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Espionage

Espionage
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Espionage. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
A woman poses with her smartphone displaying the @realdonaldtrump TikTok page, in Washington in January 2025. Photo: Reuters
US-China relations

Trump, some Republicans differ on TikTok ahead of sell-or-ban deadline

‘If ByteDance stays involved in any way, the deal is illegal – plain and simple,’ said one senior Republican lawmaker.

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China-Germany relations

Chinese agency briefs German diplomats, business community on anti-espionage law

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United States

‘Scary, reckless’: US allies alarmed by leaked group chat about war plans

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US-China relations

Signal chat furore may push US workers to China’s side, Democrat warns

Senate intelligence committee vice chair says China is ‘luring individuals with national security clearance who’ve been pushed out’.

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Left to right: National Security Agency Director General Timothy Haugh, FBI Director Kash Patel, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, Central Intelligence Agency Director John Ratcliffe, and Defense Intelligence Agency Director Jeffrey Kruse appear during a Senate Committee on Intelligence Hearing on Tuesday in Washington. Photo: AFP
United States

‘Don’t panic!’ Mystery sky spiral caused by SpaceX rocket fuel, experts say

The Falcon 9 rocket was carrying classified cargo on a mission for the US agency that manages the country’s military’s spy satellites.

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Asian diaspora

As US Justice Department cuts focus on foreign agents, will China cases ease?

US Attorney General Pam Bondi disbands a task force and cuts back on foreign registration cases, but analysts say any relief may be limited.

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China’s Communist Party

Engineer gets death penalty for selling state secrets to foreign spy agencies

Former assistant engineer had copied classified documents when he was working at a research institute, Ministry of State Security says.

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China’s Ministry of State Security has regularly warned of foreign spy agencies trying to steal state secrets or turn Chinese citizens against the government. Photo: Robert Ng
Japan

Belarus sentences Japanese man to 7 years in prison for spying

Japanese national Nakanishi Masatoshi was convicted of conducting espionage activities from 2018 to 2024.

Russia

Lithuania blames Russian military intelligence for Ikea store arson

The Ikea store was set ablaze in Vilnius in May 2024 and caused no casualties.

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China’s Communist Party

Chinese official caught in honey trap set by foreign spy agency: security ministry

Ministry says official named Zhang agreed to share classified information after being caught up in contrived brothel sting overseas.

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China’s Ministry of State Security cites the case of a recently arrested official ensnared in a “honey trap” when warning citizens to be aware of espionage risks when travelling overseas. Photo: Shutterstock Images
The Philippines

China’s alleged spy network in Philippines raises concerns about outdated laws

Officials have long called for an update to its World War II-era espionage law, which may not be sufficient to address modern threats.

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Chinese nationals and their alleged Philippine accomplices, arrested for alleged espionage, are presented during a press conference at the National Bureau of Investigation office in Manila on February 25. Photo: AFP
Crime

US court martial convenes for Pentagon leaker already facing years behind bars

Jack Teixeira is facing military charges after already being sentenced to prison for leaking classified material.

United States

US Homeland Security names new ICE leadership, steps up lie detector tests

The US Department of Homeland Security is using polygraph exams on its own employees in an effort to find internal information leaks.

New Zealand

Beware China’s hold on Pacific, New Zealand spy chief warns

Security Intelligence Service head also has his eye on Cook Islands’ ties with Beijing.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang with Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown (left) in Harbin, China, on February 14. Photo: Xinhua
The Philippines

Contradictions emerge as Philippine officials probe Alice Guo’s mysterious escape

One senator called for a total revamp of the Bureau of Immigration if it failed to provide ‘satisfactory answers’ about Guo’s escape.

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Former Bamban mayor Alice Guo speaks during the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality inquiry on the alleged human trafficking and cyber fraud operation in Angeles, Pampanga province held at the Philippine Senate in Pasay City, Philippines on May 22, 2024. Photo: AP
US-China relations

US says China operates ‘hacker for hire’ network for cyberattacks worldwide

Justice Department charges 12 Chinese contract hackers and law enforcement officials in global computer intrusion campaigns.

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The Philippines

Philippines investigates China-linked donations from suspected spies

As allegations of espionage swirl, Philippine authorities aim to uncover the true intentions behind the donations to local officials.

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Donald Trump

Trump loyalist Kash Patel confirmed as FBI director

Patel takes charge as Trump -backed officials seek to put their stamp on the FBI and its parent agency, the Justice Department.

Kash Patel is a staunch loyalist who has threatened to go after President Donald Trump’s political enemies. Photo: AFP
Science

Chinese scientists build world’s most powerful spy camera

The laser-based system could potentially allow China to scrutinise foreign military satellites with unparalleled precision.

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Britain

UK couple charged with spying in Iran, admit they ignored travel warnings

Craig and Lindsay Foreman, who were on a round-the-world trip, said they were aware of the risks but believed ‘most people are good’.

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China’s Communist Party

China alleges former soldier shared secrets with foreign spy agency

Ministry of State Security says accused was discharged from military due to disciplinary issues and has ‘certain ability for counter-surveillance’.

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In announcing the arrest of a man surnamed Ni, China’s Ministry of State Security said: “Military-related information is highly sensitive and is a primary target for foreign espionage agencies”. Photo: AFP
Donald Trump

US Senate confirms Tulsi Gabbard as Trump’s director of national intelligence

The 52-48 vote came as Republican senators who had initially questioned her experience and judgment fell in line behind her nomination.

Tulsi Gabbard testifies during her confirmation hearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee in Washington in January. Photo: AFP
US-China relations

US citizen of Chinese descent not guilty of being a covert agent for Beijing

Federal prosecutors accused hotel worker of acting as an agent of Beijing by collecting information about Boston-area residents.

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Britain

Ex-UK soldier jailed for 14 years for spying for Iran

Daniel Khalife, 23, whose mother is Iranian, gathered information over a two-and-a-half-year period while posted in the UK and the US.

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US-China relations

US charges former Fed official with spying for China

John Harold Rogers allegedly sought to leak trade secrets while being paid US$450,000 pretending to teach at a Chinese university.

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The US Federal Reserve building is seen in Washington on January 26. Photo: Reuters
The Philippines

Philippines’ arrest of more alleged Chinese spies fuels espionage concerns

The arrests follow the detention of another Chinese national accused of spying on military and police facilities.

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Philippine military chief General Romeo Brawner (front right), National Bureau of Investigation chief Jaime Santiago (front centre) and undersecretary of the Department of Justice Raul Vasquez (front left) announce the arrest of five alleged Chinese spies. Photo: AFP
US-China relations

Trump’s picks for FBI and intelligence directors cite China’s threat at hearings

During Senate questioning, Kash Patel and Tulsi Gabbard identify Beijing as a crucial priority for US law enforcement and spy agencies.

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Donald Trump

New Jersey drones ‘not the enemy’, White House says, dispelling Trump theories

Press secretary Karoline Leavitt says the flights were authorised by the US government, in a message she said came directly from Trump.

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