ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - December 25, 2023

ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - December 25, 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

• China Announces Export Controls on Key Technologies with Immediate Effect
• Moldova Expects to Fully Withdraw from the Commonwealth of Independent States by the End of 2024
• Polish PiS Party Occupies State TV to Prevent Transition to Current Government

China Announces Export Controls on Key Technologies with Immediate Effect

China has announced new export controls on certain key technologies with immediate effect. The export bans or restrictions touch on a range of products, including laser radars, drones, and biotechnology, and come weeks after the United States announced new restrictions on certain technology sales to China. In July, China imposed export restrictions on gallium and germanium, two critical metals used in the production of semiconductor chips. The U.S. is seeking to develop its own rare-earth metals supplies but, for now, remains dependent on China. China is likely using export restrictions on rare earth metals to combat U.S.-led attempts to restrict advanced semiconductor sales to China.

Moldova Expects to Fully Withdraw from the Commonwealth of Independent States by the End of 2024

Moldova expects to fully withdraw from the Russian-led economic bloc the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) by the end of 2024. The CIS is an intergovernmental organization founded after the dissolution of the Soviet Union to connect the economies of former Soviet member states. Moldova began the withdrawal process in 2022 after it applied to join the European Union, but the process is lengthy as Moldova must withdraw from all 330 agreements it signed with the CIS.

Polish PiS Party Occupies State TV to Prevent Transition to Current Government

On December 20, 2023, recently inaugurated Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk fired the management of the country's publicly owned media outlets TVP public television, Polish Radio, and the Polish Press Agency. The three media institutions largely served as mouthpieces for the previous right-wing Law and Justice (PiS) government; when PiS came to power in 2015, it immediately tightened its control over the channels. Tusk's dismissal of management intended to break up PiS's tight control on Polish media. However, former PiS legislators and other supporters occupied TVP headquarters in an attempt to prevent the takeover. PiS will likely attempt to hinder additional removals of PiS officials as Tusk seeks to assert his authority.