SpaceX is building a network of hundreds of spy satellites under a classified contract with a US&nbsp;intelligence agency, five sources familiar with the programme said, demonstrating deepening ties between billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk's space company and national security agencies.

The network is being built by SpaceX's Starshield business unit under a $1.8 billion contract signed in 2021 with the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), an intelligence agency that manages spy satellites, the sources said.

The plans show the extent of SpaceX's involvement in US&nbsp;intelligence and military projects and illustrate a deeper Pentagon investment into vast, low-Earth orbiting satellite systems aimed at supporting ground forces.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/science/spacexs-starship-super-heavy-targeting-moon-missions-in-future-launches-in-3rd-test-flight-700132" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/science/spacexs-starship-super-heavy-targeting-moon-missions-in-future-launches-in-3rd-test-flight-700132&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjF8L_IjfmEAxV7zzgGHe_RBnoQFnoECAEQAg&amp;usg=AOvVaw2cMmTE8YXP8ikaEDifaWn-&amp;arm=e" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/science/spacexs-starship-super-heavy-targeting-moon-missions-in-future-launches-in-3rd-test-flight-700132" target="_blank">SpaceX's&nbsp;Starship, targeting moon missions in future</a>

If successful, the sources said the programme would significantly advance the ability of the US&nbsp;government and military to quickly spot potential targets almost anywhere on the globe.

The contract signals growing trust by the intelligence establishment of a company whose owner has clashed with the Biden administration and sparked controversy over the use of Starlink satellite connectivity in the Ukraine war, the sources said.

The Wall Street Journal reported in February the existence of a $1.8 billion classified Starshield contract with an unknown intelligence agency without detailing the purposes of the programme.

Reuters reporting discloses for the first time that the SpaceX contract is for a powerful new spy system with hundreds of satellites bearing Earth-imaging capabilities that can operate as a swarm in low orbits, and that the spy agency that Musk's company is working with is the NRO.

Reuters was unable to determine when the new network of satellites would come online and could not establish what other companies are part of the program with their own contracts.

SpaceX, the world's largest satellite operator, did not respond to several requests for comment about the contract, its role in it and details on satellite launches. The Pentagon referred a request for comment to the NRO and SpaceX.

In a statement the NRO acknowledged its mission to develop a sophisticated satellite system and its partnerships with other government agencies, companies, research institutions and nations, but declined to comment on Reuters' findings about the extent of SpaceX’s involvement in the effort.

"The National Reconnaissance Office is developing the most capable, diverse, and resilient space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance system the world has ever seen," a spokesperson said.

The satellites can track targets on the ground and share that data with U.S. intelligence and military officials, the sources said. In principle, that would enable the US&nbsp;government to quickly capture continuous imagery of activities on the ground nearly anywhere on the globe, aiding intelligence and military operations, they added.

Roughly a dozen prototypes have been launched since 2020, among other satellites on SpaceX's Falcon 9 rockets, three of the sources said.

A US&nbsp;government database of objects in orbit shows several SpaceX missions having deployed satellites that neither the company nor the government have ever acknowledged. Two sources confirmed those to be prototypes for the Starshield network.

All the sources asked to remain anonymous because they were not authorized to discuss the US&nbsp;government program.

The Pentagon is already a big SpaceX customer, using its Falcon 9 rockets to launch military payloads into space. Starshield's first prototype satellite, launched in 2020, was part of a separate, roughly $200 million contract that helped position SpaceX for the subsequent $1.8 billion award, one of the sources said.

The planned Starshield network is separate from Starlink, SpaceX's growing commercial broadband constellation that has about 5,500 satellites in space to provide near-global internet to consumers, companies and government agencies.

The classified constellation of spy satellites represents one of the US&nbsp;government’s most sought-after capabilities in space because it is designed to offer the most persistent, pervasive and rapid coverage of activities on Earth.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/explained-why-is-india-paying-elon-musks-spacex-to-launch-gsat-20-676608" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/explained-why-is-india-paying-elon-musks-spacex-to-launch-gsat-20-676608&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjF8L_IjfmEAxV7zzgGHe_RBnoQFnoECAcQAg&amp;usg=AOvVaw1SWYx1z2zFbbCpov4RORnY&amp;arm=e" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/explained-why-is-india-paying-elon-musks-spacex-to-launch-gsat-20-676608" target="_blank">Explained: Why is India paying Elon Musk's&nbsp;SpaceX&nbsp;to launch GSAT</a>

"No one can hide," one of the sources said of the system’s potential capability, when describing the network's reach.

Musk, also the founder and CEO of Tesla and owner of social media company X, has driven innovation in space but has caused frustration among some officials in the Biden administration because of his past control of Starlink in Ukraine, where Kyiv’s military uses it for secure communications in the conflict with Russia. That authority over Starlink in a war zone by Musk, and not the US&nbsp;military, created tension between him and the US government.

A series of Reuters’ stories has detailed how Musk's manufacturing operations, including at SpaceX, have harmed consumers and workers.

The Starshield network is part of intensifying competition between the U.S. and its rivals to become the dominant military power in space, in part by expanding spy satellite systems away from bulky, expensive spacecraft at higher orbits. Instead a vast, low-orbiting network can provide quicker and near-constant imaging of the Earth.

China also plans to start building its own satellite constellations, and the Pentagon has warned of space weapon threats from Russia, which could be capable of disabling entire satellite networks.

Starshield aims to be more resilient to attacks from sophisticated space powers.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/web-stories/science-technology/5-amazing-facts-about-spacexs-starship-rocket-1681731585636" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/web-stories/science-technology/5-amazing-facts-about-spacexs-starship-rocket-1681731585636&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjF8L_IjfmEAxV7zzgGHe_RBnoQFnoECAgQAg&amp;usg=AOvVaw0RPQ17ojCJXw_-JRZtER01&amp;arm=e" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/web-stories/science-technology/5-amazing-facts-about-spacexs-starship-rocket-1681731585636" target="_blank">5 Amazing Facts about&nbsp;SpaceX's&nbsp;Starship Rocket</a>

The network is also intended to greatly expand the U.S. government's remote-sensing capabilities and will consist of large satellites with imaging sensors, as well as a greater number of relay satellites that pass the imaging data and other communications across the network using inter-satellite lasers, two of the sources said.

