Things are not looking up for NSO Group, to say the least. It's the world's leading Black Hat cyber-security company. Its Pegasus malware is the most-advanced hacking tool in the world. It has been used by as many as 40 intelligence agencies, many working for repressive regimes, to seize control of cell phones belonging to human rights activists, … [Read more...]
MBS’ Preferred App to Hack His Enemies: Whatsapp
Facebook has a problem on its hands: its Whatapp messaging service has become the go-to app for Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in his efforts to smear and sabotage his enemies, who are legion. The Guardian reported today that Jeff Bezos and MBS had been carrying on a Whatsapp conversation in the weeks since they'd first met each other in California. … [Read more...]
Al-Bagdhadi: We Killed the Man, But Not the Movement
Originally, I conceived this post as a critique of Trump's withdrawal from Syria, which is itself part of an overall U.S. 'pivot' away from the Middle East that has gathered momentum over the past decade or more. But yesterday's announcement of the murder of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi offered an even more direct and specific way into the subject. The success of … [Read more...]
Israeli Election, a “Boisterous Democracy,” and Other Liberal Zionist Nostrums
Though the results of the Israeli election are known, the composition of the next government is not. Both Netanyahu's Likud and the center-right Blue and White coalition lost seats compared to the recent April election. But the latter came out two seats ahead in last week's election. Neither party has enough votes to create a coalition that is far-right … [Read more...]
