Highlighted Works by Mackinder Forum Members

• From the Ground-Out: Security and Sovereignty in Great Power Conflict
  Michael St. Pierre and George Salamis
  Michael's Substack
  November 6, 2025
  stpierremsp.substack.com
  
  
• ‘Team West’ told to go global on rare-earth deal
  Zoltán Fehér
  The Nightly (Australia)
  October 30, 2025
  thenightly.com

Weekly Geopolitical Bulletin (Oct 25–31, 2025)

Geoeconomics

• Malaysia–U.S. Trade Deal Sparks Sovereignty Fears: A new bilateral trade pact with the U.S., signed during Trump’s Malaysia visit, is drawing domestic backlash in Kuala Lumpur. Opposition figures led by former PM Mahathir Mohamad slammed the agreement as “one-sided” and tantamount to “handing over” Malaysia’s economic independence. Critics point to clauses requiring Malaysia to align with U.S. sanctions on third countries (e.g. against China or Russia), warning this forces Malaysia to “take sides” and could harm its economy. The Malaysian government defends the deal as the “best possible outcome” to expand U.S. trade and investment. The Guardian (UK) highlights these sovereignty concerns. By contrast, U.S. officials emphasize the deal’s benefits, noting it opens Malaysia’s markets and cements supply-chain cooperation – Fitch Ratings even projected the U.S.–APAC trade initiatives (with Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia) will lift growth by reducing uncertainty (a more positive framing). The divergence underscores differing perspectives: Malaysian civil society is wary of American leverage, while Washington touts the strategic gains.
  theguardian.com
  
  
• U.S. Pushes Fossil Fuels in Europe: At an Atlantic Council energy forum in Athens, U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum urged Europe to prioritize “reliable” oil and gas over renewables. They argued the trillions spent on solar/wind haven’t shifted the global energy mix enough – “It just hasn’t worked,” Wright said of the renewables transition – and pitched U.S. LNG and drilling deals to replace Russian supplies. The Trump administration’s message marks a policy shift: rolling back green regulations and promoting U.S. oil & gas “domination” as a tool of influence. U.S. companies indeed announced new contracts to supply and drill for gas in Europe during the conference. European officials are walking a fine line – this week the EU agreed to steep 2040 emissions cuts, even as it courts U.S. energy. Bias note: Reuters presents the U.S. stance matter-of-factly, but European media and climate advocates have criticized Washington’s fossil-fuel focus as undermining climate goals. (The Greek press noted the forum as a sign of strong U.S.–Greece ties on energy, but also that the U.S. line on renewables diverges sharply from EU climate commitments.)
  reuters.com
  
  
• Africa Seeks a Fairer Deal at G20: As South Africa prepared to host the first-ever G20 summit in Africa later this month, it championed an agenda for debt relief, climate finance, and inclusive growth for the continent. President Cyril Ramaphosa argued that closing the wealth gap between rich and developing nations is in “our own selfish interests” for global prosperity. However, South Africa’s push has met resistance from Washington. President Trump’s administration has taken a “hostile stance” on climate and equity initiatives – slashing climate finance and deriding the G20 theme of “solidarity, equality & sustainability” as “woke”. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio pointedly criticized South Africa’s agenda as “anti-American”, signaling skepticism toward African priorities. Bias note: African Business reports this from Africa’s perspective, highlighting hopes that Africa’s new G20 seat can amplify its voice. It also notes Trump’s tougher line on South Africa (30% tariffs on its exports, aid freezes) due to geopolitical rifts. The narrative here is that Africa is pressing for reforms in global finance, but the U.S. (under Trump) remains cool to those aims, preferring to leverage its power unilaterally.
  african.business
  

