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Global Intelligence Weekly Wrap up
Welcome to the Global Intelligence Knowledge Network Podcast, where real-world intelligence expertise meets insightful analysis. Join your host, Neil Bisson, a former Intelligence Officer with the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, for a weekly deep dive into the world of espionage, national security, foreign interference, terrorism, and all matters spy and intelligence related.
With over 25 years of experience in intelligence and law enforcement, both domestically and internationally, Neil Bisson brings a unique perspective to the table. From hunting spies and terrorists to recruiting and managing human sources, he's seen it all.
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Global Intelligence Weekly Wrap up
Final Foreign Interference Report Analysis. Black Widow Spy in UK.
🔎 Global Intelligence Weekly Wrap-Up | January 31, 2025
Top-secret level analysis on intelligence, espionage, and global security threats.
This week, we’re diving into some of the most critical developments in intelligence and national security:
🚨 FBI Investigation Uncovers China-Libya Arms Trafficking – A former UN diplomat and a Montreal businessman are caught in an illicit weapons network.
🕵️♂️ UK Espionage Trial – A Bulgarian woman stands trial for allegedly spying for Russia, shedding light on covert intelligence operations in the West.
🔧 Sabotage in the Baltic Sea – A critical undersea cable is deliberately damaged. Who’s behind it, and what does it mean for global security?
🇨🇦 Iranian Official Suing to Stay in Canada – How did an accused member of Iran’s regime enter Canada, and why is she now suing the government?
📜 Final Report on Foreign Interference in Canada – China, India, and other foreign states have been caught meddling in Canada’s democratic institutions. What happens next?
💣 Australia Thwarts Antisemitic Bomb Plot – A caravan filled with explosives was discovered in Sydney. What does this mean for the evolving threat of extremism?
📱 China Using Social Media for Espionage – The CCP is targeting U.S. military officers via LinkedIn. What’s the intelligence behind this cyber threat?
Neil Bisson, Director of the Global Intelligence Knowledge Network, brings you expert analysis from 25+ years in intelligence and law enforcement.
📌 Don’t forget to check out Neil’s interviews on the final report on foreign interference:
🔗 CBC Interview: https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/video/9.6625816
🔗 YouTube Interview: https://youtu.be/OH8_uboGelE?si=QOj7YwxxM2Z2ieee
🔔 Subscribe for weekly intelligence briefings!
⏰ Chapters:
00:00 – Intro
01:30 – China-Libya Arms Trafficking Investigation
05:30 – UK Espionage Trial: Bulgarian Woman Accused of Spying for Russia
09:30 – Sabotage in the Baltic Sea: Undersea Cable Damaged
13:30 – Iranian Official Suing to Stay in Canada
18:00 – Final Report on Foreign Interference in Canada
21:30 – Australia Thwarts Antisemitic Bomb Plot
23:30 – China Using Social Media to Target U.S. Service Members
24:30 – Outro
2025 01 31 Global Intelligence Weekly Wrap Up
INTRO:
Welcome to this week’s episode of Global Intelligence Weekly Wrap-Up for the week ending January 31, 2025.
This week, we analyze major developments shaping the world of intelligence and national security.
We begin with an FBI-led investigation into illicit arms transfers from China to Libya, uncovering a network that involves a former United Nations diplomat and a Montreal businessman.
What does this case reveal about the complexities of international arms trafficking?
Next, we turn to the UK, where a Bulgarian woman is on trial for allegedly spying for Russia.
This case provides a rare glimpse into how foreign intelligence services operate on Western soil.
Then, we examine a suspected sabotage attack in the Baltic Sea, where an undersea communications cable was deliberately damaged.
Could this be part of a larger pattern of covert operations targeting global infrastructure?
Back in Canada, we analyze a troubling foreign interference case, where an accused Iranian regime official not only entered the country but is now suing the government to stay.
How did this happen, and what does it say about Canada’s national security policies?
