Case Study on Conspiracy to Smuggle U.S.-Origin Military Equipment and Dual-Use Technology to North Korea
A Chinese national, Shenghua Wen, pleaded guilty in 2024 to conspiring with North Korea to export restricted items without a license, violating the U.S. International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), the North Korea Sanctions Regulations, and Executive Orders. At the direction of the North Korean government, Wen acted from his private residence in the United States, buying military goods domestically and providing false shipping information to send the items to Hong Kong, and then to North Korea.
Major Developments at Alabuga SEZ Point to Significant Expansion in Military Drone Production
High-resolution satellite imagery of the Alabuga Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in mid-July 2025 reveals a vast expansion comprising hundreds of new residential buildings and a dozen new production facilities, including workshops, warehouses, and office buildings.
New Missile Related Munitions Production Complex Targeted by Israel During 12-Day War
In our review and analysis of the potentially nuclear weapons related sites in Iran that were bombed by Israel in the recent military conflict, the Institute has come across a probable missile related munitions production complex that witnessed severe damage to two key facilities between the 17th and 18th of June 2025.
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Case Study on Conspiracy to Smuggle U.S.-Origin Military Equipment and Dual-Use Technology to North Korea
A Chinese national, Shenghua Wen, pleaded guilty in 2024 to conspiring with North Korea to export restricted items without a license, violating the U.S. International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), the North Korea Sanctions Regulations, and Executive Orders. At the direction of the North Korean government, Wen acted from his private residence in the United States, buying military goods domestically and providing false shipping information to send the items to Hong Kong, and then to North Korea.
Major Developments at Alabuga SEZ Point to Significant Expansion in Military Drone Production
High-resolution satellite imagery of the Alabuga Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in mid-July 2025 reveals a vast expansion comprising hundreds of new residential buildings and a dozen new production facilities, including workshops, warehouses, and office buildings.
New Missile Related Munitions Production Complex Targeted by Israel During 12-Day War
In our review and analysis of the potentially nuclear weapons related sites in Iran that were bombed by Israel in the recent military conflict, the Institute has come across a probable missile related munitions production complex that witnessed severe damage to two key facilities between the 17th and 18th of June 2025.
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We found new activity at the Esfahan tunnel entrances that occurred during the last few days. The northernmost tunnel entrance shows vehicles present and that access to the tunnel portal, which was previously blocked by backfilled dirt, has been gained within the last week. The middle tunnel entrance shows activity in mid-July, including heavy machinery present, but no significant progress appears to have been made towards establishing tunnel portal access as of the end of July. The roadblocks on the road to the southernmost tunnel entrance remain; no activity is visible there.
Also at the main Esfahan site, minimal activity is visible around the destroyed buildings at the aboveground sites. Some roads have been cleared of debris but there is minimal vehicle presence. Several of the roads around the facilities remain uncleared from debris, with roadblocks installed.
At Fordow, the latest imagery of Fordow shows a new road being constructed towards the top of the lower hills on the east side of the Fordow site, away from the mountain containing the enrichment plant, but still within the outer security perimeters.
The earthworks in the area of the two ventilation shafts appear to have ceased. There is also no observable activity at the primary tunnel entrances leading into the enrichment facility.
We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as available.
Link to the full tweet here.