:root {–wt-primary-color: #2D2DC8;–wt-text-on-primary-color: #FFFFFF;–wt-secondary-color: #F9FAFB;–wt-text-on-secondary-color: #030712;–wt-tertiary-color: #FFFFFF;–wt-text-on-tertiary-color: #222222;–wt-background-color: #FFFFFF;–wt-text-on-background-color: #222222;–wt-subscribe-background-color: #FFFFFF;–wt-text-on-subscribe-background-color: #222222;–wt-header-font: “Roboto”, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, “Segoe UI”, Roboto,”Helvetica Neue”, Arial, “Noto Sans”, sans-serif, “Apple Color Emoji”, “Segoe UI Emoji”, “Segoe UI Symbol”, “Noto Color Emoji”;–wt-body-font: “Roboto”, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, “Segoe UI”, Roboto, “Helvetica Neue”, Arial, “Noto Sans”, sans-serif, “Apple Color Emoji”, “Segoe UI Emoji”, “Segoe UI Symbol”, “Noto Color Emoji”;–wt-button-font: “Roboto”, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, “Segoe UI”, Roboto, “Helvetica Neue”, Arial, “Noto Sans”, sans-serif, “Apple Color Emoji”, “Segoe UI Emoji”, “Segoe UI Symbol”, “Noto Color Emoji”;–wt-border-radius: 8px}.bg-wt-primary { background-color: var(–wt-primary-color); }.text-wt-primary { color: var(–wt-primary-color); }.border-wt-primary { border-color: var(–wt-primary-color); }.bg-wt-text-on-primary { background-color: var(–wt-text-on-primary-color); }.text-wt-text-on-primary { color: var(–wt-text-on-primary-color); }.border-wt-text-on-primary { border-color: var(–wt-text-on-primary-color); }.bg-wt-secondary { background-color: var(–wt-secondary-color); }.text-wt-secondary { color: var(–wt-secondary-color); }.border-wt-secondary { border-color: var(–wt-secondary-color); }.bg-wt-text-on-secondary { background-color: var(–wt-text-on-secondary-color); }.text-wt-text-on-secondary { color: var(–wt-text-on-secondary-color); }.border-wt-text-on-secondary { border-color: var(–wt-text-on-secondary-color); }.bg-wt-tertiary { background-color: var(–wt-tertiary-color); }.text-wt-tertiary { color: var(–wt-tertiary-color); }.border-wt-tertiary { border-color: var(–wt-tertiary-color); }.bg-wt-text-on-tertiary { background-color: var(–wt-text-on-tertiary-color); }.text-wt-text-on-tertiary { color: var(–wt-text-on-tertiary-color); }.border-wt-text-on-tertiary { border-color: var(–wt-text-on-tertiary-color); }.bg-wt-background { background-color: var(–wt-background-color); }.text-wt-background { color: var(–wt-background-color); }.border-wt-background { border-color: var(–wt-background-color); }.bg-wt-text-on-background { background-color: var(–wt-text-on-background-color); }.text-wt-text-on-background { color: var(–wt-text-on-background-color); }.border-wt-text-on-background { border-color: var(–wt-text-on-background-color); }.bg-wt-subscribe-background { background-color: var(–wt-subscribe-background-color); }.text-wt-subscribe-background { color: var(–wt-subscribe-background-color); }.border-wt-subscribe-background { border-color: var(–wt-subscribe-background-color); }.bg-wt-text-on-subscribe-background { background-color: var(–wt-text-on-subscribe-background-color); }.text-wt-text-on-subscribe-background { color: var(–wt-text-on-subscribe-background-color); }.border-wt-text-on-subscribe-background { border-color: var(–wt-text-on-subscribe-background-color); }.rounded-wt { border-radius: var(–wt-border-radius); }.wt-header-font { font-family: var(–wt-header-font); }.wt-body-font { font-family: var(–wt-body-font); }.wt-button-font { font-family: var(–wt-button-font); }input:focus { –tw-ring-color: transparent !important; }li a { word-break: break-word; }@media only screen and (max-width:667px) {.mob-stack {display: block !important;width: 100% !important;}.mob-w-full {width: 100% !important;}}@font-face {font-family: ‘Roboto’;font-style: normal;font-weight: 700;font-display: swap;src: url(‘https://fonts.gstatic.com/s/roboto/v29/KFOlCnqEu92Fr1MmWUlfBBc4AMP6lQ.woff2’) format(‘woff2’);}@font-face {font-family: ‘Roboto’;font-style: italic;font-weight: 700;font-display: swap;src: url(‘https://fonts.gstatic.com/s/roboto/v29/KFOjCnqEu92Fr1Mu51TzBic6CsTYl4BO.woff2’) format(‘woff2’);}@font-face {font-family: ‘Roboto’;font-style: normal;font-weight: 400;font-display: swap;src: url(‘https://fonts.gstatic.com/s/roboto/v29/KFOmCnqEu92Fr1Mu4mxKKTU1Kg.woff2’) format(‘woff2’);}@font-face {font-family: ‘Roboto’;font-style: italic;font-weight: 400;font-display: swap;src: url(‘https://fonts.gstatic.com/s/roboto/v29/KFOkCnqEu92Fr1Mu51xIIzIXKMny.woff2’) format(‘woff2’);}@font-face {font-family: ‘Poppins’;font-style: normal;font-weight: 700;font-display: swap;src: url(‘https://fonts.gstatic.com/s/poppins/v22/pxiByp8kv8JHgFVrLCz7Z1xlFd2JQEk.woff2’) format(‘woff2’);}@font-face {font-family: ‘Poppins’;font-style: italic;font-weight: 700;font-display: swap;src: url(‘https://fonts.gstatic.com/s/poppins/v22/pxiDyp8kv8JHgFVrJJLmy15VF9eOYktMqg.woff2’) format(‘woff2′);}.table-base, .table-c, .table-h { border: 1px solid #C0C0C0; }.table-c { padding:5px; background-color:#FFFFFF; }.table-c p { color: #2D2D2D; font-family:’Helvetica’,Arial,sans-serif !important; overflow-wrap: break-word; }.table-h { padding:5px; background-color:#F1F1F1; }.table-h p { color: #2A2A2A; font-family:’Trebuchet MS’,’Lucida Grande’,Tahoma,sans-serif !important; overflow-wrap: break-word; }
Hi Intriguer. A few years ago, I was approached online by a man purporting to be the head of a Chinese โconsultancyโ. He asked whether Iโd be interested in writing reports for his organisation, particularly on anything I knew about the Australian government, and asked what I would require in return.
p span[style*=”font-size”] { line-height: 1.6; }
I never responded, reported the incident to some former colleagues, and never heard of the matter again. Besides, to paraphrase Groucho Marx, Iโd never want to work for a โconsultancyโ that would have me as a โconsultantโ.
p span[style*=”font-size”] { line-height: 1.6; }
I mention that little story because todayโs briefing is about a speech by the head of Australiaโs domestic spy agency during which he alleged that an Australian politician was recruited by foreign spies after leaving government.
p span[style*=”font-size”] { line-height: 1.6; }
Thereโs plenty of speculation as to the identity of this person (more on that below), but at time of publishing, no names have been named. As you can imagine, the ensuing speculation has been about as bad for productivity in Canberra as a sale on baked goods in the office cafeteria.
p span[style*=”font-size”] { line-height: 1.6; }
– John Fowler, Co-Founder
p span[style*=”font-size”] { line-height: 1.6; }
Was this forwarded to you? We’re a team of ex-diplomats producing a concise and engaging geopolitical briefing for 85k+ leaders each day. Itโs free to subscribe.