Military Developments

• U.S. Lifts Arms Embargo on Cambodia: Washington removed a ban on arms sales to Cambodia, which had been in place since 2021 over Phnom Penh’s deepening military ties with China. The embargo was lifted after President Trump brokered a ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand, ending border clashes and earning him a Nobel Peace Prize nomination from Cambodia’s leader. The State Department cited Cambodia’s “diligent pursuit of peace…and renewed engagement” with the U.S. in defense cooperation as rationale for ending the arms freeze. This marks a significant thaw in U.S.–Cambodia relations – the prior U.S. administration had isolated PM Hun Manet’s government for hosting a Chinese naval base. Bias assessment: Reuters notes some skepticism: experts say the policy shift is largely symbolic, as Cambodia has limited capacity or interest to buy advanced U.S. weaponry Nonetheless, it fits a pattern of Trump seeking to pull Cambodia out of Beijing’s orbit. (China’s influence in Cambodia isn’t gone – U.S. officials still worry about China’s expansion at the Ream Naval Base – but Phnom Penh appears to be hedging. For regional executives, this could mean new defense partnership opportunities in Mainland Southeast Asia, albeit against the backdrop of great-power competition.)
  reuters.com
  
  
• North Korea Aids Russia’s War Effort: According to South Korean intelligence, Pyongyang has quietly sent thousands of military personnel to assist Russia in its war on Ukraine – under the guise of “construction workers.” About 5,000 North Korean troops (engineer and construction units) have been deployed to Russia since September, ostensibly to help with infrastructure repair and demining near the Ukrainian border. In total, over 10,000 North Koreans are now present in or near combat zones, with some reports even alleging North Korean operatives helped direct Russian drone strikes on Ukraine. U.S. and South Korean officials say in return Russia is likely providing Pyongyang with weapons technology, cash, food, and energy – a sanctions-violating quid pro quo. Bias note: This information comes via a Ukrainian media outlet citing Seoul’s NIS. While the data aligns with Western intel warnings, it reflects Ukraine’s interest in exposing Russian dependence on pariah states. The Kremlin officially denies any North Korean “troops” presence, framing it as Western propaganda, but the details of specific units and tasks (fueling speculation of an illicit “arms-for-labor” deal) make the report credible. If true, it underscores how the Ukraine war is drawing in distant actors and heightening global security risks.
  united24media.com
  
  
• China Commissions Advanced Aircraft Carrier: The Fujian, China’s third and most advanced aircraft carrier, formally entered service this week in a high-profile ceremony attended by President Xi Jinping. Unlike China’s first two carriers (based on older Soviet designs), the Fujian is indigenously designed and features a flat deck with electromagnetic catapults, enabling launch of heavier, better-armed aircraft. It will carry new stealth fighters (the carrier-borne J-35) and early-warning planes, dramatically boosting the PLA Navy’s power projection. Chinese state media hailed the Fujian as a “milestone” in military modernization. Western and regional defense analysts concur it’s a big leap, but note the carrier still needs extensive training and integration – it may take another year or more of sea trials before Fujian is fully combat-ready. Context & bias: Reuters provides a balanced view, quoting experts who point out challenges (e.g. Chinese crews were seen launching jets unarmed as tests continue). China’s neighbors, especially in East Asia, are watching closely. The Fujian’s debut is geopolitically significant: it will eventually enable longer-range Chinese deployments (though it’s conventionally powered, limiting its range vs. U.S. nuclear carriers). For industry readers, this underscores the accelerating arms race in the Indo-Pacific – and that China’s naval capabilities, while growing fast, still face a learning curve in matching U.S. carrier operations.
  reuters.com
  
  
• Rasmussen Urges Stronger EU Military Support for Ukraine: Former NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen warned in media interviews that “Ukraine is facing a ‘forever war’” unless Europe ramps up its defense commitments. He advocated deploying a European-led protection force to Ukraine (even ahead of a formal peace deal) and establishing NATO-backed missile defense on allied territory to shield Ukraine’s skies. Rasmussen’s remarks come amid signs the U.S. is pulling back some support – he noted President Trump has hesitated on sending long-range missiles and instead announced a new summit with Putin. European countries, he argues, must fill the gap by providing advanced arms (like Germany’s Taurus cruise missiles) and possibly troops, to change Putin’s calculus. The Guardian piece highlights Rasmussen’s critique of Trump’s approach (saying it’s “in limbo”) and his call for Europe to step up. This reflects a pro-Ukraine, transatlanticist viewpoint – emphasizing the risk of Western fatigue. European defense executives should note the undercurrent: if Washington under Trump is less hawkish on Russia, European militaries and industries may be pushed to take on a larger role (and budget share) in sustaining Ukraine’s war effort.
  theguardian.com
  
