'Since the release of Mythos and the promotion around Project Glasswing, we have seen a more widely publicised expression of a growing pattern in the AI industry, ... the gatekeeping of model releases under the premise of security concerns.' writes @lmhurel.bsky.social in the latest RUSI Commentary.

Gatekeeping the Frontier: When AI Access Becomes a National Security Concern

The export controls directive limiting access to Anthropic's latest AI models may be the tip of the spear, securitising development in the industry.

rusi.org

Curious about a cyber case where opacity, rather than clarity, may be the point? Join our 2nd Winter/Spring Colloquium session: @lmhurel.bsky.social (RUSI) on recent US operations & how layered ambiguity may shape contemporary conflict.🗓️1 April | 4PM CET Sign up: virtual-routes.org/event/layere...

New research by @lmhurel.bsky.social and Prerana Joshi shows cyber attribution in the Global South isn’t binary, but a spectrum shaped by politics, economics and risk, challenging Western assumptions about ‘naming and shaming’ as a universal tool of cyber statecraft.

Public Cyber Attribution in the Global South: Indo-Pacific

Global South approaches to public cyber attribution are more cautious than Western approaches, due to factors including cultural background, foreign policy goals and perceptions of western double stan...

rusi.org

For our latest RUSI Commentary we have brought together a series of experts to reflect on different aspects of the US National Cyber Strategy. Experts: @piahuesch.bsky.social @lmhurel.bsky.social Dr Gareth Mott Erica D Lonergan James A. Lewis (@csis.org) Conrad Prince CB

Brief, Bold and Beautiful? Reactions on the US National Cyber Strategy

The long-awaited US National Cyber Strategy has just been published, and it's five pages of content have raised considerable questions about how ambition will translate into practice.

rusi.org

Some of my initial thoughts for @rusi.bsky.social on a seven areas we should keep in mind when assessing the use of cyber capabilities in the context of the US-Israeli operations in Iran + where we should just please drop the 🔮. 🧵

RUSI@rusi.bsky.social · 5mo ago

'uncertainty remains over when and how Iranian cyber activity could expand to directly target the US homeland and its allies, although many are already on alert.’ Writes @lmhurel.bsky.social in the latest #RUSICommentary.

'uncertainty remains over when and how Iranian cyber activity could expand to directly target the US homeland and its allies, although many are already on alert.’ Writes @lmhurel.bsky.social in the latest #RUSICommentary.

Fog, Proxies and Uncertainty: Cyber in US-Israeli Operations in Iran

As Operations Epic Fury and Roaring Lion develop, several dimensions of cyber activity demand attention and careful qualification.

rusi.org

'Most governments do not disclose offensive cyber operations. Boasting about capabilities is not the usual game' writes @lmhurel.bsky.social in the latest RUSI Commentary.

Layered Ambiguity: US Cyber Capabilities in the Raid to Extract Maduro from Venezuela

The US operation to remove Maduro succeeded despite fundamental ambiguity about what cyber delivered but that opacity has strategic consequences.

rusi.org

🎄Merry Christmas from all of us at RUSI!

Had a marvellous time speaking at Oxford Analytica’s Global Horizons Conference about AI supply chains, tech-trade competition, US-China relations, and the role of AI in the offense-defence balance in cybersecurity w @kellolucas.bsky.social Eduardo Plastino and @tatiabolkvadze.bsky.social.

The Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG) on cybersecurity recently concluded a five-year negotiation on how nations should behave in cyberspace. Experts who have been tracking these talks offer their insights on the group's progress and what the future holds for the OEWG's goals and themes.

The Rules of the Road in Cyberspace, 10 Years Later

For five years, the Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG) on cybersecurity has negotiated key thematic areas which can undermine international stability. Experts following these negotiations weigh in on the...

rusi.org

“This innovation equips drones with side-mounted rocket boosters, enabling them to perform abrupt, high-G maneuvers just seconds before a missile or interceptor strikes. The result: a dramatic increase in the odds that these drones can evade destruction and complete their missions.”

China’s Drone Swarms Gain Advanced Evasion Capabilities: The Next Phase of the Global Drone Arms Race

China’s Breakthrough in Drone Swarm Evasion: A New Era in WarfareChina’s military drone program has taken a dramatic leap forward with the unveiling of a new “terminal evasion” technology, a develo…

asiadaily.org

'Cyber attribution is rarely a binary decision. States do not simply jump from silence to confrontation' writes @lmhurel.bsky.social in the latest RUSI Commentary on the implications of Singapore calling out a Chinese-linked cyber threat actor group for the first time.

What Singapore's First Public Cyber Attribution Tells Us

For the first time, Singapore has called out a China-linked cyber threat actor group, to the chagrin of Asia's regional hegemon.

rusi.org

Fiona Hill, a former aide to President Trump, recently returned to her roots in northeastern England, advising Britain on defense. She still has her eye on global threats.

Fiona Hill on Trump, Putin and Why Great Powers Fall

The former White House aide recently returned to her roots, advising Britain on defense and taking a role at Durham University in northeastern England. She still has her eye on global threats.

trib.al

Had a great time sitting down with @ciaranm.bsky.social @euben.bsky.social to discuss ‘The Evolution of Chinese Cyber Statecraft’ in a conversation chaired by Conrad Prince. The recording of our @rusi.bsky.social event is now available here: www.rusi.org/research-eve...

