espionage
Coverage of espionage in the Nexus archive.
- Keep out of China's clutches, Taiwan's president tells military cadets
Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te warned military cadets to resist Chinese espionage and defend freedom and democracy, citing a Cold War-era college established to counter communism. Taiwan reports increased Chinese espionage cases, particularly in its armed forces.
- Japan says that China has detained 2 of its citizens suspected of smuggling banned items
Japan reports China detained two of its citizens suspected of smuggling banned items, potentially linked to rare earths. Chinese authorities confirmed the detentions but provided no details, while Japanese officials emphasized privacy and ongoing investigations. The case adds to strained bilateral relations, which have been affected by previous disputes over exports and espionage charges.
- Why Human Intelligence Matters More in an AI World
The article argues that while AI will transform espionage by automating technical intelligence tasks, the scarcity and irreplaceability of human intelligence (HUMINT) will increase its marginal value. AI-generated disinformation and deepfakes will make electronic communications less trustworthy, elevating the importance of secure, in-person methods like dead drops and human sources for validation.
- Taiwan launches website for Chinese nationals to report intelligence
Taiwan’s government launched a website to encourage Chinese nationals to report intelligence, citing increased espionage and public discontent in China. The initiative, modeled after tactics used by the US, UK, and Israel, offers a secure channel for information sharing, while China has similarly established an email for reporting Taiwan-related crimes.
- UC Berkeley doctoral student accused of espionage, Chinese authorities say
A UC Berkeley doctoral student is accused of espionage by Chinese authorities, following a meeting between President Donald Trump and Xi Jinping aimed at stabilizing U.S.-China relations and addressing disputes over Taiwan, Iran, and regional security.
- UC Berkeley doctoral student accused of espionage, Chinese authorities say
A UC Berkeley doctoral student, who was a dissident from Myanmar and traveled to China for academic purposes, is accused of espionage by Chinese authorities.
- UC Berkeley doctoral student accused of espionage, Chinese authorities say
A UC Berkeley doctoral student, who was a dissident from Myanmar and traveled to China for academic purposes, is accused of espionage by Chinese authorities.
- China arrests a U.S. scholar with a history of Myanmar activism, suspected of spying
China's government arrested U.S. scholar Min Zin, who leads a think tank focused on Myanmar, on suspicion of espionage and endangering Chinese national security. The scholar has a history of activism related to Myanmar.
- Beijing confirms arrest of US citizen Min Zin on espionage charges
Beijing has confirmed the arrest of US citizen Min Zin, a political analyst at a Myanmar-focused think tank, on suspicion of espionage and endangering national security. The foreign ministry stated he was placed under criminal detention in accordance with the law.
- US scholar with history of activism in Myanmar arrested in China on suspicion of espionage
An American scholar, Min Zin, was arrested in China on suspicion of espionage. He is associated with Myanmar and Chinese foreign policy research and has a history of activism in Myanmar's 1988 uprising.
- US scholar with history of activism in Myanmar arrested in China on suspicion of espionage
Chinese authorities have arrested an American scholar on suspicion of espionage. The scholar has a history of activism in Myanmar.
- US-Israel: What are the allegations of espionage all about?
The Pentagon has reportedly elevated Israel's espionage threat level to the US to its highest internal category. Both the US and Israel officially deny the allegations, though the issue remains controversial due to the war in Iran.
- Politically motivated crimes in Germany reach record high
Politically motivated crimes in Germany reached a record high in 2025, with right-wing perpetrators accounting for nearly half of cases and left-wing crimes surging by 42%. Espionage-related crimes also rose sharply by 558%, attributed to foreign intelligence activities.
- Pentagon said to raise threat level on Israel spying to ‘critical’
The Pentagon has raised the threat level regarding espionage in Israel to 'critical' amid increased espionage activity linked to the US-Israeli war with Iran and ongoing ceasefire talks.
- New Threat Cluster OP-512 Targets Microsoft IIS Servers with Custom Web Shell Framework
Cybersecurity researchers identified a new threat cluster named OP-512 targeting Microsoft IIS servers with a custom web shell framework. ReliaQuest links the espionage-focused activity to China with moderate to high confidence.
- Hackers Spied on a Stock Exchange Executive's Outlook Mailbox for Five Months
Hackers accessed a senior executive's Outlook mailbox at a major global stock exchange for five months, using Dropbox and OneDrive to exfiltrate inbox data in small batches. Symantec and Carbon Black's Threat Hunter Team identified the campaign as espionage-related, not financially motivated.
- Family say British couple jailed in Iran have lost appeal against convictions
A British couple, Craig and Lindsay Foreman, have lost an appeal against their 10-year espionage convictions in Iran, which they deny. Their family confirmed the appeal failure, following their February sentencing.
- British couple held in Iran lose appeal against 10-year prison sentence
British couple Craig and Lindsay Foreman remain imprisoned in Iran after losing an appeal against their 10-year prison sentence on espionage charges. Their family was not allowed to attend the appeal hearing.
- British couple jailed in Iran for 10 years for 'espionage' lose appeal against sentences, distraught family says
A British couple has been sentenced to 10 years in Iran for espionage after losing their appeal. Their family described the outcome as distressing.
- Katie Price's husband Lee Andrews was 'arrested over a private civil matter' after claims he was detained for espionage - as he's due 'to be released next week'
Katie Price's husband Lee Andrews was arrested over a private civil matter, refuting claims of espionage. He is expected to be released next week.