The NRO includes personnel from the US&nbsp;Space Force and CIA and provides classified satellite imagery for the Pentagon and other intelligence agencies.

The spy satellites will house sensors provided by another company, three of the sources said.

SpaceX is building a network of hundreds of spy satellites under a classified contract with a US intelligence agency, five sources familiar with the programme said, demonstrating deepening ties between billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk's space company and national security agencies.

SpaceX is building a network of hundreds of spy satellites under a classified contract with a US intelligence agency, five sources familiar with the programme said, demonstrating deepening ties between billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk's space company and national security agencies. The network is being built by SpaceX's Starshield business unit under a $1.8 billion contract signed in 2021 with the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), an intelligence agency that manages spy satellites, the sources said. The plans show the extent of SpaceX's involvement in US intelligence and military projects and illustrate a deeper Pentagon investment into vast, low-Earth orbiting satellite systems aimed at supporting ground forces. Also read: SpaceX's Starship, targeting moon missions in future If successful, the sources said the programme would significantly advance the ability of the US government and military to quickly spot potential targets almost anywhere on the globe. The contract signals growing trust by the intelligence establishment of a company whose owner has clashed with the Biden administration and sparked controversy over the use of Starlink satellite connectivity in the Ukraine war, the sources said. The Wall Street Journal reported in February the existence of a $1.8 billion classified Starshield contract with an unknown intelligence agency without detailing the purposes of the programme. Reuters reporting discloses for the first time that the SpaceX contract is for a powerful new spy system with hundreds of satellites bearing Earth-imaging capabilities that can operate as a swarm in low orbits, and that the spy agency that Musk's company is working with is the NRO. Reuters was unable to determine when the new network of satellites would come online and could not establish what other companies are part of the program with their own contracts. SpaceX, the world's largest satellite operator, did not respond to several requests for comment about the contract, its role in it and details on satellite launches. The Pentagon referred a request for comment to the NRO and SpaceX. In a statement the NRO acknowledged its mission to develop a sophisticated satellite system and its partnerships with other government agencies, companies, research institutions and nations, but declined to comment on Reuters' findings about the extent of SpaceX’s involvement in the effort. "The National Reconnaissance Office is developing the most capable, diverse, and resilient space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance system the world has ever seen," a spokesperson said. The satellites can track targets on the ground and share that data with U.S. intelligence and military officials, the sources said. In principle, that would enable the US government to quickly capture continuous imagery of activities on the ground nearly anywhere on the globe, aiding intelligence and military operations, they added. Roughly a dozen prototypes have been launched since 2020, among other satellites on SpaceX's Falcon 9 rockets, three of the sources said. A US government database of objects in orbit shows several SpaceX missions having deployed satellites that neither the company nor the government have ever acknowledged. Two sources confirmed those to be prototypes for the Starshield network. All the sources asked to remain anonymous because they were not authorized to discuss the US government program. The Pentagon is already a big SpaceX customer, using its Falcon 9 rockets to launch military payloads into space. Starshield's first prototype satellite, launched in 2020, was part of a separate, roughly $200 million contract that helped position SpaceX for the subsequent $1.8 billion award, one of the sources said. The planned Starshield network is separate from Starlink, SpaceX's growing commercial broadband constellation that has about 5,500 satellites in space to provide near-global internet to consumers, companies and government agencies. The classified constellation of spy satellites represents one of the US government’s most sought-after capabilities in space because it is designed to offer the most persistent, pervasive and rapid coverage of activities on Earth. Also read: Explained: Why is India paying Elon Musk's SpaceX to launch GSAT "No one can hide," one of the sources said of the system’s potential capability, when describing the network's reach. Musk, also the founder and CEO of Tesla and owner of social media company X, has driven innovation in space but has caused frustration among some officials in the Biden administration because of his past control of Starlink in Ukraine, where Kyiv’s military uses it for secure communications in the conflict with Russia. That authority over Starlink in a war zone by Musk, and not the US military, created tension between him and the US government. A series of Reuters’ stories has detailed how Musk's manufacturing operations, including at SpaceX, have harmed consumers and workers. The Starshield network is part of intensifying competition between the U.S. and its rivals to become the dominant military power in space, in part by expanding spy satellite systems away from bulky, expensive spacecraft at higher orbits. Instead a vast, low-orbiting network can provide quicker and near-constant imaging of the Earth. China also plans to start building its own satellite constellations, and the Pentagon has warned of space weapon threats from Russia, which could be capable of disabling entire satellite networks. Starshield aims to be more resilient to attacks from sophisticated space powers. Also read: 5 Amazing Facts about SpaceX's Starship Rocket The network is also intended to greatly expand the U.S. government's remote-sensing capabilities and will consist of large satellites with imaging sensors, as well as a greater number of relay satellites that pass the imaging data and other communications across the network using inter-satellite lasers, two of the sources said. The NRO includes personnel from the US Space Force and CIA and provides classified satellite imagery for the Pentagon and other intelligence agencies. The spy satellites will house sensors provided by another company, three of the sources said.

Musk's SpaceX is building spy satellite network for US intelligence agency: Reports

Officials in the United States believe that Ukraine was likely behind the failed drone attack on the Kremlin earlier this month, The New York Times reported on Wednesday (May 24).&nbsp;

The officials said Ukraine is also possibly behind a number of other killings and incursions on Russian territory. The report, however, cited intelligence officials as saying that they do not know which unit exactly was behind the drone attack.&nbsp;

It is also unclear if Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky knew about the attack beforehand.&nbsp; 
 
Though the failed drone attack did not cause any damage, but it eroded the impression of invincibility of Kremlin.