Finally, we break down the long-awaited final report on foreign interference in Canada’s democratic institutions.
I’ve had the opportunity to speak about this report on several of Canada’s major news outlets, providing expert analysis on what it means for national security.
You can find the links to those interviews in the show notes.
With over 25 years of experience in intelligence and law enforcement, Neil Bisson brings you professional analysis that cuts through the noise and delivers insights you won’t find anywhere else.
Let’s get started.
MUSIC
Hello everyone, and welcome back to another episode of Global Intelligence Weekly Wrap Up.
I’m your host Neil Bisson, a retired intelligence officer with the Canadian Security Intelligence Service and the Director of Global Intelligence Knowledge Network.
Well, the dominating news in Intelligence in Canada this week is the final report from the Hogue Commission on Foreign Interference in the 2019 and 2021 Federal elections came out this week.
I was fortunate enough to get to speak about this issue on some of Canada’s major news media outlets and I’ll leave some of the links to those interviews in the show notes.
From a global perspective, we’ve had everything from more sabotage in Baltic Sea to China’s persistent attempts to bait American Military officers with online operations.
So, let’s not delay and get into this week’s top stories.
MUSIC
In this week’s first article, we’re discussing a breaking story involving the FBI’s investigation into illicit arms transfers from China to Libya.
This complex case also implicates a former UN official and a Montreal businessman, raising critical questions about foreign interference, intelligence failures, and geopolitical instability.
This week, Global News revealed that U.S. authorities are probing how weapons originating from China were allegedly funneled into Libya—a country destabilized by ongoing civil conflict.
The investigation points to the involvement of a former United Nations diplomat and a Montreal-based entrepreneur with alleged ties to the arms transfer network.
From an intelligence perspective, this case highlights two significant issues:
1. The exploitation of weak international arms controls: Illicit weapons trades are notoriously difficult to track, particularly in regions with fractured governance like Libya.
2. The use of dual-use technologies: Items with civilian and military applications are often smuggled under the radar, posing a challenge for customs enforcement and intelligence agencies.
These developments underscore the challenges of managing covert supply chains and identifying actors attempting to bypass export control systems.
Libya, as many listeners know, has remained in turmoil since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.
The civil conflict has created fertile ground for weapons smuggling, with various state and non-state actors jockeying for power.
Historically, China has faced scrutiny for its arms export policies.
Though officially committed to non-proliferation, the country has been accused of lax enforcement, allowing private actors to exploit loopholes.
This case mirrors past incidents, such as the 2016 revelation of Chinese arms shipments to Sudan during its internal conflict.
For Canada, the alleged involvement of a Montreal businessman raises red flags about the country’s vulnerability to foreign interference and its role—whether knowingly or not—in facilitating international arms networks.
Global News reports that FBI investigators are collaborating with international partners, including Canada, to trace the origin and final destination of the weapons.
UN experts have also flagged the increasing use of proxies and shell companies to mask transactions.
From an intelligence professional’s standpoint, this investigation likely involves extensive use of financial intelligence, supply chain tracking, and human intelligence.
Coordination between intelligence agencies will be key to uncovering the full scope of the operation and preventing similar breaches in the future.
The FBI probe into Chinese weapons transfers to Libya is a sobering reminder of the complexities of global arms trade and the risks of foreign interference.
As the investigation unfolds, expect more revelations about the networks facilitating these operations and the international efforts to combat them.
What can we take away for this news article?
Vigilance in monitoring arms flows is critical—not just for affected regions like Libya but for national security worldwide.
MUSIC
For our next story we move onto the UK, where we’ll discuss a fascinating case reported by the BBC involving a Bulgarian woman accused of being part of a Russian spy cell.
With allegations of espionage, surveillance, and deception, this case offers a glimpse into the shadowy world of intelligence operations.
The article details the trial of Katrin Ivanova, a 33-year-old Bulgarian woman accused of conspiring to spy for Russia.