TODAYโS NEWS
p span[style*=”font-size”] { line-height: 1.6; }
Israel fires on Palestinians during aid delivery. Over 100 Palestinians were killed by Israeli forces opening fire on a large crowd at an aid delivery in northern Gaza, according to Palestinian health authorities. Israel contests this account, saying its troops opened fire on a breakaway group approaching their position – it claims a majority of people died in a โstampedeโ. Aid deliveries to northern Gaza have halved since January, leaving many facing severe hunger. US President Biden says the incident will complicate ceasefire talks.
p span[style*=”font-size”] { line-height: 1.6; }
Falling US trade with China not a bad thing? US Trade Representative Katherine Tai says falling trade with China โisn’t necessarily negative. It could be a positive indication of diversification on both sidesโ. Trade between the US and China has fallen by 17% last year amid tensions and trade tit-for-tats. But thereโs a decent chance this 17% figure has been inflated by Chinese companies relocating their operations to third countries to skirt US restrictions.
p span[style*=”font-size”] { line-height: 1.6; }
Iranians head to the polls. Voting is now underway in Iranโs parliamentary elections, the first since mass anti-government protests in 2022. Some Iranian activists are arguing that casting a vote would legitimise the Islamic Republic, which has described voting as a religious duty.
p span[style*=”font-size”] { line-height: 1.6; }
Former US diplomat pleads guilty to spying for Cuba. Manuel Rocha, a former US ambassador to Bolivia, has pleaded guilty to spying on behalf of Cuba since at least 1981. Rocha was discovered after making a series of incriminating revelations to an FBI agent posing as a Cuban intelligence officer.
TOP STORY
Australiaโs spooks just dropped an explosive annual โThreat Assessmentโ

p span[style*=”font-size”] { line-height: 1.6; }
The head of Australiaโs domestic intelligence agency (the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, aka โASIOโ) delivered his annual Threat Assessment address on Wednesday night local time. It was a doozy.
p span[style*=”font-size”] { line-height: 1.6; }
Here are five intriguing quotes from the ASIO chief, Mike Burgess:
-
โI appreciate that people need to market themselves but please be smart and be discreet โ donโt make yourself an easy target.โ
p span[style*=”font-size”] { line-height: 1.6; }
Early on, Burgess dunks on the โ14,000 Australians publicly boasting [on LinkedIn] about having a security clearance or working in the intelligence communityโ, leaving themselves vulnerable to targeting by foreign spies.
-
โA foreign intelligence service tried to find an Australian who would be willing to make a dissident โdisappearโโ.
p span[style*=”font-size”] { line-height: 1.6; }
He then goes on to describe how foreign spooks seek to harm members of migrant communities whoโve criticised regimes in their countries of origin. Itโs an intriguing comment, particularly in the context of recent allegations in Canada and the US that Indian intelligence had ordered the assassination of Sikh activists. We wouldnโt be surprised if similar allegations emerge out of Australia.
-
โRight now there is a particular team in a particular foreign intelligence service with a particular focus on Australia โ we are its priority target.โ
p span[style*=”font-size”] { line-height: 1.6; }
The ASIO chief then goes into detail about a team of foreign spooks which he nicknames โthe A-teamโ – he says theyโre running a large-scale operation targeting Australians with access to privileged information.
p span[style*=”font-size”] { line-height: 1.6; }
As above, these spies often approach Australians via LinkedIn, claiming to work for fictitious companies and offering lucrative consulting gigs and trips abroad. Their conversations then shift to encrypted apps, and requests for insider info.ย
p span[style*=”font-size”] { line-height: 1.6; }
Burgess declines to name names, but the widespread speculation (combined with the A-teamโs reported interest in the AUKUS submarine program) is that the elephant in the room is actually a dragon – China.
