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Syrian foreign minister heads to Brussels

Syrian Foreign Minister Assaad al-Shaibani will attend the European External Action Service's Schuman Security and Defence Forum scheduled in Brussels on 17 and 18 November.

Subscribers only Back-Door Diplomacy 06.11.2026

EU faces security scare in Damascus

Syrian Foreign Minister Assaad al-Shaibani, and the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, in Damascus, Syria, on 29 September 2026.© Mohammed al-Rifai/EPA/MaxPPP

Subscribers only Defence, Contractors 05.11.2026

Newly recruited police officers marching in front of the Syrian Ministry of the Interior, on 17 March 2026.© Rami Alsayed/NurPhoto via AFP

Spotlight
London and Paris ramp up counter-terrorism cooperation with Damascus

Concerned about a possible resurgence of IS in Syria, the French and British intelligence services are stepping up exchanges with their Syrian counterparts. Meanwhile, Damascus is making gestures of goodwill towards the West and has requested its assistance.

Subscribers only Agencies, Back-Door Diplomacy 20.10.2026

Aerial view of Damascus, Syria, on 14 August 2026.© Bashir Daher/Reuters Connect

Foreign private security firms face off against Syria's new private security mogul

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.

Subscribers only Defence, Contractors 12.10.2026

The Syrian parliament in Damascus.© Louai Beshara/AFP

The FATF financial crime watchdog conducts inspection in Damascus

Financial Action Task Force experts recently traveled to Syria to further monitor the country which currently features on the global watchdog's ‘grey list'. The new government in Damascus is eager to prove that it is making the necessary efforts to be removed from the list.

Subscribers only Back-Door Diplomacy 30.09.2026

The European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, on 16 September 2026.© Ronald Wittek/EPA/MaxPPP

EU's Kaja Kallas expected in Damascus to pursue Syria's normalisation

The European Union's foreign policy chief is set to visit the Syrian capital on 29 September, where she is due to have a meeting with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa.

Subscribers only Back-Door Diplomacy 28.09.2026

EU prepares grand return to Syria under heavy security

The EU has been trying behind the scenes to drastically bolster its security presence in the country, as its foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas plans to possibly visit over the next few days. Damascus has set up a system to facilitate relations between service providers and those close to the new regime.

European Union foreign policy ‌chief Kaja Kallas.

Subscribers only Defence, Contractors 23.09.2026

Global Coalition against Daesh to meet in Rome

The political directors of the Global Coalition against Daesh (IS) will next meet on 1 October in Rome, Intelligence Online has learnt.

Subscribers only Defence, Back-Door Diplomacy 08.09.2026

Beijing and Damascus in gentle tug-of-war over Syria's Uighurs

Behind the rapid warming of ties between China and Syria lies a sensitive issue: the fate of 20,000 Uighurs who have settled in the country. While Beijing makes its investments conditional on limiting the community's rights, Damascus maintains a deliberate ambiguity.

Fu Cong, China's ambassador to the United Nations, in New York, 2 July 2026.

Subscribers only Defence, Back-Door Diplomacy 29.07.2026

French corporate intelligence seeks Damascus foothold

French President Emmanuel Macron's delegation to Damascus also included representatives from the corporate intelligence sector seeking to establish themselves in the promising Syrian market.

Subscribers only Corporate Intel, Back-Door Diplomacy 15.07.2026

The Agencies' Gazette
Syria's Paris embassy, Cambodian 'researchers', China's ideology, Interpol

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

France/SyriaParis embassy still awaiting new ambassador

CambodiaNetwork of researchers to support policy

ChinaPLA's ideological training extended to others

FrancePrefect confirmed as Interpol president's new aide

Subscribers only 13.07.2026

Several CAC 40 leaders set to join Macron in Damascus

The French president is due to visit Syria early this week, days after a deadly bombing in Damascus on 2 July. As well as business leaders keen to tap into the local market, the economic delegation should include several top executives from state-owned companies, covering sectors ranging from energy to defence.

The French and Syrian presidents, Emmanuel Macron and Ahmed al-Sharaa, in Cyprus, on 24 April 2026.

