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Earth Intelligence

10 Mar 2024 — 7 min read

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CENTCOM Activity
F-35 Nuclear Capability

Week Recap:

The United States Supreme Court (SCOTUS) has unanimously overturned a decision by the Colorado Supreme Court that had previously disqualified Donald Trump from appearing on the state's primary ballot. The Colorado court's disqualification was based on the 14th Amendment's Section 3 of the US Constitution, which prohibits individuals who have engaged in insurrection from holding public office. Trump challenged this decision, leading to the SCOTUS ruling on Monday, which stated that states lack the authority to apply Section 3 in this manner. As a result of the Supreme Court's unanimous decision, Colorado, along with every other state, is now required to include Trump on their primary ballots.
On Monday, the European Union imposed a fine of €1.8 billion ($2 billion) on Apple Inc. following an investigation that found the company had excluded competitors in music streaming, such as Spotify Technology SA, from its platforms. This action by the European Commission mandates that the tech giant headquartered in Cupertino, California, must cease its practice of blocking music streaming services from offering users information about less expensive alternatives outside of Apple's App Store. This penalty marks the first time Apple has been fined by the regulator. In response, Apple has announced its intention to challenge the EU's ruling, initiating what could become a protracted legal dispute.
The U.S. took decisive action against the Greece-based spyware firm Intellexa, along with several of its principal figures, for their involvement in cyber-espionage targeting American government officials. The U.S. Treasury Department has levied sanctions against two individuals and five entities associated with the Intellexa Consortium for their role in producing and disseminating spyware aimed at journalists, activists, policy experts, and U.S. officials. These sanctions involve freezing any U.S. assets of those implicated and prohibit any dealings with them by Americans, with the possibility of additional penalties for any violations.
Governor Kathy Hochul of New York has ordered the deployment of 1,000 members of the National Guard and State Police to patrol the New York City subway system. This decision came in response to a significant increase in serious crimes within the subway, which saw a 47% rise in major felonies in January compared to the previous year, along with three incidents of homicide in the first two months. Following these events, Mayor Eric Adams declared the reintroduction of random bag inspections across the subway system.
Elon Musk has brought a lawsuit against OpenAI and its CEO, Sam Altman, alleging that they have strayed from the company's foundational goal of benefiting humanity to chase after profits. Filed in San Francisco, the lawsuit contends that OpenAI's focus on developing advanced AI technologies capable of performing at or above human levels—known as artificial general intelligence (AGI)—is driven more by profit motives than by the desire to advance societal well-being. It accuses OpenAI of becoming a secretive extension of Microsoft, aimed at bolstering Microsoft's financial bottom line rather than serving humanity's broader interests. OpenAI's statement in response to Elon Musk's lawsuit includes detailed references to past communications and decisions to show how their relationship with Musk evolved over time.
On March 6th, 7:14 p.m. Sanaa local time, the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) responded by targeting two unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in Yemen under Houthi control. The strikes were executed as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety and security of international maritime routes, safeguarding both U.S. Navy and commercial ships in the region. In a separate initiative aimed at providing aid to those affected by the Israel vs Hamas conflict, on March 7, 2024, at 3:20 p.m. Gaza time, CENTCOM, in collaboration with the Royal Jordanian Air Force, carried out a humanitarian airdrop in Northern Gaza.
The Justice Department disclosed on Wednesday that Linwei Ding, a former Google software engineer and a citizen of China, has been apprehended and charged with pilfering artificial intelligence trade secrets for the benefit of two Chinese firms. Ding was arrested in Newark, California, and faces four federal charges related to the theft of trade secrets, with each charge carrying a maximum sentence of 10 years in jail. This development was shared by Attorney General Merrick Garland during a conference held by the American Bar Association in San Francisco.

CENTCOM Activity:

Between 4:00 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. local time in Sanaa, Houthi forces backed by Iran launched a significant drone attack targeting the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden areas. The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), alongside coalition partners, responded to the drone threat, identifying the drones as posing a direct risk to both commercial and military naval vessels in the vicinity.
Through coordinated efforts, U.S. and coalition naval and air forces successfully intercepted and destroyed 15 drones, ensuring the safety of the maritime routes. The operation continued, and by 8:20 a.m. on March 9, a total of at least 28 drones had been neutralized by the U.S. and coalition forces without any damage to naval vessels or commercial shipping reported.
In a separate mission on the same day, CENTCOM carried out a humanitarian airdrop in Northern Gaza at 2:18 p.m. Gaza time, aiming to provide essential support to civilians caught in the conflict. This operation involved U.S. Air Force C-130 aircraft and U.S. Army personnel, who delivered over 41,400 meals and 23,000 bottles of water to areas in desperate need, ensuring civilians had access to vital resources.
These humanitarian efforts reflect ongoing commitments by the U.S. and its partners to mitigate human suffering through sustained aid initiatives, including future planned aerial deliveries. Additionally, the U.S. Army Vessel General Frank S. Besson, part of the 7th Transportation Brigade (Expeditionary), set sail for the Eastern Mediterranean. This vessel aims to establish a temporary pier to facilitate the delivery of crucial humanitarian supplies, showcasing a multifaceted approach to assistance.

F-35 Nuclear Capability:

The F-35A Lightning II has become the first stealth fighter jet approved to carry nuclear weapons, making it versatile for both conventional and nuclear missions. This certification, granted by the U.S. Air Force for the F-35A to deliver B61-12 nuclear gravity bombs, was announced ahead of schedule. The F-35A's unique capabilities, including carrying B61-12 bombs internally and utilizing advanced targeting systems, set it apart from other aircraft and signify a significant advancement in nuclear warfare capabilities.
This move marks a strategic development, as the F-35A was designed to take over the tactical nuclear strike role from older fighter jets like the F-16. The incorporation of nuclear capability into the F-35A, through significant updates including but not limited to the Block 4 upgrades, enhances the U.S. Air Force's ability to perform nuclear strikes with increased survivability, leveraging the stealth features of the F-35A to minimize detection and engagement by enemy defenses.
The adoption of the B61-12 bomb, with its advanced guidance systems and improved precision, further strengthens the nuclear deterrence posture of the U.S. and its allies. This development is part of a broader effort to modernize the nuclear arsenal, with the F-35A and B61-12 combination playing a crucial role in maintaining strategic stability and deterrence in an evolving global security environment.

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