by Uzi Eilam
“General Suleimani, why don’t you describe the situation in Malaysia and Singapore for the honorable ambassador?”
“I’d be happy to, and if you agree, I’ll try to keep it short and leave time for the ambassador’s questions.”
Suleimani looked toward the Leader first and then turned to the ambassador, who was sitting with an unreadable expression on his face. He opened the file prepared for him by his staff, which included a chapter on the ambassador’s biography. Suleimani surveyed the ambassador’s past as a successful army general, his academic studies, and his years heading the National Institute of Research and Technology in Beijing. The general was primarily impressed by the ambassador’s status at the top ranks of the party’s leadership. It was obvious that the ambassador was not merely a conduit for conveying messages but also an important party in the decision-making process. The combination of his experience on the battlefield and his knowledge of advanced technology had required Suleimani to make special preparations for the meeting and for his conversation with the ambassador.
“I’m sure, sir, that you’re aware of the activity being carried out in Singapore in the last few months, activity originating in Malaysia. Your country knows of the establishment of a training camp for Hamas warriors from the Gaza Strip and Hezbollah activists from Lebanon and has expressed its approval.”
“All that is well established, General,” the Chinese ambassador interjected. “What’s the problem? What is the reason for the urgency you emphasized when you proposed this meeting? Is it important enough to trouble the honorary Supreme Leader?”
“A meeting with you, Ambassador, is no trouble at all.” The Leader turned to Suleimani. “Tell the ambassador about the events that caused the failure of the activity in Singapore.”
“Of course, sir,” Suleimani replied, surprised by the ambassador’s reaction. He tried to focus and continue his assessment of the situation for the ambassador. “We have excellent intelligence, thanks to the assistance we’re receiving from the Malaysian Royal Intelligence Corps, headed by General Razek. We have carefully trained fighting teams comprised of Hamas and Hezbollah activists. We have a list of targets to attack in Singapore, each of which could have major financial and media impact.”
“And up to now, nearly nothing has happened as a result of all these plans?” the ambassador intervened.
“If our analysis is correct, we made a mistake by underestimating the importance of cyber issues. We found out the hard way, sir, that the enemy had infiltrated our communication networks, including the most secured ones. Singapore’s counter terrorism units managed to make it in time to the targets we were planning to attack. Results thus far have been partial and disappointing.”
“You have to focus, General,” the ambassador decreed, “and tell us what you need. Our embassy in Kuala Lumpur has provided you with communication technology experts. Is that not enough? We don’t believe Singapore is that advanced in these areas.”
“Yes, Ambassador, you’ve hit the nail on the head. We’re dealing with a task force that was recently established in Singapore, which includes American and Israeli experts. Our people believe this task force, operating as part of the National Security Institute and headed by the Singaporean General Tan, is the main obstacle to our activity.”
“This isn’t news to us,” the ambassador challenged. “And we know what the Israelis and Americans on this task force are capable of. We also know quite a lot about their attempts to utilize a new technology called IOT and incorporate it in their defense systems.”
“You know more than we could ever imagine, sir, and the role you have personally played in advancing China’s communication technologies is no secret. That’s exactly why we’re turning to you for help.”
“Please update the ambassador,” the Supreme Leader chimed in, “on the information you’ve received regarding Taiwan’s involvement. You told me this was a troubling and important technological aspect.”
“You mean the WIN Corporation in Taiwan?” Once again, they were taken aback by the Chinese ambassador’s revelations. “We’ve been monitoring their activity and it does, indeed, include significant technological achievements that constitute strategic threats. What do you know about it?”
“We know Singapore and Taiwan share close relations, and that there’s been a major order of electronic micro components that the WIN Corporation is developing and manufacturing for Singapore. In fact, Ambassador, this order is intended for the defense systems being developed by General Tan’s international task force, and is supposed to be incorporated into the IOT-based defense systems that you just mentioned, sir.”
“It’s true, the WIN Corporation does possess impressive knowledge and engineering capabilities in the field of gallium arsenide-based components. But we’ve been tracking the advanced development of gallium nitride-based micro components. This is a step that should be of concern not just to you, but to us in China as well.”
The Supreme Leader and General Suleimani followed along as the ambassador exhibited his technological expertise and waited for him to continue. After an interval of silence, Suleimani felt obligated to keep the conversation flowing.
“According to what we know so far, we believe, Ambassador, that there’s an unholy alliance incorporating the capabilities of Big Satan—the United States—and Little Satan—Israel—and aimed at aiding Singapore in the field of advanced communication technology. Taiwan’s involvement and aid, sir, increase these hazards even more. We would be glad to take part in an action by China, our great ally, to remove the threat against our advanced communication systems. We might be acting against Singapore, but our ultimate strategic targets are Israel and the United States.”
The ambassador addressed the Supreme Leader. “There is another threat related, to some extent, to cyber capabilities. This threat concerns the banks and the flow of funds among them.”
“A threat pertaining to us?” The Leader did not wait for a response from Suleimani, who was momentarily disconcerted due to the ambassador’s latest surprise and was currently dumbfounded.