The report said that the US has based its estimation on intercepted conversations within both Ukraine and Russia. However, it&nbsp;said that it has low confidence in that estimate because it has yet to determine which precise unit was behind the strike.&nbsp; 
 
American intelligence agencies are not sure who exactly carried out the attack, but insinuate that it was part of a series of covert operations plotted and conducted by Ukraine’s security services.

WATCH |&nbsp;Russian PM: We stand together against the West's agenda&nbsp;

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<h2>Kremlin drone attack&nbsp;</h2>

On May 3, two drones attacked the Kremlin in Moscow, but they caused little damage before being destroyed by Russia.&nbsp;

Baza, a Telegram channel with links to Russia’s law enforcement agencies, had posted a video of a flying object approaching the dome of the Kremlin Senate building and exploding with an intense burst of light just before it was about to hit.&nbsp;

Social media videos showed two objects flying in the same direction towards the dome, with the clock on the Kremlin’s Spassky Tower reading 2:27 and 2:43. The first appeared to be destroyed with only a cloud of smoke, but the second appeared to leave a blazing ruin on the dome.&nbsp; 
 
The attack made officials in the United States — Kyiv’s biggest military supplier — uncomfortable since the Government weighs the risk of Russia blaming U.S. and retaliating by expanding the war beyond Ukraine. 
 
Russia has consistently blamed Ukraine for the drone attack, and&nbsp;also accused the U.S. of playing a role, and alleged that it was an attempt to kill President Vladimir Putin,&nbsp;but both Kyiv and Washington have&nbsp;vehemently denied their&nbsp;involvement.&nbsp;

Zelensky denied any Ukrainian involvement and said at a press conference in Helsinki, "We don't attack Putin, or Moscow, we fight on our territory."&nbsp;

After the attack, Russia reserved the right to retaliate, Putin's office said, and Russian hardliners demanded swift retribution against Zelensky himself.&nbsp;

The presidency said in a statement: "Two uncrewed aerial vehicles were aimed at the Kremlin. As a result of timely actions taken by the military and special services with the use of radar warfare systems, the devices were put out of action."&nbsp;

"We regard these actions as a planned terrorist act and an attempt on the president's life, carried out on the eve of Victory Day, the May 9 Parade, at which the presence of foreign guests is also planned."&nbsp;

"The Russian side reserves the right to take retaliatory measures where and when it sees fit."&nbsp; 
 
US officials do not believe it was an attempt to assassinate Putin as he is not known to spending a lot of time at the Kremlin. 
 
The drones that targeted the Kremlin were small with a light payload and it is unclear whether they would have had sufficient range to be flown from Ukraine to Moscow. 
 
Besides, US officials have not ruled out the possibility of non-state Ukrainian or Russian actors inside Russia, including Russians sympathetic to Putin hoping to shore up support for him, carrying out the attack. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
 
&nbsp;

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Officials in the United States believe that Ukraine was likely behind the failed drone attack on the Kremlin earlier this month, The New York Times reported on Wednesday (May 24).

Officials in the United States believe that Ukraine was likely behind the failed drone attack on the Kremlin earlier this month, The New York Times reported on Wednesday (May 24). The officials said Ukraine is also possibly behind a number of other killings and incursions on Russian territory. The report, however, cited intelligence officials as saying that they do not know which unit exactly was behind the drone attack. It is also unclear if Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky knew about the attack beforehand. Though the failed drone attack did not cause any damage, but it eroded the impression of invincibility of Kremlin. The report said that the US has based its estimation on intercepted conversations within both Ukraine and Russia. However, it said that it has low confidence in that estimate because it has yet to determine which precise unit was behind the strike. American intelligence agencies are not sure who exactly carried out the attack, but insinuate that it was part of a series of covert operations plotted and conducted by Ukraine’s security services. WATCH | Russian PM: We stand together against the West's agenda × Kremlin drone attack On May 3, two drones attacked the Kremlin in Moscow, but they caused little damage before being destroyed by Russia. Baza, a Telegram channel with links to Russia’s law enforcement agencies, had posted a video of a flying object approaching the dome of the Kremlin Senate building and exploding with an intense burst of light just before it was about to hit. Social media videos showed two objects flying in the same direction towards the dome, with the clock on the Kremlin’s Spassky Tower reading 2:27 and 2:43. The first appeared to be destroyed with only a cloud of smoke, but the second appeared to leave a blazing ruin on the dome. The attack made officials in the United States — Kyiv’s biggest military supplier — uncomfortable since the Government weighs the risk of Russia blaming U.S. and retaliating by expanding the war beyond Ukraine. Russia has consistently blamed Ukraine for the drone attack, and also accused the U.S. of playing a role, and alleged that it was an attempt to kill President Vladimir Putin, but both Kyiv and Washington have vehemently denied their involvement. Zelensky denied any Ukrainian involvement and said at a press conference in Helsinki, "We don't attack Putin, or Moscow, we fight on our territory." After the attack, Russia reserved the right to retaliate, Putin's office said, and Russian hardliners demanded swift retribution against Zelensky himself. The presidency said in a statement: "Two uncrewed aerial vehicles were aimed at the Kremlin. As a result of timely actions taken by the military and special services with the use of radar warfare systems, the devices were put out of action." "We regard these actions as a planned terrorist act and an attempt on the president's life, carried out on the eve of Victory Day, the May 9 Parade, at which the presence of foreign guests is also planned." "The Russian side reserves the right to take retaliatory measures where and when it sees fit." US officials do not believe it was an attempt to assassinate Putin as he is not known to spending a lot of time at the Kremlin. The drones that targeted the Kremlin were small with a light payload and it is unclear whether they would have had sufficient range to be flown from Ukraine to Moscow. Besides, US officials have not ruled out the possibility of non-state Ukrainian or Russian actors inside Russia, including Russians sympathetic to Putin hoping to shore up support for him, carrying out the attack. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

US officials say inputs indicate Ukrainian role behind failed drone attack on Kremlin