-
โThis politician sold out their country, party and former colleagues to advance the interests of the foreign regime.โ
p span[style*=”font-size”] { line-height: 1.6; }
This is where the intrigue really thickens.ย
p span[style*=”font-size”] { line-height: 1.6; }
Burgess drops the explosive revelation that a former politician betrayed their country to help a foreign regime. He doesnโt name names, but gives some hints:
-
It happened โseveral years agoโ, seemingly before Australiaโs foreign interference laws were strengthened (in 2018), and
-
The spies attempted (but failed) to involve a prime ministerโs family
p span[style*=”font-size”] { line-height: 1.6; }
In response, the son of a former prime minister has now revealed he once reported a โbrazenโ approach by presumed Chinese spies with links to a former politician.
p span[style*=”font-size”] { line-height: 1.6; }
This led many to believe the ASIO chief could be referring to stories already in the public domain. Without suggesting any of the following are the ex-politician in question, here are just some of the stories previously reported in local media:
-
A former rising-star senator was once caught warning a Beijing-linked billionaire about surveillance by Australian intelligence. This ex-senator has denied itโs him.
-
Another ex-politician was found to have engaged in โserious corrupt conductโ in relation to Beijing-linked political donations, but heโs also denying itโs him.
-
And a former Australian foreign minister – with links to the same controversial billionaire above – once irked Australian intelligence agencies for seemingly revealing classified information in his memoirs.
p span[style*=”font-size”] { line-height: 1.6; }
So, whodunnit? Weโve been passed a name. But ASIO is warning that naming the culprit could expose its sources – and our lawyers are warning that Australiaโs defamation laws are aggressive – so weโre gonna sit tight for now. More on that below. ๐ค
-
โWe want the A-team to know its cover is blown.โ
p span[style*=”font-size”] { line-height: 1.6; }
Burgess then describes how late last year, the A-team leader thought he was grooming yet another Australian online, before that Australian revealed he was actually an ASIO officer โ โthe spy was being spied on, the player was being playedโ. Maybe the big revelation here is that Australiaโs spy chief has a flair for the dramatic.
p span[style*=”font-size”] { line-height: 1.6; }
Interestingly, Burgess then effectively says heโs publicising all this now in part to sow suspicion and turmoil within the rival intelligence agency – did the A-team report back to HQ that it had been sprung by ASIO? If not, why not?
INTRIGUEโS TAKE
p span[style*=”font-size”] { line-height: 1.6; }
So why have we devoted a briefing to Australiaโs annual threat assessment? Because it touches on issues that are relevant everywhere.
p span[style*=”font-size”] { line-height: 1.6; }
First, Burgess is one of several spy chiefs now trying to bring his agencyโs work out of the shadows – this is partly about bolstering their social licence to operate. But judging by the largely uncritical response from Australiaโs public, the real issue here might be less about a lack of social licence, and more about a lack of public debate around the trade-offs that free societies make with their spies. Maybe thatโs a reflection of todayโs higher-risk environment.
p span[style*=”font-size”] { line-height: 1.6; }
Second, Burgess also justifies his speech as a kind of โdisinfectant lightโ to raise public awareness around foreign spy tactics, and build up Australiaโs resistance. The public frenzy to identify this politician has clearly drawn the countryโs attention, but itโs arguably done some damage in the process:
-
The list of names circulating is alarmingly long (and often plausible), and risks undermining the publicโs faith in elected representatives
-
Itโs triggered infighting, suspicion, and paranoia – ie, the very same things Burgess was seeking to trigger among the rival spooks, and
-
Although no countries were mentioned, this has all still inevitably made life difficult again for many Chinese-Australians, who form a key part of Australiaโs ability to manage the China relationship effectively.
p span[style*=”font-size”] { line-height: 1.6; }
And that brings us to our third and final point: Chinaโs rise is such a complex issue for governments and societies everywhere. To respond, we must be able to debate and think through the issues clearly. And that means folks being able to critique their own governmentโs approach without fear of being labelled unpatriotic, or worse. Itโs a balancing act, and this week felt wobbly.
THE MOMENT YOUโVE BEEN WAITING FOR: SHOP INTRIGUE!
