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Syria, Turkey
Turkish intelligence asserts role as nerve centre for Syria's secret archives

In Syria, as per custom after a revolution, the race is on to collect the documents left behind by the deposed regime's security services. While governments near and far have their intelligence agencies in the chase, the new Syrian regime's Turkish sponsor, the MIT, is a step ahead.

The Agencies' Gazette
Russia using Hawala payments, Vietnam's new Paris defence attaché, ISC renewal, Silk Roads into Europe, Kremlin/Vatican's parallel diplomacy

Appointments, reforms and the issues at stake: every Monday, Intelligence Online serves up snippets big and small from the global intelligence community.

Russia/UKRussian embassy uses Hawala payments to dodge sanctions

Vietnam/France Hanoi appoints new defence attaché to Paris embassy

United KingdomNew Westminster intelligence committee crew take over

ChinaSecond New Silk Road phase turns towards Europe

Vatican/RussiaKremlin sends back-channel message it is open to Christmas ceasefire

France
France's DGSE spy agency beats harassment case by ex-officer

A Paris court has rejected a bid for €50,000 compensation by a spy in France's foreign intelligence agency who said he suffered psychological harassment from his boss while posted in Dubai.

France
New French PM François Bayrou starts job with only a tiny intelligence network

Appointed by French President Emmanuel Macron last Friday, Prime Minister François Bayrou will have to get to grips with the world of intelligence pretty quickly.

Qatar
Defence industry conglomerate Barzan's turbulent changes

Qatari Defence Minister Mohammed Al Attiyah's sudden replacement last month is having a knock-on effect within the state-owned group. The latter has begun firing the foreign executives that he had hired.

Russia, United States
Financial firms with links to sanction evaders continue to operate despite US crackdown

The US and UK recently slapped sanctions on TGR Group for helping sanctions evaders. But several companies linked to the firm have emerged unscathed.

France, Ukraine
Lack of jammers exposes French-trained Anne of Kyiv brigade to Russian drones

Paris has failed to deliver crucial anti-drone equipment to the French-trained and -armed Anne of Kyiv mechanised brigade as it joins the front line, exposing its troops to omnipresent Russian suicide drones.

Israel, Syria
Conquered Mount Hermon becomes prize location for Israel's technical intelligence

After seizing control of the Syrian part of Mount Hermon and the surrounding area on 8 December, Israeli special forces can now install extensive SIGINT (SIGINT eavesdropping and interception) facilities there.