Mossad Hits Iran. MI6 Breaks Barriers.

🕵️ Mossad Hits Iran, MI6 Breaks Barriers | Global Intelligence Weekly Wrap-Up (June 20, 2025)
🎙 Hosted by Neil Bisson, former CSIS Intelligence Officer & Director of the Global Intelligence Knowledge Network

Welcome to this week’s Global Intelligence Weekly Wrap-Up — your trusted source for expert analysis on the latest intelligence, espionage, and national security stories shaping our world.

This week’s episode spans the globe:
🇬🇧 Britain appoints its first-ever female chief of MI6 — breaking a 115-year streak of male spymasters.
🇮🇱🇮🇷 Mossad releases rare video footage from deep inside Iran, highlighting Israel’s aggressive covert campaign.
🇧🇷 Jair Bolsonaro faces allegations of politically directed surveillance using Brazil’s federal intelligence agency.
🇷🇺🇨🇳 Russia shockingly accuses China of espionage — a rare public breach in their supposed "no-limits" alliance.
🇨🇦 CSIS releases its 2024 Public Report, warning that Canada is now a primary target of foreign interference.
🌐 And G7 leaders wrap their summit in Alberta by pledging to tackle migrant smuggling, sabotage threats, and AI-driven foreign interference.

🔍 With over 25 years of intelligence and law enforcement experience, Neil Bisson provides the context, insight, and national security perspective behind these headlines — and what they mean for Canadians and our allies.

🔔 Subscribe now and stay ahead of the threat curve.

📌 Chapters:
00:00 – Intro
01:30 – MI6 Appoints First Female Chief
Blaise Metreweli makes history as the first woman to lead the UK's foreign intelligence service. We examine her background and what this means for the future of MI6.

05:10 – Mossad Strikes Inside Iran
Israel’s spy agency releases covert footage of sabotage missions inside Iran — an unusual move that raises questions about deterrence and psychological warfare.

09:40 – Bolsonaro Accused of Weaponizing Intelligence
New allegations surface at the former Brazilian president’s coup trial, suggesting he used the country’s spy agency to monitor political opponents.

13:30 – Iran Executes Alleged Mossad Spy
Iran hangs a dual-national accused of spying for Israel, just days after Mossad’s video release — signalling an escalation in the ongoing intelligence war.

17:05 – Russia Accuses China of Espionage
In a stunning turn, Russia arrests Chinese nationals for spying, challenging the narrative of a tight Moscow–Beijing alliance. What does this mean for global power dynamics?

21:25 – UK Vulnerable to Undersea Cable Sabotage
A British parliamentary report warns that China and Russia pose a serious threat to undersea internet infrastructure — and the UK is woefully unprepared.

25:10 – CSIS Releases 2024 Public Report
CSIS sounds the alarm: Canada is a top-tier target for foreign interference, youth radicalization, and sabotage. We break down the key revelations.

29:05 – G7 Summit Wraps in Alberta
G7 leaders pledge action on migrant smuggling, foreign interference, and AI regulation — signaling a more coordinated global approach to hybrid threats.

32:30 – Outro
Final thoughts and a reminder to stay engaged, stay informed, and stay safe.

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Transcript

2025 06 20 Global Intelligence Weekly Wrap Up


INTRO:
Welcome to this week’s edition of Global Intelligence Weekly Wrap-Up — your trusted source for high-impact stories from the frontlines of global espionage, foreign interference, sabotage, and national security.

Neil Bisson — retired CSIS Intelligence Officer and Director of the Global Intelligence Knowledge Network — draws on over 25 years of frontline experience to decode the world’s most pressing intelligence developments and what they mean for your country, your safety, and your future.

This week, we cover the globe — from Britain’s appointment of the first female chief of MI6, to Mossad operatives reportedly filming sabotage missions inside Iran. 

The Brazil coup trial takes a darker turn with allegations of political spying, and new intelligence from Russia accuses China of espionage — a dramatic twist in the so-called “no-limits partnership.”

