A note from Eric: Special thanks to Aggie for providing a number of these links. If you find some you think should be in the Debrief, please tweet it out using the hashtag #FRWFND for Freedom Recon Weekly Foreign News Debrief.
**China**
Xi Jinping Cracks Down on China’s Gestapo
Named for the date on which the extermination order for the extermination order for the Falun Gong was handed down, the 610 Office is the office responsible for the prosecution, forced conversion, and vivisection of dissident groups such as members of House Churches, human rights activists, Hong Kong and Taiwanese liberty supporters, and anyone else the Chinese Communist Party finds to be…unreliable. Previously, this has included members of rival Guanxi – or cliques within the party – which makes them a threat to Xi as he wages a political civil war to seize permanent control over the party.
Previously, merely mentioning the existence of the 610 Office was enough to condemn an individual to the Laogai. Now, with the Xi controlled press outright accusing the office of illegal and unconstitutional acts – in a nation whose constitution and laws are as much a charter of suggestions and guidelines as the Code of the Pirate Brethren from Pirates of the Caribbean – the 610 Office could be in serious trouble.
This is a short-sighted move by Xi. The 610 Office, often and accurately referred to as the Chinese Gestapo, have been instrumental in maintaining the dominance of the CCP. Without the iron heel of the 610 Office, Xi just removed one of the pillars which propped up the government of the communist state and protected them from the seething anger which has been churning just under the surface.
As Xi has sacrificed the peach tree to preserve the peach, it may be time to move the clock closer to midnight on the CCP…
Chinese Webcam Manufacturer Recalls Ten Thousand Webcams
Citing “loopholes” which allowed others to hack into the cameras by an amateur hacker collective out of Russia, what is left unsaid is that China is often accused of placing backdoors in their products so Unit 61398 – the People’s Liberation Army Cyberwarfare Unit – may hack into the system for the purpose of gaining military and industrial espionage and obtaining intellectual property through illegal means.
H/t: Aggie
China Set to Expand Nuclear Energy Capacity
China is currently constructing 20 new nuclear power plants which are expected to come online sometime in 2030. Barring the complete collapse of the Chinese government by the end of the decade, China will have the largest nuclear capacity in the world at that point.
H/t: Aggie
“South Korea Racked by Cult Scandal In Government”
President of the Republic of Korea Park Geun-hye has been embroiled in a scandal for leaking official government documents to Choi Soon-sil, who is being referred to by the Korean public as a “palm-reader” and a “Gypsy” who has “cast a spell” on Park. Choi has also been linked to a pair of “charities” with a reputation of shaking down corporate headquarters and somehow convincing Ewha Women’s University – one of South Korea’s most prestigious universities – of passing her daughter without the young woman having to attend classes or do the coursework.
Choi’s father, Choi Tae-min, was an advisor to Park’s father, the dictator Park Chung-hee.
Oh Look, China Isn’t Harassing The Philippines Anymore
Why, I wonder if this has anything to do with Duterte allowing China to buy his loyalty. After four years of harassment by the Chinese coastguard and “private” fishing vessels, the Philippines fishing vessels are finally allowed unrestricted access to the abundant fisheries of the Scarborough Shoal.
China Still Carrying Out Forced Abortions
The details are horrific, but China is still engaging in draconian family planning policies.
**Russia**
E-Mail Leak Reveals Putin Behind Ukrainian Chaos
A Ukrainian cyber privateer group, the CyperJunta, has revealed the Russian government was behind attempts to instigate secessionist crises in Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova. Included within the leak were emails which showed the supposedly independent states had sought Kremlin approval for speeches, laws, appointment of ministers, and other government actions. In return, the breakaway states were given financial and military support.
Th3 J35t3r Hacked the Russian Foreign Ministry Website
To say Th3 J35t3r is not a fan of Russia and Trump is an understatement. So he decided to hack the Russian Foreign Ministry Website and left them a little message.
Well played, J35t3r…
With conscription reinstates and defense spending on the rise, the Lithuanian government is rather convinced the Russians will eventually invade their country. As such, they have published a book informing the Lithuanian people of how to resist this aggression if it should arrive.
**South Asia**
Amid Accusations of Spying, India Has Expelled Pakistani Diplomat
Pakistani High Commission Visa Application Clerk Mehmood Akhtar has been expelled from the High Commissioner’s Office on charges of espionage and declared Persona Non Grata. Akhtar claimed to be an Indian citizen following his arrest as part of an espionage investigation, even producing a forged ID. The expulsion of the diplomat prompted the Pakistani government to expel an Indian official by the name of Surjeet Singh for “violating established diplomatic norms”.
