This episode of the Threat Intelligence Podcast with your host Derrick T. Dortch focuses on the National Hurricane Center’s experimental update on the Cone of Uncertainty storm tracking tool set to launch in August 2024. Jennifer Radlinsky and Jayde Dorland from the Counterterrorism Group’s Emergency Management, Health, and Hazards (EMH2) and Counter Threat Strategic Communications (CTSC) teams discuss the importance and benefits of the tool while exploring the dangers of misinformation...

Haiti is undergoing one of the biggest crises in its history. A tragedy of violence, hunger, and instability has engulfed the country in large civil unrest, perpetuating its status as the poorest state in Latin America and the Caribbean region. But what are the origins of this crisis? In order to understand where Haiti is heading, we need to assess what led to the violence, and what role, if any, other countries played in the country's history. In this episode, Samuel Pearson and Eamon Kobel...

In this episode of the Threat Intelligence Podcast, Arnold Koka joins the team as a new host alongside Derrick T. Dortch, focusing on various cyber espionage threats that The Counter Terrorism Group has been tracking.  Cyber espionage is an increasingly hot topic. Who spies, how, and why? The United States and the United Kingdom have recently imposed sanctions against Chinese companies and individuals accused of being involved in a large cyber espionage campaign that allegedly targeted...

This episode of the Threat Intelligence Podcast with your host Derrick T. Dortch focuses on the various threats The Counter Terrorism Group has been working on in the month of January and what we should expect as we go into February. The focus of this episode is the recent Inspire Video released by Al Qaeda and the threat people need to be aware of. At the time of taping of this episode, the attack on the U.S. Base in Jordon that resulted in the deaths of 3 U.S. military service members had...

In this episode, Derrick T. Dortch joins members from the Women's Protection Group, a specialized team within The Counterterrorism Group to discuss a recently published report that reveals invaluable insights into Femicide and Gender-Based Violence. Tune in for a high-level discussion that aims to drive awareness and address this pressing issue.  

NATO has become an active topic today on the global stage. It has been focused on peaceful solutions and democratic values since its beginning. According to NATO’s website, “Security in our daily lives is key to our well-being. NATO’s purpose is to guarantee the freedom and security of its members through political and military means.” However, the topic of an alliance has received the attention of those who oppose the entity. But what exactly is NATO? What does it do? In this episode,...

The Israel-Hamas war has continued to impact the stability of the region. This destructive war that has left thousands dead has become the arena where both sides have displayed their military capabilities, whether covertly or overtly. Both sides have made it their mission to meet their challenges with the strength of their forces whether through weapons or personnel. Today, we will discuss the weapons, strategies, and tactics used during the Israel-Hamas war and why it should matter to...

On October 12, 2022, Juraj Krajcik killed two people and injured another outside an LGBTQ+ bar in Bratislava, Slovakia. At the time, Prime Minister Eduard Hegar called Krajcik a “radicalized teenager” after the attack. Shortly after the attack, Krajcik wrote “feeling no regrets, isn’t that funny?” on X. He published his manifesto on X before the attack. On the anniversary of Krajcik’s death, supporters on Terrorgram circulated a special issue describing him, his attack, and his manifesto, “A...

The Israel-Hamas war has split the opinions of millions of people worldwide. Many have become influenced by the propaganda that has been published and shared. Once again, a violent war that has left thousands dead has become the battleground where propaganda has led astray. Both nations have eagerly used videos to display the actions of the opposing nation. The shared news and social media propaganda has also increased misinformation and disinformation with possible mistranslated videos,...

Lone wolf attacks have sparked the interest of those in the security and threat industries for a few decades. The fear of an act from a violent individual has driven many analysts and researchers to suggest safety policies for the public. Governments and agencies have relied on these security reports to develop preventative strategies. While there have been ample examples of lone-wolf attacks, the topic deserves further public analysis. What are lone wolves, and what motivates them to act...

October 7, 2023, will be remembered as a day an additional deadly conflict arose on the global stage. On that date, Hamas forces crossed into Israel and produced carnage that will be replayed in the minds of the survivors for many years to come. The Israel-Hamas war has split the opinions and positions of millions across the world. Many protests have taken place throughout the globe, echoing support and rage. But what have been the positions taken by governments during the Israel-Hamas war?...

Today, the US, Russia, and China lead the world as superpowers. These countries play an important role in many sectors, from technology to food to raw materials. Each nation has marked its supremacy and leadership both regionally and globally. Each country is known for having an advanced military and technical advantage. Many fear that a potential conflict among these nations could lead to a devastating end where no side wins. Though a battle among these superpowers is unthinkable, a...