She’s alleged to have been part of a cell conducting surveillance operations across Europe, including a US military base in Germany and investigative journalists seen as threats to the Russian state.
Ivanova has denied knowing her activities were for espionage purposes, claiming she believed one mission aimed to expose corruption.
Despite her denials, the operation’s targets and the involvement of her partner and his associate—both of whom admitted to spying—paint a different picture.
This case raises critical questions about how covert operatives exploit trust, relationships, and plausible deniability to achieve their goals.
Espionage networks often rely on layers of operatives with varying levels of knowledge about the mission's purpose.
Ivanova’s claim of being unaware mirrors tactics used in past cases, such as the infamous Cambridge Spy Ring, where individuals rationalized their activities as innocuous or patriotic.
The targeting of journalists and military installations underscores Russia's broader intelligence strategy of silencing dissent and gathering critical information.
This aligns with trends seen in hybrid warfare, where espionage complements cyber and disinformation campaigns.
The BBC article highlights Ivanova’s emotional testimony, where she spoke about being misled by her partner, Biser Dzhambazov.
Dzhambazov and Orlin Roussev, both of whom admitted guilt, orchestrated these operations under the guise of financial and personal connections.
From my perspective, this case is a textbook example of how personal vulnerabilities can be weaponized in intelligence work.
Relationships, financial dependency, and trust are exploited to recruit individuals who may not fully grasp the implications of their actions.
This trial not only sheds light on the intricacies of espionage networks but also highlights the risks posed by foreign intelligence services operating within democracies.
The exploitation of personal relationships and the targeting of critical individuals remain key tools in the modern espionage arsenal.
As this case unfolds, it will provide valuable insights into Russia’s intelligence activities and serve as a reminder of the need for robust counterintelligence measures.
MUSIC
It wouldn’t be a week of Global Intelligence if there wasn’t at least one-story concerning sabotage in the Baltic Sea!
This next story focuses on the incident raising some critical questions about the security of global infrastructure and the growing threats posed by undersea cable cutting.
The article highlights the damage to a vital undersea cable in the Baltic Sea, linking Sweden and Estonia.
Initial assessments suggest the damage was deliberate, escalating fears of sabotage amidst heightened geopolitical tensions in the region.
Sweden’s Prime Minister, Ulf Kristersson, stated that investigations are ongoing, and no suspects have been named yet.
From an intelligence standpoint, this incident underscores the vulnerability of undersea cables, which serve as critical communication and data conduits.
Deliberate attacks on such infrastructure can disrupt financial systems, hinder military operations, and create regional instability.
The Baltic Sea, surrounded by NATO and Russian interests, has become a hotspot for covert activities, particularly as the conflict in Ukraine intensifies.
Undersea cables have long been recognized as strategic targets in hybrid warfare.
During the Cold War, the U.S. Navy famously tapped Soviet underwater communication lines in Operation Ivy Bells.
Today, as cyber and physical sabotage techniques advance, these cables are increasingly at risk.
The Baltic Sea, with its proximity to Russia, NATO allies, and critical maritime trade routes, has seen increased military and intelligence activity.
This incident parallels the Nord Stream pipeline sabotage in 2022, which highlighted the region’s susceptibility to covert attacks.
While no direct link has been made, both events signify how infrastructure in geopolitically sensitive areas remains at risk.
The article quotes Swedish officials emphasizing the need for robust international collaboration to secure such infrastructure.
As a retired intelligence officer, I see this as a wake-up call for nations to enhance monitoring and protection measures, leveraging satellite technology, undersea drones, and international intelligence-sharing networks.
In my professional analysis, the timing and location of this incident suggest it could be a signal from a state or non-state actor, testing the waters—quite literally—for future escalations.
It’s a tactic often used to probe vulnerabilities and measure responses.
This sheds light on the growing threats to global infrastructure and the strategic importance of undersea cables.