Subscribers only Corporate Intel, Back-Door Diplomacy 03.07.2026

Macron prepares to boost ties between Paris and Damascus

An opportunity may soon arise for the French president to visit Damascus, the centre of numerous regional power struggles, in a bid to mend fraught relations between France and Syria.

French President Emmanuel Macron and Syria’s interim President Ahmed Al-Sharaa, in Cyprus, on 24 April 2026.

Subscribers only Back-Door Diplomacy 20.05.2026

Spymaster
Sipan Hemo, the man tasked with integrating Kurds into the new Syria

Syria's recently appointed deputy defence minister Sipan Hemo has become the key figure to ensure Kurdish integration within the country's new security apparatus. This former enemy of interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa's forces now also has a prominent role in the conflict between Iran and Israel.

Sipan Hemo, Deputy Minister of Defence for North and East Syria.

Subscribers only Agencies 03.04.2026

Former CIA ally against Assad gains foothold in Syria's new security apparatus

The Qataneh clan was one of the first to join the Free Syrian Army and take up arms against Bashar al-Assad's regime. Previously backed by the CIA and several Gulf states, the family has now entered the security circles of Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Shaara.

Subscribers only Agencies 31.03.2026

Al-Sharaa's new rules on armed security prove headache for foreign firms

A recent decree setting out the rules governing the activities of private security companies in Syria is upending the local market, seen as a gold mine for the industry since Ahmed al-Sharaa came to power.

Newly-trained military and police personnel from Syria's interior ministry march toward Umayyad Square after a graduation ceremony in Damascus, Syria, on 17 March 2026.

Subscribers only Contractors 24.03.2026

Spotlight
Damascus facing challenge of securing freshly seized northeast

Having managed to seize vast swaths of northeastern Syria in only a few weeks, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa now faces the daunting task of stabilising this Kurdish heartland still riddled with Islamic State cells.

Syrian security forces guard the al-Omar oil field in Deir ez-Zor Governorate, on 22 January 2026.

Subscribers only Agencies 03.02.2026

The Agencies' Gazette
NSA head's confirmation, Syrian spymaster's sister, DGSI and Tracfin in Corsica, CCP eyes European talents, Comcyber-MI exit

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

United StatesEnd to NSA's interim period in sight

SyriaSister of Syrian spy chief no longer in prison

FranceTracfin and DGSI mobilised to tackle organised crime in Corsica

ChinaCCP targets hiring of European experts

FranceStart-up Flowdesk pinches from Comcyber-MI

Subscribers only 26.01.2026

Paris sidelined after Washington's reversal on Syria

The recent offensive led by government forces in Syria took France by surprise and has resulted in dozens of French troops now finding themselves trapped in what remains of the Syrian Kurdish region of Rojava.

Syrian army convoys enter the Deir Hafer region of Syria after the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) announced the handover of the region to the Syrian government, on 17 January 2026.

Subscribers only Defence, Back-Door Diplomacy 22.01.2026

Ex-head of French military intelligence torpedoes Lafarge's Syria alibi

Called as a witness in Lafarge's trial for allegedly financing terrorism in Syria, the former head of French military intelligence, General Christophe Gomart, confirmed he had obtained information through one of the cement manufacturer's employees, but denied knowing about its payments to jihadists.

The former head of France's DRM military intelligence Christophe Gomart at the first day of the Paris trial of French cement group Lafarge, on 4 November 2025.

Subscribers only Operations 10.12.2025

Jacob Waerness, Norwegian spy turned thorn in the side for Lafarge managers

A former agent for Norway's domestic intelligence service, Jacob Waerness was head of security at Lafarge's Syrian factory. He is an embarrassing co-defendant at the cement manufacturer's former executives' trial for financing terrorism.

Former Norwegian domestic intelligence officer Jacob Waerness arriving at the Paris court on the opening day of the trial of French cement group Lafarge, on 4 November 2025.

Subscribers only Operations 25.11.2025

Spotlight
Mossad, CIA, DGSE, MIT: Syrian 'war criminal' general's relationships with web of Western intelligence

Intelligence Online has traced the exact path of the former Syrian general, now facing trial in Austria, who spied on the regime for which he also tortured. Far from being a purely Mossad operation, his activities over the years involved many other agencies.