  
• Major F-35 Deal with Saudi Arabia Advances: In a policy shift, the Pentagon is moving forward with plans to sell up to 48 F-35 stealth fighters to Saudi Arabia – a transaction previously off-limits due to Israel’s qualitative military edge doctrine. Sources say the deal cleared a key internal hurdle ahead of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to Washington, though final approval (requiring sign-off by Trump and Congress) is still pending. If completed, this multi-billion dollar sale would make Saudi Arabia the first Arab state to field the F-35, potentially reshaping the air-power balance in the Middle East. Israeli officials privately worry, but U.S. negotiators say they will ensure Israel maintains its tech edge. The push for the sale aligns with Trump’s strategy of deepening defense ties with Riyadh – he already inked a record $142 billion arms package with the kingdom earlier this year. Industry-wise, this pending deal is huge news for Lockheed Martin and the U.S. defense sector, but it may face political turbulence: expect debates in Washington over trust in Saudi usage and the impact on Israel. Nonetheless, Gulf defense cooperation with the U.S. is clearly accelerating – especially as Saudi-Israel normalization talks have stalled post-Gaza war, arms sales are filling the vacuum.
  reuters.com
  

Political and Diplomatic Developments

• New U.S. Ambassador in Athens: Kimberly Guilfoyle, a former Fox News host and close Trump ally, arrived in Greece on Nov 1 to assume her post as the first female U.S. Ambassador to Athens. She presented her credentials to Greece’s president this week, declaring she’ll “not disappoint” either country and emphasizing the “exceptional” U.S.–Greek partnership. Guilfoyle’s appointment – she was once engaged to Donald Trump Jr. – underscores the personal loyalty factor in Trump’s diplomatic picks. Her arrival coincided with a high-level energy conference in Athens where U.S. Interior and Energy Secretaries joined Greek officials to discuss boosting LNG exports to Europe via Greece. This shows Washington’s prioritization of Greece as a strategic energy hub and ally. Bias check: The Associated Press coverage notes Guilfoyle’s political profile (Trump confidante) but also highlights substantive ties: since 2018 the U.S. and Greece expanded defense cooperation and Greece hosts critical LNG facilities. Greek media gave her a glamorous reception (one outlet dubbed her arrival “glam diplomacy” as she even joined a traditional dance at a welcome gala). For geopolitics professionals, her posting signals continuity in the strong U.S.–Greece alignment (especially vis-à-vis East Med energy and security).
  abcnews.go.com
  
  
• Orbán Courts Trump (and Putin): Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán visited the White House (Nov 7) in a bid to broker another Trump–Putin summit and to seek U.S. concessions on Russia sanctions. Orbán, a far-right leader often seen as Putin’s closest EU friend, proposed hosting a Trump–Putin meeting in Budapest to help end the Ukraine war. He also lobbied for an exemption from U.S. oil sanctions (Hungary still imports Russian energy) – testing Trump’s otherwise tougher public line on penalizing Moscow’s partners. Domestic subtext: Orbán is facing an election in April and reportedly “wants Trump to come to Budapest before the elections,” seeing a high-profile visit as a political boost. His advisers admit that orchestrating a peace summit would burnish Orbán’s statesman image and energize his base at home. The White House, for its part, has been walking a fine line – appreciative of Orbán’s offer to facilitate talks with Putin, but aware that it could alienate other European allies. Bias note: The Guardian frames Orbán’s motives somewhat cynically (highlighting his self-interest and calling him “Putin’s Trojan horse in the EU”). It also notes that while Orbán has aligned with Trump’s worldview (Trump has praised Hungary as a “conservative Disneyland” model), the Trump administration surprisingly kept a united front with mainstream EU leaders on many issues so far, tempering Orbán’s spoiler role. Still, industry watchers should monitor Hungary’s maneuvering: Orbán’s efforts might lead to a controversial summit or sanctions carve-outs that could upset EU unity on Russia.
  theguardian.com
  