- Katie Price reveals she's FOUND husband Lee Andrews and says he called her from Dubai prison claiming he's been detained on 'suspicion of espionage'
Katie Price revealed she has found her husband Lee Andrews, who is detained in Dubai prison. He claimed he was arrested on suspicion of espionage.
- Spy chief warns Russia 'is relentlessly targeting the UK'
The UK's spy chief has issued a warning that Russia is persistently targeting the country, highlighting ongoing cyber and espionage threats. The statement underscores heightened concerns over Russian intelligence activities in the UK.
- Iran hangs man over alleged spying for Israel as executions mount
Iran executed Gholamreza Khani Shakarab, accusing him of being an operational leader of Mossad abroad. The execution occurs amid a rise in Iran's death penalty cases.
- China says engineer jailed for 15 years was lured into sending aerospace secrets overseas
An aerospace engineer surnamed Zhu was sentenced to 15 years in prison for espionage after allegedly leaking aerospace secrets overseas. He worked in classified roles within aerospace and defense research institutes and graduated from a top university with a PhD in 2018. Chinese state media emphasized the critical role of the aerospace industry in national security.
- US author and son of Texas politician charged with helping to provide classified information to China
A US author and son of a Texas politician has been charged with aiding China by providing classified information. The case involves allegations of espionage and national security violations.
- Iran executes first man accused of espionage during current war with US and Israel
Mojtaba Kian was executed in Iran for espionage related to sharing defense information during the nearly 40-day conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran. This marks the first such execution in the Islamic Republic since the ongoing war began.
- Austrian spy found guilty of giving secrets to Wirecard fugitive
An ex-Austrian intelligence officer named Egisto Ott was convicted of passing state secrets to a fugitive Wirecard executive. He received a prison sentence of over four years for spying, abuse of office, bribery, and embezzlement. The case has prompted Austrian authorities to strengthen espionage regulations.
- Trump says he and Xi talked US, Chinese cyberattacks, spying
Trump reported that he and Chinese President Xi Jinping discussed cybersecurity issues, including US and Chinese cyberattacks and spying activities. The conversation appears to address bilateral concerns about cyber operations between the two nations.
- Mustang Panda’s New LOTUSLITE Variant Targets India Banks, South Korea Policy Circles
Cybersecurity researchers have identified a new variant of the LOTUSLITE malware, distributed via a theme targeting India's banking sector and South Korea's policy circles. The malware uses HTTPS to communicate with a dynamic DNS-based command-and-control server, enabling remote shell access, file operations, and espionage-focused capabilities.
- I spied on America for Israel. But even I must admit that Netanyahu misled Trump about Iran... this is the Jewish state's real plan: JONATHAN POLLARD
The article claims Jonathan Pollard, an American-Israeli spy, exposed Israeli deception of Trump regarding Iran. It alleges Netanyahu misled Trump about Iran's nuclear intentions, revealing Israel's covert strategy.
- Britons warned about Russian hackers targeting internet routers for espionage
Russian hackers are exploiting common internet routers for espionage, potentially stealing user credentials and redirecting them to fake sites. The UK cybersecurity agency warns Britons to remain vigilant against such threats, with expert Alan Woodward highlighting the risks.
- Former Defense Contractor Sentenced to Over 10 Years in Prison for Attempted Espionage
John Murray Rowe Jr., a former defense contractor from Lead, South Dakota, was sentenced to 126 months in prison for attempted espionage. He will also serve three years of supervised release and pay a $25,000 fine. The case involves serious national security violations by a contractor with access to sensitive defense information.
- Department of State Employee Sentenced for Transmitting National Defense Information to Suspected Chinese Government Agents
A U.S. Department of State employee has been sentenced to 48 months in prison for conspiring to collect and transmit national defense information to individuals he believed were working for the Chinese government. The case highlights espionage and breach of national security protocols by a federal employee.
- U.S. Navy Sailor Convicted of Spying for China
Jinchao Wei, an active-duty U.S. Navy sailor stationed at Naval Base San Diego, was convicted of espionage and export violations for attempting to sell Navy secrets to a Chinese intelligence officer. The case represents a significant breach of national security involving classified military information.
- Active-Duty Soldier Arrested and Charged with Espionage and Export Violations
Taylor Adam Lee, a 22-year-old active-duty soldier from El Paso, Texas, was arrested and charged with attempting to transmit national defense information to a foreign adversary and illegally exporting controlled technical data. The charges indicate a serious breach of military security protocols and national export control regulations.
- Former JBLM Soldier Pleads Guilty to Attempting to Share Military Secrets with China
Former Joint Base Lewis-McChord soldier Joseph Daniel Schmidt pleaded guilty to two federal felonies for attempting to share military secrets with China. The case involves espionage charges related to unauthorized disclosure of classified military information.
- Former U.S. Army Intelligence Analyst Sentenced for Selling Sensitive Military Information to Individual Tied to Chinese Government
A former U.S. Army intelligence analyst was sentenced to 84 months in prison for conspiring to sell sensitive military information to someone affiliated with the Chinese government. The case involves unauthorized transmission of classified national defense information. This represents a significant breach of U.S. security protocols.
- Florida Telecommunications and Information Technology Worker Sentenced for Conspiring to Act as Agent of Chinese Government
Ping Li, a 59-year-old Florida telecommunications and IT worker, was sentenced to 48 months in prison for conspiring to act as an agent of the Chinese government. He was also ordered to pay $250,000 in fines and serve three years of supervised release following his conviction.