ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - December 12, 2023

ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - December 12, 2023

ZeroFox physical security experts collect, curate, and analyze information derived from open and proprietary sources for comprehensive context of the circumstances surrounding global events. Here is today’s daily roundup of major developments.

Brief Highlights

• Zelensky Visits U.S. to Urge Congress to Approve Support for Ukraine
• EU to Allow Member States to Block Russian Gas Imports
• Houthis threaten to target all ships heading to Israel

Zelensky Visits U.S. to Urge Congress to Approve Support for Ukraine

On December 11, 2023, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky traveled to Washington, DC to urge the US Congress to approve US President Joe Biden's USD 60 billion aid request for Ukraine. Zelensky began his visit with a meeting with U.S. Defense Secretary Llyod Austin Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Charles Brown. On December 12, Zelensky will meet with Biden and address the Senate.

EU to Allow Member States to Block Russian Gas Imports

On December 8, 2023, the European Union agreed to a proposal that would allow member states to unilaterally end gas imports from Russia and Belarus. While Europe has significantly reduced its consumption of Russian energy, Russia still supplies around 10 percent of Europe's gas. Any member state would be able to ban companies from Russia and Belarus from purchasing capacity in its gas pipelines and LNG terminals. This proposal would also allow EU energy companies a path to exit contracts with Russian gas providers without having to provide compensation. Member states must still formally approve the final version of legislation; the law is expected to enter into force in May 2024.

Houthis Threaten to Target All Ships Heading to Israel

On December 9, 2023, Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels threatened to target any ship heading to Israel, regardless of nationality. This follows weeks of escalating Houthi attacks against Israel-linked shipping in the Red Sea, culminating last week with missile strikes that caused minor damage to three cargo ships. Houthi strikes originally targeted ships with a purported direct connection to Israeli businesses; the threat to target all Israel-bound shipping is a significant escalation. The United States Navy and its partners have been somewhat successful at shooting down Houthi drones and missiles, but patrols are stretched thin and are unlikely able to police the entire Red Sea.