North Korea fired three missiles on Wednesday (May 25). The tests allegedly included one of its largest intercontinental ballistic missiles. In the aftermath, the United States intelligence is assessing&nbsp;whether North Korea tested a ballistic missile with properties that the US has not seen before earlier this week, CNN reported citing three US officials. The US and South Korea have said that North Korea tested three rockets, including an intercontinental ballistic missile. The report suggested that North Korea could be preparing for its first nuclear test since 2017. The US also forced a vote at the Security Council on toughening sanctions on North Korea.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-successfully-test-fires-zircon-hypersonic-cruise-missile-482895">Amid Ukraine war, Russia successfully test-fires Zircon hypersonic cruise missile</a>

As per the CNN report, out of the three missiles that were allegedly fired, one flew an unusual trajectory. The officials noted that the missile's flight path had a "double arc" with the missile ascending and then descending twice, the media outlet stated.&nbsp;

According to two of the officials, as quoted by CNN, such an unusual trajectory suggests that North Korea might have been testing the ability to fire a missile and then make it re-enter the Earth's atmosphere to reach a target.&nbsp;

A joint statement from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin and Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi on Friday noted: "The United States, the ROK, and Japan express deep concern about the May 25 DPRK launches of an intercontinental ballistic missile and shorter-range ballistic missiles."&nbsp;

"The DPRK has significantly increased the pace and scale of its ballistic missile launches since September 2021. Each of these launches violated multiple UNSC resolutions and posed a grave threat to the region and the international community," it added.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;Taiwan conducts annual missile drills in Eastern waters

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ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-seals-deal-with-samoa-causing-fresh-jitters-in-western-sphere-482892">China seals deal with Samoa causing fresh jitters in western sphere</a>

Meanwhile, the US on Friday (May 27) imposed sanctions on two Russian banks, a North Korean company and a person it accused of supporting North Korea's weapons of mass destruction program.&nbsp;

The move came a day after China and Russia vetoed a US-led push to impose more United Nations sanctions on North Korea over its ballistic missile launches.&nbsp;

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North Korea fired three missiles on Wednesday (May 25). The tests allegedly included one of its largest intercontinental ballistic missiles. In the aftermath, the United States intelligence is assessing whether North Korea tested a ballistic missile with properties that the US has not seen before earlier this week, CNN reported citing three US officials.

North Korea fired three missiles on Wednesday (May 25). The tests allegedly included one of its largest intercontinental ballistic missiles. In the aftermath, the United States intelligence is assessing whether North Korea tested a ballistic missile with properties that the US has not seen before earlier this week, CNN reported citing three US officials. The US and South Korea have said that North Korea tested three rockets, including an intercontinental ballistic missile. The report suggested that North Korea could be preparing for its first nuclear test since 2017. The US also forced a vote at the Security Council on toughening sanctions on North Korea. ALSO READ | Amid Ukraine war, Russia successfully test-fires Zircon hypersonic cruise missile As per the CNN report, out of the three missiles that were allegedly fired, one flew an unusual trajectory. The officials noted that the missile's flight path had a "double arc" with the missile ascending and then descending twice, the media outlet stated. According to two of the officials, as quoted by CNN, such an unusual trajectory suggests that North Korea might have been testing the ability to fire a missile and then make it re-enter the Earth's atmosphere to reach a target. A joint statement from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin and Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi on Friday noted: "The United States, the ROK, and Japan express deep concern about the May 25 DPRK launches of an intercontinental ballistic missile and shorter-range ballistic missiles." "The DPRK has significantly increased the pace and scale of its ballistic missile launches since September 2021. Each of these launches violated multiple UNSC resolutions and posed a grave threat to the region and the international community," it added. WATCH | Taiwan conducts annual missile drills in Eastern waters × ALSO READ | China seals deal with Samoa causing fresh jitters in western sphere Meanwhile, the US on Friday (May 27) imposed sanctions on two Russian banks, a North Korean company and a person it accused of supporting North Korea's weapons of mass destruction program. The move came a day after China and Russia vetoed a US-led push to impose more United Nations sanctions on North Korea over its ballistic missile launches. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

US intelligence assesses 'unusual trajectory' of missile test-fired by North Korea: Report

Three former US&nbsp;intelligence officers hired by the United Arab Emirates to carry out sophisticated cyber operations admitted to hacking crimes and violating US&nbsp;export laws that restrict the transfer of military technology to foreign governments, according to court documents made public on Tuesday.

The documents detail a conspiracy by the three men to furnish the Emirates with advanced technology and to assist Emirati intelligence operatives in breaches aimed at damaging the perceived enemies of the small but powerful Persian Gulf nation.

The men helped the Emirates, a close American ally, gain unauthorized access to “acquire data from computers, electronic devices and servers around the world, including on computers and servers in the United States,” prosecutors said.

The three men worked for DarkMatter, a company that is effectively an arm of the Emirati government. They are part of a trend of former US&nbsp;intelligence officers accepting lucrative jobs from foreign governments hoping to bolster their abilities to mount cyber operations.

Legal experts have said the rules governing this new age of digital mercenaries are murky, and the charges made public on Tuesday could be something of an opening salvo by the government in a battle to deter former American spies from becoming guns for hire overseas.

The three men, Marc Baier, Ryan Adams and Daniel Gericke, admitted violating US&nbsp;laws as part of a three-year deferred prosecution agreement. If the men comply with the agreement, the Justice Department will drop the criminal prosecution. Each man will also pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines. The men will also never be able to receive a U.S. government security clearance.

Baier worked for the National Security Agency unit that carries out advanced offensive cyber operations. Adams and Gericke served in the military and in the intelligence community.

DarkMatter had its origins in another company, an American firm called CyberPoint that originally won contracts from the Emirates to help protect the country from computer attacks.

CyberPoint obtained approval from the US&nbsp;government to work for the Emiratis, a necessary step intended to regulate the export of military and intelligence services. Many of the company’s employees had worked on highly classified projects for the NSA and other U.S. intelligence agencies.