The damage in the Baltic Sea could signal a broader trend of hybrid warfare tactics targeting critical systems.
Moving forward, nations must prioritize the security of these lifelines, invest in resilience, and foster international cooperation to deter future incidents.
MUSIC
We return our focus to Canada for this next report, entitled Latest Accused Iran Official Caught in Canada Sues Immigration Department.
This story exposes a serious national security loophole—an alleged senior member of Iran’s repressive regime not only entered Canada but is now suing to remain here.
Elham Zandi arrived in Canada as a tourist and later applied for a work permit.
When immigration officials began investigating her background, she took legal action, claiming unreasonable delays and demanding damages.
Meanwhile, the Canada Border Services Agency, or CBSA, has launched deportation proceedings against her, alleging she was a high-ranking official in Iran’s government.
This case raises critical questions about Canada’s ability to enforce its immigration laws, screen for foreign threats, and prevent regime officials from using the country as a safe haven.
At its core, this case highlights gaps in Canada’s foreign interference and immigration enforcement policies.
According to the article:
• Zandi applied for a work permit, and when immigration authorities delayed her case to investigate her past, she sued the government, seeking both a decision and financial damages.
• CBSA has now accused Zandi of being a senior member of Iran’s regime, launching deportation proceedings.
• Liberal MP Patrick Weiler’s office intervened five times inquiring about Zandi’s immigration case, though his office claims it was unaware of security concerns.
From an intelligence standpoint, this case raises several red flags:
• How did an alleged senior regime member enter Canada in the first place?
• Why did it take a lawsuit for her background to be investigated?
• Why is Canada’s security screening process failing to catch foreign officials linked to repressive regimes?
This is not an isolated case.
According to the CBSA, at least 18 alleged Iranian officials are living in Canada, with multiple deportation cases pending.
Iranian Canadian activists warn that Canada is becoming a safe haven for members of the same regime that many fled from.
To understand the significance of this case, it’s important to examine Iran’s influence operations and why the IRGC is a concern for Canada.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is a military-intelligence hybrid directly controlled by the Supreme Leader. It is responsible for:
• Overseeing Iran’s intelligence operations abroad.
• Cracking down on domestic opposition through mass arrests and executions.
• Supporting terrorist groups, including Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis.
In 2022, Canada banned senior Iranian officials from entering the country, following Iran’s violent suppression of protests linked to the Woman, Life, Freedom movement.
Yet, as this case demonstrates, enforcement has been inconsistent.
This isn’t the first time Canada has faced scrutiny for allowing suspected foreign agents into the country:
• In 2018, a former Iranian intelligence officer was found living in Canada despite human rights concerns.
• In 2023, U.S. intelligence uncovered Iranian threats against dissidents and activists in North America.
• In 2024, reports surfaced showing that Canada-based criminal networks have helped Iran evade international sanctions.
Iranian dissidents in Canada have repeatedly warned that Tehran monitors, intimidates, and even targets opposition figures abroad, using Canada’s weak enforcement and legal protections to operate freely.
Security experts argue that Canada’s immigration and security screening system is failing to keep out individuals linked to foreign regimes.
Kaveh Shahrooz, a senior fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, told Global News that Iranian officials "live openly and freely in Canada" and use the country as a safe retreat after years of serving a regime known for human rights abuses.
He points out the double standard in Canada’s immigration system:
• Iranian Canadians struggle to bring family members into Canada due to visa restrictions.
• Meanwhile, former officials of the same repressive regime are entering and staying with ease.
From my experience as both a Border officer with CBSA and an intelligence officer with CSIS, this case highlights Canada’s inability to efficiently and effectively enact legal due process while focusing on national security realities.
• Intelligence and information collected and provided to the legal system needs to adopt to make swift and definitive decisions.
• Foreign actors are exploiting the immigration system using lawfare tactics—suing governments, delaying investigations, and leveraging legal protections to avoid scrutiny.
