All articles - Syria

Anti-ISIS fighter contests DGSI surveillance that led to his trial for terrorism

The defence team of a former French soldier of the Kurdish YPG, who fought against the Islamic State in Syria alongside the French special forces, has filed suit against the DGSI, France's domestic intelligence agency, over its surveillance of him that led to his trial for terrorism.

Spotlight
Western spy agencies worried by Russian delivery of Israeli-designed drones to Syria

The intelligence services of several countries in the global coalition operating in Syria and Iraq are keeping a close eye on ISR drones that Moscow is sending to Damascus, much to Israel's fury.

Lafarge targeted by new lawsuit in the US from families of Islamic State victims

The families of 15 US citizens who were victims of the Islamic State have filed a complaint against the French cement company Lafarge, which admitted to helping fund the terrorist organisation in Syria from 2013 to 2014.

The Intelligence Gazette
Protecting state secrets, Rosatom facing DNI, Hakan Fidan and Syria, French DPR and foreign interference

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

RussiaSergey Alpatov gets greater state secrets privileges

United States/RussiaRosatom in DNI's crosshairs

Turkey/SyriaEx-spymaster Hakan Fidan keeps lead on Syria discussions

FranceDPR examining foreign interference

Jordanian GID steps up intelligence efforts on its northern border as captagon drug trade grows

In a bid to fight trafficking of the amphetamine-based drug, the kingdom has reinforced intelligence on its northern border with Syria. Amman hopes Damascus will join its increased efforts to stem the trade of captagon flowing between both countries.

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.

Bouthaina Shaaban, Assad's discreet regional relations-builder

While the delicate task of working towards Syria's reconciliation with its neighbours in the Middle East is in the hands of his intelligence chiefs, Bashar al-Assad has also sought help from prominent figures of his father's old guard.

Cham Bank picks lawyer Gassan Baloul for legal fight against OFAC

The lawyer, who is an expert in the Middle East, has clients ranging from Lebanese banks IBL and Jamal Trust Bank to the Republic of Iraq. He is now defending Syria's Cham Bank which is suing the US Treasury for having placed it under sanctions.

Hossam Louka active across all fronts, from Syrian countryside to Riyadh and Moscow

Now Bashar al-Assad's top spymaster, Hossam Louka has begun to quietly take the lead on Syria's normalisation processes, both on the international scene and at a local level.

The Intelligence Gazette
Taiwanese in Milan, Damascus and the Arab League, Russian customs chief

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

Italy/TaiwanTaipei uses business to renew political dialogue in Milan

SyriaArab League invitation but not reintegration on the cards for Damascus

RussiaCustoms chief succession causes headache

The Intelligence Gazette
Syrian Kurds at French National Assembly, Kyrgyz diplomacy, Ukrainian BEB, US farm security

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

France/SyriaYPG representatives at the French National Assembly

UkraineEconomic security office headless

KyrgyzstanEx-spymaster on the rise in diplomatic corps

USFood security as well as agricultural sovereignty

Washington rallies local companies around new jihadist prison project in northeastern Syria

The US is funding the construction of a new detention centre in northeastern Syria, while its local partner, the Syrian Democratic Forces, has been tasked with selecting suitable companies for the project.

Pro-Damascus Federation of Syrian Chambers of Commerce makes Paris comeback

The Federation of Syrian Chambers of Commerce, the industrial and commercial arm of President Bashar Al Assad's regime, attended the recent Franco-Arab Chamber of Commerce summit in Paris, despite continuing French hostility to a rapprochement with Damascus.

Saudi Arabia's earthquake aid reveals Riyadh's changing posture towards Syria

Saudi Arabia and Syria's secret normalisation process has been brought into the open by recent Saudi deliveries of humanitarian aid to areas of Syria controlled by Assad, an initiative that paves the way for more direct diplomatic contact.

USSOCOM keeps troops on ground despite Syria-Turkey talks

After letting its focus on Syria slip, the United States is now having to sit by and watch as the Assad regime continues to engage with Turkey. If the two neighbours do restore ties, this could pull the US back into the regional troubles and call into question the presence of US troops in northeast Syria.

The Intelligence 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.

Tehran pulls its militias from Syria to beef up domestic fronts

Now in difficulty on their home turf, the Revolutionary Guards are reviewing their militia system in order to adapt it to the evolving situation. Fighters in Syria, Iraq and even Lebanon are being redeployed to the most tense Iranian zones.

The Intelligence Gazette
Syrian chemical programme, UK's Economic Crime Committee, Swedish StratCom at NATO, Pakistani ambassador in Kabul, Skopje and NATO, PLA in Taiwan

Appointments, reforms and the issues at stake: every Monday, Intelligence Online serves up snippets big and small from the global intelligence community from London to Stockholm, via Kabul and Skopje.

France/SyriaFrench company Smart Pegasus remains under sanctions for participating in Syrian chemical weapons program.

United KingdomOpposition MP's push parliamentary Economic Crime Committee project.

Sweden/LatviaSwedish anti-fake news agency shines at NATO's StratCom.

Pakistan/AfghanistanISI investigates attempted assassination of Pakistani ambassador in Kabul.

North MacedoniaSkopje intelligence chief learns the rope at NATO.

ChinaPeople's Liberation Army tests modern urban warfare techniques to hone Taiwan strategy.