The UK’s new National Security Strategy reaffirms its ambition to spend 5% of GDP on natsec in line with NATO—but beyond headlines, what’s actually changing in UK security thinking? My @rusi.bsky.social colleagues and I unpack the narratives on cyber, military, economic, and geopolitical strategy.👇🏻

RUSI@rusi.bsky.social · last yr.

The release of the National Security Strategy lays out a troubling picture of the UK's place in an increasing hostile and volatile world. RUSI experts offer their reaction to the major strategic document, and the light it sheds on the Britain's response.

The UK’s new National Security Strategy reaffirms its ambition to spend 5% of GDP on natsec in line with NATO—but beyond headlines, what’s actually changing in UK security thinking? My @rusi.bsky.social colleagues and I unpack the narratives on cyber, military, economic, and geopolitical strategy.👇🏻

RUSI@rusi.bsky.social · last yr.

The release of the National Security Strategy lays out a troubling picture of the UK's place in an increasing hostile and volatile world. RUSI experts offer their reaction to the major strategic document, and the light it sheds on the Britain's response.

Iran executed Mohammad-Amin Mahdavi-Shayesteh, accused of leading “a cyber team linked to Mossad under the guise of an immigration consultancy, and reportedly met Mossad agents in a neighbouring country.” on.ft.com/4eeUBjj

Iranian paramilitaries go on the hunt for Mossad agents

Islamic republic’s Basij force has spearheaded crackdown in which hundreds of alleged collaborators have been arrested

on.ft.com

A better quality version of the cartoon

I (almost) entirely agree with this. A lot, but not all of the narrative around AI is hype. Caveat: I’m not an AI specialist but like a lot of cyber experts I get annoyed with AI hype distracting people from fixing long-standing problems with the tech we already have. Anyway. A few thoughts: 🧵 1/

A timely piece on the cyber/hybrid dimensions of Operation Sindoor by Sameer Patil for @rusi.bsky.social. "The recent conflict between 🇮🇳🇵🇰was another instance of cyber warfare in parallel w kinetic attacks, w increased activity in the info space." www.rusi.org/explore-our-...

Operation Sindoor and India-Pakistan’s Escalated Rivalry in Cyberspace

The recent conflict between India and Pakistan was another instance of cyber warfare in parallel with kinetic attacks, with increased activity in the information space.

rusi.org

Predatory Sparrow has dumped the Nobitex crytpo platform source code on Telegram They previously stole $90mil worth of assets in a hack yesterday t.me/gonjeshkdara...

Super interesting to see how Trump’s second term has been legitimising or at least stimulating a sort of ‘Silicon Valley patriotism’. US army’s new ‘Detachment 201’ initiative is recruiting senior tech executives to serve part-time in the Army Reserve. www.army.mil/article/2863...

📺No longer a Western monopoly, public cyber attribution is now used by diverse nations like China, Iran, Venezuela, and Ethiopia for their own strategic gains. @lmhurel.bsky.social explores how their clashing narratives risk eroding trust in fostering responsible cyberspace behaviour: bit.ly/4jovhZ2

Just read a CTI/threat actor blog that used the word "sophisticated" FOUR TIMES in the first paragraph.

a man sits at a desk in front of a computer and a bulletin board with a map on it

ALT: a man sits at a desk in front of a computer and a bulletin board with a map on it

media.tenor.com

To truly grasp responsible cyber behaviour, we must look beyond UN discussions and Western perspectives, taking into account the significant influence of cultural values, regional alliances, and domestic factors. Our new paper by @lmhurel.bsky.social offers that broader conceptual lens.

🧵🚨New RUSI paper, "New Ways to Frame Responsible Cyber Behaviour Beyond the UN", by @lmhurel.bsky.social, which argues that understanding Responsible Cyber Behaviour (RCB) requires looking beyond the UN framework is out now!

China’s rare earths controls prompt fears of auto shortages and shutdowns “It’s a form of retaliation where the 🇨🇳 government can say ‘OK, we’re not going to go tit-for-tat any more on the tariff rate but we will hurt you 🇺🇸 & incentivise companies to plead to change tariff policy’” on.ft.com/42ujjqk

China’s rare earths controls prompt fears of auto shortages and shutdowns

Traders and executives warn of limited inventories and a risk of disruption to automotive production

on.ft.com

OpenAI and SoftBank weigh UK investment for Stargate AI project. While the focus remains on American infrastructure, investment in the UK has been considered as part of a future international expansion if the project proves successful. on.ft.com/4jEgsCh

OpenAI and SoftBank weigh UK investment for Stargate AI project

US $500bn data centre venture looks overseas to build out global infrastructure capacity

on.ft.com

Me every time a new piece of news comes out

Big update on the search for an alternative to Starlink in Ukraine. www.reuters.com/business/med...

Exclusive: Germany funds Eutelsat internet in Ukraine as Musk tensions rise

Berlin has been paying for Ukraine's access to a satellite-internet network operated by France's Eutelsat , as Europe seeks alternatives to Elon Musk’s Starlink.

reuters.com