Ruslan Trad
@ruslantrad.bsky.social
Researcher on info ops, narratives, security-related topics, and hybrid warfare from Syria to Eurasia.
Editor, Security and Defense, Capital.
Non-Resident Fellow at DFRLab.
DRM Journal co-founder.
https://bio.link/ruslantrad
Editor, Security and Defense, Capital.
Non-Resident Fellow at DFRLab.
DRM Journal co-founder.
https://bio.link/ruslantrad
"Companies are offering law enforcement agencies the ability to track smartphone users through advertising data gathered on their devices. Le Monde attended confidential presentations of these new surveillance tools to learn more."
How surveillance companies track smartphone users through advertising data
Companies are offering law enforcement agencies the ability to track smartphone users through advertising data gathered on their devices. Le Monde attended confidential presentations of these new surv...
www.lemonde.fr
February 14, 2026 at 10:45 PM
"Companies are offering law enforcement agencies the ability to track smartphone users through advertising data gathered on their devices. Le Monde attended confidential presentations of these new surveillance tools to learn more."
Anthropic’s artificial-intelligence tool Claude was used in the U.S. military’s operation to capture former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
Exclusive | Pentagon Used Anthropic’s Claude in Maduro Venezuela Raid
The use of the model through a contract with Palantir highlights the growing role of AI in the Pentagon.
www.wsj.com
February 13, 2026 at 11:50 PM
Anthropic’s artificial-intelligence tool Claude was used in the U.S. military’s operation to capture former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
Microloans were meant to lift people out of poverty. But in Cambodia, they've pushed families into crushing debt. The @ftm.eu's reporters travelled across the country to investigate how European development institutions helped fuel a system that profits from desperation.
Podcast | European money pushes Cambodians into despair
Microloans were meant to lift people out of poverty. But in Cambodia, they’ve pushed families into crushing debt – and in some cases, even to suicide.
Reporters Leila Goldstein and Phon Sothyroth trav...
www.ftm.eu
February 13, 2026 at 11:02 PM
Microloans were meant to lift people out of poverty. But in Cambodia, they've pushed families into crushing debt. The @ftm.eu's reporters travelled across the country to investigate how European development institutions helped fuel a system that profits from desperation.
A Greek air force colonel currently held on espionage charges faces a life sentence if found guilty of leaking top-secret NATO military plans to China in exchange for cash.
Greek squadron leader arrested for China spying
A series of military espionage cases have rocked European capitals in recent years.
www.newsweek.com
February 13, 2026 at 1:34 PM
A Greek air force colonel currently held on espionage charges faces a life sentence if found guilty of leaking top-secret NATO military plans to China in exchange for cash.
Last year, Europe bought over half a billion dollars’ worth of diesel from America’s leading refiner of Venezuelan crude. According to customs and shipping records, in 2025, European countries imported at least $565 million worth of diesel, with the 🇳🇱 and the 🇬🇧 among the top destinations.
Europe poised to help US companies profit from Venezuelan oil
Europe and the UK already have a blueprint for supporting Venezuela's people – stop importing its oil while it is controlled by the US
globalwitness.org
February 12, 2026 at 10:39 PM
Last year, Europe bought over half a billion dollars’ worth of diesel from America’s leading refiner of Venezuelan crude. According to customs and shipping records, in 2025, European countries imported at least $565 million worth of diesel, with the 🇳🇱 and the 🇬🇧 among the top destinations.
Private Telegram groups for the sharing of secretly taken footage of women and girls take payments via Alipay and WeChat Pay, as well as the cryptocurrency Tether. One group offers access to more than 40,000 videos of footage from hotels, homes, and public toilets for a $20 ‘V.I.P.’ membership.
China Fails to Curb the ‘Secret Filming Betrayal’ of Women and Girls
Hidden cameras capture women in intimate moments without their consent, yet the authorities do little to stop it.
www.nytimes.com
February 10, 2026 at 1:58 PM
Private Telegram groups for the sharing of secretly taken footage of women and girls take payments via Alipay and WeChat Pay, as well as the cryptocurrency Tether. One group offers access to more than 40,000 videos of footage from hotels, homes, and public toilets for a $20 ‘V.I.P.’ membership.