• Canada must strengthen security screening, improve intelligence sharing, and increase enforcement to prevent foreign officials from abusing the system.
This case is a warning sign.
Canada’s immigration and security systems are not effectively screening for foreign threats, allowing individuals with alleged ties to hostile regimes to enter and even sue to stay.
Looking ahead, the key questions are:
• Will Canada improve its enforcement and intelligence-sharing on foreign regime officials?
• How many more cases like Zandi’s will emerge before real action is taken?
• Is Canada being used as a safe haven for those who once served oppressive governments?
One thing is clear—Canada’s national security policies need to adapt, and fast.
MUSIC
Staying in Canada for our next story, we’re breaking down the long-awaited final report on foreign interference in Canada’s democratic institutions.
The report confirms what many suspected—foreign actors, particularly China, have been actively trying to influence Canada’s political system.
So, what does this mean for national security, and what happens next?
Let’s find out.
The final report of the inquiry into foreign interference lays out serious concerns about how China, India, and other foreign states have attempted to influence Canadian elections and institutions.
The report suggests that Canada’s response has been inadequate, highlighting a need for stronger countermeasures to protect against these threats.
One of the key takeaways is that interference efforts have targeted politicians, diaspora communities, and even government officials to sway policies in favor of foreign interests.
China, in particular, is singled out as a major actor, allegedly using covert tactics to influence election candidates and suppress opposition voices.
From an intelligence standpoint, this aligns with patterns we’ve seen in other Western nations.
Foreign states use a combination of cyber espionage, disinformation campaigns, economic pressure, and influence operations to achieve their strategic goals.
The challenge is that democratic systems, by their nature, are more vulnerable to these tactics than authoritarian regimes, where information and political dissent are tightly controlled.
Foreign interference is not a new problem, but the scale and sophistication of these operations have increased significantly in recent years.
Reports from CSIS and international intelligence agencies have repeatedly warned about China’s efforts to manipulate political systems abroad.
Canada has been playing catch-up on this issue.
Unlike countries such as Australia and the United States, which have introduced strict laws against foreign interference, Canada’s legal framework has remained relatively weak.
This has made it easier for foreign actors to operate within the country with minimal consequences.
This report also comes at a time when Western democracies are reassessing their relationships with China, India, and other nations accused of influence operations.
The findings could lead to stronger policy measures, but whether Canada takes decisive action remains to be seen.
The report includes insights from intelligence officials and policy experts who emphasize that Canada’s lack of preparedness has made it a target for foreign interference.
Many argue that the government must implement stronger countermeasures, including better intelligence-sharing, stricter regulations on foreign funding, and legal consequences for those involved in these operations.
Based on my own experience in intelligence, these recommendations are long overdue.
Addressing foreign interference requires a proactive approach—waiting for inquiries and reports after the fact is not enough.
Canada needs to take immediate steps to strengthen its counterintelligence efforts, increase public awareness, and implement legal frameworks that deter foreign actors from meddling in its democratic processes.
This report confirms that foreign interference is a real and growing threat to Canada’s democracy.
The big question now is whether the government will take meaningful action to counter it.
Without stronger laws and better intelligence coordination, Canada risks falling further behind in the fight against foreign influence.
We’ll be keeping a close watch on how this develops and whether the recommendations from the report lead to real policy changes.
MUSIC
For our next story, we turn our attention to Australia, where authorities have discovered a caravan packed with explosives in Sydney, allegedly intended for an antisemitic attack.
The arrest of two men has raised serious concerns about extremism, the evolving threat landscape, and how intelligence agencies are tackling domestic terror threats.
According to reports, Australian police uncovered a caravan loaded with explosive materials, allegedly set to be used in a terror attack targeting the Jewish community.
Two men have been arrested in connection with the plot, which authorities believe was ideologically motivated.
