ones, their hope of a normal life. The scale of human suffering here is staggering.

    “The recent cuts to humanitarian funding have been devastating. We’ve had to make impossible choices about who gets clean water, medicine, or even a place to sleep.

    “That’s why support from the Scottish Government is so vital. With our local partner, it’s helping us reach people who would otherwise be left with nothing. But with millions still in desperate need, we urgently need other governments and donors to follow Scotland’s lead. Now is the time to step up, not step back.”

    Poppy Anguandia, Tearfund’s Country Director for the DRC, said:

    “We are incredibly grateful for this vital funding, which arrives at a critical time for communities in North Kivu. The intensification of conflict has led to widespread displacement and immense suffering, with many returnees in Malehe finding their homes destroyed and livelihoods lost.

    “This support will enable us to provide immediate, life-saving assistance where it’s needed most, directly addressing urgent needs for food and basic essentials for 925 conflict-affected households through multipurpose cash assistance, while also tackling the alarming rise in gender-based violence for 9,000 individuals through community awareness and support sessions.”

    Background

    The Humanitarian Emergency Fund (HEF) is an annual £1 million fund provided by the Scottish Government to respond to overseas humanitarian emergencies. The aim of the HEF is to provide immediate and effective assistance to reduce the threat to life and wellbeing (e.g., hunger, disease or death) for a large number of a population caused by disasters, disease or conflict.

    The HEF is administered by the Disasters Emergency Committee, and since its establishment in 2017, has been supported by a panel of representatives from eight leading humanitarian organisations in Scotland; Oxfam, The British Red Cross, Islamic Relief, Tearfund, Save the Children, Christian Aid, SCIAF and Mercy Corps. 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Security: KC Man Pleads Guilty for Computer Hacking

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., man has pleaded guilty for hacking into the computer system at an area nonprofit.

    Nicholas Michael Kloster, 32, admitted during his plea that he caused reckless damage to a protected computer owned by an area nonprofit during unauthorized access. Kloster admitted that he entered the premises of a nonprofit corporation on May 20, 2024. Kloster entered an area that is not available to the public and accessed a computer with access to the company’s network.

    Kloster specifically admitted that he utilized a boot disk to access the computer through multiple user accounts. By accessing the computer in this manner, Kloster was able to circumvent the password requirements by changing the password assigned to one or more users. Kloster was then able to install a virtual private network on this computer. Since Kloster’s intrusion into its computer and its network, the company has sustained significant losses in an attempt to remediate the effects from this intrusion.

    Under federal statutes, Kloster is subject to a sentence of up to five years’ imprisonment in federal prison without parole, a fine of up to $250,000, up to three years of supervised release, and an order of restitution. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

    This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicholas Heberle and Patrick D. Daly. It was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department.

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    MIL Security OSI –