ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - September 8, 2024

ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - September 8, 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

• Putin Arrives in Mongolia in Defiance of ICC Arrest Warrant
• U.S. Prepares New Sanctions as Venezuela Issues Arrest Warrant for Opposition Leader
• Turkey Announces Request to Join BRICS

Putin Arrives in Mongolia in Defiance of ICC Arrest Warrant

Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in Mongolia, which marks Putin's first visit to a signatory to the International Criminal Court (ICC) since the ICC issued a warrant for his arrest. An ICC signatory country is obliged to detain any individual with an ICC warrant out for their arrest. Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov said the Kremlin has "no worries" about Putin's visit. This statement indicates the Kremlin has likely received assurances from the Mongolian government that Putin will not face arrest upon his arrival to Mongolia.

U.S. Prepares New Sanctions as Venezuela Issues Arrest Warrant for Opposition Leader

On September 3, 2024, Venezuela issued an arrest warrant for recent presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia. The arrest warrant comes a day after the United States seized a plane belonging to President Nicolas Maduro for reported sanctions violations. Most of the international community, including the United States, believes that Gonzalez was the actual winner of the July 28 presidential elections that determined Maduro won a third term in office. Since then, there have been mass protests in Venezuela and a violent crackdown by security forces. Until now, there have not been major sanctions against Venezuela, but the United States is reportedly preparing new sanctions against Maduro and his allies. The United States only recently lifted sanctions in the lead-up to the election, hoping to secure a democratic vote. Meanwhile, the U.S. Justice Department has seized a Dassault Falcon 900EX aircraft used by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, transporting it from the Dominican Republic to Florida.

Turkey Announces Request to Join BRICS

On September 4, 2024, Turkey confirmed reports that it had formally requested to join the BRICS bloc of countries including Russia and China, among others. Sources claim Ankara made the request months ago, though media outlets only began reporting the development on September 2. A successful bid to join BRICS would potentially allow Turkey to bridge the gap between Asia and Europe, which would further President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s goal of transforming his country into a trade hub. President Erdogan has recently sought to improve ties with developing countries while still maintaining close relations with Europe. BRICS stands for Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, the bloc’s original members. The grouping has since admitted Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates; Saudi Arabia participates in many BRICS-related activities but has yet to formally join. BRICS has been discussed as a geopolitical rival to the G7 bloc of developed economies which includes the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United Kingdom.