SOFREP Daily Brief - 01-07-2016

ISIS Weapons Lab

Terror group Islamic State is employing scientists and weapons experts to train jihadists to carry out sophisticated “spectacular” attacks in Europe, while also modifying weapons systems capable of targeting passenger jets and military aircraft. From a “jihadi university” in the Syrian city of Raqqa, the scientists have stunned western weapons experts by producing a homemade thermal battery for surface-to-air missiles. It had been regarded as a virtually impossible feat for terror groups working without a military infrastructure. – Sky News
Russian Hackers Cause Blackout in Ukraine

Somebody hacked the Ukrainian power grid just before Christmas—and U.S. intel analysts are looking toward Moscow for answers. U.S. intelligence and security agencies are investigating whether Russian government hackers were behind a cyber attack on the Ukrainian power grid last month, multiple sources familiar with the investigation told The Daily Beast. – The Daily Beast
Europe Needs to Get Serious About Gathering Terror Intel

The intelligence tools that protect us from terrorism are under attack, and from an unlikely quarter. Europe, which depends on America’s intelligence reach to fend off terrorists, has embarked on a path that will sabotage some of our most important intelligence capabilities. This crisis has been a long time brewing, and up to now, the US has responded with a patchwork of stopgap half-solutions. That’s not likely to work this time. We need a new strategy. And most of all, we need to get serious about defending U.S. interests. – The Washington Post
China’s Three Types of Non-Kinetic Warfare

Just as the pen can be mightier than the sword, China’s non-kinetic “Three Warfares” may prove to be far more effective at expanding China’s maritime and territorial boundaries than any arsenal of missiles or fleet of Chinese aircraft carriers. The Three Warfares were first officially recognized as an important warfighting capability by China’s Central Military Commission and Communist Party in 2003. They include everything from psychological and legal to media warfare. – National Interest

[Featured image: “Inside IS Weapons Lab” video screenshot]

ISIS Weapons Lab

Terror group Islamic State is employing scientists and weapons experts to train jihadists to carry out sophisticated “spectacular” attacks in Europe, while also modifying weapons systems capable of targeting passenger jets and military aircraft. From a “jihadi university” in the Syrian city of Raqqa, the scientists have stunned western weapons experts by producing a homemade thermal battery for surface-to-air missiles. It had been regarded as a virtually impossible feat for terror groups working without a military infrastructure. – Sky News
Russian Hackers Cause Blackout in Ukraine

Somebody hacked the Ukrainian power grid just before Christmas—and U.S. intel analysts are looking toward Moscow for answers. U.S. intelligence and security agencies are investigating whether Russian government hackers were behind a cyber attack on the Ukrainian power grid last month, multiple sources familiar with the investigation told The Daily Beast. – The Daily Beast
Europe Needs to Get Serious About Gathering Terror Intel

The intelligence tools that protect us from terrorism are under attack, and from an unlikely quarter. Europe, which depends on America’s intelligence reach to fend off terrorists, has embarked on a path that will sabotage some of our most important intelligence capabilities. This crisis has been a long time brewing, and up to now, the US has responded with a patchwork of stopgap half-solutions. That’s not likely to work this time. We need a new strategy. And most of all, we need to get serious about defending U.S. interests. – The Washington Post
China’s Three Types of Non-Kinetic Warfare

Just as the pen can be mightier than the sword, China’s non-kinetic “Three Warfares” may prove to be far more effective at expanding China’s maritime and territorial boundaries than any arsenal of missiles or fleet of Chinese aircraft carriers. The Three Warfares were first officially recognized as an important warfighting capability by China’s Central Military Commission and Communist Party in 2003. They include everything from psychological and legal to media warfare. – National Interest