  
• U.S. Leads Gaza Peacekeeping Resolution: The United States has introduced a draft UN Security Council resolution to implement President Trump’s Gaza peace plan, garnering unusual joint support from Israel’s Arab neighbors. The draft, circulated Nov 6, would endorse a two-year mandate for an international stabilization force in Gaza with authority to “use all necessary measures” (peacekeeping troops empowered to disarm militias). It also proposes a transitional governance board for Gaza, effectively sidelining Hamas’s rule. A senior U.S. official said Egypt, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the UAE are “with us on the text”, signaling rare regional consensus behind a U.S.-led plan. Washington is pressing for a quick UNSC vote, insisting Russia and China “will not stand in the way” of this “most promising plan for peace in a generation”. (Notably, Moscow and Beijing have veto power but may be loath to oppose a plan backed by key Muslim states.) Status: As of this week, negotiations are starting – the U.S. aims for a resolution within weeks, not months. Both Israel and Hamas are cautious: Israel conditionally supports an international force if it ensures Hamas’s removal, while Hamas (not party to talks) has decried any foreign “occupation.” Bias analysis: Reuters’ UN correspondent outlines the plan straightforwardly, reflecting the U.S. optimism. Skeptics, however, note that getting armed peacekeepers on the ground will be challenging – memories of past Gaza missions and questions of who contributes troops loom large. Still, if passed, this could mark a major diplomatic development ending the Gaza war and reshaping security in one of the world’s most volatile flashpoints. Executives should watch for how this force’s mandate (especially disarming Hamas) is implemented, as it will influence stability in the Eastern Med and investor confidence in Israel-Egypt-Gulf projects.
  reuters.com
  
  

Geostrategic Flashpoints

• Taiwan’s Opposition Warms to Beijing: In Taipei, Cheng Li-wun assumed leadership of Taiwan’s main opposition party (the Kuomintang, KMT) on Nov 1 and immediately struck a conciliatory tone toward China. She warned that the Taiwan Strait faces “grave military danger” and pledged to “open a new era of peace with Beijing,” positioning the KMT as the party that will “lead Taiwan forward” in cross-strait reconciliation. Cheng, 55, is notably pro-unification – Chinese media swiftly dubbed her the “reunification goddess” (a moniker she downplays) and President Xi Jinping sent congratulations urging joint efforts toward “reunification”. Under Cheng, the KMT signals even closer ties to China than her predecessor did: a deputy KMT chairman traveled to China this week to meet Beijing’s Taiwan Affairs chief. This political shift in Taiwan could have far-reaching implications. The ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) remains firmly against Beijing’s claims of sovereignty, but it lost the 2024 election – and although the DPP’s President Lai is in power now, the KMT and its allies control the legislature, complicating defense policymaking. Cheng opposes increases in Taiwan’s defense spending (which the U.S. strongly backs), arguing it provokes China.
  straitstimes.com
  
  
• South China Sea: joint patrols draw Beijing’s ire. China’s Southern Theater Command said it tracked a Philippine-led patrol with Australia, New Zealand, and the U.S., blasting Manila as a “troublemaker.” The patrol followed a U.S.–Philippines joint task force announcement, part of a layered deterrence architecture around Second Thomas Shoal and the Luzon-Bashi approaches. Expect more law-enforcement-plus-naval choreography—and sharper PRC warnings—through year-end.
  reuters.com
  
  
• Suez recovers as Red Sea risk premium fades. With attacks subsiding and a Gaza ceasefire holding, carriers are re-optimizing routings via Suez; revenues rose 14.2% y/y July–October amid higher transits and tonnage. Shippers should see fewer Cape diversions and improved schedule reliability if the trend persists. Residual security risk warrants contingency lanes, but the worst dislocations appear behind for now.
  reuters.com
  
  
• Panama Canal pivots to LPG and agri flows to cushion a trade dip. The Canal Authority expects LPG to offset slower boxes next year, with projects (including an LPG pipeline concept and port upgrades) on the table to harden resilience after drought shocks. For cargo owners, LPG and grains could enjoy better transit certainty than discretionary container sailings. Longer-term water-security investments remain the key swing factor.
  reuters.com
  
  

