Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom
Private diplomats position themselves for mediation roles in Russia-Ukraine war

Syria, Ukraine, United States
Private diplomacy: anti-Assad lobbyists change focus to battle for Kyiv

A network of former British diplomats and consultants that has been long opposed to Russian influence in Syria, and is coordinated by the firm Independent Diplomat, is now facilitating Kyiv's access to the United Nations, as well as American officiels.

Russia, United Kingdom
London keeps on private security provider in Moscow

Faced with the difficulty of running background checks and the sensitive nature of conducting private security activities in Moscow on behalf of foreign interests, many state clients are having to keep on the same providers without being able to change their terms.

France, Russia, Vatican
Vatican keen to bring Russian and French sherpas to the negotiating table

After putting out feelers in different European capitals, Pope Francis' team is hoping to bring the French and Russian presidential diplomatic advisers at the Vatican together to discuss Ukraine. The invitation was welcomed by Moscow.

Spotlight | Russia, United States
Geneva think-tank uses private diplomacy to try to reconcile Moscow and Washington over the Arctic

Far North security experts have begun multilateral talks under the auspices of a Swiss think-tank. Participants from the United States, Russia and Norway are supposed to keep in touch with their respective security agencies, given that all official communication channels have been cut.

Belarus, Ukraine
Parallel private diplomacy efforts between Kyiv and Minsk secretly thriving

Kyiv has been backing Minsk in Brussels despite Belarus's involvement with Russia. Thanks largely to the actions of well-connected middlemen in the business community, the war has not frayed the diplomatic ties between the two Eastern European capitals.

United Kingdom
Ex-British govt security chief Fortescue bursts onto cyber security scene in London

Dominic Fortescue has taken on a number of private sector missions since stepping down as the British government's Chief Security Officer (CSO) last year.

Belarus, Russia
Is Belarus about to go to war with Ukraine?

Since the announcement of a partial mobilisation in Russia and the possible transformation of the "special military operation" in Ukraine into an official war, all parties are evaluating the risk of direct involvement of Belarusian troops in the hostilities.

Russia, San Marino, Vatican
War in Ukraine: San Marino offers to be Vatican's diplomatic pedestal

Two consultants, one French, the other Russian, are working to shape and then promote Pope Francis's mediation efforts with Moscow and Kyiv. They would like to see the microstate of San Marino play host to future talks.

The Corporate Intelligence Village Voice
Risk&Co, Inter-Mediate, Thales

Appointments, financial results, new contracts: each week, we report on events both big and small that matter in the global corporate intelligence community. This week we go to Paris and London.

ParisLe Floch's arrival helps Risk & Co further accentuate its shift towards cyber.

LondonThales adviser Lord Nick Houghton questions AUKUS in the House of Lords.

LondonGilles de Kerchove begins his reconversion at Inter-Mediate.

Myanmar, United Kingdom
Herstmonceux, Powell advise Burma

General Sir David Richards, the former chief of the British armed forces, met representatives of Burma's ruling military junta in [...]