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//The Wire//2130Z April 12, 2024//

//ROUTINE//

//BLUF: HOUSE RENEWS FISA SECTION 702. RUSSIA TESTS ICBM.//

-----BEGIN TEARLINE-----

-International Events-

Russia: A ballistic missile test was carried out overnight from a facility in southern Astrakhan. The test launch was carried out from the Kapustin Yar test facility. Though Russian defense forces have previously announced the number of missile tests to be conducted this year, this specific test was not announced to the public ahead of time, keeping with the Russian tradition of only giving the U.S. 24 hours notice for any test launches. AC: The type of missile tested was not named by the Russian MoD, but was likely a TOPOL-M (NATO: SS-27 SICKLE B) ICBM. The choice of test site was also likely selected deliberately due to the rising tensions in the Middle East; the missile launch would have been visible to virtually the entire region, and likely was intended to serve as a reminder to all parties of the seriousness of the potential escalation of conflict within the Middle East.

-HomeFront-

USA: The U.S. House of Representatives has voted to renew Section 702 of FISA. The bill now heads to the Senate, where it is expected to pass.

-----END TEARLINE-----

Analyst Comments: The renewal of Section 702 should not be surprising, nor should the tie-breaking vote in favor of the renewal being cast by House Speaker Mike Johnson. Though the changes to Section 702 are exceptionally dystopian in nature, the status quo of American surveillance largely will be unchanged. However, the means by which this vote was achieved have widened the perception of staggering corruption and blackmail within federal government.

Analyst: S2A1

//END REPORT//

The Wire - April 12, 2024