Back home, CSIS releases its 2024 Public Report — and the message is clear: Canada is a prime target. 

Meanwhile, the G7 Summit in Alberta wraps with leaders pledging new action on migrant smuggling, hybrid threats, and AI-driven foreign interference.

From undersea cable sabotage in the North Atlantic to executions in Tehran and digital propaganda battles online — this week’s episode dives deep into the global shadow war reshaping our world.

Let’s get started.

MUSIC

Hello and welcome back to 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 the Global Intelligence Knowledge Network. 

Every week, I provide insight, analysis and intelligence on the world’s latest intelligence, espionage, national security and terrorism stories to give you a peek behind the curtain of what the worlds intelligence organizations are doing and how it affects your country, your career and your safety. 

It’s been a busy week, from the G7 discussions on national security in Kananaskis, Alberta to the increasing fighting between Iran and Israel, to the appointment of a new head of MI6 in the United Kingdom. 

So, let’s get to it. 

For our first story this week we head to England, where we spotlight a major leadership shift inside one of the world’s most storied intelligence services. 

Blaise Metreweli has just been named the new head of MI6—Britain’s foreign intelligence agency—making history as the first woman to ever lead the organization. 

Metreweli steps into the role at a critical time, with the UK facing rising threats from hostile states, cyber actors, and geopolitical instability. 

In this segment, we’ll take a closer look at who she is, why her appointment matters, and what it could mean for the future of British—and allied—intelligence operations.

Blaise Metreweli’s appointment as the Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service or MI6 is not just a symbolic milestone—it’s a signal of continuity and capability. 

Known within the Service by her codename “C”, she brings over two decades of experience in both operational and strategic roles. 

Most recently, she served as Director of Operations, where she oversaw MI6’s global intelligence-gathering efforts.

From an intelligence perspective, leadership changes at the top of any major spy agency always carry significance. 

They impact inter-agency coordination, operational priorities, and the tone of relationships with Five Eyes partners like Canada, the U.S., Australia, and New Zealand. 

Metreweli's background suggests she’ll focus on strengthening offensive cyber capabilities and deepening global partnerships—especially at a time when Russian aggression, Chinese influence operations, and Iranian proxy activity are all increasing in intensity.

MI6, officially known as the Secret Intelligence Service, has historically been male-dominated.

Only recently has the UK intelligence community begun pushing for more inclusivity at senior levels. 

Metreweli’s rise mirrors broader efforts within the Five Eyes to modernize leadership structures and reflect the diverse nature of the threats they face.

This change also comes amid growing public scrutiny over how intelligence services operate—particularly in the digital space. 

Metreweli will likely have to navigate the delicate balance between operational secrecy and the growing calls for public accountability, especially in a democracy increasingly wary of surveillance overreach.

The Al Jazeera article includes insights from security experts who note that Metreweli has a reputation for being a “serious operator,” someone respected both within MI6 and by Britain’s international intelligence partners. 

Her experience in handling complex field operations, including in high-risk theatres, has reportedly earned her praise from allies across the Five Eyes network.

Drawing on my own background in intelligence, I’d add this: Metreweli’s appointment is likely to resonate far beyond the UK. 

Allies will be looking closely at whether she brings a more forward-leaning approach to countering foreign interference, especially given MI6’s crucial role in global HUMINT collection.

If she doubles down on offensive cyber and covert influence disruption, we could see a ripple effect across allied services—including Canada’s.

Canada and the US have been well aware of how foreign interference has been a threat to the democratic systems in North America. 

Blaise Metreweli’s historic appointment marks a new chapter for Britain’s MI6. 

But beyond the headlines, her elevation represents continuity, professionalism, and a sharpened focus on modern intelligence challenges. 

As adversaries to western nations evolve, so must those who guard against them—and Metreweli seems poised to do just that. 

Her tenure could set the tone for how Western intelligence adapts to the next generation of geopolitical conflict.

MUSIC

We now head to the middle east where we turn our attention to the deepening shadow conflict between Iran and Israel. 

Iran has launched a sweeping internal security crackdown, claiming it has uncovered a network of Mossad operatives working inside the country. 