Terrorism and Conflict

• Jihadists Besiege Mali’s Capital: In the Western Sahel, Mali stands on the verge of collapse under an onslaught by Al-Qaeda–linked insurgents. Over the past weeks, the jihadist coalition JNIM has imposed a strangling fuel blockade on the capital Bamako, attacking fuel convoys and effectively cutting off 95% of Mali’s fuel supply. This economic warfare tactic has caused dire shortages and rolling blackouts, undermining the junta government’s credibility. JNIM fighters have encircled several regional cities and even enforced Taliban-style rules (veiling women, banning music) in captured towns. Western countries have urged their citizens to evacuate Mali as security deteriorates. The Malian junta, which seized power in 2021 and ousted UN peacekeepers, has turned to Russia’s Wagner/Africa Corps mercenaries for survival. But Russia’s support is proving no panacea – if Bamako falls or is isolated, it would showcase the limits of Moscow’s power-by-proxy and potentially trigger a domino effect across the region. Neighboring Burkina Faso and Niger, also led by military juntas, fear that Mali’s collapse could embolden their own Islamist insurgencies. Indeed, a “Sahel Alliance” of Mali-Burkina-Niger was recently formed to mutualize defense, and all three have courted Russian help. Geopolitically, the Sahel is a flashpoint where anti-Western regimes are faltering economically and militarily, which could open space for even greater extremist control – a concerning scenario for global security and for industries (like mining) operating in resource-rich Mali and its neighbors.
  thesoufancenter.org
  
  
• Gaza War Ceasefire: The ceasefire (extended multiple times) halted large-scale fighting and facilitated hostage exchanges (Hamas released all 20 living hostages for ~2,000 Palestinian prisoners). However, it remains fragile. Both sides accuse each other of violations – Israeli troops shot a militant in Gaza City last Sunday, and Hamas claims Israel has repeatedly broken the truce. Since the truce, Israeli forces have withdrawn from many positions in Gaza, allowing hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to cautiously return to the ruins of their homes. Sporadic violence continues: over 230 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza during the “ceasefire period” by Israeli responses to alleged attacks. Each incident tests the deal’s durability. Meanwhile, Gaza’s humanitarian situation is dire – even with more aid trickling in, basic infrastructure is destroyed and famine looms (the IPC warns of high risk of famine in Gaza). Outlook: International mediators are striving to maintain calm and transition to a longer-term arrangement (possibly an international peacekeeping force, as noted above). The war’s pause is a relief, but the conflict’s root issues (Gaza’s governance, Hamas’s status, Israeli security and blockade) remain painfully unresolved.
  reuters.com
  
  
• Sudan’s War and Famine Worsen: The conflict in Sudan between the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) continues unabated, threatening to destabilize the entire Horn of Africa. This week, in a small diplomatic breakthrough, the RSF announced it would accept a U.S.-Arab proposal for a humanitarian ceasefire and is open to talks on halting hostilities. However, Sudan’s military junta has not agreed – influential generals are opposed – and past ceasefires have all collapsed. On the ground, the RSF scored a significant victory two weeks ago by capturing Al-Fashir, the largest city in Darfur, amid reports of massacres and mass abductions of civilians. The war (now in its 2nd year) has turned Sudan into a nightmare: tens of thousands killed, millions displaced, and parts of the country sliding into famine. Khartoum remains a battlefield of airstrikes and street fighting, while Darfur sees ethnic killings reminiscent of its 2000s genocide. Global response: The U.S., along with Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and others, is pushing hard for at least a 3-month truce to let in aid. The RSF’s public acceptance of the truce might be an attempt to win legitimacy; the army’s silence suggests internal splits. If Sudan implodes further, spillover is likely – refugees and fighters into Chad, South Sudan, Ethiopia – potentially igniting regional conflicts. Russia’s Wagner Group had been active in Sudan (supporting the RSF in exchange for gold mining concessions), and the instability raises questions about outside meddling. For now, Sudan is a humanitarian catastrophe and a cautionary tale of a collapsed state where diplomatic efforts are barely keeping pace with events on the ground.
  reuters.com
  
