Saudi Arabia, Yemen
Saudi strategists sceptical of Yemen truce

Yemen
Oman's spymaster Mohammed Al Numani marks turf as mediator in Yemen talks

As the conflict in Yemen enters its eighth year, Muscat, with strong support from Washington, is trying to hold on to its role as chief mediator, to the annoyance of Riyadh which would like to steer the process.

Yemen
Houthis brainstorm new tactics as ceasefire ends

After Saudi Arabia rejected the Houthis' demands for extending the ceasefire that first took effect in April, the Iran-backed rebels have not given up on their military operations.

Saudi Arabia
MBS spares veteran spymaster Khaled bin Ali Al Humaidan in Saudi shake up

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who was appointed prime minister in September, has made another step towards the title of king. He is meanwhile ushering his young guard into the bastions of power - except for the intelligence service, which remains untouched.

The Intelligence Gazette
Truce in Yemen, Russian executives, Transnistria, Rosfinmonitoring

Appointments, reforms and the issues at stake: every Monday, Intelligence Online serves up snippets big and small from the global intelligence community. This week, we home in on Saana, Moscow and Tiraspol.

YemenAnsarullah still vindictive despite truce

RussiaTemporary lease of life for top security officers

MoldaviaTransnistria, on the lookout, barricades itself

RussiaFinancial intel service keeps its staff happy

Saudi Arabia, Yemen
Together with Abu Dhabi, Riyadh sets up a new Yemeni Presidential Council

While still trying to find a way out of the Yemeni conflict, Riyadh - in close cooperation with its Gulf allies - has just set up a new council made up of the highest ranking senior loyalists.

Oman, Saudi Arabia
Riyadh and Muscat lock horns over Iranian weapon deliveries

Oman's intelligence services, which are meant to be cracking down on the smuggling of Iranian weapons between the sultanate and Yemen, have yet again been caught out after the discovery of a missile shipment. Riyadh is alarmed by potential flaws in the Omani security apparatus.

Afghanistan, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia
Riyadh renews contact with Taliban via Pakistani intelligence

Saudi Arabia, which is keen to find a new role for itself in Afghanistan, has contacted Pakistan's omnipresent Inter-Services Intelligence, which is already engaged in helping rebuild the Taliban army. Riyadh sees Afghanistan as offering a new opportunity to counter the activities of its rival, Iran, which is watching the new Saudi-Pakistani partnership uneasily.

Syria
Pasdaran attacks US's Al-Tanf Syrian Garrison

Tehran's priority is to see US troops leave Syria and it has stepped up its deployment of armed drones, which were used to attack the Al-Tanf garrison in October.