One alleged spy has already been executed, and several others are under arrest. 

Tehran’s claims paint a vivid picture of infiltration—agents disguised as delivery drivers, using hats, sunglasses, and even fake packages to carry out their missions. 

But beyond the theatrics lies a much more serious intelligence battle that’s unfolding behind the scenes.

Iran’s latest counterintelligence operations come amid mounting pressure from repeated covert strikes, including drone attacks and cyber intrusions, which it attributes to Israel’s Mossad.

These arrests are part of a broader attempt to reassure the public and reassert regime control following a string of humiliating security breaches—many of which have targeted key military and nuclear sites.

The fact that Iran has gone so far as to publicly execute one of the alleged Mossad collaborators signals just how seriously the regime views the threat. 

But it also speaks to a deeper level of paranoia—one that’s not entirely unfounded. 

Israel’s intelligence services have a long history of using advanced tradecraft and deep-cover operatives to conduct espionage inside hostile territory. 

And in recent months, there’s been an uptick in sophisticated operations that have struck at the heart of Iran’s air defense and drone programs.

The ongoing intelligence war between Israel and Iran isn’t new—but it’s evolving. 

Earlier this year, Israel launched a major retaliatory operation that blended conventional air strikes with covert sabotage. 

Mossad was reportedly instrumental in smuggling drones into Iranian territory and coordinating attacks on key infrastructure.

This hybrid model—combining kinetic and clandestine tactics—has exposed significant vulnerabilities in Iran’s internal security. 

In response, Tehran has doubled down on surveillance, informant networks, and political messaging that casts dissent as espionage. 

But in doing so, it risks alienating its own population and creating an atmosphere of fear that could undermine broader stability.

Analysts have noted that Iran’s response reflects a blend of real threat awareness and political necessity. 

Publicizing the idea of “Israeli spies in disguise” helps the regime galvanize support and justify repressive measures. 

But it also suggests Iran’s counterintelligence agencies are struggling to keep pace with the sophistication of external threats.

From a professional standpoint, these developments illustrate a key reality: when covert actions consistently breach hardened targets, the adversary is forced to retreat inward—and often overreact. 

Iran’s sweeping arrests and executions may reflect desperation more than dominance. 

And if Mossad has indeed gained this level of operational freedom within Iran, the implications for future conflict escalation are profound.

Iran’s paranoia about Israeli spies may sound theatrical, but it’s rooted in a very real intelligence contest. 

With one alleged Mossad operative executed and others under arrest, Tehran is sending a message—to its people, and to its enemies—that it’s still in control. 

But the deeper truth may be more unsettling: Mossad’s ability to operate inside Iran, undetected until after the fact, reveals a dangerous imbalance in capability.

This is a shadow war playing out in alleys, airports, and encrypted apps—not just on battlefields. 

And it’s a reminder that in modern intelligence, perception and paranoia often go hand in hand.

MUSIC

For our next story we’re sticking with conflict between Iran and Isreal as we delve into a bold statement from Mossad: The Israeli intelligence agency has revealed video footage showing agents operating on Iranian soil. 

According to Mossad, these operatives deployed precision attack systems against Iran’s air-defense infrastructure—suggesting a level of infiltration and offensive capability previously unacknowledged by either side.

The footage released by Mossad portrays two agents in Iran deploying systems specifically designed to disable the country’s air-defense network. 

This fits within a broader Israeli strategy that combines Mossad’s covert operations with the Israeli Air Force’s overt capabilities. 

By neutralizing air-defense elements from the inside, Mossad effectively paved the way for Israeli airstrikes with minimal resistance.

This public acknowledgment signals a strategic shift: Mossad is embracing visibility for its clandestine actions. 

In doing so, it not only takes credit for operational success but also sends a message of deterrence—to potential adversaries and international observers. 

It highlights a coordinated and modern intelligence campaign that leverages both covert human activity and conventional military power.