• Grinding Stalemate in Ukraine’s War: The war in Ukraine persists as a bloody war of attrition, with marginal territorial changes but immense destruction. In the past month, Russian forces made minor advances – seizing roughly 400 km² (154 square miles) of additional ground, mainly in eastern Ukraine. This rate of advance is actually slower than in previous months, indicating they’re being checked by stiff Ukrainian resistance. Heavy fighting is concentrated around the strategic city of Pokrovsk in Donetsk and in northern sectors near the Russian border (Sumy oblast), where Russia probed but was repelled. Ukraine’s much-anticipated summer counteroffensive in the south stalled with only modest gains; now both sides are digging in for winter. Human toll: Both the Russian and Ukrainian militaries are taking serious casualties daily (U.S. officials privately estimate over 500,000 combined killed or wounded to date, though figures are closely guarded). Civilian infrastructure is also under constant attack – Russia continues missile/drone strikes on Ukraine’s energy grid, causing blackouts as temperatures drop. A former NATO chief warned this week that without a change in strategy, Ukraine could face a protracted “forever war” of low-intensity grinding conflict. He and others urge more Western intervention (like troops or no-fly zones) to break the deadlock, noting Russian assaults on critical infrastructure are sapping Ukrainian society. Meanwhile, Moscow hints at a possible new offensive in 2026 if it can mass conscripts and ammunition over the winter. Geopolitical impact: The Ukraine war risks becoming an entrenched frozen conflict akin to Korea – unless upcoming political moves (U.S. elections, potential negotiations, etc.) change the calculus. For now, it tragically remains an unresolved conflict zone, with neither side strong enough for a decisive victory nor willing to concede – a scenario that global executives must factor into energy prices, grain markets, and European security planning well into 2026.
  russiamatters.org
  abc.net.au
  understandingwar.org
  theguardian.com
  
  
• Militancy Resurgent in Pakistan: Pakistan is experiencing a sharp rise in terrorist attacks, primarily by the Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP), after a fragile truce with the militant group collapsed last year. Over recent weeks, TTP factions have carried out deadly assaults almost weekly – targeting army outposts, police stations, and civic leaders, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces. One particularly brazen incident in late October saw a TTP suicide bomber attack a military convoy in North Waziristan, killing at least 13 soldiers (the deadliest strike on Pakistan’s army this year). Islamabad accuses the Afghan Taliban regime of harboring TTP bases across the border – a charge Kabul denies but Western observers find credible. Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan spiked on Nov 3 when cross-border clashes erupted, leaving four Afghan civilians dead as Pakistan reportedly shelled a suspected TTP camp, according to ABC News.
  abcnews.go.com
  
  

WMD & Cyberwarfare

• Vladimir Putin orders proposals on possible Russian nuclear testing.  On November 5, 2025, President Putin directed Russia’s Foreign Ministry, Defense Ministry, intelligence services and other agencies to draft proposals for resuming nuclear-explosive testing—something Moscow has not done since the Soviet era. The move came in direct response to U.S. signals under President Donald Trump that Washington might revive its own nuclear testing, thereby triggering what Russia’s military leadership described as an imperative “to act now or lose advantage.” While no fixed timeline was announced, Moscow’s step marks a substantive revival of a taboo in global arms control and raises the risks of a fresh arms-race cycle.
  reuters.com
  
  
• South Korea warns North Korea could conduct a nuclear test “in the near-term.” On November 5, 2025, South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) assessed that Kim Jong un may be preparing for a seventh nuclear test, citing heightened activity at the Punggye-ri test site and logistics movements consistent with a detonation scenario. The warning follows a series of missile launches and aligns with revised Chinese and North Korean rhetoric about “completing nuclear deterrence.” Seoul (and Washington) view the potential test as a major escalation that could prompt new U.S. deployment discussions, renewed UN sanctions, and a further deterioration of regional stability.
  reuters.com

• Congressional Budget Office Hacked; Data Breach Raises Governance Risks On Nov 6, the non-partisan U.S. budget-analysis agency confirmed it had been compromised, warning that “important government data” may have been exposed in a cyber-incident. The office says it has since implemented additional monitoring and security controls, but did not confirm reports that the breach was conducted by a foreign actor, despite allegations cited in other outlets. Given the CBO’s role in shaping congressional legislation, the intrusion raises concerns about foreign access to fiscal-policy intelligence, internal communications between lawmakers and the agency, and the integrity of the legislative process.
  apnews.com

• The Washington Post confirms it was among victims of a major cyber breach tied to Oracle enterprise software. The newspaper disclosed on November 6 that its systems were compromised via the Oracle E-Business Suite platform, one of the primary targets in the sweeping campaign carried out by the cyber-crime group Cl0p, which claims to have breached over 100 companies globally. While The Post did not detail the extent of data loss, the incident highlights how enterprise-resource-planning (ERP) and supply-chain software have become focal points for largescale espionage, extortion and disruption operations—raising urgent questions for any company that relies on Oracle or similar infrastructure.
  reuters.com