ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - May 19, 2024

ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - May 19, 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

• Slovakia’s Prime Minister in Hospital After Alleged Assassination Attempt; Suspect Arrested
• U.S. Increases Tariffs on Chinese Imports
• ZeroFox Intelligence Flash Report: Israel’s Limited Incursion into Rafah and Campus Protests

Slovakia’s Prime Minister in Hospital After Alleged Assassination Attempt; Suspect Arrested

On May 15, newly re-elected Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot after a government meeting in Handlova, near the capital Bratislava. Media reports suggest that Fico was targeted in a politically motivated shooting, sustaining five gunshot wounds. The suspect has been arrested. Fico recently won re-election in September 2023 after stepping down over his links to the killing of a journalist in 2018. Fico, traditionally a left-leaning politician, campaigned on reducing support for Ukraine, and after assuming office, he ended military aid shipments to Ukraine. Since assuming office, there have been mass protests against a Fico decision to remove judges investigating potential corruption. Political opponents accuse Fico of trying to consolidate power and bring Slovakia closer to Russia and further from the EU.

U.S. Increases Tariffs on Chinese Imports

On May 14, U.S. President Joe Biden announced new tariffs on a range of Chinese imports, led by electric vehicles, solar panels, semiconductors, batteries, port cranes, some medical products, and some critical minerals. In total, around USD 18 billion worth of imports will have added tariffs, out of USD 427 billion worth of Chinese imports. The changes are staggered to take effect from 2024 to 2026. The biggest increase will be tariffs for EVs, which will increase from around 27 percent to 102 percent. Most of the other tariffs are either new, like for port cranes and medical devices, or doubled from earlier versions, like solar panels and semiconductors.

ZeroFox Intelligence Flash Report: Israel’s Limited Incursion into Rafah and Campus Protests

Israel has begun a limited incursion into Rafah, ostensibly to counter smuggling operations from Egypt, but also reportedly to pressure Hamas into agreeing to a ceasefire that is more favorable to Israel. Progressive limited operations into Rafah could see Israel avoid heavy international criticism that a larger assault would likely bring, while also achieving the domestic political aims of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Hamas will almost certainly remain a capable fighting force in the Gaza Strip, regardless of the outcome in Rafah. U.S. university protests have expanded globally, but protesters may move on to other targets as the school year ends but the war continues. Israeli Independence Day (May 14) and Palestinian al-Nakba Day (May 15) are traditional protest days for activists on both sides, but the commemorations and protests will likely be more disruptive because of the events in Rafah and ongoing campus protests.