This revelation follows a series of events earlier this month—collectively known as Operation Rising Lion—when Israel launched coordinated airstrikes against Iranian missile and nuclear-related sites. 

Before those strikes, Mossad had reportedly smuggled drones and precision weapons into Iran, deployed teams, and set up covert launch zones near Tehran. 

These teams allegedly disabled key Iranian systems, enabling airstrikes to proceed with reduced pushback from Iran’s defenses.

The significance of this development is profound. 

Not only does it mark the first admission of Mossad targeting Iran from the inside, but it also demonstrates a new hybrid warfare model. 

Intelligence and sabotage, deployed just before and during air campaigns, dramatically increase the effectiveness of kinetic strikes.

Intelligence analysts are describing this combination of covert action and open military operations as a tactical game-changer. 

One analyst noted that by publicizing footage of operatives on the ground, Mossad isn’t just demonstrating capability—it’s shaping perceptions of omnipresence and reach. 

When you can operate inside an enemy’s territory undetected and strike, the psychological impact can be almost as powerful as the physical damage.

By stepping forward with proof, Mossad may be recalibrating its posture: not hiding in shadows but spotlighting its effectiveness as a deterrent and signal to both Iran and other adversaries.

Mossad’s unveiling of internal operations in Iran signifies a notable shift—one where covert action is no longer strictly behind the scenes. 

Instead, they are increasingly part of an open strategic narrative. 

When paired with air capabilities, such operations offer Israel a layered, highly potent model of modern warfare.

The big questions now are: 

how will Iran continue to respond? 

Will this spark a new cat-and-mouse cycle of internal purges, counter-intelligence crackdowns, or even covert reprisals? 

And how will other regional players perceive—or react to—this unveiling of Israel’s intel offensive?

Stay tuned—because with this latest middle east conflict, the lines between spycraft, sabotage, and kinetic strikes are blurring faster than ever.

MUSIC

We’re heading to Brazil for our next story, where we examine news that’s grabbing global headlines: former President Jair Bolsonaro is under scrutiny again — this time not just for his alleged role in an attempted coup, but now for allegedly weaponizing the Brazilian Intelligence Agency for political gain. 

With a coup trial already underway, new accusations are emerging that Bolsonaro used Brazil’s ABIN — its equivalent to CSIS — to monitor opponents, judges, and journalists while in office.

According to Brazilian Federal Police, Bolsonaro and a group of senior officials are suspected of running a “criminal organization” within the Brazilian Intelligence Agency or the ABIN. 

Their mission?

Allegedly using state surveillance tools to spy on perceived enemies — including Supreme Court justices, political rivals, and media figures.

This development adds another explosive layer to Bolsonaro’s ongoing legal troubles. 

While the coup investigation centers on efforts to overturn Brazil’s 2022 election results, this intelligence scandal strikes at the very foundation of state power — the abuse of national intelligence assets for political purposes.

From an intelligence perspective, this kind of politicization of a domestic spy agency is a red flag — one that draws clear comparisons to authoritarian regimes where intelligence bodies act as tools of political repression rather than protectors of national security.

Brazil’s ABIN is supposed to be an apolitical body focused on protecting Brazil’s national interests. 

However, under Bolsonaro’s administration, there were persistent allegations of overreach, including surveillance of journalists and opposition figures.

This isn't an isolated case globally. 

We've seen similar accusations in countries like Turkey, Venezuela, and even democratic states where intelligence services were drawn into political battles — often undermining public trust and the integrity of the services themselves.

This latest Brazilian case also echoes concerns raised during Bolsonaro’s term, particularly his confrontational stance toward democratic institutions and the judiciary. 

His support base within the military and intelligence circles has long been a source of concern for Brazil’s democratic resilience.

In a statement, the Brazilian Federal Police described the use of ABIN resources as part of a “criminal organization” that systematically collected intelligence on political targets. 

The Supreme Court has already accepted the police's request to investigate Bolsonaro’s direct role.

Commentators in Brazil are warning that this could lead to serious institutional consequences.

One senior journalist called it “the most dangerous kind of democratic backsliding — when the state’s covert powers are turned inward, against its own people.”