“Yes, sir,” the ambassador replied. “We’ve witnessed attempts to track the flow of funds from sensitive state sources on our end. The initiative supposedly came from Singapore’s central bank, but we suspect Israel, and perhaps the United States, of instigating this move.”
“A bank in Singapore? Israeli initiative?” Suleimani was awakened to action once more. “Who’s conducting the monitoring? And how?”
“We’ve tracked down an Israeli woman apparently sent by the Israeli Mossad, a senior executive at Singapore’s central bank. This lady, who is far from naïve, attempted to extract information from our bank’s large branch in Hong Kong. While pretending to seek information on private banking, she’s actually interested in exposing the flow of funds serving our strategic interests. The manager of the branch was sufficiently vigilant to assign Ming Hua, one of the talented young men in our financial intelligence operation, to escort the lady during her visit to Hong Kong. He was instructed to maintain contact with the woman and to assess her intentions and the actions she intends to take.”
“We didn’t know a thing about this, and received no indications of it from our embassy in Malaysia,” Suleimani grumbled.
He made a note to himself to check in with his intelligence personnel and inquire why they hadn’t uncovered this development. To Suleimani, this was one more failure of the efforts in Malaysia, which should tarnish Ja’afari’s image in the eyes of the Supreme Leader. He turned his gaze to the Supreme Leader, who nodded in comprehension.
“In regard to providing assistance for enhancing your communication and dealing with Singapore’s developing cyber capabilities, I intend to bring it up for approval with Beijing,” the ambassador promised. “As I’ve already mentioned, the topic of Taiwan’s technological abilities is even more important to us than it is to you in your act
ivity in Singapore. I’m convinced that China will take it upon itself to reduce this strategic hazard. I hope we receive authorization to send more top cyber warfare experts to Malaysia in order to assist you. This will, of course, be a loan—for a limited time only—and you’ll have to make efficient use of them.”
The Supreme Leader rose to thank the ambassador and bid him farewell. He instructed Suleimani to update Ambassador Ja’afari regarding the information conveyed in the meeting and the future steps it implied. The commander of the Revolutionary Guard was left alone in the Supreme Leader’s conference room. He wrote down the main points of the meeting and thought about how to instruct his people on their next moves. Suleimani could not shake off the fear that assistance from China would bring about conclusive success for his rival Ja’afari, thus preserving his status as a personal threat in their battle for supremacy.
Chapter 31
The Shangri La Hotel was quiet at this late hour of the night. Deutsch could not fall asleep, despite the exhausting day that had ended quite a while ago. He dumped a generous fistful of ice cubes into a glass and poured in two tiny bottles of whiskey. However, the drink only woke him up even more, and he went back to considering the developments of the last few days.
The system for detecting tunnels, for which everyone had high hopes, had failed the test, which was truly disappointing. He had conducted an unsparing inquiry with the American engineering crew and insisted they thoroughly scan the whole length of the tunnel before packing up their equipment and going home. Gideon, he recalled, had tried to encourage him, claiming that Israel, too, had experienced failures in locating the tunnels stretching from the Gaza Strip into Israeli territory. The cyber field struck him as problematic, and too much weight had been placed on the shoulders of one team. China’s involvement, partially uncovered by Dan, added to his concern. He asked himself whether he should be asking for more professional assistance from the United States. Would it be right to update the CIA and NSA, the American agencies on whose behalf he was operating in Singapore?
An additional topic on his mind was the electronic micro components based on gallium arsenide technology, primarily the new generation of gallium nitride components. He had handed in a report to the NSA on the capabilities of the Taiwanese WIN Corporation, with which he had become familiar during his visit to Taipei with Gideon and Dan. In response, he had received a harsh communication from the assistant director of the NSA, who saw Taiwan’s advanced technological capabilities as a strategic threat. China, too—Deutsch knew as a result of Dan’s surveillance efforts—was troubled by Taiwan’s capabilities and saw it as a strategic risk as well. And yet, Deutsch thought, the initiative should not be halted if they wished to ensure Singapore had sufficient protections against cyber threats. He summed up all of the main points in writing, deciding to discuss them with Gideon. Only after concluding the written summary did he start to feel the impact of alcohol and fatigue.
He had to wait till morning to bring up the list of troubling topics with Gideon, who suggested they recruit Tan and Chang Mei to tackle them.
Deutsch proposed that he travel to Washington to try to convince the representatives of the various agencies, in one-on-one meetings, and Gideon agreed that this proposal should be brought up with the task force.
General Tan responded quickly to Gideon and Deutsch’s request, clearing his schedule. Dr. Chang was already in the office when they entered. The Iron Lady provided Tan with near-vital support, and he drew confidence from her presence every time an additional threat surfaced.
“Deutsch thinks he should fly to DC for consultations,” Gideon said. “The two of us talked this morning about the latest events and about the threats that are becoming more sophisticated. I suggested to him that we bring it up with you, and I’m glad to see Dr. Chang Mei here, as well.”
“You’re planning to abandon us like that?” The attempt at humor did not mask Tan’s anxiety. His smile quickly disappeared as he gazed at Deutsch.
