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France, Saudi Arabia
Ex-French minister Le Drian to become adviser for Saudi defence industry

Retired from politics since May 2022, the French former defence minister Jean-Yves Le Drian is now expected to take on a new role as a consultant for the Saudi defence sector. While he confirmed having been approached, Le Drian said after the publication of this article that he had in the end declined the offer.

Latvia, United States
US lobbyist David Merkel at the centre of Latvian lawyer's murder case

The Latvian probe into the murder of Latvian lawyer Martins Bunkus, linked to the liquidation of the country's third largest commercial bank ABLV, has extended to the US. His former lobbyist is being investigated.

China, United Kingdom
UK parliamentary committee pleads for greater oversight in face of Chinese threats

China's sweeping cyber operations are putting the parliament's intelligence oversight to the test. While UK agencies have ramped up their intelligence work to counter Chinese and foreign threats, the Intelligence and Security Committee laments not having oversight over these new players.

United States
US State Department ramps up its defence against biological threats

As part of the new national biodefence strategy, the US State Department is making adjustments to improve its response to global health risks, which are considered a national security issue. This largely involves increased use of the country's intelligence services.

United States
Former Maven director Aaron Prupas launches artificial intelligence consultancy

Freshly retired Major General Aaron Prupas has swapped his uniform for a business suit and launched a firm focusing on the development of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies for military use, just as the US military is ramping up its efforts on that front.

France, Iraq, Jordan
Macron's second Baghdad conference ruffles Iraq ahead of its opening in Jordan

The second edition of this regional conference organised by the Elysée is raising questions, not least because it will take place not in Iraq, but in Jordan. King of Jordan Abdullah II however is delighted to host the French president and his diplomatic iniative.

The Agencies' Gazette
Hossam Louka in Riyadh, State Department's generosity to Chisinau, France's Zahra center

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

Syria/Saudi ArabiaHossam Louka pops up in Riyadh.

United States/MoldovaChisinau biggest receiver of US fund to counter Russian influence.

France/IranFormer pro-Iranian Centre Zahra France official fails to block asset freeze.