From my experience, once intelligence agencies become politicized, it’s incredibly difficult to restore their legitimacy. 

And it creates ripple effects — weakening the rule of law, eroding public confidence, and emboldening other would-be autocrats to misuse their own national security institutions.

Brazil is now contending with two massive allegations against its former president — both of which cut to the core of its democracy. 

One involves an alleged plot to overturn election results; the other involves the abuse of state surveillance powers for personal and political purposes.

This story serves as a powerful reminder: intelligence agencies must operate within strict legal frameworks and democratic oversight. 

Without that, they risk becoming tools of repression, not protection.

As Brazil’s investigations unfold, we’ll be watching closely. 

Because when intelligence is misused for politics, democracy becomes the collateral damage.

MUSIC

We’re returning to the Middle East for our next story, where Iran has executed yet another man it accuses of working with Israel’s Mossad. 

The executed man, Mohsen Langarneshin, who was convicted of espionage and sabotage-related activities, including helping orchestrate a high-profile assassination and planning attacks against key Iranian infrastructure. 

This story adds another layer to the ongoing shadow war between Iran and Israel — a war fought in silence, proxies, and quiet eliminations.

Iranian authorities allege that Langarneshin was actively involved with Israel’s intelligence services from 2020 until his arrest in 2023. 

He reportedly helped Mossad agents inside Iran by procuring items like surveillance vehicles, establishing safe houses, and relaying tactical intelligence. 

Most notably, he was accused of aiding in the assassination of Colonel Hassan Sayyad Khodai of the IRGC in 2022 — a bold daylight killing in Tehran that Iran has repeatedly blamed on Israel.

Langarneshin was also linked to an alleged Israeli drone operation against a defense site in Isfahan, a key hub in Iran’s military-industrial network.

These actions, according to the Iranian judiciary, constituted clear acts of espionage and treason. 

The punishment was death by hanging — the latest in a string of such executions that Tehran says are meant to deter further infiltration.

This is not an isolated case. 

Langarneshin is the latest in a growing list of individuals executed by Iran on charges of spying for Mossad or other foreign intelligence agencies. 

Earlier this year, several other Iranian nationals met the same fate under similar accusations — many of them cybersecurity specialists, engineers, or people with technical access to sensitive facilities.

These executions form part of a broader pattern of tightening internal control, particularly as the Iranian regime seeks to demonstrate its ability to defend against what it sees as relentless external subversion.

But concerns persist. 

Human rights organizations and legal observers continue to challenge the fairness of these trials, raising alarms over reports of forced confessions and the lack of due process. 

The Iranian government’s refusal to provide full transparency about these cases only deepens the suspicion that many of these executions serve a political purpose as much as a legal one.

While Iranian authorities claim that these actions are essential to safeguarding national security, critics say they also serve a public relations function — showing strength at home while sending a warning to adversaries abroad.

From an intelligence standpoint, these cases illustrate the profound depth of Mossad’s operational reach inside Iran — a capability that continues to confound Tehran’s security services. 

But they also highlight Iran’s willingness to respond not only with counterintelligence but with public displays of state power designed to maintain internal discipline and external deterrence.

The execution of Mohsen Langarneshin is yet another chapter in the covert war between Iran and Israel — a war where both sides use spies, sabotage, and targeted killings to undermine one another.

It raises key questions about how intelligence is used — and abused — in regimes with limited judicial oversight. 

And it reminds us that in the shadows of geopolitics, human lives are often the currency of confrontation.

As these operations continue to unfold, we’ll keep watching. 

Because on Global Intelligence Weekly Wrap Up, every execution, every accusation, and every covert strike tells us something about the state of the world — and where it could be heading next.

MUSIC

In a major pivot: we head to Moscow, to discuss their strained ties with Beijing, as Moscow is now accusing China of serious espionage—marking a historic fracture in what was once dubbed the “no-limits partnership” between Putin and Xi.

