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Trump Risks National Security for Profit.
Season 2 Episode 41
Welcome to this week’s Global Intelligence Weekly Wrap-Up — your trusted source for intelligence insight, national security analysis, and commentary that goes beyond the headlines.
Retired CSIS Intelligence Officer Neil Bisson brings over 25 years of experience to unpack the week’s most pressing global security issues — from Russian sabotage and state-sponsored cyberattacks, to Chinese foreign interference, shifting U.S. national security policy, and the evolving threats facing Canada.
This week’s stories:
⚓ Baltic Sea Sabotage – Finland charges a Russian-linked tanker crew over damage to undersea cables. What does this reveal about Moscow’s hybrid warfare capabilities — and how vulnerable is NATO infrastructure beneath the waves?
💻 Norwegian Dam Hack – Norway’s spy chief publicly blames Russian hackers for taking control of a dam. Why is this incident a game-changer in state-level cyber sabotage?
🇦🇺 Chinese Foreign Interference in Australia – A Chinese national faces charges linked to covert surveillance of a banned religious group. How deep do Beijing’s influence networks go, and how are democracies fighting back?
🌪 Typhoon Halts Jimmy Lai Trial – Severe weather delays the national security trial of Hong Kong’s most prominent pro-democracy figure. Why is this case seen as a litmus test for press freedom in Hong Kong?
🇺🇸 Trump’s Tariff Strategy – The administration uses tariffs as a national security tool. Is this legitimate strategic leverage or dangerous economic brinkmanship?
🤖 The Nvidia Deal – A controversial arrangement lets Nvidia sell AI chips to China while the U.S. government profits. Is America trading away national security for short-term gain?
🇮🇷 Iranian Threats in Canada – CSIS warns of escalating threats against critics and dissidents, often outsourced to organized crime. How real and immediate is this danger for Canadians?
🇱🇧 Lebanon Pushes Back on Interference – The president rejects external meddling and advances a Hezbollah disarmament plan. Could this reshape the balance of power in the region?
🛡 House of Commons Cyber Breach – A major breach exposes sensitive internal systems, possibly part of a wave of state-sponsored attacks. Which foreign actors are targeting Canada — and why now?
Chapters:
00:00 – Intro
01:30 – Finland Charges Russian-Linked Tanker Crew with Undersea Cable Sabotage
04:15 – Norway Spy Chief Blames Russian Hackers for Dam Sabotage
07:05 – Chinese National in Australia Faces Foreign Interference Charges
09:40 – Typhoon Delays Hong Kong Trial of Jimmy Lai
13:00 – Trump Expands Use of Tariffs for National Security Goals
15:15 – Controversial Nvidia AI Chip Deal with China
17:50 – CSIS Warns of Escalating Iranian Threats in Canada
20:00 – Lebanon’s President Rejects Foreign Interference, Pushes Hezbollah Disarmament
21:25 – House of Commons Data Breach and Canada’s Cyber Threat Landscape
22:50 – Outro
Published on 2 weeks ago