But the Emiratis had larger ambitions and repeatedly pressed CyberPoint employees to exceed the boundaries of the company’s American license, according to former employees.

CyberPoint rebuffed requests by Emirati intelligence operatives to try to crack encryption codes and to hack websites housed on American servers — operations that would have run afoul of American law.

So in 2015 the Emiratis founded DarkMatter — forming a company not bound by United States law — and lured numerous American employees of CyberPoint to join, including the three defendants.

DarkMatter employed several other former NSA and CIA officers, according to a roster of employees obtained by The New York Times, some making salaries of hundreds of thousands of dollars a year.

The investigation into the American employees of DarkMatter has continued for years, and it had been unclear whether prosecutors would bring charges.

Experts cited potential diplomatic concerns about jeopardizing the United States’ relationship with the Emirates -&nbsp;a country that has cultivated close ties to the past several US&nbsp;administrations -&nbsp;as well as worries about whether pursuing the case might expose embarrassing details about the extent of the cooperation between DarkMatter and US&nbsp;intelligence agencies.

There is also the reality that US&nbsp;laws have been slow to adapt to the technological changes that have provided lucrative work for former spies once trained to conduct offensive cyber operations against America’s adversaries.

Specifically, the rules that govern what US&nbsp;intelligence and military personnel can and cannot provide to foreign governments were devised for 20th-century warfare — for instance, training foreign armies on American military tactics or selling defense equipment like guns or missiles.

They have not addressed the hacking skills honed in some of America’s most advanced intelligence units and sold to the highest bidder.

This year, the CIA sent a blunt letter to former officers warning them against going to work for foreign governments. The letter, written by the spy agency’s head of counterintelligence, said it was seeing a “detrimental trend” of “foreign governments, either directly or indirectly, hiring former intelligence officials to build up their spying capabilities.”

“I can’t mince words -&nbsp;former CIA officers who pursue this type of employment are engaging in activity that may undermine the agency’s mission to the benefit of US&nbsp;competitors and foreign adversaries,” wrote Sheetal T. Patel, the CIA’s assistant director for counterintelligence.

Prosecutors said that the Emirates gradually transitioned its contracts from CyberPoint to DarkMatter, but that at no time did the three men obtain the necessary approvals to provide defense services to DarkMatter. The court documents said that the three men and others worked in DarkMatter’s “Cyber Intelligence Operations,” which gained access to “information and data from thousands of targets around the world.”

In interviews, former DarkMatter employees said that Emirati officials were particularly focused on hacking the computer systems of the country’s main rival, Qatar, but that operations were also carried out against Emirati dissidents and journalists. They even hacked the emails of a Qatari minister communicating with former first lady Michelle Obama about a planned trip to Qatar.

Baier and his group purchased computer tools from US&nbsp;companies for use in hacking operations, according to prosecutors. In two instances, DarkMatter paid about $750,000 and $1.3 million -&nbsp;illustrating how much American companies stand to gain from selling those dangerous tools to foreign countries and businesses.

Prosecutors said the men “expanded the breadth and increased the sophistication” of the operations that DarkMatter was providing to the Emirati government. The efforts took aim at “individual, corporate and government targets by compromising computers and accounts belonging to associates, employees or relatives of the primary targets,” according to court documents.

Prosecutors said CyberPoint warned the Americans that it could not support DarkMatter’s intended computer exploitation operations without obtaining the proper US&nbsp;authorisation.

Two former employees, Lori Stroud and Jonathan Cole, left the company after growing troubled about DarkMatter’s hacking and targeting of US&nbsp;citizens. When the pair, who are married, raised the issue with their superiors, they were sidelined, they said.

They left the company in 2017 and began cooperating extensively with the FBI’s investigation.

“This is a huge win,” Cole said in an interview Tuesday. “This will send a message to former US&nbsp;intelligence operatives working overseas. They should not share US&nbsp;tradecraft with foreign governments.”

Three former US intelligence officers hired by the United Arab Emirates to carry out sophisticated cyber operations admitted to hacking crimes and violating US export laws that restrict the transfer of military technology to foreign governments, according to court documents made public on Tuesday.