T-shirts and hats, phone cases and mugs – oh my!
p span[style*=”font-size”] { line-height: 1.6; }
Many of you have asked us, time and time again, โhow can I get my hands on one of those sweet sweet Intrigue t-shirts?โ
p span[style*=”font-size”] { line-height: 1.6; }
Good news! Weโve just launched our first-ever merch storefront. Weโve created a few choice pieces to get you started and weโll add more as inspiration strikes. (If youโve got a great idea for a bit of merch, let us know!)
p span[style*=”font-size”] { line-height: 1.6; }
Enjoy shopping, and thanks for supporting us!
MEANWHILE, ELSEWHEREโฆ

-
๐ฐ๐ตย North Korea: Space experts say North Koreaโs first spy satellite is โaliveโ, after they detected changes in its orbit suggesting itโs now being controlled from Pyongyang. The new satelliteโs capabilities remain unknown, though its ability to course-correct in space was unexpected.
-
๐ท๐บย Russia: President Vladimir Putin has used his annual state-of-the-nation address to hail Russian national unity and warn of โtragic consequencesโ if Western troops are deployed to Ukraine. Heโs running for re-election in March 15-17 elections, against token opposition.
-
๐ต๐ญย Philippines: Manilaโs energy undersecretary says the Philippines is looking to boost oil and gas exploration in its Sulu Sea. The country has long sought to develop projects in its portion of the South China Sea, but Chinaโs expansive claim to 90% of the Sea has stalled progress.
-
๐จ๐ฆย Canada: Ottawa has re-imposed new visa rules on Mexican nationals in an attempt to curb asylum claims that spiked after the requirements were relaxed in 2016. Mexicoโs foreign ministry says it โregretsโ the change, and โreserves the right to act in reciprocityโ.
-
๐น๐ทย Turkey: Russiaโs foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, arrives in Turkey today following reports Turkey and the UN are pursuing a new safety scheme for cargo ships in the Black Sea. The UN and Turkey had previously brokered a deal to ensure the safe export of Ukrainian grain exports to world markets, but Russia withdrew in July 2023.
EXTRA INTRIGUE
Some weekend recommendations if youโre in ๐ฎ๐ณ Mumbai:
-
Eat: Stop by the โLeopold Cafeโ, a historic spot in Mumbai’s food scene that features prominently in novels (Shantaram) and films (Gully Boy).
-
Do: Watch the sun set over the Gateway of India from Soho House (also home to a piece by one of our favourite artists, Paul Davies).
-
Visit: Book a ticket to the โChhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalayaโ museum for stunning Indian art and historical artefacts.
VIDEO OF THE DAY

p span[style*=”font-size”] { line-height: 1.6; }
Why are American celebs such as Lindsay Lohan and Brian Baumgartner calling for the downfall of Moldavian President Maia Sandu? The answerโs every bit as odd as youโd expect.ย
p span[style*=”font-size”] { line-height: 1.6; }
Last year, a series of short videos by US celebrities surfaced online, showing them happily addressing a โSanduโ and parting with a cheery call of #DavaiteSkinemSandu (Russian for #Let’sBringDownSandu). Similar videos by Elijah Wood and Mike Tyson addressed a โVolodymyrโ (Zelenskyy) and exhorted him to end his drug abuse (a common Kremlin smear of Ukraineโs leader).ย
p span[style*=”font-size”] { line-height: 1.6; }
It seems these videos are not AI-generated deepfakes, but rather paid-for personalised videos requested by Russian-friendly trolls or propagandists – the celebs fell for a politically-motivated prank.ย
FRIDAY QUIZ
p span[style*=”font-size”] { line-height: 1.6; }
Our end-of-week quiz is dedicated to World Seagrass Day today (1 March)!
1) What percentage of the ocean floor does seagrass cover? |
2) How much seagrass does the world lose every year? |
3) What is the closest terrestrial relative to seagrass? |