Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia
Riyadh and Tehran pursue secret dialogue in Baghdad

Syria, Turkey
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.

Oman
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.

The Intelligence Gazette
Saudi GIP, Jeremy Wright, Hidalgo, Georgian National Security Council

Appointments, reforms, issues of concern: every Monday, Intelligence Online serves up a miscellany of news items great and small from the global intelligence community. This week, they come from Paris, Saudi Arabia, London and Tbilisi.

Saudi Arabia/IraqThe General Intelligence Presidency reopens talks with the Anbar tribes to try to block Iran.

FranceIntelligence expert Floran Vadillo is advising French presidential candidate Anne Hidalgo.

United KingdomTelecommunications surveillance champion Jeremy Wright joins the ISC as it battles for greater powers

GeorgiaThe National Security Council gets a new chief of staff

Saudi Arabia
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.

Iran
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.

Iraq
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.

Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom
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.

Oman, Yemen
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.

United States
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.

Spotlight | Iran
Pasdaran strengthened by Raissi's intelligence services reform

Iran's new president Ebrahim Raissi has launched a reform of the country's intelligence services, appointing more Pasdaran in key roles.

Iraq, Syria, Turkey
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.

Afghanistan, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia
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.

Spotlight | Saudi Arabia, Yemen
Riyadh's allies help it hold on to Marib

Destabilised by the Houthi-led battle for the strategic region of Marib, Riyadh is rethinking its response so as not to lose the city, with the help of advice from the US and Pakistan.