3GIMBALS

Understanding the Sanctions Quartet: How Iran, Russia, China, and North Korea Navigate a Complex Business Environment 

The Sanctions Quartet have developed strategies to reshape global sanctions enforcement, enabling Iran, Russia, China, and North Korea to bypass restrictions through alternative financial systems, shadow trade networks, and cyber-enabled illicit activities. Understanding how this alliance operates is crucial to countering its growing influence and the broader geopolitical risks it presents.

Data-Driven Intelligence for Combatting Drug Cartels  

Data-driven intelligence for mapping drug trafficking routes.

Traditional interdiction struggles to keep pace with evolving drug cartels. Learn how data-driven intelligence for drug trafficking—fusing OSINT, geospatial analytics, and AI—exposes hidden networks and shapes proactive counter-narcotics strategies.

The Strategic Role of Neuquén in China’s Precision Strike Capabilities

Concerns about China’s Deep Space Station in Neuquén, Argentina, grew in April 2024 after U.S. warnings of potential military use. Argentine officials, with Chinese Embassy personnel, briefly inspected the site on 18 April 2024, finding no unusual activities and promoting cooperation. However, this visit and a 2019 one did not inspect a nearby calibration tower site, where satellite imagery shows possible equipment. The next day, China announced the PLA Aerospace Force, complicating efforts to link the Neuquén station, operated by the China Satellite Launch and Tracking Control Center, to military activities.

Strategic Alliance: The Flow of Chinese Technology to Russia 

In the face of stringent Western sanctions, Russia’s importation of sensitive, dual-use goods from China surged by more than 40% to over $5.2 billion in 2023. These Chinese components are integral to Russia’s defense industrial base, fueling the production of long-range armaments, unmanned aerial systems (UAS), and electronic warfare (EW) systems. These systems empower Russian forces to launch effective and often indiscriminate attacks on Ukrainian civilian and military targets, while simultaneously bolstering defensive capabilities for Russia’s invasion. 

Integrating GEOINT into Cyber Intelligence Investigations

At GEOINT 2024, Rob Falcon delivered a lightning talk where he discussed the integration of geospatial intelligence (GEOINT) into cyber intelligence investigations. As the Lead Cyber Analyst at 3GIMBALS, Rob brings a wealth of experience from both military and private sector backgrounds, offering unique insights into the evolving landscape of cyber threats.

Reflecting on GEOINT and SOF Week 2024: A Pivotal Moment for Innovation and Partnerships

As specialists in analytic solutions and AI within the defense sector, we eagerly anticipate the annual gatherings at GEOINT and SOF Week—key events that set the stage for the year’s technological advancements and strategic partnerships. This year, both events surpassed our expectations, offering unprecedented opportunities to showcase our innovative solutions, engage with future talent, and deepen our connections within the global defense community.

Navigating the Waters: China’s Strategic Gambit in Djibouti

China’s investments in Djibouti represent a pivotal moment for U.S. interests in a global maritime nexus. The establishment of China’s first overseas military base, coupled with expansive Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects, underscores the tangible manifestations of China’s ambitions in the region. These developments are significant not only for their potential to alter regional power dynamics, but also for enabling China to project its military power more effectively and enhance its intelligence-gathering capabilities near U.S. and allied forces. Moreover, the risk of Djibouti falling into a debt trap, unable to repay Chinese loans, could lead to critical infrastructure falling under Chinese control, compounding the challenges faced by the U.S. in maintaining its influence and safeguarding its interests in this maritime corridor.

Uncovering State-Sponsored Coordinated Inauthentic Online Behavior: Inside a Chinese Influence Campaign

Collaborating with Clemson University’s Media Forensics Hub, 3GIMBALS uncovered a widespread Chinese state-sponsored campaign spreading false narratives about COVID-19’s origins. Using advanced data science techniques, our team discovered over 200 viral memes across 20 online platforms targeting specific individuals. The quality and scope indicated a state-sponsored campaign which we definitively tied to mainland China through studying metadata, technical fingerprints, and geolocation data pointing to an apartment complex in Yulin, China. This enabled public exposure of the campaign without compromising sensitive government sources. Read the full article to learn more about this analysis and see examples of the uncovered graphics.