The Russian sect known as the Anastasians promotes an anti-democratic, patriarchal ideology. For several years, its colonies have been quietly emerging across Poland. @vsquare.bsky.social established that the movement in Poland was organized by a Putin sympathizer who bought land for his compounds.
A Russian Esoteric Sect Goes West—with a Putinist Running Its Hub in Poland - VSquare.org
The Russian sect known as the Anastasians promotes an anti-democratic, patriarchal ideology. For several years, its colonies have been quietly emerging across Poland.
vsquare.org
February 10, 2026 at 12:48 PM
The Russian sect known as the Anastasians promotes an anti-democratic, patriarchal ideology. For several years, its colonies have been quietly emerging across Poland. @vsquare.bsky.social established that the movement in Poland was organized by a Putin sympathizer who bought land for his compounds.
"Emails released by the U.S. Justice Department trace a years-long friendship between Jeffrey Epstein and Karim Wade — the son of Senegal’s former president — who was jailed for corruption."
Epstein Made Efforts to Free the Son of Senegal’s Former President After Corruption Conviction
Emails released by the U.S. Justice Department trace a years-long friendship between Jeffrey Epstein and Karim Wade — the son of Senegal’s former president — who was jailed for corruption.
www.occrp.org
February 10, 2026 at 8:53 AM
"Emails released by the U.S. Justice Department trace a years-long friendship between Jeffrey Epstein and Karim Wade — the son of Senegal’s former president — who was jailed for corruption."
Der Spiegel reported that German AI researcher Joscha Bach might have received nearly $1 million in financial support from convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and gained access to influential networks through him.
(S+) Joscha Bach: Wie ein deutscher Forscher mit Epsteins Hilfe Karriere machte
Joscha Bach ist ein bekannter deutscher KI-Forscher, offenbar hat er mehr als eine Million Dollar von Jeffrey Epstein erhalten. SPIEGEL-Recherchen zeigen: Der Kontakt reichte weit ins Private.
www.spiegel.de
February 9, 2026 at 10:53 PM
Der Spiegel reported that German AI researcher Joscha Bach might have received nearly $1 million in financial support from convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and gained access to influential networks through him.
"At the end of December, Boulos told the Lebanese daily An-Nahar that resolving the Western Sahara issue was an "absolute priority for the United States".
US held secret meeting between Algeria, Morocco and Mauritania over Western Sahara
Moroccan media say Madrid meeting saw Algeria open to autonomy plan rejected by Sahrawi leaders
www.middleeasteye.net
February 9, 2026 at 9:31 PM
"At the end of December, Boulos told the Lebanese daily An-Nahar that resolving the Western Sahara issue was an "absolute priority for the United States".
“China has unveiled plans for a space carrier that can deploy unmanned fighter jets capable of firing missiles from the edge of the Earth’s atmosphere.”
Aha, okay. Well, good graphics. I hope Nvidia will make it easier to play. www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2...
Aha, okay. Well, good graphics. I hope Nvidia will make it easier to play. www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2...
February 9, 2026 at 3:08 PM
“China has unveiled plans for a space carrier that can deploy unmanned fighter jets capable of firing missiles from the edge of the Earth’s atmosphere.”
Aha, okay. Well, good graphics. I hope Nvidia will make it easier to play. www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2...
Aha, okay. Well, good graphics. I hope Nvidia will make it easier to play. www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2...
Will Lewis, a veteran from the Murdoch media empire who took over as publisher and chief executive of the Washington Post in early 2024, announced abruptly that he is leaving the company.
Washington Post publisher Will Lewis abruptly resigns amid criticism of staff cuts
Departure comes days after newspaper laid off nearly one-third of staff, including more than 300 journalists
www.theguardian.com
February 8, 2026 at 6:05 AM
Will Lewis, a veteran from the Murdoch media empire who took over as publisher and chief executive of the Washington Post in early 2024, announced abruptly that he is leaving the company.
