- NATIONAL GEOSPATIAL-INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Syria: Assessing Foreign Involvement in the Electrical Grid
This study analyzes the impact of the Syrian Civil War and the fall of the Assad government on Syria's energy infrastructure and foreign investment in the energy sector. Using satellite imagery and open-source intelligence, this report finds with moderate confidence that Iran's role in the energy sector has decreased; that alternate regional powers have explored investment opportunities with limited progress; and that electricity availability in major cities has seen no observable improvement.
Russia's Arctic Dilemma: Permafrost Thaw Threatens Russia's Ambitions
Climate change in the Arctic is impacting Russia's Arctic plans. As temperatures rise, thawing permafrost has increased the cost of repairs to existing facilities and infrastructure, especially runways. The rate of construction of new facilities more suited to the changing climate situation has also increased Russia's expenditures, which impacts the execution of their strategy.
Russia Reallocates Resources to Filtration Operations Based On Anticipated Flow of Displaced Ukrainian Civilians
According to commercial satellite imagery and open-source reporting, Moscow dismantled tents at alleged filtration sites in the southern Donetsk Oblast region, at the Russian Veselo-Voznesenka border checkpoint, and along the M-2 Highway between the towns of Kharkiv and Belgorod in Russia likely due to the decline in displaced civilian movement (as evidenced in declining vehicle activity) and “filtration” needs through these areas.