This year, Ethiopia’s federal government declared a six-month-long state of emergency in Amhara, the second-largest region, after days of violent confrontations between the army and the local Fano militia. The Amhara government sought assistance from Ethiopia’s federal government to help re-impose order, allowing authorities to ban public gatherings, enforce curfews, and make arrests or searches without warrants. In this episode, Salomon Montaguth is joined by Sophia Ritscher, Intelligence...

For the past couple of years, a specific concept has dominated discussions in the field of extremism. What is currently known as the “Great Replacement Theory”  has been displayed on news channels and social media platforms almost endlessly. Many have used this ideology to mask their intentions, while others have become victims of such beliefs. This idea has led some proponents to advocate for a distinction among all people, a claim that teeters on the edge of separatism and exclusionism. But...

On October 7, 2023, Hamas, a terrorist group, invaded Israel via land, air, and sea. The violent assault, which started at about 6:30 am local time, began with Hamas unleashing about 5,000 rockets into Israel. About an hour later, Hamas’ soldiers entered the Gaza border by using paragliders and boats, walking into Israel. By 11:00 am, Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, declared, “We are at war and we will win”. This assault on Israel exemplifies the regional historic instability. In...

The year 2023 has witnessed several French protests. The rise of French citizens and their chants of uproar in their cities plagued all forms of media. Social media displayed their marches and echoed their shouts of protest. It seemed like the only news from France was primarily about the French objections. Several videos appeared of cities in awful conditions, some due to violence, others due to the clashes between the citizens and the police. But what can be learned from these protests? In...

Warfare has been changing since the very beginning, but its evolution has experienced a drastic change since the start of the 21st century. The land, air, and sea armaments employed by the military have seen the amalgamation of technology, science, and defense. Many weapons have become synonymous with war, like the B-29 Superfortress famously used in World War Two, or the M1 Abrams, or the AK-47, still commonly used today. But one particular weapon that has caught the attention of the world...

Africa is a vast continent containing almost 20% of the world's population. According to the UN, Africa holds 40% of the world's gold and up to 90% of its chrome and silver. These features have attracted the interest of foreign groups and governments. How have these groups impacted the continent? In this episode, Salomon Montaguth speaks with Agathe, an intelligence analyst at the Counterterrorism Group, to gain further insight into outside forces' involvement and impact on Africa today. ...

On June 20, 2023, reports broke about negotiations between China and Cuba regarding possibly establishing a Chinese military base in Cuba. Opening a military base in Cuba would result in Chinese troops stationed less than 100 miles from the coast of the United States. The US government is currently in conversations with the Chinese and Cuban governments. Neither the Chinese nor the Cuban government has commented on the reports. In this episode, Salomon Montaguth is joined by Iris Forsberg,...

The South China Sea and the Pacific region have been hot topics for many years and have drawn the attention of several governments. The US Department of Defense has claimed that “China continues to expand exploration activities in the SCS (South China Sea) as part of its hunt for much-needed energy and is now receiving oil and gas from the SCS (South China Sea). Other nations like the Philippines have confronted China regarding their questionable behavior in the Pacific region. As a result,...

The massive continent of Africa contains almost 20% of the world’s population. Additionally, Africa holds 40% of the world’s gold and up to 90% of its chromium and platinum, according to the UN. These facts have led to an increase in interest in Africa by groups and governments outside of the continent. But how impactful are these groups and harmful can they be? In this episode, Salomon Montaguth is joined by Agathe Labadi, Intelligence Analyst at The Counterterrorism Group, to get a deeper...

Active Clubs (ACs) are a network of localized, decentralized, and loosely structured chapters formally affiliated with the network that possess far-right, white supremacist, and neo-Nazi ideologies. They have a significant presence throughout the US and Europe. Their movement is fueled by physical fitness, self-improvement, and establishing a fraternal brotherhood centered around white racial consciousness. They maintain an active presence on social media platforms such as Telegram, Gab, and...

The Wagner Group is a private military company, primarily used by Russian President Putin, to complete military assignments. This paramilitary organization has been a topic of interest for many in the threat intelligence community, especially here at the Counterterrorism Group. The Wagner Group has been connected to atrocities and has had their associations and history questioned. In this episode, Salomon Montaguth is joined by Gabriel Helupka, Intelligence Analyst at The Counterterrorism...

Polish President Andrzej Duda announced in late May 2023 that he would sign a bill to create a panel to investigate allegations that the Civic Platform political party (PO) allowed Russia to influence Poland during its time in power from 2007 to 2015. The panel will have the authority to ban people found guilty of acting under Russian influence from holding security clearance or overseeing public funds, effectively disqualifying them from holding public office for 10 years. In this episode,...