A leaked internal memo from Russia’s FSB reportedly brands China an active “enemy” and accuses Beijing of stealing sensitive military secrets—ranging from drone systems to Cold War-era aerospace projects. 

Even more striking is Moscow’s allegation that China might harbor territorial designs on Siberia, highlighted by new Chinese place names cropping up on local maps.

Despite continued public displays of unity—most recently during Victory Day parades—this internal leak signals deep mistrust. 

Behind the scenes, Russian intelligence is growing increasingly alarmed about China’s growing influence across Siberia, Central Asia, and the Arctic—regions Moscow once considered firmly within its sphere.

Once hailed as a dual counterbalance to the West, the China Russia “axis” now resembles a pragmatic alignment with mounting tension underneath. 

Historically uneasy relations—tarnished by past borders—are resurfacing. 

Economically, Moscow relies on China for trade and technology, but in military and strategic domains, suspicion has deepened.

This isn’t the first hint of friction. 

Cyber espionage campaigns have previously hit Russian state agencies, and China’s economic leverage—across pipelines, dual-use tech, and Arctic investments—has begun to feel less like partnership and more like dependency.

Western analysts now suggest that Russia is effectively the junior partner in the alliance—hemmed in by Beijing’s rising global ambitions. 

Some observers even warn Moscow risks falling victim to what one critic called “silent colonisation”.

While both states continue to publicly affirm their “no limits” friendship, these leaks show a far more conditional, cautious relationship. 

An FSB brief titled “China is the enemy” suggests Moscow’s deep unease that Beijing is quietly undercutting its power—not to mention vying for influence in strategic Siberian provinces.

From an intelligence perspective, the revelation underscores a classic strategic dilemma: when one ally grows disproportionately stronger, rivalry soon follows. 

The question now is whether this leak marks a turning point or simply a secret fissure in a still-cooperative façade.

Russia’s espionage accusations against China reveal that even close authoritarian partnerships are vulnerable to the broader dynamics of power and distrust. 

In the covert world of intelligence, today's allies can feel like tomorrow’s threats.

Keep in mind: in diplomacy—and espionage—what's visible is rarely the full picture. 

We’ll continue monitoring whether this tension leads to deeper decoupling or if Moscow and Beijing manage to bury their misgivings—once again—beneath the surface.

MUSIC

Our next story takes us to the United Kingdom where a new report warns that the UK is dangerously exposed to state-backed sabotage targeting undersea internet cables—critical arteries of global data flow—and the threats are traced directly to China and Russia.

The China Strategic Risks Institute examined a dozen suspected sabotage attempts between January 2021 and April 2025. 

In ten of those, vessels linked to Russia or China via flag registration or shell companies were involved. 

These “shadow fleet” ships are part of a growing trend in grey-zone operations: covert, deniable actions that destabilize without provoking outright war.

UK cable systems are vital—they handle nearly all international communications and banking.

The UK hosts dozens of undersea cables linking North America and Europe, making it a likely future target.

But here's the catch: the UK’s surveillance is patchy. 

Radar only covers about 22% of its exclusive economic zone, meaning much activity goes undetected. 

And legal structures date back to the 19th century, making prosecution of sabotage impractical under current international law.

While physical damage to cables often comes from fishing nets or anchors, the strategic threat from state-aligned vessels is especially concerning. 

Similar incidents in the Baltic Sea and near Taiwan suggest coordinated efforts to probe Western critical infrastructure.

Britain has begun investing in specialized ships like the Royal Fleet Auxiliary’s surveillance vessels, but experts still say maritime grey-zone defense remains severely behind the curve—especially compared to Taiwan, which has led the field in countering these tactics.

Security analysts stress that this isn’t about routine maritime operations—it’s part of a broader pattern of hybrid warfare designed to weaken nations without triggering war. 

One warning from Britain’s own strategic review called the situation “woefully inadequate” for deterring such covert threats.

Moving forward, experts say the UK must invest heavily in maritime surveillance, improve legal frameworks, and partner closely with allies experienced in grey-zone defense.

These concerns should be echoed by Canada as we are woefully under sourced for radar monitoring of our undersea cables as well. 

