Risk of Instability in Iraq Following Strikes on Iran Examined in New Report
A new EdgeTheory report warns that the U.S. strike on Iran‑backed militia Kataʼib Hezbollah on Feb. 28 has heightened instability risks in Iraq. The analysis links rising militia retaliation and amplified narrative activity to Iraq’s already fragile Shi’a‑dominated political system. Researchers cite increased media and online messaging volumes as early‑warning signals of escalating security pressure. The report suggests the conflict could spill over, threatening broader regional stability.
Transportation Department Hosts Nationwide Events to Connect Small Businesses With Infrastructure Contracts
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced a series of Small Business Matchmaking Summits across the country, beginning with a kickoff in Phoenix on March 11. Over 300 small firms have already registered to meet federal decision‑makers and learn how to...
Investigation Finds Russian Military Veterans Aboard Sanctioned Oil Tankers
An OCCRP investigation uncovered that Russian oil tankers sailing the Baltic Sea have been crewed with two extra Russian men listed as supernumeraries. These individuals lack maritime credentials and are tied to the Wagner Group, Russian paratrooper units, or the...
COLUMN: The Terrorism Risks of Escalation: What Military Strikes on Iran Could Trigger
The column warns that recent U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran, including the killing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, could reshape the global terrorism landscape. It argues that leadership decapitation rarely dismantles either terrorist groups or state‑based ideological systems, as Iran’s institutional...
Frontline Watch: Effects of the Iran War and Retaliatory Attacks
The United States and Israel began a coordinated campaign on Feb. 28, 2026, striking Iran’s political leadership, missile infrastructure and nuclear facilities, prompting Iranian retaliatory attacks on U.S. bases across the Middle East. The operation coincided with the reported killing of...
CBP Announces March Virtual Recruitment Events
U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced five virtual recruitment events for March, covering roles from Marine Interdiction Agents to Border Patrol officers. The webinars target veterans, military spouses, and candidates interested in the San Diego field office, among others. CBP...
GAO: Panel Highlights Overlapping Cyber Regulations and Need for Harmonization
The Government Accountability Office released a second report highlighting how overlapping federal cybersecurity regulations are creating redundant work for owners of critical infrastructure. Industry participants cited duplicated requirements, conflicting definitions, and inconsistent incident‑reporting mandates as major pain points. While agencies...
Trust Is Key to Scaling AI Across Government, Senior Advisor for AI at DOT Says
The Department of Transportation is integrating artificial intelligence to boost employee productivity, but senior AI advisor Anil “Neil” Chaudhry warned that trust is essential for scaling the technology across the agency and the broader federal government. Speaking at the ServiceNow...
Man Charged With Crimes Against Humanity in Syria by UK’s Counter Terrorism Policing War Crimes Unit
A 58‑year‑old former Syrian Air Force Intelligence officer has been charged in the UK with crimes against humanity, including three counts of murder and three counts of torture, for actions during the 2011 Damascus protests. The charges, brought under the...
QuSecure Selected for Small Business Innovation Research Tactical Funding Increase Contract Award
QuSecure, Inc. has been awarded a $3.9 million SBIR Tactical Funding Increase contract by AFWERX to develop quantum‑resilient encryption for U.S. Air Force missions. The award supports the maturation of its QuProtect R3 platform, targeting Impact Level 6 authorization and deployment in classified...
Josh Kussman Joins Accelint as Senior Vice President of Business Development and Strategy
Accelint announced the appointment of Josh Kussman as Senior Vice President of Business Development and Strategy. Kussman, an entrepreneur, attorney, and former homeland security leader, joins after consulting stints and senior roles at Avantus Federal and Sentinel. His track record...
Escalating Cyber Attacks From Iran: Is Your Organization Prepared for State Sponsored Threat Groups?
Escalating geopolitical tensions have amplified Iran‑backed cyber activity, with state‑sponsored groups such as Charming Kitten, APT33, and MuddyWater intensifying spear‑phishing, zero‑day exploits, and custom malware campaigns. These actors target a broad spectrum of sectors, from US political institutions and critical...
SAIC Awarded $95M GAO IT Modernization Contract
Science Applications International Corp. (SAIC) secured a $95 million contract from the U.S. Government Accountability Office to overhaul its Technical Information Services IT environment. The agreement calls for end‑to‑end services that modernize applications, platforms, and operating models while embedding security, automation,...
2026 National Homeland Security Conference Opens Call for Presentations
The National Homeland Security Association (NHSA) announced a call for presentations for its 2026 National Homeland Security Conference, set for August 10‑13 in Louisville, Kentucky. The event expects more than 1,000 attendees from federal, state, local, military, and private‑sector backgrounds....
DisasterSmiths Podcast Examines What Happens After Communities Receive Disaster Recovery Funding
The DisasterSmiths™ podcast released a new episode titled “From Allocation to Action: What Comes Next?” focusing on the practical steps communities take after receiving federal disaster recovery funding. Hosted by IEM Unscripted, the show features Chuck Lane, Director of Disaster...
Romanian National Pleads Guilty to Selling Access to Networks of Oregon State Government Office
Romanian national Catalin Dragomir pleaded guilty to selling unauthorized access to an Oregon state government computer network and to aggravated identity theft. He provided buyers with personal data samples and sold access to multiple U.S. victims, causing at least $250,000...
IoT Devices Make Municipal Infrastructure an Easy Target for Cyberattackers
Municipalities are rapidly deploying IoT and OT devices for smart‑city services, but many of these assets remain unsecured. In April 2025, hackers exploited default passwords on audio‑enabled crosswalk buttons in three California cities, using AI‑generated voices to broadcast fake messages....
New Paper Examines How AI Could Be Exploited for Terrorist Financing
A new research paper by Jason Blazakis, funded by the EU’s Internal Security Fund and released through RUSI and Project CRAAFT, examines how large language models could be weaponised to facilitate terrorist financing. The study argues that AI‑driven content generation...
Center for Critical Infrastructure Security Awarded Maryland Cyber & AI Clinic Grant
Maryland’s Department of Labor awarded the Center for Critical Infrastructure Security a Cyber & AI Clinic Grant, part of Gov. Wes Moore’s $4 million AI workforce initiative. The grant funds the launch of the Think Like a CISO Academy, a statewide...
Why National Unmanned Aircraft System Policy Must Lead with Integration – Not Interception
The United States faces a pivotal shift in unmanned aircraft system (UAS) policy, urging a move from a counter‑UAS‑first narrative to an integration‑first strategy. Lawful drone operations must become visible through Remote ID, Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) and public education,...
Retired CISA Contracting Chief Juan Arratia Launches Arratia & Associates
Juan Arratia, former Chief of the Contracting Office at CISA, has announced the launch of Arratia & Associates LLC, a consulting firm that will advise on acquisition, procurement, and audit readiness. The new venture follows more than three decades of senior...
