Month: May 2026

fbi news today – Google Search  google.com/search?num=10&new…

— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) May 26, 2026

Roman Gofman’s Mossad appointment re-approved – Google Search  google.com/search?q=Roman+Go…

— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) May 26, 2026

#RomanGofman  #Mossad  #CIA
Senior committee re-approves Gofman’s appointment as next Mossad chief | The Times of Israel  timesofisrael.com/senior-com…
3 members support general taking up role, but panel chair opposes; Netanyahu says Gofman was subjected to ‘unjust ordeal’, urges High Court to reject any petitions against him
The Senior Appointments Advisory Committee on Tuesday re-approved the appointment of Maj. Gen. Roman Gofman as the next head of the Mossad, after it interviewed two key figures at the heart of a controversial affair Gofman was involved in during his service as commander of the IDF’s 210th Division in 2022.

Three of the committee members were of the opinion that Gofman’s appointment should go ahead, while committee chair, retired Supreme Court president Asher Grunis, dissented, saying that the incident in question needed further clarification.

The renewed deliberations by the advisory committee were held at the request of the High Court of Justice following a hearing on petitions against Gofman’s appointment, which argued that he had lied about the affair, which constituted a violation of the ethical code of conduct for senior officials.

— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) May 26, 2026

#RomanGofman  #Mossad  #CIA
AI News Review: Roman Gofman’s Mossad appointment re-approved.
share.google/aimode/DHrLt0Xh…
The Senior Appointments Advisory Committee re-approved the appointment of IDF Maj. Gen. Roman Gofman as the next chief of the Mossad. This decision clears the way for him to succeed the outgoing director, David Barnea, whose term ends on June 2, 2026. [1, 2]
The appointment process has sparked significant legal and political friction across Israel’s defense establishment. [3, 4, 5]
Summary of the Appointment

Nomination: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu officially tapped Gofman—his current military secretary—in April 2026 to lead the elite intelligence agency.
The Profile: Gofman, 49, is an experienced military general and an Armored Corps veteran who was seriously wounded in combat on October 7, 2023. He breaks tradition as an outside military officer appointed to lead the Mossad rather than a career spy.
The Paradigm Shift: His transition to power alongside other recently replaced defense heads signals Netanyahu’s intent to reshape the upper echelons of Israel’s intelligence and defense community following the October 7 failures. [2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8]

The Elmakayes Controversy
Gofman’s appointment faced legal challenges due to the “Ori Elmakayes affair”, stemming from his time commanding the IDF’s 210th Bashan Division between 2020 and 2022: [9, 10, 11, 12, 13]

The Operation: Gofman’s division authorized a 17-year-old minor, Ori Elmakayes, to run an online intelligence influence operation via a Telegram channel.
The Fallout: Unaware of the IDF’s involvement, the Shin Bet internal security agency arrested Elmakayes. He was held in isolation and indicted for severe espionage offenses.
The Accusation: Elmakayes spent 18 months jailed before charges collapsed. Petitions filed by watchdog groups and Elmakayes allege Gofman abandoned the teenager, failed to notify law enforcement of the military tie, and lied to an initial 2022 IDF investigation team. [2, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18]

High Court Intervention and Re-Approval [14]
The controversy triggered an aggressive legal battle regarding whether the High Court of Justice or the Prime Minister holds ultimate sway over sensitive security nominations. [12, 19]

The Opposition: Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara stated the appointment “suffers from extreme and glaring unreasonableness” and should be annulled. Outgoing Mossad chief David Barnea also testified against Gofman, submitting a confidential letter opposing the pick.
The Judicial Orders: The High Court initially labeled the vetting committee’s approval “lacking” because members hadn’t reviewed critical real-time documents. The court ordered the advisory panel to reconvene and assess top-secret military affidavits and text correspondence.
The Final Verdict: The Senior Appointments Advisory Committee reviewed the classified material and voted by a majority that there was “no flaw in the integrity of Major General Gofman”. While committee chairman Asher Grunis dissented in a minority opinion, Netanyahu formally rejected the dissent and called on the High Court to dismiss the remaining petitions so Gofman can assume office without delay. [1, 2, 9, 17, 20, 21, 22, 23]

[1]  i24news.tv
[2]  timesofisrael.com
[3]  jpost.com
[4]  youtube.com
[5]  youtube.com
[6]  youtube.com
[7]  timesofisrael.com
[8]  youtube.com
[9]  jpost.com
[10]  israelhayom.com
[11]  israelnationalnews.com
[12]  i24news.tv
[13]  akronjewishnews.com
[14]  timesofisrael.com
[15]  jpost.com
[16]  timesofisrael.com
[17]  jpost.com
[18]  timesofisrael.com
[19]  jpost.com
[20]  timesofisrael.com
[21]  jpost.com
[22]  jns.org
[23]  x.com

— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) May 26, 2026

#FBI  #AI  #News  #Today
AI-Generated Lures: It leverages AI-generated phishing templates to bypass multi-factor authentication (MFA) protocols without needing user credentials. [1]
share.google/aimode/YF5Q7cvA…
AI Mode
The FBI and Secret Service are actively responding to a security incident involving multiple gunshots fired near the White House security checkpoint, while FBI Chief Kash Patel faces intense congressional scrutiny over a newly unsealed investigation. [1, 2, 3]
The latest critical developments from the FBI include major security responses, cybersecurity warnings, and high-profile criminal investigations. [4]
White House Shooting Incident

Shots Fired: Over the weekend, a suspect opened fire near a White House security checkpoint at 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue.
Suspect Deceased: Secret Service officials confirmed that the suspect is dead following the exchange.
FBI Response: FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that Bureau agents immediately mobilized on the scene to lead the joint investigation alongside local law enforcement. [1, 2, 5]

Cybersecurity Warning

Kali365 Threat: The FBI issued an Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) public service announcement regarding a malicious platform called Kali365.
Bypassing MFA: The Phishing-as-a-Service (PhaaS) platform allows lower-skilled hackers to harvest Microsoft 365 access tokens.
AI-Generated Lures: It leverages AI-generated phishing templates to bypass multi-factor authentication (MFA) protocols without needing user credentials. [6]

Congressional & Legal Investigations

Epstein Files Grilling: In a tense congressional hearing, Representative Thomas Massie questioned FBI Chief Kash Patel regarding FD-302 documents. The files reportedly name 20 prominent individuals allegedly linked to Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking ring. Patel stated the Bureau is reviewing the files but no new indictments have been handed down.
Islamic Center of San Diego Shooting: The FBI San Diego Field Office released updated statements regarding the investigation into the May 18 shooting at the Islamic Center. Officials are verifying the photos of the alleged subjects. [3, 7, 8]

Major Field Takedowns

Operation Iron Pursuit: The FBI announced the culmination of a massive multi-agency operation that successfully rescued over 200 child victims and resulted in more than 350 arrests of child exploitation predators.
Feeding Our Future Sentencing: Ringleader Aimee Bock was sentenced to 500 months in prison for her role in orchestrating a $250 million fraud scheme that exploited federal child nutrition funding. [9, 10]

Are you tracking a specific case or interested in news from a particular FBI field office? Let me know, and I can pull the exact case updates for you.

[1]  youtube.com
[2]  politico.com
[3]  youtube.com
[4]  oacta.memberclicks.net
[5]  youtube.com
[6]  x.com
[7]  fbi.gov
[8]  fbi.gov
[9]  fbi.gov
[10]  justice.gov

— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) May 26, 2026

Встреча с президентом РСПП Александром Шохиным • Президент России  kremlin.ru/events/president/…

— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) May 26, 2026

#AI News Review  #CIA  #FBI
thenewsandtimes.blogspot.com…
Escalating Conflict in Iran and New Tech Threats: Articles and Tweets: The conflict in Iran is entering a dangerous new phase as the U.S. shifts toward targeting economic infrastructure and naval blockades. Meanwhile, tech warnings are surfacing regarding a sophisticated new phishing service targeting cloud accounts and debates over historical intelligence oversight.  thenewsandtimes.blogspot.com…
The conflict in Iran is entering a dangerous new phase as the U.S. shifts toward targeting economic infrastructure and naval blockades. Meanwhile, tech warnings are surfacing regarding a sophisticated new phishing service targeting cloud accounts and debates over historical intelligence oversight.
Key Stories
U.S. shifts strategy in ongoing Iran conflict — Military operations are moving away from air campaigns toward destroying power grids, oil refineries, and enforcing a strict naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz.

Peace talks stall as kinetic strikes continue — Diplomatic efforts in Qatar are on life support following recent U.S. strikes on Iranian missile sites and mine-laying vessels.

FBI warns of new Microsoft 365 phishing service — A new platform called Kali365 is being used to automate credential theft and target cloud identity accounts at scale.

Ongoing debate over intelligence agency oversight — Recent discussions have resurfaced concerns about the broad mandate of the CIA since 1947 and its historical programs like MKUltra
–

— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) May 26, 2026

#IranWar  #CIA  #PredictiveAnalysis
Iran War – AI Mode:  share.google/aimode/IDgasUUq…
Coming military steps against Iran, and their projected effects – Predictive Analysis
share.google/aimode/dfIUyELT…
AI Mode – 5.26.26 – 7 am
Future military steps against Iran under the current 2026 conflict framework are shifting from full-scale air campaigns toward targeted economic attrition, naval blockades, and localized “self-defense” strikes. While a fragile, Pakistani-mediated ceasefire remains on life support, persistent friction points—such as the recent U.S. airstrikes on Iranian mine-laying boats and missile sites near the Strait of Hormuz—highlight the imminent pathways for renewed escalation. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
Projected Coming Military Steps [6]
Should ongoing diplomatic negotiations in Qatar over a final “Peace Memorandum” break down completely, the United States and Israel are prepared to execute three main operational courses of action: [4, 7]
Sustained Energy Infrastructure Strikes: A transition from the initial February 2026 leadership decapitation strikes (which killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei) toward destroying Iran’s power grids, oil refineries, and the Tabriz-Ankara pipeline.