Three former US intelligence officers hired by the United Arab Emirates to carry out sophisticated cyber operations admitted to hacking crimes and violating US export laws that restrict the transfer of military technology to foreign governments, according to court documents made public on Tuesday. The documents detail a conspiracy by the three men to furnish the Emirates with advanced technology and to assist Emirati intelligence operatives in breaches aimed at damaging the perceived enemies of the small but powerful Persian Gulf nation. The men helped the Emirates, a close American ally, gain unauthorized access to “acquire data from computers, electronic devices and servers around the world, including on computers and servers in the United States,” prosecutors said. The three men worked for DarkMatter, a company that is effectively an arm of the Emirati government. They are part of a trend of former US intelligence officers accepting lucrative jobs from foreign governments hoping to bolster their abilities to mount cyber operations. Legal experts have said the rules governing this new age of digital mercenaries are murky, and the charges made public on Tuesday could be something of an opening salvo by the government in a battle to deter former American spies from becoming guns for hire overseas. The three men, Marc Baier, Ryan Adams and Daniel Gericke, admitted violating US laws as part of a three-year deferred prosecution agreement. If the men comply with the agreement, the Justice Department will drop the criminal prosecution. Each man will also pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines. The men will also never be able to receive a U.S. government security clearance. Baier worked for the National Security Agency unit that carries out advanced offensive cyber operations. Adams and Gericke served in the military and in the intelligence community. DarkMatter had its origins in another company, an American firm called CyberPoint that originally won contracts from the Emirates to help protect the country from computer attacks. CyberPoint obtained approval from the US government to work for the Emiratis, a necessary step intended to regulate the export of military and intelligence services. Many of the company’s employees had worked on highly classified projects for the NSA and other U.S. intelligence agencies. But the Emiratis had larger ambitions and repeatedly pressed CyberPoint employees to exceed the boundaries of the company’s American license, according to former employees. CyberPoint rebuffed requests by Emirati intelligence operatives to try to crack encryption codes and to hack websites housed on American servers — operations that would have run afoul of American law. So in 2015 the Emiratis founded DarkMatter — forming a company not bound by United States law — and lured numerous American employees of CyberPoint to join, including the three defendants. DarkMatter employed several other former NSA and CIA officers, according to a roster of employees obtained by The New York Times, some making salaries of hundreds of thousands of dollars a year. The investigation into the American employees of DarkMatter has continued for years, and it had been unclear whether prosecutors would bring charges. Experts cited potential diplomatic concerns about jeopardizing the United States’ relationship with the Emirates - a country that has cultivated close ties to the past several US administrations - as well as worries about whether pursuing the case might expose embarrassing details about the extent of the cooperation between DarkMatter and US intelligence agencies. There is also the reality that US laws have been slow to adapt to the technological changes that have provided lucrative work for former spies once trained to conduct offensive cyber operations against America’s adversaries. Specifically, the rules that govern what US intelligence and military personnel can and cannot provide to foreign governments were devised for 20th-century warfare — for instance, training foreign armies on American military tactics or selling defense equipment like guns or missiles. They have not addressed the hacking skills honed in some of America’s most advanced intelligence units and sold to the highest bidder. This year, the CIA sent a blunt letter to former officers warning them against going to work for foreign governments. The letter, written by the spy agency’s head of counterintelligence, said it was seeing a “detrimental trend” of “foreign governments, either directly or indirectly, hiring former intelligence officials to build up their spying capabilities.” “I can’t mince words - former CIA officers who pursue this type of employment are engaging in activity that may undermine the agency’s mission to the benefit of US competitors and foreign adversaries,” wrote Sheetal T. Patel, the CIA’s assistant director for counterintelligence. Prosecutors said that the Emirates gradually transitioned its contracts from CyberPoint to DarkMatter, but that at no time did the three men obtain the necessary approvals to provide defense services to DarkMatter. The court documents said that the three men and others worked in DarkMatter’s “Cyber Intelligence Operations,” which gained access to “information and data from thousands of targets around the world.” In interviews, former DarkMatter employees said that Emirati officials were particularly focused on hacking the computer systems of the country’s main rival, Qatar, but that operations were also carried out against Emirati dissidents and journalists. They even hacked the emails of a Qatari minister communicating with former first lady Michelle Obama about a planned trip to Qatar. Baier and his group purchased computer tools from US companies for use in hacking operations, according to prosecutors. In two instances, DarkMatter paid about $750,000 and $1.3 million - illustrating how much American companies stand to gain from selling those dangerous tools to foreign countries and businesses. Prosecutors said the men “expanded the breadth and increased the sophistication” of the operations that DarkMatter was providing to the Emirati government. The efforts took aim at “individual, corporate and government targets by compromising computers and accounts belonging to associates, employees or relatives of the primary targets,” according to court documents. Prosecutors said CyberPoint warned the Americans that it could not support DarkMatter’s intended computer exploitation operations without obtaining the proper US authorisation. Two former employees, Lori Stroud and Jonathan Cole, left the company after growing troubled about DarkMatter’s hacking and targeting of US citizens. When the pair, who are married, raised the issue with their superiors, they were sidelined, they said. They left the company in 2017 and began cooperating extensively with the FBI’s investigation. “This is a huge win,” Cole said in an interview Tuesday. “This will send a message to former US intelligence operatives working overseas. They should not share US tradecraft with foreign governments.”

Ex-US intelligence officers admit to hacking crimes in work for Emiratis

The office of the US Director of National Intelligence has said Russia was "likely" behind a string of hacks identified last month that it said breached fewer than ten federal agencies.

It was the first formal statement of attribution by the Trump administration.

The office and the FBI, the National Security Agency, and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency inside the Department of Homeland Security, in a joint statement, said the hackers' goal appeared to be collecting intelligence, rather than any destructive acts.

The agencies said that the actor, "likely Russian in origin, is responsible for most or all of the recently discovered, ongoing cyber compromises of both government and non-governmental networks."&nbsp;

The investigation is continuing, they said, and could turn up additional government victims.&nbsp;

Elected officials briefed on the inquiry had previously said Russia was behind the hacking spree, but President Donald Trump had muddied the waters by saying it could have been China.

The security company FireEye, which was itself breached, discovered the new round of attacks, many of which were traced to a tainted software update from SolarWinds, which makes widely used network-management programs.

Other attacks have used resellers of Microsoft cloud services, with email being a main goal of the hackers.

The penetration of departments including Defence, State, Homeland Security, Treasury, and Commerce is already considered the worst known cyber-compromise at least since electronic dossiers on most Americans with security clearances were taken from the Office of Personnel Management five years ago.

(with inputs)

The office of the US Director of National Intelligence has said Russia was "likely" behind a string of hacks identified last month that it said breached fewer than ten federal agencies.

The office of the US Director of National Intelligence has said Russia was "likely" behind a string of hacks identified last month that it said breached fewer than ten federal agencies. It was the first formal statement of attribution by the Trump administration. The office and the FBI, the National Security Agency, and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency inside the Department of Homeland Security, in a joint statement, said the hackers' goal appeared to be collecting intelligence, rather than any destructive acts. The agencies said that the actor, "likely Russian in origin, is responsible for most or all of the recently discovered, ongoing cyber compromises of both government and non-governmental networks." The investigation is continuing, they said, and could turn up additional government victims. Elected officials briefed on the inquiry had previously said Russia was behind the hacking spree, but President Donald Trump had muddied the waters by saying it could have been China. The security company FireEye, which was itself breached, discovered the new round of attacks, many of which were traced to a tainted software update from SolarWinds, which makes widely used network-management programs. Other attacks have used resellers of Microsoft cloud services, with email being a main goal of the hackers. The penetration of departments including Defence, State, Homeland Security, Treasury, and Commerce is already considered the worst known cyber-compromise at least since electronic dossiers on most Americans with security clearances were taken from the Office of Personnel Management five years ago. (with inputs)

US intel agencies say Russia likely behind hacking of govt agencies

Hope Hicks, one of US President Donald Trump&#39;s longest-serving aides, is resigning from her job as White House communications director, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said on Wednesday.