In the digital era, undersea cables are as critical as power lines or highways.
 
The new report paints a stark warning: without urgent upgrades in monitoring, legal clarity, and allied cooperation, the UK risks a devastating disruption—triggered not by accident, but by deliberate sabotage.

In intelligence and national security, what you don’t see can hurt you—and in this case, that could be hundreds of billions in economic fallout.

MUSIC

We head back to Canada for the next story where we take a closer look at the just-released CSIS Public Report 2024. 

This annual report is a comprehensive and candid snapshot of the national security threats facing Canada and how our domestic intelligence service is responding. 

From state-backed sabotage and espionage to violent extremism and youth radicalization, the report paints a clear picture: Canada is no longer a peripheral target — it’s a primary one.

The CSIS report acknowledges what many in the intelligence community have long warned: threats to Canada’s national security are intensifying and becoming more complex. 

The Service points directly at China, Russia, India, Iran, and Pakistan as the most active perpetrators of foreign interference, espionage, and transnational repression. 

These aren’t theoretical concerns — they’re active operations targeting our democratic institutions, our research sector, and our diaspora communities.

CSIS also highlights its involvement in disrupting multiple Daesh-inspired terrorist plots last year, including one that allegedly targeted Jewish communities in the United States. 

Perhaps even more concerning is the increasing trend of youth radicalization, driven by online echo chambers and extremist narratives.

On the legislative front, the report details how the passage of Bill C-70 has finally begun to modernize CSIS’s authority — allowing for Threat Reduction Measures or TRMs and resiliency disclosures to non-government partners like provincial governments and private industry. 

In short, CSIS is being more proactive, more transparent, and more engaged with partners across Canada than ever before.

2024 marked CSIS’s 40th anniversary, and the report includes a detailed retrospective of how the Service has evolved since its Cold War beginnings. 

What once focused primarily on Soviet espionage has now shifted toward cyber-enabled threats, disinformation, and covert operations by state proxies.

The Service's collaboration with law enforcement and its involvement in the Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference also underscore how intelligence is now playing a more public role. 

The report reveals that CSIS provided over 10,000 classified documents and more than 70 hours of testimony at the Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference — the largest intelligence release in Canadian history.

New CSIS Director Dan Rogers did not mince his words. 

He warns that Canada must be “clear-eyed” about the reality of the threat landscape, noting that never in history have so many national security challenges converged at once. 

The Deputy Director, Vanessa Lloyd, also highlights the Service’s renewed focus on sabotage and economic security, suggesting that hostile actors are now embedding themselves in Canada's private sector supply chains, research institutions, and immigration streams.

The 2024 CSIS report serves as both a wake-up call and a progress report. 

Canada is making strides in modernizing its intelligence capabilities — but the threats are growing faster. 

Foreign states are more aggressive, violent extremism is on the rise, and Canadians — particularly our younger generations — are increasingly vulnerable to radicalization and manipulation.

Expect this report to shape national security policy, especially as the newly formed federal government begins to pass laws through parliament. 

As always, I'll be watching to see how CSIS and the rest of the Canadian Intelligence Community work to maintain our safety, sovereignty and prosperity.

MUSIC

For our last story this week, we’ll stay in Canada, where world leaders met at the 51st G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, issuing a joint pledge to address growing threats—from migrant smuggling networks to foreign interference tied to AI and disinformation campaigns.

The G7 declaration committed the member states to “stepped up cooperation to dismantle human trafficking and migrant smuggling networks.” 

This reflects growing concern over how illicit networks not only endanger lives but can also be exploited by foreign intelligence services to facilitate covert movement or influence operations.

Interestingly, the summit statement also underscores commitments around AI governance, as leaders agreed on a framework aimed at guiding the safe deployment of artificial intelligence. 

This makes the document a rare intersection of migration, smuggling, security, and tech—highlighting how AI could be manipulated in service of covert foreign campaigns.

Held June 16–17 in Kananaskis, this marked the first G7 summit on Canadian soil since 2002. 

