Good morning,

Here is the Thursday morning edition of The Intel Brief.

Give yourself about 6 minutes to scroll through this one.

Reporting Period: 2-5 September

Bottom Line Up Front:

Missed the last Pacific Weekly? Read it here.

German Far-Right Party Sees Victories In State Elections

Germany’s far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD) won the election in the state of Thuringia on Sunday. It is the first time since World War II that a far-right party in Germany has come in first in a state election.

AfD came in first in Thuringia with almost a third of all votes. AfD came in second in Saxony, just barely trailing behind the Christian Democrats (CDU). AfD is currently leading the polls in Brandenberg.

Why This Matters

Germany, like much of Europe, is seeing growing popularity in right and far-right politics. Germans are gravitating to AfD for various reasons. In the east, some feel that the effects of post-reunification are still present and that the regions that once formed the GDR (East Germany) are being left behind.

AfD’s rhetoric also hits hard at some contemporary issues, such as mass migration into Germany and the large amount of aid being given to Ukraine.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz asked centrist and moderate parties to refrain from forming coalitions with AfD. Scholz and his Social Democrat (SPD) party have had a troubled tenure rife with political infighting. There are concerns that in September 2025, during Germany’s next federal election, AfD and other right-aligned party’s will seize control of Germany through a coalition government.

Want To Read More?

• Coverage by DW News

Air Force Receives Its First EA-37B Compass Call Electronic Attack Aircraft

On 2 September, JANES reported that the United States Air Force received its first L3Harris EA-37B Compass Call on 23 August with delivery of a second aircraft scheduled before end of 2024. The Air Force is scheduled to receive five more aircraft in 2025.

Why This Matters

The EA-37B, a modified Gulfstream G550, is an electronic attack aircraft. Its role is to conduct tactical jamming and disruption of enemy C3 (command, control, and communications), radar, targeting, and navigation systems.

The EA-37B will fulfill these functions offensively by being employed in Electronic Attack (EA) and SEAD (Suppression of Enemy Air Defense) missions.

The Compass Call is a faster and higher flying replacement to the EC-130H. Unclassified specs:

• Powerplant: 2x BR710C4-11 turbofan engines

• Speed: 600 mph

• Range: 6,300 miles

• Ceiling: 51,000 feet

Want To Read More?

• Coverage by JANES

• Coverage and specs by Air and Space Forces

Ukraine Retaliates Following Russian Strikes

On 1 September, Ukraine carried out a series of drone strikes across Russia, striking key infrastructure such as power stations and refineries. The attack is one of Ukraine’s largest to-date. The Russian Defense Ministry said air defenses shot down 158 unmanned aerial vehicles across 15 Russian regions.

President Zelenskyy’s statement indicates the attack was conducted in response to Russia’s recent barrage of Ukraine:

It is also likely that the attack was to support the Kursk incursion and divert Russian resources and attention from Ukraine’s eastern front.

Why This Matters

Ukraine has used Russian strikes on their cities as justification for strikes inside Russia. However, this increase in operations on Russian soil likely indicates a change in Western oversight of Ukraine’s military. Specifically, that the West is expanding Ukraine’s options to strike inside Russia.

Previously, the West (and particularly the United States) were warry of Western weapons being used to strike Russia, due to fears or Russian escalation and the deployment of nuclear weapons within striking distance of NATO facilities.

On 1 September, Russia claimed it was updating its nuclear doctrine due to these escalations.

Want To Read More?

• Coverage by CNN

• Recent barrage on Kyiv by The Guardian

• Russian nuclear doctrine by The Guardian

Xi Jinping Meets With African Leaders, Lays Foundation For Future Partnerships

From 2-3 September, Xi Jinping hosted various leaders from Africa to increase diplomatic relations and lay the foundation for closer strategic partnership in the future. The meetings were a part of the ongoing China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit in Beijing.

According to various Chinese government sites, Xi Jinping met with the following leaders:

• President Ismail Omar Guelleh (Djibouti)

• President Felix Tshisekedi (Democratic Republic of the Congo)

• President Azali Assoumani (Comoros)

• President William Ruto (Kenya)

• President Cyril Ramaphosa (South Africa)

Xi is likely to meet with other leaders during the summit.

Why This Matters

China views partnerships in Africa as essential strategic tools for the “new era.” The new era refers to China’s ongoing plans to unseat the United States as the leading global power.

The FOCAC is often considered a coordination platform for those African nations that participate in China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Each conference typically ends with updated development plans and Chinese financial investment.

But what is Africa’s role in this? Africa has a growing population and developing economies. They also have vast natural resources, especially rare earth materials. In this regard, Africa is home to nations that make ideal targets for China’s predatory economic investments. Closer bilateral relations with African nations can be leveraged for support in the United Nations, which gives China greater legitimacy when it violates international law (think incursions in the South China Sea).

Want To Read More?

(Please note that these sources are published by the CCP and reflect their party-line rhetoric)

• Djibouti meeting by CCP

• DRC meeting by CCP

• Comoros meeting by CCP

• Kenya meeting by CCP

• South Africa meeting by CCP

Linda Sun, Former Aide To New York Governors, Arrested For Working As CCP Agent

On September 3, Linda Sun, a former aide to New York Governor Kathy Hochul, was charged with failing to register as a foreign agent, visa fraud, alien smuggling, and money laundering. Her husband, Christopher Hu, was also arrested for aiding in money transfers.

Sun, who previously worked in both the Cuomo and Hochul administrations, is alleged to have acted on behalf of Chinese Communist Party (CCP) handlers. She is accused of obstructing Taiwanese officials from meetings and attempting to influence Governor Hochul’s public statements on China.

Sun was dismissed from Hochul’s office in March 2023 following the discovery of misconduct, which was subsequently reported to federal law enforcement.

Why This Matters

The incident raises questions about the scope and scale of the CCP’s human intelligence (HUMINT) capabilities. In Canada, for example, the intelligence services are investigating Chinese infiltration into parliament. New York City made headlines earlier in the year for hosting a Chinese police station.

It is likely that the House Select Committee on the CCP will launch further investigations into China’s HUMINT efforts.

Want To Read More?

• Coverage by ABC News

End Brief

That concludes this edition of The Intel Brief. I hope you learned something.

Your next briefs are coming up:

• Pacific Weekly on Sunday @ 0630 ET

• Monday morning brief @ 0630 ET

Before you go…

Thanks for reading,

Nick