Sanders told reporters the timeline for Hicks&#39; departure was unclear. She said her departure was not related to her testimony to a congressional committee on Tuesday about an investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 US election.

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US President Donald Trump speaks with Hope Hicks during an interview in Washington. (Reuters)
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She is expected to leave in the next few weeks.

Hicks, 29, was caught up in a controversy surrounding former White House staff secretary Rob Porter, whom she had been dating. She worked to defend him when charges of domestic abuse against his two former wives emerged. Porter was ultimately forced to resign.

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File photo: White House Communications Director Hope Hicks. (Reuters)
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She was one of the first people hired by then-businessman Trump when he began his campaign for the presidency and is one of his most trusted advisers. Aides said she had approached the president and told him she wanted to leave so she could start exploring opportunities outside of the White House.

&quot;Hope is outstanding and has done great work for the last three years. She is as smart and thoughtful as they come, a truly great person,&quot; Trump said in a statement released by the White House. &quot;I will miss having her by my side but when she approached me about pursuing other opportunities, I totally understood. I am sure we will work together again in the future.&quot;

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Hope Hicks during a news conference at Trump Tower in the Manhattan borough of New York. (Reuters)
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On Tuesday Hicks declined to answer questions about the administration from members of the U.S. House of Representatives Intelligence Committee investigating Russia and the 2016 US election, lawmakers said. Hicks was Trump&#39;s spokeswoman during the campaign.

White House Chief of Staff John Kelly said in a statement of Hicks: &quot;To say that she will be missed, is an understatement.&quot;

Hicks took over as communications director in September after the short, difficult tenure of Anthony Scaramucci, who was fired. She is credited behind the scenes for stabilizing the communications operation.

Hicks said in a statement: &quot;There are no words to adequately express my gratitude to President Trump. I wish the President and his administration the very best as he continues to lead our country.&quot;

"Hope is outstanding and has done great work for the last three years. She is as smart and thoughtful as they come, a truly great person," Donald Trump said

Hope Hicks, one of US President Donald Trump's longest-serving aides, is resigning from her job as White House communications director, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said on Wednesday. Sanders told reporters the timeline for Hicks' departure was unclear. She said her departure was not related to her testimony to a congressional committee on Tuesday about an investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 US election. US President Donald Trump speaks with Hope Hicks during an interview in Washington. (Reuters) × She is expected to leave in the next few weeks. Hicks, 29, was caught up in a controversy surrounding former White House staff secretary Rob Porter, whom she had been dating. She worked to defend him when charges of domestic abuse against his two former wives emerged. Porter was ultimately forced to resign. File photo: White House Communications Director Hope Hicks. (Reuters) × She was one of the first people hired by then-businessman Trump when he began his campaign for the presidency and is one of his most trusted advisers. Aides said she had approached the president and told him she wanted to leave so she could start exploring opportunities outside of the White House. "Hope is outstanding and has done great work for the last three years. She is as smart and thoughtful as they come, a truly great person," Trump said in a statement released by the White House. "I will miss having her by my side but when she approached me about pursuing other opportunities, I totally understood. I am sure we will work together again in the future." Hope Hicks during a news conference at Trump Tower in the Manhattan borough of New York. (Reuters) × On Tuesday Hicks declined to answer questions about the administration from members of the U.S. House of Representatives Intelligence Committee investigating Russia and the 2016 US election, lawmakers said. Hicks was Trump's spokeswoman during the campaign. White House Chief of Staff John Kelly said in a statement of Hicks: "To say that she will be missed, is an understatement." Hicks took over as communications director in September after the short, difficult tenure of Anthony Scaramucci, who was fired. She is credited behind the scenes for stabilizing the communications operation. Hicks said in a statement: "There are no words to adequately express my gratitude to President Trump. I wish the President and his administration the very best as he continues to lead our country."

Close Donald Trump aide and White House communications chief Hope Hicks resigns

The US director of national intelligence, <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Dan-Coats" pg="AS1_InlineMedia#AS1_https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/us-intelligence-chief-says-north-korea-decision-time-near/articleshow/62906166.cms~Dan Coats-https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Dan-Coats">Dan Coats</a>, said on Tuesday that time is running out for the United States to act on the threat posed by <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/North-Korea" pg="AS1_InlineMedia#AS1_https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/us-intelligence-chief-says-north-korea-decision-time-near/articleshow/62906166.cms~North Korea-https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/North-Korea">North Korea</a>&#39;s nuclear programmes. 
 
&quot;Decision time is becoming ever closer in terms of how we respond to this,&quot; Coats said during a hearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee. &quot;Our goal is a peaceful settlement. We are using maximum pressure on North Korea in various ways.&quot; 
 
Coats told the Senate panel&#39;s annual hearing on &quot;Worldwide Threats,&quot; with testimony from leaders of major US intelligence agencies, that he expected more missile tests from North Korea this year. 
 
&quot;In the wake of accelerated missile testing since 2016, North Korea is likely to press ahead with more tests in 2018, and its Foreign Minister said that (North Korean leader) Kim (Jong Un) may be considering conducting an atmospheric nuclear test over the <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Pacific-Ocean" pg="AS1_InlineMedia#AS1_https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/us-intelligence-chief-says-north-korea-decision-time-near/articleshow/62906166.cms~Pacific Ocean-https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Pacific-Ocean">Pacific Ocean</a>,&quot; he said.