From an intelligence perspective, this case highlights several critical points:
1. The Continued Threat of Domestic Extremism: While much of the focus in recent years has been on foreign terror networks, homegrown radicalization remains a persistent challenge for Western nations.
2. The Role of Online Radicalization: Authorities are investigating whether the suspects were influenced by extremist online propaganda.
The internet has become a major tool for spreading antisemitic and extremist ideologies, leading to real-world violence.
3. Terror Tactics and the Growing Use of IEDs: The discovery of a large cache of explosives suggests a sophisticated plan.
This raises questions about whether the suspects had external support or were self-taught bomb-makers using online resources.
This incident is part of a larger pattern of rising antisemitic attacks worldwide, especially in the wake of ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.
Australia has seen a rise in hate crimes, with authorities struggling to keep pace with radicalized individuals operating outside of established terror networks.
The use of improvised explosive devices, or IEDs, in planned attacks has also been a growing concern. Western intelligence agencies have long warned that individuals or small extremist cells may attempt to carry out bombings without direct ties to terrorist organizations.
Historically, law enforcement agencies in the U.S., Canada, and Europe have seen similar cases where lone actors or small cells attempt high-casualty attacks.
Many of these plots were foiled due to intelligence-sharing and proactive counterterrorism efforts.
This case in Sydney underscores the importance of continuous monitoring, intelligence cooperation, and community engagement to prevent such threats.
While full details are still emerging, counterterrorism experts have pointed to the importance of early detection in cases like this.
The fact that police were able to seize the explosives before an attack suggests that intelligence efforts and tip-offs played a crucial role.
From my own experience in intelligence, cases like this highlight the need for robust surveillance, better online monitoring of extremist activity, and strong partnerships between intelligence agencies and local communities.
Preventing radicalization before it leads to violence is just as important as catching suspects in the act.
This foiled attack in Sydney demonstrates the ongoing threat posed by extremism, even in countries with strong counterterrorism frameworks.
As antisemitic incidents rise globally, intelligence and law enforcement agencies must remain vigilant.
The big question now is whether this plot was part of a larger network or an isolated case—and what steps will be taken to prevent similar threats in the future.
MUSIC
For our last story were looking at a troubling report from CBS News: China using social media to target and recruit U.S. service members for spying.
This story highlights how China’s intelligence services are leveraging social media platforms like LinkedIn to manipulate and extract sensitive information from military personnel.
It’s yet another reminder that foreign espionage isn’t limited to covert field operations—it’s happening right on our phonescreens.
According to the article, China has been aggressively targeting U.S. military personnel and government officials via social media, particularly through professional networking sites.
Chinese intelligence operatives—often posing as headhunters or business representatives—reach out to service members, offering lucrative consulting gigs or career opportunities.
The ultimate goal?
To extract sensitive information about military operations, strategies, and technologies.
From an intelligence standpoint, this isn’t a new tactic.
The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has long used human intelligence operations to infiltrate foreign institutions.
What’s concerning is the scale and ease of these operations in the digital age.
Social media eliminates the need for traditional espionage risks—there’s no need for in-person meetings, dead drops, or clandestine rendezvous when everything can be orchestrated online.
China's intelligence strategy relies heavily on broad, long-term collection efforts, known as “mosaic intelligence.”
Instead of seeking classified information directly, they gather bits and pieces from multiple sources, assembling a comprehensive picture over time.
This method allows them to exploit security gaps that individuals might not even realize they’re exposing.
This isn’t the first time China has been caught targeting military and government personnel online.
In 2019, U.S. authorities charged Chinese intelligence operatives for using fake LinkedIn profiles to approach high-ranking officials.
Similar cases have surfaced in the UK, Canada, and Australia, demonstrating that this is a global espionage strategy, not just an American concern.
The CBS article highlights warnings from U.S. counterintelligence officials, who stress that service members must remain vigilant against seemingly innocent job offers and networking opportunities.
