Spotlight | Saudi Arabia, Oman

Renewed optimism for Saudi-Oman pipeline checked by doubts over western financing

Secret talks for a new Saudi-Oman infrastructure project were exposed during a TotalEnergies investor presentation last week. Mooted many times previously, but now acquiring more urgency, the scheme is said to be facing financing challenges centring on Riyadh's intransigence over repayment guarantees.

A partner of a company which carried out OSINT investigations for Louis Vuitton, has teamed up with a former global head of security for the French luxury brand to carry out similar research. Intelligence Online has details on the steps leading up to this collaboration.

France

French military intelligence eager to provide more intel to the armed forces in the field

The French military intelligence directorate has focused heavily on ‘top-down’ intelligence in recent years, aiming to provide information to its supervisory authorities. It now wants to provide more intelligence to the French forces directly, which may have felt neglected by the service.

Spotlight | China, India, Pakistan

Islamabad bolsters Beijing in Karakoram to open up Iran route

With Pakistan’s backing, the CCP wants to turn the disputed Shaksgam Valley into a route for delivering weapons to Central Asia and Iran. A recent meeting to this end of the previously dormant China-Pakistan Boundary Commission is viewed as a provocation by New Delhi, which appears powerless to act.

The creation of a dedicated cyber threat assessment centre has long been called for by the Pentagon’s partners and Congress.

A Pakistani subcontractor for Saudi state-owned defence firm SAMI has just been placed on the US sanctions list. The US Treasury believes this company had supplied arms to Iran.

Spotlight | Saudi Arabia

Richard Attias explores growth beyond Riyadh

Partnered with Saudi's sovereign wealth fund, the major global event organiser is expanding his already extensive network. His aim is to diversify partners and explore new avenues for growth.

Spy Master | Georgia

Anzor Chubinidze, Ivanishvili's trusted gatekeeper amid Georgian intelligence turmoil

Georgian intelligence has for months been caught up in a vast game of musical chairs, amid timely anti-corruption probes and counter-espionage proceedings. Anzor Chubinidze, the only security chief in his job since the start of Bidzina Ivanishvili's rule, ensures the leader's grip on security circles.

Germany, France, Taiwan

The discreet committee led by Taiwan's VP steering Taipei’s foray into Europe

Over the past year, Taiwan’s diplomatic service has made decisive progress in its relations with Europe by forging numerous partnerships in cutting-edge sectors. That momentum has been driven behind-the-scenes by Taiwan’s Vice-President Hsiao Bi-khim, who coordinates defence and foreign affairs.

Spotlight | Europe, Russia

How AI can help European intelligence services recruit Moscow moles

Several European intelligence services are currently testing an AI tool that runs on a dataset from Bauman University, the Russian military intelligence academy. This tool could enable spy agencies to accurately identify potential recruits within Moscow’s intelligence apparatus.

As the country emerges as a fresh gold mine for the private security sector, Damascus's new rulers are reorganising the sector to their liking. A man who acts as a conduit between Western security companies and the authorities appears to be playing a central role in this overhaul.

China

Xi Jinping hands over reins of banks to Party officials

Top jobs at Chinese financial institutions are now being filled based on political criteria, as recent hirings at the country's leading investment bank's research arm demonstrate. This reshuffle has been accompanied by disciplinary investigations and new governance rules.

Deep Dive | Pakistan

The ‘Islamabad syndrome’ that poisoned relations between Western and Pakistani spies

At odds over nuclear proliferation but united in the fight against terrorism, Western intelligence agencies have long had a bumpy relationship with Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). For some this has come at a very personal cost. Intelligence Online reveals one of the most dramatic and mysterious episodes involving France’s DGSE and the CIA in Pakistan.

Top British lawyer Lord Pannick provided services to China National Gold, a state owned mining concern involved in multi-billion dollar arbitration.

Published on 13/10/26 at 13:25 GMT: The withdrawal of all its military forces engaged in Iraq means that Paris is now able to redeploy its capacity to the Gulf. High on Macron's agenda are new anti-aircraft defence deployments to support the five Gulf countries he plans to visit next week.

After establishing a new political platform in which the more powerful ethnic armed forces are most prominent, the Burmese resistance is now focusing on intelligence. Covert operations have shifted to building networks of informants and a joint intelligence framework is being set up.

Spotlight | Ukraine, United Kingdom

Kraken Technology Group and British services involved in Ukrainian naval war

At least eight naval drones from the British company Kraken have been deployed to Ukraine’s domestic intelligence agency, Intelligence Online can reveal. These platforms, which were used in strikes on Sochi in September, are being tested in the Black Sea with the support of UK operators.

Deep Dive | Pakistan

Pakistan's powerful Inter-Services Intelligence, answerable only to Asim Munir

Formidable to foreign intelligence services and their spies stationed in Pakistan, the ISI is also feared within the country’s own intelligence apparatus. As all-powerful military chief Asim Munir's enforcement arm, the agency has asserted itself as the only one able to safeguard national security.

Thailand

Thai navy's new chief toughens stance against Hanwha Ocean

South Korean shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean's contract with the Royal Thai Navy for its future frigate is under serious threat due to budgetary constraints and looming legal risks.

This week, Intelligence Online paid a visit to Le Président, an iconic Chinese restaurant in the Belleville neighbourhood of Paris.

A high-level Indonesian defence delegation is expected to visit the French capital in early November, providing an opportunity for France to revive sluggish bilateral contracts between both countries.

The recent resignation of influential US ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle, who was close to Donald Trump, has taken place as Washington continues to push two important energy deals in southeastern Europe. Her ousting is likely to play in favour of her counterpart in Ankara.