He said <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Pyongyang" pg="AS1_InlineMedia#AS1_https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/us-intelligence-chief-says-north-korea-decision-time-near/articleshow/62906166.cms~Pyongyang-https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Pyongyang">Pyongyang</a>&#39;s repeated statements that nuclear weapons are the basis for its survival suggest government leaders there &quot;do not intend to negotiate them away.&quot; 
 
Democratic Senator <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Dianne-Feinstein" pg="AS1_InlineMedia#AS1_https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/us-intelligence-chief-says-north-korea-decision-time-near/articleshow/62906166.cms~Dianne Feinstein-https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Dianne-Feinstein">Dianne Feinstein</a> asked whether US intelligence has looked into what it might take to bring North Korea to the negotiating table, but Central Intelligence Agency Director Mike Pompeo declined to discuss the subject during a public hearing. 
 
Feinstein said she had participated in a classified briefing recently on North Korea and described it as &quot;difficult and harsh.&quot;

Coats told the Senate panel's annual hearing on "Worldwide Threats," with testimony from leaders of major US intelligence agencies

The US director of national intelligence, Dan Coats, said on Tuesday that time is running out for the United States to act on the threat posed by North Korea's nuclear programmes. "Decision time is becoming ever closer in terms of how we respond to this," Coats said during a hearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee. "Our goal is a peaceful settlement. We are using maximum pressure on North Korea in various ways." Coats told the Senate panel's annual hearing on "Worldwide Threats," with testimony from leaders of major US intelligence agencies, that he expected more missile tests from North Korea this year. "In the wake of accelerated missile testing since 2016, North Korea is likely to press ahead with more tests in 2018, and its Foreign Minister said that (North Korean leader) Kim (Jong Un) may be considering conducting an atmospheric nuclear test over the Pacific Ocean," he said. He said Pyongyang's repeated statements that nuclear weapons are the basis for its survival suggest government leaders there "do not intend to negotiate them away." Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein asked whether US intelligence has looked into what it might take to bring North Korea to the negotiating table, but Central Intelligence Agency Director Mike Pompeo declined to discuss the subject during a public hearing. Feinstein said she had participated in a classified briefing recently on North Korea and described it as "difficult and harsh."

US intelligence chief says North Korea 'decision time' near

The United Arab Emirates arranged for Qatari government social media and news sites to be hacked in late May in order to post fiery but false quotes linked to Qatar&#39;s emir, prompting a diplomatic crisis, the <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/uae-hacked-qatari-government-sites-sparking-regional-upheaval-according-to-us-intelligence-officials/2017/07/16/00c46e54-698f-11e7-8eb5-cbccc2e7bfbf_story.html?hpid=hp_hp-top-table-main_usqatar-640pm%3Ahomepage%2Fstory&amp;utm_term=.8eb6d0263976" target="_blank">Washington Post</a> reported on Sunday, citing US&nbsp;intelligence officials, Reuters reports.

The emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, had been quoted in May as praising Hamas and saying that Iran was an &quot;Islamic power,&quot; the Post reported. In response, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain cut diplomatic and transport ties with Qatar on June 5, accusing it of supporting terrorism.

Qatar said in late May that hackers had posted fake remarks by the emir, an explanation rejected by Gulf states.

<h3 style="font-style: italic;">&nbsp;</h3>

<h3 style="font-style: italic;">Related:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/website-says-report-of-plot-to-strip-qatar-of-world-cup-was-fake-17986" target="_blank">Website says report of plot to strip Qatar of World Cup was &#39;fake&#39;</a></h3>

&nbsp;

The Post reported that US intelligence officials learned last week of newly analyzed information that showed that top UAE government officials discussed the planned hacks on May 23, the day before they occurred.

The officials said it was unclear if the UAE hacked the websites or paid for them to be carried out, the newspaper reported. The Post did not identify the intelligence officials it spoke to for the report.

The hacks and posting took place on May 24, shortly after President Trump completed a lengthy counterterrorism meeting with Persian Gulf leaders in neighbouring Saudi Arabia and declared them unified, the Washington Post reports.

UAE Ambassador Yousef al-Otaiba denied the report in a statement, saying it was &quot;false,&quot; the Post said.

&quot;What is true is Qatar&rsquo;s behavior. Funding, supporting, and enabling extremists from the Taliban to Hamas and Qadafi. Inciting violence, encouraging radicalization, and undermining the stability of its neighbors,&quot; the statement said.

The US&nbsp;State Department declined comment in response to a Reuters query. The Federal Bureau of Investigation was previously known to be working with Qatar to probe the hacking.

US intelligence says United Arab Emirates arranged for Qatar's site to be hacked and orchestrated fake quotes, which launched the whole crisis

The United Arab Emirates arranged for Qatari government social media and news sites to be hacked in late May in order to post fiery but false quotes linked to Qatar's emir, prompting a diplomatic crisis, the Washington Post reported on Sunday, citing US intelligence officials, Reuters reports. The emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, had been quoted in May as praising Hamas and saying that Iran was an "Islamic power," the Post reported. In response, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain cut diplomatic and transport ties with Qatar on June 5, accusing it of supporting terrorism. Qatar said in late May that hackers had posted fake remarks by the emir, an explanation rejected by Gulf states. Related: Website says report of plot to strip Qatar of World Cup was 'fake' The Post reported that US intelligence officials learned last week of newly analyzed information that showed that top UAE government officials discussed the planned hacks on May 23, the day before they occurred. The officials said it was unclear if the UAE hacked the websites or paid for them to be carried out, the newspaper reported. The Post did not identify the intelligence officials it spoke to for the report. The hacks and posting took place on May 24, shortly after President Trump completed a lengthy counterterrorism meeting with Persian Gulf leaders in neighbouring Saudi Arabia and declared them unified, the Washington Post reports. UAE Ambassador Yousef al-Otaiba denied the report in a statement, saying it was "false," the Post said. "What is true is Qatar’s behavior. Funding, supporting, and enabling extremists from the Taliban to Hamas and Qadafi. Inciting violence, encouraging radicalization, and undermining the stability of its neighbors," the statement said. The US State Department declined comment in response to a Reuters query. The Federal Bureau of Investigation was previously known to be working with Qatar to probe the hacking.

UAE arranged hacking of Qatar gov sites, causing diplomatic row: Washington Post