“It’s true that we have an accumulation of incidents and warnings of possible attacks that seem more serious and sophisticated than past events. Perhaps precisely for that reason, I felt the need to update the people in Washington and consult them on all this. It’s mainly due to the cyber attacks, which seem to indicate that the long arm of China stretches all the way here.”
Chang Mei addressed Deutsch. “The question is whether, after analyzing the situation, you and Gideon think you need to personally travel to Washington. How about a conference call by phone? I’m sure you’ve considered the possibility.”
“That isn’t like meeting people and talking to them face to face. There are limitations to conference calls, despite the secure communication the embassy here can provide. The more sensitive topics can’t be discussed freely.” Gideon paused, assessing Tan’s reaction. The general’s body language expressed his distress, and it was clear to Gideon that Tan was unwilling to relinquish Deutsch’s presence in Singapore. His eyes met Deutsch’s, wordlessly encouraging him to speak up once more.
“We’ve talked about it, and I’m willing to begin with a conference call to DC. If that won’t provide us with the results we want, I can always fly to Washington and talk to the people in the know.”
“I’m glad you see it that way, Deutsch. Let’s see how far we can get with phone conferences,” Tan said, now sounding more relaxed and confident. Chang Mei and Gideon nodded.
***
The communication room at the American embassy in Singapore was at the cutting edge of secure communication technology. Deutsch felt at home in the embassy and was well acquainted with the room. Tyler Roberts, the NSA representative assigned to Dan’s team, accompanied Deutsch, staying with him for all the conferences with DC.
“Good morning, Tom,” Deutsch said to the deputy director of the CIA. ”I haven’t talked to you since visiting you in Langley and agreeing to join the team in Singapore.”
“Good morning to you too, Deutsch. What brings you to me? We’re receiving ongoing updates from our people at the embassy in Singapore. I was sorry to hear about the setback the engineering team experienced in locating the tunnel, but I understand you had backup, and the terrorists were apprehended before they could carry out the attack. My people tell me you’ve had reasonable success in intercepting communications in Malaysia, and you’re making good progress in developing defenses against cyber attacks.”
“The tunnel setback is behind us now, Tom. We still haven’t located the members of the first cell to get through, but we will. That’s not the problem I wanted to consult you about. The team headed by Dan Avni, which also includes a talented, experienced young man from the NSA staff at the embassy, has noted increasing support provided by China to Iranian cyber warfare efforts. This has already impacted our surveillance capabilities, and it is threatening Singapore’s defenses against cyber attacks. I’m not sure the defense system we’ve constructed based on the demo is good enough.”
“Hold on a minute, Deutsch,” the deputy director called out. “I’m putting two of my people on the line.”
“I think, Tom, that with all due respect to our young people, who are dealing with the challenge of protecting Singapore from cyber attacks,” Deutsch continued, “this is too much for them to handle. We need the type of support that only the US can provide.”
“I’m beginning to understand the source of the problem, Deutsch. Our organization can contribute mostly in the field of surveillance from space, using optical and communication information from the global satellite network. You have to talk to the NSA about assistance in monitoring communication and cyber capabilities. You should take the sensitivity of this topic into account and think about what to say to the gatekeepers of the global surveillance network.”
The conversation continued for quite a while, and Deutsch was pleased to realize that the CIA supported his efforts. He had no illusions that he would receive any assis
tance from the agency’s human assets, the spies whom the CIA protected zealously. However, the contribution from the space-based technological systems was important and worthy, he concluded to himself once the conference call was over. He decided to take a break and recruit Tyler to help him prepare for his conversation with the director of the NSA, who was known for his many talents but also for his intimidating toughness, which impacted everyone he came across.
“Hello there, Dr. Deutsch,” the NSA director’s voice boomed out. “I understand you’re on a campaign to solicit donations here? I heard you already talked with the CIA, so what could I possibly provide you with?”
Deutsch was not surprised by the man’s style. He knew he needed to tread with caution when entering the domain of the agency that was all-powerful in regard to surveillance technology.
“First of all, I wanted to thank you for the aid we’re getting from your attaché office at the Singapore embassy.”
“You might be pleased over there in Singapore, but I’ve already reprimanded our people at the embassy for the sensitive information they allowed themselves to expose,” the director barked out. “Just so you understand, Dr. Deutsch, you’re concerned about Singapore, which is a tiny dot on a map of the world. I have to worry about the United States’ interests as a whole, which are spread out all over the globe. We have a comprehensive strategic perspective, and I won’t allow you to compromise it due to some whim or other.”
“I want to point out a few things, sir, that should make it clear to you that we have no intention of compromising American interests. Quite the contrary, I believe.”
“Explain it to me, please,” the agency head instructed in a quieter voice.
“When constructing the defense system against the array of threats directed against Singapore, we had no problem dealing with the Iranian threat, and Malaysia’s technological capabilities are certainly no challenge. Singapore has advanced industries, which allow us to manufacture components for the defense array, based on a brilliant development designed by Dan Avni, an Israeli.”