Originally launched in 1962, the CIA’s World Factbook is no longer available.
The World Factbook was one of the CIA’s oldest and most recognizable intelligence publications, serving as a longstanding, one-stop reference on countries and communities worldwide.
The World Factbook was one of the CIA’s oldest and most recognizable intelligence publications, serving as a longstanding, one-stop reference on countries and communities worldwide.
Spotlighting The World Factbook as We Bid a Fond Farewell - CIA
cia.gov
February 6, 2026 at 12:43 AM
Originally launched in 1962, the CIA’s World Factbook is no longer available.
The World Factbook was one of the CIA’s oldest and most recognizable intelligence publications, serving as a longstanding, one-stop reference on countries and communities worldwide.
The World Factbook was one of the CIA’s oldest and most recognizable intelligence publications, serving as a longstanding, one-stop reference on countries and communities worldwide.
"Democracy Dies in Darkness" - remember those words,
@washingtonpost.com? I canceled my subscription—I've been reading the paper since I became a journalist 17 years ago. I have no intention of supporting, either as a professional or as a reader, the current behavior and policy.
@washingtonpost.com? I canceled my subscription—I've been reading the paper since I became a journalist 17 years ago. I have no intention of supporting, either as a professional or as a reader, the current behavior and policy.
February 4, 2026 at 11:20 PM
"Democracy Dies in Darkness" - remember those words,
@washingtonpost.com? I canceled my subscription—I've been reading the paper since I became a journalist 17 years ago. I have no intention of supporting, either as a professional or as a reader, the current behavior and policy.
@washingtonpost.com? I canceled my subscription—I've been reading the paper since I became a journalist 17 years ago. I have no intention of supporting, either as a professional or as a reader, the current behavior and policy.
The @washingtonpost.com fired 300 people, including its best correspondents, closing offices in key locations around the world. Some of the best have been dismissed because of business interests and political maneuvering. Unacceptable a few years ago—normal today.
February 4, 2026 at 11:11 PM
The @washingtonpost.com fired 300 people, including its best correspondents, closing offices in key locations around the world. Some of the best have been dismissed because of business interests and political maneuvering. Unacceptable a few years ago—normal today.
Important report on financing terrorism activities and the new realities.
“The intersection of AI and cryptocurrency reflects the operational reality of contemporary jihadism [...] Current counter-terrorism finance systems are structurally misaligned with how terrorists use crypto today.”
“The intersection of AI and cryptocurrency reflects the operational reality of contemporary jihadism [...] Current counter-terrorism finance systems are structurally misaligned with how terrorists use crypto today.”
“Agentic Smurfing”: How AI-Autonomous Micro-Laundering is Outpacing Traditional Terrorist Financing Detection - GNET
gnet-research.org
February 3, 2026 at 10:09 PM
Important report on financing terrorism activities and the new realities.
“The intersection of AI and cryptocurrency reflects the operational reality of contemporary jihadism [...] Current counter-terrorism finance systems are structurally misaligned with how terrorists use crypto today.”
“The intersection of AI and cryptocurrency reflects the operational reality of contemporary jihadism [...] Current counter-terrorism finance systems are structurally misaligned with how terrorists use crypto today.”
Two shipyard workers have been arrested for attempting to sabotage multiple German navy warships in Hamburg. The German authorities have detained a 37-year-old Romanian and a 54-year-old Greek.
Korvetten im Hamburger Hafen: Zwei Festnahmen nach versuchter Sabotage an Marineschiffen in Hamburg
Kies im Motor, zerstochene Frischwasserleitungen: Zwei Männer sollen mehrere Marineschiffe im Hamburger Hafen beschädigt haben. Es wird geprüft, ob sie beauftragt wurden.
www.zeit.de
February 3, 2026 at 5:25 PM
Two shipyard workers have been arrested for attempting to sabotage multiple German navy warships in Hamburg. The German authorities have detained a 37-year-old Romanian and a 54-year-old Greek.
