Tehran's security envoy Ali Shamkhani works the international scene

• VIETNAM - To Lam wants to further condense public security hierarchy

• IRAQ/IRAN - Qassem Al Araji defuses Sulaymaniyah security issues before return to Tehran

• FRANCE/VIETNAM/ROMANIA - Olivier Brochet tipped to succeed ambassador Warnery in Hanoi

• RUSSIA - FSB's new technical director settles in

Mohammad Kazemi already at work reorganising the Revolutionary Guards' intelligence service 

Only just appointed to his new post as head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' intelligence service, Mohammad Kazemi intends to respond rapidly to Ali Khamenei's wish to reform this key component of the regime's security apparatus.

• IRAN - Tehran's Pasdaran spymaster on the way out
  

• FRANCE - Luxury villa awaits DGSE chief in Tripoli
  

• FRANCE - Ex-directors absent from DRM's 30th anniversary
  

• BELARUS - New narrative in security circles towards the West

Central Asian spymasters want to return Russia's focus to Afghanistan 

Silovik chief Nikolai Patrushev is still taking part in discussion forums run by Central Asia's intelligence chiefs worried about the Taliban security risk. But with all their efforts focused on the war in Ukraine, Russia's armed forces have been forced to gradually disengage from that part of the world.

Seasoned lobbyist Ayal Frank signs up with Iranian Kurds 

The communications consultant, who already works on behalf of the Syrian Kurds, was recently hired by the Iranian Kurdish party Komala. In Washington, he intends to promote the interests of the Middle Eastern minority as a whole.

Pasdaran play kingmakers in Ali Khamenei's succession 

With pressure building to name a successor to Iran's ailing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, the Pasdaran are manoeuvring to influence the appointment. President Ebrahim Raissi is their current favourite.

Iran hands reins of nuclear intelligence to the Pasdarans 

The country's intelligence services have been undergoing a major overhaul since Ebrahim Raisi's arrival in office and an entirely new branch to monitor Iran's highly sensitive nuclear programme has been created. The new nuclear service adds another string to the Pasdarans' bow.

Between Beirut and Tehran, Ali Mamlouk gets back into regional affairs 

Syrian spymaster Ali Mamlouk appears to be back in favour with President Bashar Al Assad, who recently sent him to Tehran to negotiate reducing the influence of Shi'ite militia groups under Iran's control. Mamlouk is also watching over the upcoming elections in Lebanon and giving a helping hand to pro-Syrians in the race.

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.