Russia
Putin struggles to renew strategic guard in Middle East

The Intelligence Gazette
SVR, DNI, GKNB, Corinte, Paris and Chinese Intelligence

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 Paris via Bishkek.

RussiaKremlin explores new foreign policy concept

United StatesSenator Scott Young enlists DNI communications director.

FranceFrench senators point to weak representation in international organisations.

KyrgyzstanBishkek's former spymaster to head embassy in Ukraine

FranceParis wants to join international scene of Chinese intelligence analysis

Russia
Next generation of Russian siloviki blocked by old guard

The Kremlin allowed its most powerful generals to stay on an extra 5 years beyond retirement age and is now looking to extend their careers even further on an ad hoc basis, dashing the prospects of younger officers.

Spotlight | Belarus, Syria
Minsk makes murky play to become first EU migrant smuggler

From Damascus, Minsk has constructed a web of a dozen travel agencies which recruit migrants who are eventually taken to EU borders. This is taking place against a background of rejuvenated diplomatic activity in the Middle East by Lukashenko who is keen to renew ties with his longstanding Syrian ally.

Spotlight | Africa, Russia
The legal strategist for oligarchs Dmitry Vozianov has eyes on Africa

Despite ENRC's legal woes caused by past activities in the DRC, which led the Kazakh mining company into a long-running legal battle with its former lawyer, secretive consultant Dmitry Vozianov has been swayed by Moscow's interest in Africa to sign up for the Russia-Africa summit.

Russia
FSB poised for additional responsibilities under new national security strategy

Vladimir Putin's recent reframing of the role of the FSB gives some indication of the direction the soon to be announced national security strategy will go in, spanning the seas, borders and strategically important information security.

Russia
Evgeni Primakov Jr renews Russian soft power as head of Rossotrudnichestvo

An influence tool and relay of Moscow's intelligence apparatus, the Rossotrudnichestvo, Moscow's cultural relations arm, is seeking new opportunities.

Russia
Middle East Envoy Mikhail Bogdanov re-upped

Although he has reached retirement age, Mikhail Bogdanov was re-upped [...]