New York Times reveals failed 2019 SEAL TEAM 6 mission into North Korea, fishermen killed

The New York Times (NYT) reported on the 5th (local time) that a U.S. Navy special forces unit took charge of the so-called "Kim Jong-un eavesdropping" top-secret operation in 2019 and penetrated into North Korean waters, but failed because a ship carrying civilians appeared.

The New York Times quoted dozens of current and former U.S. officials as saying the same day. The New York Times also reported that the situation at the time of Donald Trump's first term in office has been kept confidential until now.

According to reports, SEAL Team 6, the best of the U.S. Navy's special forces, was put into operation at the time.

SEAL Team 6 is a commando unit that was deployed in the operation to remove Osama bin Laden, which masterminded the September 11 attacks. In early 2019, they infiltrated into the mid-night winter sea by submarine to install electronic devices on the North Korean coast that could eavesdrop on Kim Jong-un's communications.

In this regard, the NYT explained that it was an attempt to secure a strategic advantage for the U.S. at the U.S.-North Korea summit, which began in 2018. At that time, President Trump was continuing his 2018 Singapore summit with Kim and 2019 Hanoi summit in Vietnam, and the U.S. tried to eavesdrop on Kim in preparation for denuclearization negotiations with North Korea, the New York Times reported.

However, as soon as some of them arrived at the coast, a ship carrying several North Korean civilians appeared on the dark sea, and the special forces exterminated them for fear of detection and returned to the submarine, leaving the operation a failure. The dead are believed to be unarmed shellfish fishermen.

With President Trump recently expressing interest in resuming summit diplomacy with Chairman Kim, attention is being paid to the impact of the report on diplomacy between the two countries.

If Chairman of the states Affairs Commission Kim identified the issue through this NYT report, the possibility of a more passive attitude toward U.S.-North Korea dialogue cannot be ruled out amid distrust of President Trump.

LINK: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/05/us/navy-seal-north-korea-trump-2019.html

ISIS members and chief (Abdiweli Mohamed Yusuf) captured in Somalia by U.S. Special Forces.

 

photo (C) Steve Douglass

American military forces successfully captured multiple members of ISIS-Somalia on Friday in a ground raid in Somalia’s Puntland state.

U.S. Africa Command announced on Saturday that it carried out an operation against ISIS-Somalia on July 25. The release did not include details on the nature of the operation or if any ISIS members were killed or captured; saying that “[s]pecific details about units and assets will not be released to ensure continued operations security.”

“AFRICOM, alongside the Federal Government of Somalia and Somali Armed Forces, continues to take action to degrade ISIS-Somalia’s ability to plan and conduct attacks that threaten the U.S. homeland, our forces, and our citizens abroad,” AFRICOM’s release said.

However, the Puntland Defense Force, the main counter-terrorism body for the state, posted on X that their U.S. partners successfully captured ISIS-Somalia’s finance chief Abdiweli Mohamed Yusuf, along with two others. Additionally an AFRICOM spokesperson said in a statement to Task & Purpose that AFRICOM is “currently assessing the results of the operation and will provide additional information on ISIS-Somalia individuals captured as appropriate.”

Yusuf, also known as Abdiweli Walalac, has served as the chief financial leader for the terrorist group in Somalia since at least 2019. In June 2023, the U.S. Department of the Treasury listed him as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist and imposed sanctions on him. In that same announcement naming Yusuf as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist, the Treasury Department noted that ISIS-Somalia generated millions in funds, mainly through extortion of local businesses, which it then used to finance its operations. Yusuf, as the chief money man for the group, answered directly to the leaders of ISIS-Somalia and ISIS al-Karrar, a subgroup that oversees several ISIS cells throughout the African continent.

Army Accepts First MV-75 FLRAA Virtual Prototype

Army Accepts First MV-75 FLRAA Virtual Prototype

Source: U.S. Army
Redstone Arsenal, Alabama – Today, the Army accepted its first MV-75 Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) virtual prototype (VP).

Bell Textron, the original equipment manufacturer contracted to design and build the FLRAA weapon system, will deliver two VPs. Bell is scheduled to deliver the second VP to the Army later in June to the Aviation Center of Excellence.


“The delivery of the MV-75 Virtual Prototype highlights the transformational power of digital engineering in aircraft development,” said Brig. Gen. David Phillips, Program Executive Officer for Army Aviation. “Thanks to consistent support from Army leadership, the Department of Defense, and Congress, we’ve been able to accelerate the FLRAA program and bring next-generation aviation capabilities to the warfighter faster than ever.”

The VPs’ development used an innovative acquisition approach beginning with the Middle Tier of Acquisition rapid prototyping pathway. After a successful Milestone B decision in June 2024, the FLRAA program transitioned to the Engineering and Manufacturing Development phase of a major capability acquisition program.

The FLRAA VP is an advanced simulator based on a digital twin of the FLRAA weapon system. As a learning device, it will inform early design improvements, software development, verification, integration, and test. The VP will also help identify early tactics, techniques and procedures through experimentation in conjunction with Special User Evaluations where Soldiers assess different parts of the weapon system. Valuable Soldier feedback will continue to shape the aircraft’s design. The VPs can upgrade into flight training devices to further enhance training opportunities.

“We are incredibly proud to have reached this critical milestone,” said Col. Jeffrey Poquette, Project Manager for FLRAA. “Our virtual prototype demonstrates a clear path to delivering a next-generation multi-mission aircraft that will fundamentally change how the Army conducts long-range assault operations.”

photo (C) Steve Douglass 

The MV-75 FLRAA is the Army’s new long-range assault and multi-mission aircraft designed to fly twice as far and twice as fast as the current fleet. The VPs will help the Army understand and evaluate crew interfaces, performance, safety, and other aspects of the FLRAA weapon system before and after the prototype aircraft are available for testing.

UN declared Iran is in breach on nuclear nuclear non-proliferation obligations almost guaranteeing Israel will strike Iran

The United Nations nuclear watchdog’s 35-nation Board of Governors has formally declared Iran in breach of its nuclear non-proliferation obligations for the first time in nearly two decades, fueling concerns about a possible Israeli military response.

“(The board) Finds that Iran’s many failures to uphold its obligations since 2019 to provide the Agency with full and timely cooperation regarding undeclared nuclear material and activities at multiple undeclared locations in Iran … constitutes non-compliance with its obligations under its Safeguards Agreement with the Agency,” the International Atomic Energy Agency board resolution text, seen by Reuters, said.

The decision follows years of growing tensions between Iran and the West over Tehran’s nuclear activities, including accusations of concealing nuclear work at undeclared sites. Diplomats present at the closed-door session described the resolution as a turning point, signaling a shift in the international approach to Iran’s nuclear posture.

Against this backdrop, rumors have intensified that Israel may be preparing to strike Iranian nuclear facilities and associated infrastructure involved in the production of ballistic missiles and drones. Multiple media outlets, citing U.S. defense sources, reported Thursday that Israeli military action could be imminent.

The reports coincided with Washington’s move to evacuate certain civilian personnel from U.S. military bases across the region. Analysts view the move as a precaution against a potential Iranian response to an Israeli attack.

U.S. officials told NBC and CBS that Israel was “moving toward” action and had informed Washington of a possible timeline. Though no final decision has been announced, the rising alert posture suggests preparations are underway.

A senior Iranian official told Reuters on Thursday that a “friendly” country in the region had warned Tehran about the prospect of an Israeli operation. The official said the current pressure campaign was intended to “influence Tehran to change its position about its nuclear rights” ahead of direct talks with the United States scheduled for Sunday in Oman.

Despite mounting pressure, Tehran has vowed to hold its position. The same official said Iran remains committed to maintaining low-level uranium enrichment, describing it as a sovereign right under international law.

U.S. military forces in the Middle East have reportedly increased force protection measures. Meanwhile, Israel has not publicly commented on the reports but has consistently maintained that it will not allow Iran to obtain nuclear weapons capability.

The IAEA’s decision, coupled with ongoing tensions, has heightened fears of a regional conflict that could disrupt global energy markets and threaten international shipping lanes. Israeli officials have previously warned that diplomatic efforts alone will not stop Iran’s nuclear ambitions, and that time is running out.

While diplomacy remains on the table, the situation is increasingly volatile. Defense analysts suggest that any Israeli action would likely focus on Iran’s most sensitive facilities, including Fordow and Natanz, both of which are hardened and partially underground.

The coming days may prove decisive, as all sides prepare for high-level diplomatic talks — while also bracing for the possibility that negotiations may collapse into open confrontation.

2 Chinese nationals accused of smuggling 'dangerous biological pathogen' into US

BBC: 

Two Chinese nationals have been accused of smuggling a fungus into the US that officials describe as a "dangerous biological pathogen".


Yunqing Jian, 33, and Zunyong Liu, 34, have been charged with conspiracy, smuggling goods, false statements, and visa fraud, the US Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Michigan announced on Tuesday.

The complaint alleges Mr Liu tried to smuggle the fungus through Detroit airport so he could study it at a University of Michigan laboratory where his girlfriend, Ms Jian, worked.

The fungus called Fusarium graminearum can cause a disease in wheat, barley, maize and rice that can wipe out crops and lead to vomiting and liver damage if it gets into food.



The fungus is described in scientific literature as a "potential agroterrorism weapon", according to the US Attorney's Office, adding it is responsible for "billions of dollars in economic losses worldwide each year."

Officials further allege Ms Jian received funding from the Chinese government for her research on the pathogen in China. They also claim she is a member of the Chinese Communist Party.

United States Attorney Jerome F Gorgon Jr described the allegations as of the "gravest national security concerns".

"These two aliens have been charged with smuggling a fungus that has been described as a 'potential agroterrorism weapon' into in the [sic] heartland of America, where they apparently intended to use a University of Michigan laboratory to further their scheme."

The investigation was a joint effort between the FBI and US Customs and Border Protection.

Ms Jian is due to appear in court in Detroit, Michigan on Tuesday.

The BBC has reached out to the University of Michigan and the Chinese embassy in Washington DC for comment.