Spymasters help Yevgeny Primakov Jr with Russian World charm offensive

Foreign ministry picks new Asia relations deputy 

After weeks of rumours and whispers in the corridors of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Andrey Rudenko, we have learned, should shortly be in charge of handling Russia's relations with Asia.

Moscow ready to welcome the pope...but only after the war 

Pope Francis had to hold off plans to visit Russia as part of his efforts to mediate between Kyiv and Moscow. The Russian Orthodox Church, which also wants to play a role in resolution of the conflict, is trying to adopt a more open position.

Russia's soft power institutions tread carefully in Central Asia 

Moscow is trying to maintain its influence in Central Asian countries through its soft power agencies with the aim of consolidating and strengthening its alliances in the region. But the 9 May celebrations revealed deep dissensions within some countries.

Russian influence activists got busy behind recognition of Donbas republics 

The champions of Russia's protection of its "compatriots" - Russian-speaking descendants of the USSR that Moscow is trying to reconquer or keep in its cultural fold - were going all-out to support Moscow's latest moves in Ukraine.

Fresh debate over remains of former Soviet spy reignites Kuril Islands dispute 

The shadow of the unresolved conflict between Tokyo and Moscow over four islands in the Pacific has become a recurring theme in Russian-Japanese relations. This has led to a series of extremely high-profile public relations exercises by Moscow, which Washington is gradually becoming embroiled in.

• PALESTINE-ALGERIA - Master spy Noureddine Mekri takes a stab at Palestinian reconciliation
  

• UNITED KINGDOM - Christine Lee affair sparks Tom Tugendhat's push for draft bill on counter state threats
  

• RUSSIA - 'Compatriot' think-tank receives award
  

• RUSSIA - SVR awards artists' prize.

• FRANCE - Tracfin places focus on transparency

• US - Washington provides close cyber support to Romania

• FRANCE - Prison intelligence struggling
  

NIIRK spymasters scrutinise Baltic and Central Asian countries via state media 

NIIRK, the small scientific research centre made up of ex-KGB agents is making assessment of "communication flows" a central priority. It is examining these in the three Baltic countries and five Central Asian states where Moscow is trying to push its narratives using soft power tools, such as the Rossotrudnichestvo and state media outlets.

Changes in FSB regional heads highlight rising stars 

While FSB officers' assignments are often the subject of fierce rivalries between ambitious young men, the positions of regional heads are kept for the most promising among them. The new postings give a glimpse of some of Moscow's future leaders but also reveal those who are being dispensed with for having not met Russia's domestic spy agency's expectations.

Kyiv quietly fuming over Russian memorial to Soviet-era secret agent in Crimea 

Being both head of the SVR and chairman of the Russian Historical Society puts Sergey Naryshkin in a position to reinstate a number of Soviet-era intelligence officers and in doing so furthering the Kremlin's regional strategy.

Russian Geographical Society sets up in Paris under the aegis of soft power experts 

For the inauguration of its new centre in Paris headed by academic Darya Loyola, the powerful Russian Geographical Society called in experts in Russian-French relations, as well as professional promoters of Russian policy for compatriots abroad.

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.

SVR continues to handle relations with Russia's close neighbours 

Igor Maslov, who served in the SVR, was appointed to