As Commonwealth nations, Pakistan and India do not share Embassies and Ambassadors, instead they send High Commissioners to head a High Commission.
Pakistan Summons Indian Deputy High Commissioner Over Indian Shelling of Border Areas
Following a recent shelling of border positions by the Indian Border Security Force, Pakistan called on the Deputy HC to answer for the actions of the BSF. Per the BSF, the shelling was in reaction to Pakistani shelling across the Line of Control and resulted in the death of one BSF Officer and the injury of 13 civilians.
This is the third time this week.
Pakistan Considers Cutting Off Trade With India
Trade between India and Pakistan makes up $2.67G, making up roughly 1/3% of India’s foreign trade but a whopping 3.2% of Pakistan’s foreign trade. This would hurt Pakistan far worse than it would hurt India.
**Middle East**
UN Calls For War Crimes Investigation Over Airstrike on Syrian School
22 Children and six teachers were killed in an airstrike on a school in Idlib Province. Though the culprit is unknown, it is known they were either Russian or Syrian. If the strike was deliberate – which, given the recent events in Aleppo, is not far fetched –
Syrian Rebels Attempt to Break Out of Aleppo
When besieged, there are only two options. Option 1: Sit tight and hope to be able to hold out long enough for a rescue force to arrive. Option 2: Break out and secure a line for supplies to arrive. With Rebel forces from outside Aleppo attempting to relieve the defenders and break the siege, forces from within Aleppo are expected to make an attempt to break out and link up with those forces and lift the siege.
Kurdish Peshmerga Within 8 Miles of Mosul
With a force of 45k soldiers supported by armor and US airstrikes, the Kurdish forces are the nearest to Mosul at this time. This is in spite of the Peshmerga slowing their offensive to properly secure and protect the liberated towns. In contrast, the Iraqi Army has been forced to return and re-liberate a number of villages after ISIS recaptured the villages and began killing those found celebrating their liberation.
Saudi Arabia Claims Yemeni Rebels Launched Missile At Mecca
This could have been…bad. Houthi controlled media claimed the missile had been fired at an airport in Jeddah instead, but Saudi defense officials claimed the missile had been destroyed 40 miles from Mecca. The Houthi rebels are strongly supported by Iran, and have been used as part of a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran.
**Europe**
Calais Jungle Burned Down This Week
Rioting migrants began burning the Jungle as migrants and French police clashed over the decision by the French to evict all migrants from the dangerous and chaotic camp. Though the Jungle is closed, it is only a matter of time before more migrants decide to camp near the Eurotunnel mouth in Calais in the vain hopes of making it to Britain.
How Loud Are The Drums Of War?
A Russian Carrier Battle Group in the Med. Nuclear capable ships showing the flag in the Baltic. Russian troops and Iskander ballistic missiles deployed to Kaliningrad. NATO deploying forces to Eastern Europe.
Lost in the noise and chatter of the daily news are the reports of the baying of the hounds of war in Eastern Europe.
Fall of Mosul Could Herald Arrival of 5k Terrorists in Europe
Having left their homes in Europe to fight for the Caliphate, experts are warning that over five thousand mujahideen could be en route back to Europe once Mosul falls. Not all of them will return home, many if not most will fall back to Raqqa. But enough of them will do so for it to be a very real concern in European capitals.
**Africa**
Gambia Follows South Africa and Burundi Out of International Criminal Court
Accusing the ICC of racism and the intentional persecution of “people of color”, the government of Gambia referred to the ICC as the International Caucasian Court in their withdrawal. Experts have pointed out Yahya Jammeh, the President of Gambia, is himself accused of a number of human rights abuses and crimes, and may be brought before the ICC for trial at some point.
Africa Looks to China For The Future
Blinded by the economic “miracle” to the real dangers of the Chinese model, governments across Africa are attempting to implement the Chinese model for economic growth and modernization. However, we’ve already seen evidence of the Chinese model bringing unrest to Africa, with the recent violence in Ethiopia being blamed on the government’s decision to prioritize government controlled economic growth over liberalization of the economy and an increase in rights for the citizenry.
**South America**
Venezuela May Be Entering Crisis
Triple digit inflation, manipulated exchange rates, severe famine, political unrest. Its the perfect storm for a revolt. Whether that revolt can become a revolution and herald the downfall of a civilization is anyone’s guess.
Vatican to Open Dirty War Archives
Pope Francis has ordered the Vatican to open the Private Archive and reveal any information they have on the subject of Church complicity in the actions of the Argentine government during the Dirty War. The announcement came immediately after the Church had also revealed they had finished digitizing the documents from the archive on that very subject. Per the Vatican, the documents will only be available to victims and relatives, and are intended to be used solely for the purpose of truth and reconciliation.
