ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - February 24, 2025

ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - February 24, 2025

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

• U.S. Backs FATF's Continued Countermeasures Against Iran's Terrorist Financing
• President Putin Orders Cabinet to Prepare for Return of Western Companies
• Germany Elections: Opposition Conservatives CDU/CSU Emerges Victorious

U.S. Backs FATF's Continued Countermeasures Against Iran's Terrorist Financing

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has been working on proliferation financing and terrorist financing risks, financial inclusion, and standards for domestic and cross-border payments, including agreeing to release draft updates for public consultation. FATF is the global standard-setting body for anti-money laundering, countering the financing of terrorism, and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. “The United States welcomes the FATF’s reaffirmation of countermeasures against Iran for the terrorist financing risk emanating from that country, as well as the continued work to strengthen the international financial system against all illicit finance,” said Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent.

President Putin Orders Cabinet to Prepare for Return of Western Companies

Russian President Vladimir Putin has instructed his Cabinet to prepare for the return or Western companies to Russia, amid negotiations with the United States to normalize relations and end Russia's war in Ukraine. Though his statement suggests Russia is willing to reopen to Western businesses, Putin noted the government should create a regulatory mechanism that preserves advantages for Russian companies.

Germany Elections: Opposition Conservatives CDU/CSU Emerges Victorious

Friedrich Merz's conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party has won Germany's election but fallen short of their 30 percent target. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) secured a record 20.8 percent, dominating in the east with 34 percent. While Merz promised to start coalition talks, AfD's Alice Weidel predicted they would fail, suggesting fresh elections could come sooner than expected.