Shin Bet's technological transformation confirmed with appointment of new chief Ronan Bar

How the Mossad outsources covert operations to its Malaysian agents 

The Mossad's attempt to run covert operations in Malaysia from Israel has recently been publicly exposed as a failure. It also unwittingly disclosed how it recruits, trains and remotely controls cells of local agents.

• FRANCE - Tracfin seeks new chief to boost technical department. 

• ISRAEL/EGYPT - Ronen Bar on reconciliation mission in Cairo. 

• RUSSIA - FSB coast guards take the plunge.

• UKRAINE - Death a regional SBU head sparks probe. 

Behind Shin Bet's VIP missions 

Best known for its intelligence operations, Shin Bet has other more mundane duties in the political and diplomatic life of the state of Israel. Escorting delegations travelling abroad and playing a role in the expansion of the country's tourist industry are also part of its duties.

Mossad ordered to help build bridges with Khartoum 

A delegation of Sudanese officials is currently visiting Israel in an attempt to establish diplomatic relations, a process currently at a standstill. The Israeli intelligence officers who were recently in Sudan will facilitate the meeting.

Shin Bet criticised for human intelligence failures 

Following a wave of attacks unprecedented since the second Intifada, the Israeli authorities have pointed the finger at internal intelligence service Shin Bet, claiming that shortcomings in its human intelligence gathering capacities prevented threats from being identified.

Mahmoud Al-Sisi's standing within the Mukhabarat grows 

Once ejected from the general intelligence service, the Egyptian president's son has regained his position beside the agency director Abbas Kamel. He is now in charge of developments with Israel, a sure sign of his father's trust.

Bahrain reorganises intelligence services to work closer with Israel 

Bahrain is determined to beef up the technological capacities of its intelligence services and strengthen its cooperation with Israel, its Strategic Security Bureau now dealing directly with Israeli intelligence.

Pasdaran continue to build up their cyber warfare capacity 

Iran, which is determined to move into cyber space to engage with Israel and other enemies, is continuing to develop its electronic "army", under the watchful eyes of the Pasdaran and Russia, which has been advising the country.

Israeli intelligence services shine in Palestinian prisoners' recapture 

After the escape of six Palestinian prisoners on 6 September, Israel's prime minister Naftali Bennett turned their recapture into a national priority, counting on the country's intelligence services to find and arrest them.

After Netanyahu, Israeli intelligence ponders best approach on Iran 

Countering the Iranian nuclear threat remains the priority of the Israeli intelligence services but the goalposts have shifted with the arrival of new administrations in Israel, the US and Iran.

Mossad and Pasdaran jostle for recruits on same turf 

Human agents are still the most effect tool intelligence services can have and Israel and Iran's rivalry can be seen in their recruitment and hiring methods.