The FBI and Department of Defense have ramped up awareness campaigns, warning personnel about the dangers of oversharing on social media.
From my own professional experience, I can say that these tactics work because they exploit human nature—ambition, trust, and the desire for career advancement.
Intelligence services understand that people are far more likely to reveal information to someone they believe can help them rather than an obvious foreign agent.
That’s why counterintelligence training is crucial—not just for military personnel but for anyone in sensitive positions.
China’s online recruitment efforts serve as a reminder that espionage is evolving.
The digital battlefield is just as critical as the physical one, and foreign intelligence services are capitalizing on the sheer volume of data people willingly share.
Going forward, we can expect these tactics to become more sophisticated, with AI-generated profiles and deepfake videos further blurring the line between real and fake interactions.
The key takeaway?
Stay alert.
Be skeptical of unsolicited job offers, especially if they come with unusually high salaries or require little work.
The old adage here still holds true: If something seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Well, there’s another week of intelligence, espionage, foreign interference and terrorism.
As previously mentioned, I highly recommend you check out the interviews that I did with CBC and CTV regarding the final report on Foreign Interference in the 2018 and 2021 federal elections.
If you would like a more in-depth discussion of this issue, or any others relating to global security and intelligence on the show, please leave your suggestions in the comments section.
All open-source media stories links are in the show notes.
If you appreciate the effort and time that goes into every show, please become a supporter at either my Patreon or Buzzsprout websites. The links are in the show notes.
Thanks for listening and as always, stay curious, stay informed and stay safe.
MUSIC
OUTRO:
Thank you for tuning in to this week’s episode of Global Intelligence Weekly Wrap-Up.
From illicit arms transfers linked to China and Libya, to espionage trials in the UK, suspected sabotage in the Baltic Sea, and the troubling case of an accused Iranian regime official suing to stay in Canada, today’s stories highlight the complex and ever-evolving nature of global security threats in 2025.
We also examined the final report on foreign interference in Canada’s democratic institutions, a subject I’ve discussed extensively in recent media appearances.
You can find links to those interviews in the show notes for further insights.
If you found today’s analysis valuable, please like, share, or comment to help us reach even more listeners.
Your support allows us to continue delivering expert intelligence insights that rival high-level government briefings.
For in-depth commentary and resources on this week’s topics, visit the Global Intelligence Knowledge Network, where I provide professional analysis on the issues shaping our world.
As Neil always reminds us, stay curious, stay informed, and stay safe. See you next week for more expert analysis on the latest developments in global intelligence.
LINKS
Patreon:
https://patreon.com/NeilBisson?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink
Buzzsprout: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2336717/support
Interviews on the final report on Foreign Interference:
https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/video/9.6625816
https://youtu.be/OH8_uboGelE?si=QOj7YwxxM2Z2ieee
Story 1: UN, Montreal official part of FBI probe into China weapons to Libya
Link: https://globalnews.ca/news/10976012/un-montreal-official-fbi-probe-china-weapons-libya/
Story 2: Bulgarian woman based in UK denies spying for Russia
Link: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp9x0vvgj72o
Story 3: Undersea Cable in Baltic Sea Damaged, Prompting Suspicions of Sabotage Link: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/31/world/europe/norway-russia-ship-baltic-undersea-cable.html
Story 4: Latest accused Iran official caught in Canada sues immigration department
Link: https://globalnews.ca/news/10977935/iranian-regime-member-canada-suit-mp/
Story 5: Canada report on foreign interference: no evidence of ‘traitors’ in parliament
Link: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/28/canada-foreign-interference-report
Story 6: Caravan laden with explosives found in Sydney allegedly intended for antisemitic attack
Link: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/jan/29/caravan-laden-with-explosives-found-in-sydney-allegedly-intended-for-antisemitic-attack-ntwnfb
Story 7: China using social media to target and recruit U.S. service members for spying.
Link: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/china-spying-efforts-us-service-members-social-media/