Against a backdrop of ongoing geopolitical tension—and overlapping crises like Ukraine and the Middle East—the migration pledge aligns with the G7’s broader ambition to counter “hybrid threats.” 

These include mixing disinformation, clandestine influence, and tactical use of migrant routes to destabilize democracies.

This coordinated approach signals a strategic shift: border security is no longer solely about immigration control but integrated into global counter espionage and national security strategies. 

By coupling smuggling enforcement with AI controls, the G7 acknowledges that tech platforms and networks can be exploited by malign actors—not just smugglers, but intelligence services and influence groups.

The G7’s vow to tackle migrant smuggling alongside foreign interference and AI governance isn’t just a political talking point—it’s a recognition that today’s security threats are multi-layered and interconnected. 

Expect Washington, Ottawa, and other capitals to build new task forces and tech-driven alliances to implement this pledge in the months ahead.

Well, that’s going to do it for this week. 

As always links to the open-source stories are in the transcript. 

Until next week, stay curious, stay informed and stay safe. 

Outro:

That’s a wrap for this week’s Global Intelligence Weekly Wrap-Up.

From Mossad’s bold operations inside Iran, to Brazil’s explosive revelations about political surveillance, to cracks forming in the Russia-China alliance — this episode underscores just how volatile and interconnected the global intelligence landscape has become.

Canada’s own CSIS report confirms it: we are no longer on the sidelines. 

We are at the centre of a high-stakes contest involving foreign interference, youth radicalization, and sabotage. 

And with the G7 now pledging to confront hybrid threats and AI-enabled manipulation, the world’s democracies are playing catch-up in a race that never stopped.

Delivering this level of insight every week takes time, experience, and commitment — built on over 25 years in intelligence and law enforcement, and focused on helping you see beyond the headlines.

If you found value in today’s episode, please consider sharing it, subscribing, or leaving a review. 

It helps amplify the signal and brings this critical analysis to a wider audience.

You can also support the podcast directly on Buzzsprout or through Patreon — every contribution keeps the work independent and focused on what matters.

For more training, resources, and intelligence-driven insight, visit the Global Intelligence Knowledge Network.

Until next time — stay curious, stay informed, and stay safe.

MUSIC

LINKS:
Story 1: Who is Blaise Metreweli, first female head of Britain’s MI6?
Link: https://www.aljazeera.com/amp/news/2025/6/17/who-is-blaise-metreweli-first-female-head-of-britains-mi6

Story 2: Iran Mossad paranoia intensifies amid Israeli spy fears
Link: https://www.cnn.com/2025/06/16/middleeast/iran-mossad-paranoia-israel-spies-intl-latam

Story 3: Israel’s spy agency Mossad claims it was able to attack Iran from within
Link: https://abcnews.go.com/International/israel-spy-agency-mossad-claims-attacked-iran-from-within/story?id=122826017

Story 4: Brazil’s Bolsonaro accused in spy agency case as coup trial is ongoing
Link: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/6/17/brazils-bolsonaro-accused-in-spy-agency-case-as-coup-trial-is-ongoing

Story 5: Iran hangs man convicted of spying for Israel’s Mossad
Link: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/4/30/iran-hangs-man-accused-of-spying-for-israel-mossad

Story 6: Cracks in Putin’s alliance — Russia turns on China amid espionage accusations
Link: https://www.msn.com/en-ie/news/world/cracks-in-putin-s-alliance-russia-turns-on-china-with-espionage-accusations/ss-AA1GTK6U

Story 7: UK woefully ill protected against Chinese and Russian undersea cable sabotage
Link: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/jun/15/uk-woefully-ill-protected-against-chinese-and-russian-undersea-cable-sabotage

Story 8: CSIS Public Report 2024
Link: https://www.canada.ca/en/security-intelligence-service/corporate/publications/csis-public-report-2024.html

Story 9: G7 Leaders Vow to Tackle Migrant Smuggling and Foreign Interference
Link: https://chatgpt.com/c/6852c946-9738-800f-89e2-6487164f2a28