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Global Incident and Threat Briefing


Global Incident and Threat Briefing

💻 Cyber

  • US broadband provider Brightspeed is investigating claims of a security breach and data theft made by the Crimson Collective extortion gang.
  • The threat actors claim to have stolen sensitive information belonging to over 1 million Brightspeed customers, including personally identifiable information (PII), address information, payment history, and some payment card information.
    US Broadband Provider Brightspeed Investigates Breach Claims [2026-01-06] – link

🛠️ Critical Infrastructure

  • Arizona’s Supreme Court building was evacuated on January 5 after a suspicious package was found which reportedly tested positive for “homemade explosives”.
    Arizona Supreme Court Evacuated over Package Reportedly Testing Positive for ‘Homemade Explosives’ [2026-01-05] – link
  • Flights across Greece were grounded, diverted, or delayed for several hours on January 4 following a major radio communications failure caused by noise across air traffic communication channels.
  • Greece’s transport minister stated on January 5 that the disruption is unlikely to have been a cyberattack, though the cause remains under investigation.
    Greece Says a Radio Failure That Grounded Flights Is Unlikely to Be a Cyberattack [2026-01-05] – link

🚢 Maritime Events

  • Latvian police have found no evidence linking a ship docked in the port of Liepaja to damage to an underwater telecoms cable running in the Baltic Sea to Lithuania, but are investigating the incident further.
    Latvia Finds No Link between Ship and Baltic Cable Breach, Probe Goes On [2026-01-05] – link

🌍 Geopolitical

  • Venezuela & U.S. Policy
    • Venezuela’s vice president and oil minister, Delcy Rodriguez, was formally sworn in as the country’s interim president on January 5.
    • Deposed Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro pleaded not guilty to narcotrafficking charges during his arraignment in U.S. federal court.
      Delcy Rodriguez Formally Sworn in as Venezuela’s Interim President [2026-01-05] – link
      Maduro declares his innocence in first U.S. court appearance [2026-01-05] – link
    • Republican U.S. lawmakers insisted that no ‘endless war’ looms in Venezuela following the US military action.
      US Republicans insist no ‘endless war’ looms in Venezuela [2026-01-06] – link
  • Turkey-Venezuela Relations
    • Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was an important external backer of Nicolás Maduro, providing diplomatic cover, economic engagement, and access to international markets.
    • Turkey and Venezuela agreed on a roadmap for a Turkish-funded fertilizer plant tied to Venezuela’s state petrochemical company, Pequiven, which is under U.S. sanctions.
      Turkey’s extensive ties with Venezuela bolstered Maduro’s regime despite sanctions and criminal activity [2026-01-05] – link
  • Korean Peninsula & Taiwan
    • The U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) commander indicated that USFK will begin preparations to possibly deploy in the event of a crisis over Taiwan, broadening its mission beyond deterring North Korean aggression.
    • In its readout of the January 5 meeting between South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Xi Jinping in Beijing, China called on South Korea to “stand on the right side” regarding regional disputes.
      U.S. Sees Korea as Potential Key To Supporting Taiwan [2026-01-06] – link
    • China banned the exports of dual-use items to Japan that can be used for military purposes, effective immediately.
      China bans exports of dual-use items for military purposes to Japan [2026-01-06] – link
  • Israel & Middle East
    • Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar traveled to Somaliland on January 6, marking the first official diplomatic visit since Israel recognized the East African nation last month.
    • Somalia condemned the visit as “unacceptable interference” in its sovereign territories.
      Israeli Foreign Minister Follows up Recognition of Somaliland With Historic Visit [2026-01-06] – link
    • U.S.-mediated security talks between Syria and Israel have resumed, with Damascus seeking the withdrawal of Israeli troops from seized territory.
      Syria, Israel resume U.S.-mediated security talks [2026-01-05] – link

💥 Activism Terrorism

  • The death toll in violence surrounding anti-government protests in Iran has risen to at least 35 people, according to activists.
  • The demonstrations began December 28 due to Iran’s currency fall to a record low and rising inflation.
    Iran offers citizens $7 a month in a bid to cool protests [2026-01-05] – link
    The death toll in violence surrounding protests in Iran has risen to at least 35 people, activists said Tuesday [2026-01-05] – link
  • A terrorist attack in Syria last month killed two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter.
  • The perpetrator of the Syria attack was a member of Syria’s General Security Force, slated for dismissal three days prior, who held extremist views.
    The US’ Syria Bet Just Turned Deadly [2026-01-05] – link
  • The Israeli military began striking what it described as Hezbollah and Hamas “targets” in Lebanon on January 5.
    Israel begins strikes of Hezbollah and Hamas ‘targets’ in Lebanon [2026-01-05] – link

🇺🇸 DVE (Domestic Violent Extremists) / EVE (Environmental Violent Extremist)

  • An adult male was arrested shortly after midnight on January 5 for causing property damage, including breaking windows, at the Cincinnati residence of the U.S. Vice-President.
    One Person in Custody after Attack on the US Vice-President’s Ohio Home [2026-01-05] – link

💰 Crime or Organized Crime

  • Turkey has become a key transit hub for Latin American cocaine linked to Venezuela, with Turkish authorities reporting sharp increases in cocaine seizures since 2020.
  • Colombia announced it will continue to work with the United States to fight drug trafficking using Washington’s intelligence and technology.
    Turkey’s extensive ties with Venezuela bolstered Maduro’s regime despite sanctions and criminal activity [2026-01-05] – link
    Colombia will continue to work with the United States to fight drug trafficking using Washington’s intelligence and technology [2026-01-05] – link

💸 Financial Crimes

  • The Swiss government froze assets held in Switzerland by Nicolás Maduro and people close to him to ensure potentially illegally acquired assets cannot be transferred.
    Switzerland freezes assets of Maduro and people close to him [2026-01-05] – link
  • Turkey imported nearly $900 million in Venezuelan gold in 2018, helping Caracas convert illicitly mined bullion into hard currency while bypassing international sanctions.
    Turkey’s extensive ties with Venezuela bolstered Maduro’s regime despite sanctions and criminal activity [2026-01-05] – link