ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - January 16, 2024

ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - January 16, 2024

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's Military and Government Acquire Nvidia Chips Despite U.S. Ban
• Romania Receives EU Funds to Expand Ports for Ukrainian Exports
• Iran Claims to Have Targeted an Israeli Spy Centers in Kurdistan

China's Military and Government Acquire Nvidia Chips Despite U.S. Ban

Chinese entites including military bodies, institutes and universities have been purchasing Nvidia semiconductors that the U.S. banned from export to China. Despite the U.S. restrictions, these purchases have occurred over the past year, indicating the challenges the U.S. faces in preventing China's access to advanced U.S. chips that are crucial for artificial intelligence (AI) and military applications. The purchased chips reportedly include Nvidia's A100 and H100, banned in September 2022, and the A800 and H800, banned in October.

Romania Receives EU Funds to Expand Ports for Ukrainian Exports

On January 11, the European Commission approved EUR 126 million for Romania to expand its port infrastructure to handle increased Ukrainian exports. Romania plans to add logistics capacity to process and store Ukrainian goods diverted from the usual supply lines due to the Russia-Ukraine war. The investment will decrease trade bottlenecks and allow Ukraine to export larger volumes through Romania.

Iran Claims to Have Targeted Israeli Spy Centers in Kurdistan

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards say that they used ballistic missiles to attack “espionage centers and gatherings of anti-Iranian terrorist groups'' near Ebril, the capital of semi-autonomous Kurdistan. They also claim to have launched attacks in Syria targeting Islamic State terrorists. The attack in Kurdistan has injured six civilians and killed at least four, including multimillionaire Kurdish businessman Peshraw Dizayee and several of his family members.