Sanctions exposure in Kazakhstan
new Intel Focus investigation highlights continued sanctions-related risks linked to Kazakhstan’s trade in sensitive electronic goods, underscoring how post-2022 export controls remain vulnerable to circumvention.
The report focuses on dual-use goods, commodities that have legitimate civilian applications but can also be repurposed for military use. At the centre of the analysis are electronic integrated circuits and microchips classified under HS code 8542, alongside related items such as advanced computing components and telecommunications equipment. These goods are prioritised under US and EU export control regimes due to their relevance to weapons systems, intelligence platforms, surveillance technologies and unmanned systems.
Fact check: why the image claiming to show Nicolás Maduro’s capture cannot be verified
An image circulating online claims to show the Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro captured during the US operation in Caracas. Despite the Trump administration having confirmed the capture, they have not posted an official photograph. Intel Focus has examined the circulated image and identified multiple red flags that cast serious doubt on its authenticity.
Dead Cow Claims Trigger Controversy in Denmark
In recent weeks, claims from Danish farmers alleging that their cows are falling ill due to the feed additive Bovaer have gone viral on social media. These unverified reports, which are viewed with scepticism by scientific authorities, have led to sensational portrayals and disinformation online, causing concern among both consumers and farmers.
Benin’s Abortive Coup and the Commander Who Led It
On 7 December 2025, a group of armed soldiers in Benin briefly seized the national broadcaster in Cotonou, announced that President Patrice Talon had been removed, and declared the creation of a “Military Committee for Refoundation” within hours, the government said loyal forces had foiled the coup and restored control, calling it a mutiny by a small faction rather than a full-scale takeover.
OSINT reveals Taliban Supreme Leader’s location
The report provides an in-depth geospatial and open-source analysis of multiple high-security compounds in Kandahar, believed to be linked to the Taliban’s Supreme Leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada. Using satellite imagery, open-source data, and verification techniques, the investigation identifies patterns of movement, fortified structures, and the leadership’s security apparatus in southern Afghanistan.
Poland's New Border Vigilantes and the Aesthetic of Nationalist Self-Staging
How right-wing extremist fan groups stage migration as a threat and mix online propaganda with physical presence.
When Truth Looks Like Misinformation: Nazi Salutes Witnessed at Bangladesh’s Gaza Protests
During the April 2025 Gaza protests across Bangladesh, a photo showing Nazi salutes allegedly performed by demonstrators in Dhaka sparked global outrage and debate. While pro-Israel accounts and Bangladeshi political figures used the image to link the protests to Islamic extremism, Intel Focus's investigation confirmed the photo's authenticity but found no evidence of widespread extremist involvement. The incident highlights how real events, amplified by misinformation and political motives, can blur the line between truth and propaganda in the age of digital disinformation.
Debunked: how nationals of Afghanistan are labelled as Mossad agents
Over the past few days, several Iranian outlets and social media channels circulated reports of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Basij forces arresting alleged Mossad-linked operatives inside Iran. Among them, nationals of Afghanistan have been repeatedly highlighted—yet much of this narrative appears to be based on misinformation, exaggeration, and recycled images.
Escalation of Israeli Ceasefire Violations in Southern Lebanon
Following the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah on November 27, 2024, in May 2025, violations of the ceasefire agreement sharply surged, primarily in southern Lebanon, an area partially under Israeli occupation.
How the Pahalgam Terror Attack Survivor Received Online Hate
Open‑source monitoring after the Pahalgam attack shows a rapid surge of hostile social‑media content targeting survivor Himanshi Narwal. Hindutva‑aligned accounts allegedly accused her of conspiring with terrorists and used misogynistic slurs when she reportedly spoke out against the Hindu‑Muslim division.