Riyadh and Tehran pursue secret dialogue in Baghdad

Turkish and Syrian spy chiefs Hakan Fidan and Ali Mamlouk talk again at Russia's initiative 

Keen to play the role of mediator between Turkey and Syria, Russia sponsored a new meeting between the spy chiefs of the two countries, which have been at daggers drawn since 2011. The results were not convincing but the meeting at least allowed Ankara and Damascus to set out their demands.

Al Naamani, still at Oman's security helm, tries to save Yemen ceasefire 

Despite the political rivalries in Oman, Mohammed Al Naamani remains firmly in place as Sultan Haitham bin Tariq's security chief. He has recently been instructed to continue with his mediation with Saudi Arabia on Yemen.

• SAUDI ARABIA/IRAQ - The General Intelligence Presidency reopens talks with the Anbar tribes to try to block Iran.

• FRANCE - Intelligence expert Floran Vadillo is advising French presidential candidate Anne Hidalgo.

• UNITED KINGDOM - Telecommunications surveillance champion Jeremy Wright joins the ISC as it battles for greater powers

• GEORGIA - The National Security Council gets a new chief of staff
  

Riyadh counts on restored alliance with Islamabad to boost nuclear counter-espionage capacities 

Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence, which is useful to Riyadh as a channel of communication with the Talibans in Afghanistan, is also of interest because of its know-how in the nuclear field. Saudi Arabia plans to provide Pakistan's military industrial complex with fresh financing in return for more help in the development of its own nuclear sector.

After Baghdad meetings, Riyadh and Tehran count on Amman's mediation 

Saudi Arabia and Iran are determined to pursue their secret dialogue, with the help once again of their Iraqi go-between Qassem Al Araji.

Qassem Al Araji treads carefully with results of probe into PM Kadhimi's attempted assassination 

After a drone attack on the home of the Iraqi prime minister last month, the country's national security adviser Qassem Al Araji fell short of naming potential perpetrators when unveiling his findings on 29 November to avoid stirring the Shi'ite militia hornet's nest.

Airbus in a cold sweat over Turki bin Salman vs Saudi Arabian Airlines legal fight 

The European group is keeping a very close eye on the London trial between the Saudi airline and its aircraft lessor that has the potential to disrupt its mega-deal negotiated by core members of the Salman clan.

Riyadh and Washington back Oman as mediator in Yemen conflict 

As they continue to search for an impossible ceasefire in Yemen, Riyadh and Washington have given themselves until the end of the year to reach an agreement. Both capitals are relying on the mediation of Omani spymaster Mohammed Al Naamani, who is ready to talk to all parties.

US intelligence adopts two-pronged approach on Houthis and Riyadh 

The proposals outlined in the draft bill on Yemen that Congress is about to give to the Director of National Intelligence illustrates Washington's harder line against Riyadh. The US will nevertheless continue to provide Saudi Arabia with intelligence support.

Fidan and Mamlouk to thrash out Turkish-Syrian business in Baghdad 

Turkey and Syria's spymasters are due to meet in Baghdad later this month to tackle bilateral sticking points such as the refugee crisis, the Kurds, and the situation in Idlib, under the watchful eye of the region's new mediator, Iraq's prime minister Mustafa Al Kadhemi.

After fall of Kabul, Riyadh takes prudent approach to talks with Taliban 

Although keen to keep on the US administration's good side, Saudi Arabia wants to prevent Iran having free rein in Afghanistan and has instructed his spymasters to engage in a prudent dialogue with the Taliban, facilitated by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence.