Iran threatens US bases in region if military conflict arises
If nuclear negotiations fail and conflict arises with the United States, Iran will strike American bases in the region, Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh said on Wednesday, days ahead of a planned sixth round of Iran-US nuclear talks.
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ArabGT
an hour ago
- ArabGT
Are Chinese EVs Being Used for Espionage?
Electric vehicles (EVs) have rapidly transformed from niche technology into a dominant global trend. In 2024 alone, over 17 million EVs and plug-in hybrids were sold worldwide — with China accounting for a staggering 11 million of those units. Brands like BYD, NIO, and XPeng are now household names, offering everything from budget compacts like the Dolphin (also known as Seagull) to luxury SUVs bristling with smart features. Chinese EVs are no longer rare sightings on Western roads — they're front and center in showrooms from Berlin to Los Angeles. BYD recently overtook Tesla as the world's top EV manufacturer, and its ambitions are crystal clear: dominate the global EV landscape within the decade. This explosive rise hasn't gone unnoticed in Western capitals. Alarmed by China's low production costs, state-backed subsidies, and expanding market share, governments across the U.S. and Europe have begun pushing back. In 2024, the U.S. raised tariffs on Chinese EVs from 25% to 100%, effectively locking them out of the American market. The European Commission followed with anti-subsidy investigations and provisional duties reaching 35% or more, aiming to curb what it sees as unfair competition. While the UK has yet to impose similar national measures, quiet restrictions have emerged around sensitive military sites. But trade protection is only part of the picture. A darker question looms beneath the surface: could these Chinese EVs serve as tools of espionage? Western intelligence agencies and lawmakers have expressed growing concern. Modern EVs are, quite literally, computers on wheels — and some believe they might be the perfect Trojan horse. These vehicles are equipped with GPS tracking, high-resolution cameras, microphones, and over-the-air software update systems. Officials in the U.S., EU, UK, and Australia have all warned that this connectivity — especially when manufactured by firms under Chinese jurisdiction — creates real national security risks. U.S. senators have publicly speculated that such cars could map roads, track government movements, or even be remotely disabled in a cyber conflict. Is such a threat technically possible? On a purely theoretical level, yes. A single modern EV can generate more than 1,000 GB of data per hour. This includes GPS logs, driver behavior, video feeds, microphone input, and even synced smartphone data. Chinese EVs like the NIO ES8 have been observed transmitting up to 90% of their data traffic to servers in China. Given China's 2017 National Intelligence Law — which compels domestic firms to cooperate with state authorities — critics fear that this data could be accessed by Beijing. Modern EVs introduce cybersecurity risks because of their connected architecture. Components like modems, processors, and infotainment systems — essential for internet access, vehicle control, and smartphone integration — can also create vulnerabilities. Cellular modules in particular could be exploited to intercept data or link to internal systems. Over-the-air (OTA) updates add another layer of risk, as compromised software could enable surveillance or remote interference. With their built-in radios, cameras, microphones, and sensors, EVs are already powerful data collectors. Experts warn that if misused, they could operate as passive surveillance platforms, transmitting sensitive information without driver awareness. Yet for all the speculation, direct proof of espionage remains elusive. No major public incident has confirmed that a Chinese EV has been used to spy on Western governments or citizens. Even high-level officials acknowledge the risk is hypothetical — not proven. As some analysts point out, China has far more efficient means of surveillance, such as mobile apps, telecom infrastructure, and smart devices. Moreover, any misuse of EV platforms could backfire disastrously, damaging China's global economic interests. Beijing, for its part, has flatly denied the accusations. In response to British and American concerns, Chinese officials have called the claims 'baseless' and 'irrational.' The Chinese embassy in London emphasized its support for open supply chains and noted that no credible evidence has shown Chinese cars pose an actual security threat. And here lies the contradiction: if EVs are a threat, what about smartphones? Or routers? Or smart speakers and wearables? Chinese technology is already embedded deeply in Western lifestyles — from the phones we carry to the cameras on our streets. Even vehicles made by German or American brands often contain Chinese-made components. The truth is, data risks are everywhere in a hyper-connected world. So, are Chinese EVs espionage tools? The answer lies in a gray zone. The potential exists, but the danger — at least so far — is more symbolic than operational. What we're witnessing is not just a security debate, but a geopolitical clash over technology, influence, and control. In that context, EVs are just the latest frontier.
Asharq Al-Awsat
an hour ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Israel Says it Deported 6 More Activists Detained on Gaza Aid Boat
Israel on Thursday said it deported six more activists who were detained when it seized an aid boat bound for the war-ravaged Gaza Strip. The six included Rima Hassan, a French member of the European parliament who Israel had previously barred from entering Israel and the Palestinian territories, citing her support for boycotts of the country. Israel's Foreign Ministry, which has dismissed the aid boat as a publicity stunt, posted a photo of Hassan on what appeared to be an airplane. 'Six more passengers from the 'selfie yacht,' including Rima Hassan, are on their way out of Israel,' the ministry wrote on X. 'Bye-bye — and don't forget to take a selfie before you leave.' They were among 12 passengers, including climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, aboard the Madleen, a boat that sought to break Israel's blockade of Gaza and deliver a symbolic amount of aid. Israel seized the vessel early Monday and deported Thunberg and three others the following day, The AP news reported. The last two activists are expected to be deported on Friday, according to Adalah, a local human rights group representing them. It said the activists were subjected to 'mistreatment, punitive measures, and aggressive treatment, and two volunteers were held for some period of time in solitary confinement.' Israeli authorities declined to comment on their treatment. Israel says it treats detainees in a lawful manner and investigates any allegations of abuse. Israel says the blockade is needed to prevent the militant group from importing arms. Critics view it as collective punishment of Gaza's roughly 2 million Palestinians. The Israeli Foreign Ministry said those activists who signed deportation documents would be deported immediately while those who refused would be brought before a judicial authority to authorize their deportation in keeping with Israeli law. The activists have protested that they had no intention of entering Israel and were brought there against their will. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which organized the journey, said it was aimed at protesting Israel's blockade of Gaza and ongoing military campaign there, which experts say has pushed the territory to the brink of famine more than 20 months into the Israel-Hamas war.
Asharq Al-Awsat
an hour ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Israeli Assets Slide as Regional Tensions Escalate
The cost of insuring Israel's debt against default rose on Thursday, and its bond prices and stock indexes slid, as regional security concerns spiked and the country's own government wobbled. Israel's five-year credit default swaps rose nine basis points (bps) from Wednesday's close, to reach 107 bps, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence, while its international dollar bonds slid more than 1 cent, Reuters reported. The 100-year issuance, which matures in 2120, shed more than 1.3 cents before retracing some of the loss to be bid at 67 cents on the dollar, Tradeweb data showed. "A possibility of a more pronounced geopolitical deterioration may take its toll on the local economy and the fiscal deficit, and also make it more challenging for Bank of Israel to lower its rates later this year," said Ronen Menachem, chief markets economist with Mizrahi Tefahot Bank. The United States has restricted government employees' travel outside certain Israeli cities, and pulled some personnel out of the Middle East, due to escalating tensions with Iran. Benjamin Netanyahu more time resolve its worst political crisis yet and avoid a ballot that polls suggest he would parliament rejected early on Thursday a preliminary vote to dissolve itself, giving the ruling coalition led by Prime Minister Israel's stocks also slid, with the blue-chip and the broader indexes down roughly 2%. The shekel currency fell just less than 1% versus the US dollar, to 3.56, but remained up 2% year to date. Still, Menachem noted that local indexes are near all-time highs, and assets have rebounded from other recent security related declines. Markets broadly moved into risk-off mode, with oil prices spiking and fixed income instruments in other emerging markets coming under downward pressure.
