GCHQ's cyber academy, Kochavi in Manama, Li Keqiang's succession, DGSI training

Abraham Accords upshot National Cyber Security Centre struggles to assert position 

Bahrain's dual cyber institutions are muddling the NCSC's attempts to become an integral part of the regional security architecture. Launched in 2020, the government body is still competing with the Information and eGovernment Authority which is both a cybersecurity guarantor and financial regulator for the kingdom intent on curbing spending.

Xi Jinping chooses the CCP's future leadership team 

After winning backing in October for his plans to govern China until 2037, Xi Jinping has begun preparing a new generation of leaders to take up key positions in the Chinese Communist Party. This is a way of assuring himself of their loyalty.

With free trade talks under way, Huawei prepares its commercial offensive 

Beijing is closely associating negotiations over a free trade agreement with Uruguay with market opportunities for the telecommunications behemoth.

• ISRAEL/BAHRAIN - First class of Manama spies complete course with Israeli intelligence.

• FRANCE - Muriel Domenach tipped to become new anti-terrorism intelligence boss. 

• ROMANIA - Bucharest urgently looking for recruits for new cybersecurity directorate. 

• ISRAEL/GULF - Riyadh, Abu Dhabi and Manama eye Tel Aviv's anti-missile shield
  

• TURKEY/KAZAKHSTAN - Kazakh and Turkish military intelligence services strengthen rapprochement

• FRANCE - President Emmanuel Macron and Special Forces' love-in continues

Qatar and Bahrain still squabbling despite end to blockade 

Territorial disputes, dynastic tensions and property seizures are clear signs that Doha and Manama's relations are still far from harmonious despite the lifting of the regional blockade on Qatar. The latter, which has not reconciled with Israel, is also vexed that Bahrain's alliance with the Jewish state appears to be growing ever stronger.

Israel and new Gulf allies consider setting up common security structure 

Faced with an increasing number of drone attacks organised by Iran, Israel and the Gulf countries are planning to set up a new defence structure, the details of which have still to be defined.

Ramallah's banking moguls turn backs on Qatari funds for fear of sanctions 

After being called on Israel to rethink its mechanism for transfer donor money to the Gaza Strip, Qatar first thought of using Palestinian banks, but the directors of these refused to avoid potential reprisals from Israel.

Five years after intelligence recruitment drive in wake of Paris terror attacks, staffing issues persist 

Intelligence services' human resources departments are struggling to retain and integrate large numbers of contractual staff hired in the wake of the Charlie Hebdo attacks.

Xi's securocrats settle in 

Xi Jinping's National Security Commission or Zhongguo Guojia Anquan Weiyuanhui, is beginning to take shape. The secretary of the body

The Two Faces of Chinese Telecoms Giant 

The links that Huawei Technologies has forged with Chinese intelligence prevent the group from expanding on international markets.