A Russian army strike hit a maternity hospital in Zaporizhzhia, leaving at least six people injured, including two women who were undergoing examinations at the time of the attack.
February 1, 2026 at 10:52 AM
A Russian army strike hit a maternity hospital in Zaporizhzhia, leaving at least six people injured, including two women who were undergoing examinations at the time of the attack.
Israel announces that Doctors Without Borders (MSF) will have to leave Gaza by February 28th. rfi.my/COxw
Israël annonce que Médecins sans frontières (MSF) devra quitter Gaza d'ici au 28 février prochain
Israël a décidé, dimanche 1er février, de mettre fin aux activités de Médecins sans frontières (MSF) dans la bande de Gaza d'ici au 28 février pour avoir refusé de fournir la liste de ses employés pal...
rfi.my
February 1, 2026 at 10:12 AM
Israel announces that Doctors Without Borders (MSF) will have to leave Gaza by February 28th. rfi.my/COxw
A report finds that a reduction of just under 10% in meat consumption in the EU and the U.K. could put billions of euros tied up in farm buildings, machinery, and livestock at risk if the transition happens "too quickly".
Cutting even a little meat and dairy from your diet could cost Europe’s farmers €61 billion
A shift to plant-based diets in Europe could hit livestock farmers hard, with assets worth tens of billions of euros at risk of losing value, new research shows. Scientists say green diets are key to ...
www.ftm.eu
January 31, 2026 at 12:59 AM
A report finds that a reduction of just under 10% in meat consumption in the EU and the U.K. could put billions of euros tied up in farm buildings, machinery, and livestock at risk if the transition happens "too quickly".
Reposted by Ruslan Trad
And this is the background to the recent arrests of the Norwegian businessmen, linked to payments that benefitted ruling family member Julienne Sassou Nguesso…
www.investigate-europe.eu/posts/congo-...
www.investigate-europe.eu/posts/congo-...
January 30, 2026 at 11:35 AM
And this is the background to the recent arrests of the Norwegian businessmen, linked to payments that benefitted ruling family member Julienne Sassou Nguesso…
www.investigate-europe.eu/posts/congo-...
www.investigate-europe.eu/posts/congo-...
"The IDF has accepted the estimate of the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry that approximately 71,000 Palestinians were killed during the Israel-Gaza war, noting that the number does not include missing residents who are potentially buried under rubble."
IDF accepts Gaza Health Ministry death toll of over 71,000 Palestinians killed in the war
Although Many International Experts Have Accepted the Health Ministry's Data as Reliable, and Even Conservative Relative to the True Death Toll, Israel Had Refused to Accept the Health Ministry's Coun...
www.haaretz.com
January 30, 2026 at 12:28 PM
"The IDF has accepted the estimate of the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry that approximately 71,000 Palestinians were killed during the Israel-Gaza war, noting that the number does not include missing residents who are potentially buried under rubble."
Two Norwegian nationals and a subsidiary of oil firm Petronor were charged with “gross corruption” over an oil deal in Congo-Brazzaville. www.okokrim.no/two-individu...
Two individuals and one company indicted for gross corruption in relation to oil licenses in Central Africa - Økokrim
Økokrim has indicted two Norwegian citizens and a Norwegian company for the use of bribes in the Republic of Congo.
www.okokrim.no
January 30, 2026 at 11:23 AM
Two Norwegian nationals and a subsidiary of oil firm Petronor were charged with “gross corruption” over an oil deal in Congo-Brazzaville. www.okokrim.no/two-individu...
Sources have told the Washington Examiner that the UAE has provided Russia with the identities of U.S. intelligence officers.
Is the UAE really a superb ally?
The United Arab Emirates assists in Russian sanctions evasion, helps China technologically, and harbors serious criminals.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
January 30, 2026 at 10:54 AM
Sources have told the Washington Examiner that the UAE has provided Russia with the identities of U.S. intelligence officers.