General Khaled al-Halabi, who had passed on information about Bashar al-Assad's regime, was initially exfiltrated to France.

Subscribers only Operations 24.11.2025

DGSE at heart of Lafarge defence strategy in terror financing trial

The trial of the French cement giant and eight of its former executives for financing terror groups in Syria resumes this week in Paris. Central to the defence is the claim that the firm's dealings with France's DGSE intelligence service explain - or justify - its behaviour.

Former Lafarge CEO Bruno Lafont arrives at the Paris court on 4 November 2025, the opening day of the trial.

Subscribers only Agencies 17.11.2025

Overloaded Syrian intelligence service beefs up its leadership

Overwhelmed by both the demands of managing new international partnerships and handling strategic domestic issues, Syrian spymaster Hussein al-Salama has appointed long-standing loyalist Shaher Jabr Omran to work alongside him.

Subscribers only Agencies 10.11.2025

Kassimy brothers emerge as key to Paris-Damascus business axis

With their extensive Parisian connections, consultant Jamal Kassimy and his brother Saladin are opening doors for French companies keen to secure reconstruction contracts in Syria, their country of origin.

Subscribers only Corporate Intel 21.10.2025

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All articles - Syria

Syrian foreign minister heads to Brussels

EU faces security scare in Damascus

Spotlight London and Paris ramp up counter-terrorism cooperation with Damascus

Foreign private security firms face off against Syria's new private security mogul

The FATF financial crime watchdog conducts inspection in Damascus

EU's Kaja Kallas expected in Damascus to pursue Syria's normalisation

EU prepares grand return to Syria under heavy security

Global Coalition against Daesh to meet in Rome

Beijing and Damascus in gentle tug-of-war over Syria's Uighurs

French corporate intelligence seeks Damascus foothold

The Agencies' Gazette Syria's Paris embassy, Cambodian 'researchers', China's ideology, Interpol

France/SyriaParis embassy still awaiting new ambassador

CambodiaNetwork of researchers to support policy

ChinaPLA's ideological training extended to others

FrancePrefect confirmed as Interpol president's new aide

Several CAC 40 leaders set to join Macron in Damascus

Macron prepares to boost ties between Paris and Damascus

Spymaster Sipan Hemo, the man tasked with integrating Kurds into the new Syria

Former CIA ally against Assad gains foothold in Syria's new security apparatus

Al-Sharaa's new rules on armed security prove headache for foreign firms

Spotlight Damascus facing challenge of securing freshly seized northeast

The Agencies' Gazette NSA head's confirmation, Syrian spymaster's sister, DGSI and Tracfin in Corsica, CCP eyes European talents, Comcyber-MI exit

United StatesEnd to NSA's interim period in sight

SyriaSister of Syrian spy chief no longer in prison

FranceTracfin and DGSI mobilised to tackle organised crime in Corsica

ChinaCCP targets hiring of European experts

FranceStart-up Flowdesk pinches from Comcyber-MI

Paris sidelined after Washington's reversal on Syria

Ex-head of French military intelligence torpedoes Lafarge's Syria alibi

Jacob Waerness, Norwegian spy turned thorn in the side for Lafarge managers

Spotlight Mossad, CIA, DGSE, MIT: Syrian 'war criminal' general's relationships with web of Western intelligence

DGSE at heart of Lafarge defence strategy in terror financing trial

Overloaded Syrian intelligence service beefs up its leadership

Kassimy brothers emerge as key to Paris-Damascus business axis

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Spotlight
London and Paris ramp up counter-terrorism cooperation with Damascus

The Agencies' Gazette
Syria's Paris embassy, Cambodian 'researchers', China's ideology, Interpol

Spymaster
Sipan Hemo, the man tasked with integrating Kurds into the new Syria

Spotlight
Damascus facing challenge of securing freshly seized northeast

The Agencies' Gazette
NSA head's confirmation, Syrian spymaster's sister, DGSI and Tracfin in Corsica, CCP eyes European talents, Comcyber-MI exit

Spotlight
Mossad, CIA, DGSE, MIT: Syrian 'war criminal' general's relationships with web of Western intelligence