Aggressive Maritime Counter-Mining Operations: Active kinetic operations by the U.S. Navy using littoral combat ships and aircraft to destroy Iranian speedboats and mine-laying vessels attempting to choke the Strait of Hormuz.
Deep Kinetic Strikes on Underground Arms Manufacturing: Direct deployment of bunker-buster munitions against Iran’s highly reinforced, deeply buried ballistic missile and drone fabrication facilities to stem their stockpile replenishment.
Tightening the Tight Naval Blockade: Expansion of the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) maritime blockade, which has already forcefully redirected or disabled dozens of commercial vessels attempting to access Iranian ports. [1, 2, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15]
Projected Strategic & Tactical Effects

The execution of these coming military steps carries distinct short- and long-term implications for the region and global stability. [16]
1. Tactical Stalemate and Asymmetric Retaliation
Despite the extensive loss of its central command structure and initial air defense networks, Iran maintains roughly half of its total missile and drone inventory. Future strikes will not fully yield a total battlefield victory; instead, they will trigger a managed stalemate. Iran will likely respond with swarm drone and ballistic missile salvos targeting U.S. bases in Jordan and Iraq, alongside direct strikes into Israel. [11, 17, 18, 19, 20]
2. The Weaponization of the Strait of Hormuz
Iran’s primary asymmetric leverage is its newly institutionalized Persian Gulf Strait Authority, through which it restricts global commercial shipping. Further military escalation will ensure the prolonged de facto closure of the Strait. Even without physical blockage, the threat of underwater explosives will cause cargo ships to completely avoid the channel, cementing a Cold War-style maritime gridlock. [14, 15, 18, 21]
3. Severe Global and Regional Economic Friction
Energy Chokepoints: The continued disruption of the Strait of Hormuz blocks roughly 20% of the world’s daily oil supply, driving global energy prices and inflation sharply upward.
Regional Collateral: Countries like Turkey face immediate energy shortages and currency depreciation due to potential halts in Iranian natural gas exports.

Sanction Relief Pressures: A prolonged conflict forces the U.S. into a war of economic endurance, balanced against Iran’s demands for the release of $24 billion in frozen assets as a condition for peace. [9, 14, 17, 19, 22]
[U.S. / Israeli Kinetic Strikes] ──> [Iranian Underground Replenishment]
               │                                       │
               ▼                                       ▼
[Tightened Naval Blockade]       ──> [Strait of Hormuz De Facto Closure]
               │                                       │
               ▼                                       ▼
[Spiking Global Energy Prices]   ──> [Indefinite Economic Stalemate]
4. Fragmented Regional Alignment

The U.S. military has undertaken its largest buildup in the Middle East since 2003, deploying three aircraft carrier strike groups (including the USS Gerald R. Ford and USS Abraham Lincoln) to enforce deterrence. However, regional dynamics are fractured: major Gulf States (such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE) have restricted U.S. aircraft from using their airspace for offensive strikes out of fear of Iranian proximity retaliation, forcing a heavy U.S. operational reliance on bases in Jordan. [11, 23]
5. Long-term Political Instability
While external military pressure aims to degrade the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and pressure the regime toward structural concessions, it carries the high risk of Iranian fragmentation. Rather than yielding a clean democratic transition, continued strikes could fracture Iran into volatile factional territories, sparking localized civil conflicts while permanently embedding asymmetric cyber warfare and regional proxy attrition. [24, 25, 26, 27, 28]
[1]  washingtonpost.com
[2]  aa.com.tr
[3]  en.wikipedia.org
[4]  aljazeera.com

[5]  osac.gov
[6]  britannica.com
[7]  timesofindia.indiatimes.com
[8]  britannica.com

[9]  atlanticcouncil.org
[10]  en.wikipedia.org
[11]  youtube.com
[12]  youtube.com
[13]  mwi.westpoint.edu
[14]  sbs.com.au
[15]  cbsnews.com
[16]  studies.aljazeera.net
[17]  newsweek.com
[18]  en.wikipedia.org
[19]  cfr.org
[20]  arabcenterdc.org
[21]  youtube.com
[22]  thehindu.com
[23]  strategiecs.com
[24]  en.wikipedia.org
[25]  smallwarsjournal.com
[26]  atlanticcouncil.org
[27]  recordedfuture.com
[28]  gulfif.org
–

— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) May 26, 2026