ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - November 5, 2024

ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - November 5, 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

• The Philippines Kicks off Two-Week Military Drills in South China Sea
• Russian President Putin Meets With North Korean Foreign Minister
• Indonesia Conducts Naval Drills with Russia

The Philippines Kicks off Two-Week Military Drills in South China Sea

On November 4, 2024, the Philippines opened two weeks of combat drills featuring over 3,000 personnel from army, navy, and air force units, including seizing an island in the disputed South China Sea. The Philippines government said the exercises were not targeted at any specific nation, however, they came at rising tension between the Philippines and China as more frequent confrontations occur in the contested water. China has opposed such combat drills in the South China Sea, especially when the United States and allied forces are involved. The exercises also signal the Philippines’ assertive stance as leaders from Malaysia and Vietnam visit China for high-level discussions about territorial claims and military postures concerning the South China Sea.

Russian President Putin Meets With North Korean Foreign Minister

On November 4, 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui. Kremlin officials confirmed the meeting took place but did not offer further details. Previously on October 29, Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov said Putin would not meet Choe during her visit to Russia. The two leaders likely discussed the deployment of North Korean troops to Russia, as well as other aspects of the two countries' military relationship.

Indonesia Conducts Naval Drills with Russia

Indonesia's navy held bilateral drills with the Russian Navy signaling a willingness by the new administration of Indonesia’s president Prabowo Subianto to "build a web of strong friendships" by engaging in confidence-building activities with many countries. While Indonesia's Super Garuda Shield exercises, held with the United States, remain larger and more complex than these drills, willingness to work with Russia despite its relative diplomatic isolation (due to the war in Ukraine) is likely to frustrate some Western countries.