Yet another CCP spy

Hi Global Recap readers,

It feels like today’s newsletter is all about the US and China rivalry.

We’ve got the story of a Hong Kong-born man who spent years working for the CIA, only to be caught spying for China, driven by his desire to see the “motherland” succeed.

At the same time, experts are warning that the US is standing by as China pushes its influence, expanding territory and power in the South China Sea—at the expense of a key US ally.

What’s going on? 👇

🇺🇸 UNITED STATES
Ex-CIA Officer (Chinese Spy) Sentenced

Former CIA officer Alexander Yuk Ching Ma has been sentenced to ten years in prison for spying for China.

The Plea Deal

The sentence was part of a plea agreement, avoiding a lengthier sentence.

• He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to gather or deliver national defense information to a foreign government.

• The deal recommends a 10-year prison term.

• Ma must also submit to polygraph tests for life.

Historical Facts

• Ma was born in British Hong Kong in 1952.

• Moved to Honolulu, Hawaii in 1968.

• Became a US citizen in 1975.

• Joined the CIA in 1982 and resigned in 1989.

• 🚨 Lived and worked in Shanghai, China, before returning to Hawaii in 2001.

• Agreed to introduce his older brother, also a former CIA case officer, to officers from the Shanghai State Security Bureau.

• 👉 During a three-day meeting in a Hong Kong hotel room in 2001:

  • Ma’s brother provided a large volume of classified and sensitive information.

  • They were paid $50,000.

  • Prosecutors have an hour-long video showing Ma counting the money.

• In 2003, Ma applied as a linguist at an FBI office in Hawaii.

  • The FBI was aware of Ma’s connections to Chinese intelligence and hired him to keep track of his interactions and activities with them.

The Espionage

Ma’s espionage activities spanned years.

• He received cash, golf clubs, and other gifts in exchange for classified information.

• Ma’s brother, also a former CIA officer, was involved but never prosecuted due to Alzheimer’s.

The Sting Operation

The FBI caught Ma red-handed.

• Ma accepted thousands of dollars in cash from an undercover FBI agent posing as a Chinese intelligence officer.

• He expressed a desire to see the “motherland” succeed.

🇨🇳 CHINA
US Not Stopping China

China is ramping up its confrontations with the Philippines in the South China Sea, and the US isn’t doing enough to stop it, experts say.

We’ve been covering multiple reports of Chinese aggression recently, so this analysis should come as no surprise to anyone following the situation.

Rising Tensions

China has increased aggressive operations against the Philippines in the South China Sea. Here are some examples:

• Chinese coast guards attacked Philippine vessels in June, injuring soldiers.

• In August, China deployed 40 vessels to block Philippine supply deliveries.

US Inaction

Despite a defense treaty, the US hasn’t come to the Philippines’ aid.

• The US is avoiding clashes with China due to ongoing conflicts and upcoming elections.

• Experts suggest China is exploiting “gray zone” tactics to avoid triggering a US military response.

Strategic Calculations

China’s strategy seems to be working, as the U.S. remains hesitant to respond.

• The key question now is whether the US is distracted by conflicts in Ukraine and Israel, or if its leadership is reluctant to act, fearing the possibility of igniting yet another war.

• Or is China acting shrewdly, staying just below the threshold of an armed conflict, making it difficult for the US to justify a stronger response?

Future Implications

The Philippines is unsure of US support and may need to de-escalate tensions.

• In the long term, this could lead to China taking over contested territories.

• The US may need to reassess its strategy to counter China’s expansion effectively.

🇷🇺 RUSSIA
Putin Warns NATO War

The UK and US are on the brink of a pivotal decision regarding the Ukraine war. At a White House summit on Friday, they will discuss allowing Kyiv to strike targets inside Russia with Western-supplied missiles.

Naturally, Putin responded with a dire warning.

Putin’s Warning

Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a stark warning to the West, stating that allowing Ukraine to use longer-range weapons to strike targets inside Russia would put NATO “at war” with Russia.

• He emphasized that this would change the nature of the conflict.

• Putin stated, “NATO countries, the US, European countries, are at war with Russia.”

Diplomatic Efforts

Intense diplomacy has been ongoing between Western allies.

• US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has been in talks with British and Ukrainian counterparts.

• The focus will be on how the war in Ukraine might develop over 2025.

• A deal might be confirmed at the UN General Assembly later this month.

Longer-Range Strikes

Ukraine seeks more flexibility to hit deeper Russian targets, crucial for its defense.

• Washington currently restricts Ukraine to striking specific Russian targets near the border using US-provided weapons. However, this represents a shift from earlier policies, which entirely barred Ukraine from targeting any locations inside Russian territory.

• President Joe Biden is set to review Ukraine’s requests for more leeway.

🇵🇰 PAKISTAN
Blasphemy Suspect Killed

A police officer in Quetta, Pakistan, killed a man accused of blasphemy while he was in custody. This incident has sparked outrage and raised serious questions about the handling of blasphemy cases in the country.

The Incident

• The officer pretended to be a relative to gain access to the suspect.

• The suspect had been moved to a fortified station due to mob threats.

• Muhammad Baloch, the senior superintendent of police, confirmed the arrest of the officer involved.

Mob Violence

Blasphemy accusations often lead to mob violence and extrajudicial killings in Pakistan.

• Last year, mobs attacked Christian neighborhoods in Punjab, displacing hundreds.

• In June, a mob beat a man to death for allegedly burning pages of the Koran.

Reflection

• Although blasphemy is punishable by death in Pakistan, no state executions have occurred.

• The incident underscores the dangers of blasphemy accusations in Pakistan and raises concerns about the safety of those accused.

🇬🇧 UNITED KINGDOM
Royal Navy’s Historic Drug Bust

The Royal Navy has made history by intercepting its first-ever “narco sub” filled with $209.4 million worth of cocaine. This operation is part of a series of successful drug busts by HMS Trent in the Caribbean.

First Narco Sub Intercepted

HMS Trent seized a semi-submersible vessel carrying a massive haul of cocaine.

• The operation took place 190 nautical miles south of the Dominican Republic.

• The boarding team included US Coast Guard personnel and Royal Marines.

• They seized 4,409 pounds of cocaine, valued at $209.4 million.

Record-Breaking Drug Busts

HMS Trent has been on a roll with drug interceptions in the Caribbean.

• In eight months, the ship has stopped nearly $980.6 million worth of narcotics.

• The latest bust occurred just 72 hours after another successful interdiction.

• Trent has surpassed HMS Argyll as the Royal Navy’s top smuggler hunter this century.