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Chinese surveillance firms Hikvision and Dahua targeted by Ukrainian investigators 

Ukrainian investigative collective Underdog - the UnLawyers has alerted the government agencies of the widespread use of surveillance tools by these two major Chinese companies operating in the country. The firms' potential support for the Russian offensive has raised several questions.

Long-serving Turkey lobbyist Lydia Borland drums up support in Congress 

After years of representing the interests of Turkey and Azerbaijan, US lobbyist Lydia Borland has brought in reinforcements to help her in Washington. She is trying to rally support among US policymakers for the allies of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

MbS banks on Washington's support to boost impact of international tourism platform 

Saudi firm Kafa'at, a subsidiary of Takahom, is trying to secure US backing to help develop an international tourism alliance set up by Mohammed bin Salman. These efforts highlight the company's many missions, which are central to the crown prince's Vision 2030 reform plans.

British FARA returns to National Security Bill 

On the insistance of MPs, the British government has substantially amended its National Security Bill, where it has reintroduced a foreign agents register. But it was also allowed to introduce new measures, which now have the opposition's support.

Soriano and Psy-Group, revealed during RussiaGate, team up again 

To promote his new compliance services for investors, Israeli private investigator Walter Soriano has called on former staffers from the defunct intelligence firm Psy-Group. Both parties were identified in a US Congress investigation as having worked for Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska.

Russian asset recovery agency comes into the US's firing line 

After several months of suspense, Russia's Deposit Insurance Agency now faces the threat of action by the West against its activities as an administrator of bankrupt banks and recoverer of supposedly misappropriated assets. Its general director has been placed on the US sanctions list.

Spymaster Abbas Ibrahim suffers further setback in US over Fakhoury affair 

A US court has denied a request from Lebanon's intelligence chief Abbas Ibrahim to withdraw the paragraph incriminating him in a complaint filed by the family of Amer al-Fakhoury. This makes his relations with Washington all the more awkward, despite him having some well-placed supporters there.

Russian banks pursue the assets of Mints magnate family in New York 

Two Russian banks have secured an application in a New York court to obtain discovery for use in foreign proceedings from three US-based finance groups, in the latest step of their campaign to track down assets held by their exiled former shareholders.

Nicholas Pomeroy guides mining and oil companies through Kazakh Steppes 

Western energy companies are turning their attention from Russia to Central Asia with the help of British specialist Nicholas Pomeroy.

China-focused Lib Dem stalwart Clement-Jones joins corporate intelligence advisory 

Stuart Poole-Robb's boutique corporate intelligence firm, KCS, is hoping the arrival of a political heavyweight and a SIS veteran will put the wind back in its sails.

Independent investigations war lurks behind BRG v NSO battle 

Behind the legal issues being fought over by the Israeli cyber intelligence group and the administrator of the fund that owns the company, Berkeley Research Group, lies a battle over the willingness to investigate its clients.

• LONDON - Retired Lord Richards leaves Equilibrium without a captain.

• WASHINGTON - 5 Stones poaches more DEA agents in D.C.

• SEATTLE - Concentric expands Washington seat.

• LONDON - Cyber firm Othrys gets a new CISO. 

Iran nurtures Dubai business circles as lukewarm Expo 2020 draws to a close 

Linked by a few companies under US sanctions, the Iranian pavilion's prominent position at 2020 Expo Dubai is testament to the special relationship between the Dubai and Iranian business communities.

Russian banks ramp up lobbying efforts in US to avoid being on sanctions list 

Florida-based consultancy Mercury Public Affairs has won a new Russian lobbying contract on US soil for Sovcombank, which is worried about being included in a future round of sanctions from Washington.

US due diligence firm Exiger to monitor foreign investment for Boris Johnson 

The company founded by former Kroll CEO Michael Cherkasky will provide its screening and due diligence platform to the new Investment Security Unit created within the British Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to investigate economic predation threats - especially from China.

BDO, Salamé and Bank Audi's auditor, at centre of Swiss cases 

Threatened by an audit by Alvarez & Marsal and a flurry of international proceedings, Banque du Liban governor Riad Salamé is trying to fend off accusations of fraud.

Saab counts on Scott Morrison's former policy adviser to plug submarines to Australia 

The Australian navy is considering purchasing transition submersibles ahead of the announced US nuclear submarine delivery. To help convince Canberra take the plunge, the Swedish manufacturer can count on TG Public Affairs, whose principal Brendan Tegg is close to Australian prime minister Scott Morrison.