Middle East

Israeli cyber security firm ClearSky Cyber Security revealed last week that the Hamas terrorist group has been trying to hack Israelis through a fake version of the Color Red missile-attack warning app.

UAE's Yahsat, the Abu Dhabi-headquartered commercial satellite communications operator, has partnered with Tanaza to launch a new enterprise Wi-Fi solution for reliable service in remote areas, further helping to bridge the digital divide in many parts of the world.

U.S. cyber security company Accenture assesses that Iran is likely to carry out cyber-attacks against other Middle Eastern countries, as well as Europe and the United States, if it comes under extreme economic pressure.

The UAE Space Agency is wrapping its Space Investment Strategy that should provide the regulatory environment necessary to attract local and foreign investments into the Emirati commercial space sector, making the UAE a regional and hemispheric hub for New Space activity.

Qatar’s Es’hailSat satellite communications company has purchased outright the satellite it has been sharing with Eutelsat - EUTELSAT-25B/Es'hail-1 - taking full control of the satellite now just named Es'hail-1. The purchase comes as the Qatari company awaits the launch later this year of Es'hail-2, built by Japanese satellite manufacturer Mitsubishi Electric Company (MELCO).

UK-based Effective Space is set to launch its first Space Drone spacecraft in 2020 which will introduce life extension services to satellite operators. The company has received very encouraging feedback on its plans and other potential lines of business such as accommodating new constellations in LEO.

The Turkish minister for Science, Industry, and Technology, Mustafa Varank, said on 7 August 2018 that the Turkish government will establish the Turkish Space Agency this year in order to coordinate the country's space activities and manage international cooperation and relations.

Rocket Lab, the U.S.-headquartered New Space satellite launch company that puts small satellites into orbit from New Zealand, has announced that it has signed an agreement with Dubai-based Circle Aerospace for ten Electron SLV launches starting at the end of 2019.

A new report from the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) argues that despite the U.S. withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA - also known as the Iran nuclear deal) an opportunity exists to constrain Iranian ballistic missile capabilities through arms control in return for allowing Iran to maintain a space launch capability that is closely monitored.

The Secure World Foundation (SWF), the influential think-tank that focuses on the secure, sustainable, and peaceful uses of space, has announced the appointment of Dr. Peter Martinez as its new Executive Director effective 1 October 2018.