William Burns, the CIA's man for all seasons

Mexican cartels inadvertently come to aid of US Article 702 on interceptions 

The fight against drug trafficking from Mexico, the object of growing attention in Washington, has become a priority for the US intelligence community, as well as providing an argument in favour of extending its powers to intercept US-foreign communications.

Ryan Evans' Bedrock Learning hires ex-CIA officer David Priess 

Bedrock Learning is counting on media-savvy former intelligence official Priess to help boost its own visibility.

CIA turns attention back to human intelligence 

The Chinese spy balloon sent to fly over the US has turned the focus on the need for human intelligence to pierce the secrets of enemy moves at a time when data gathered by other means and technologies is hampering the deployment of human networks.

• NORWAY/FRANCE/RUSSIA - Russian defector's story challenged
  

• ISRAEL/JORDAN - Shin Bet director joins Netanyahu on reassurance mission in Amman
  

• UNITED STATES - Intelligence services revise their integration procedures
  

• UNITED STATES - Congress scrutinises DIA's HR management
  

CIA's Directorate of Operations feels left out 

Reform at the CIA is not going all that well, particularly at the Directorate of Operations, feeling left out as the White House seems more interested in analytical intelligence.

US State Department ramps up its defence against biological threats 

As part of the new national biodefence strategy, the US State Department is making adjustments to improve its response to global health risks, which are considered a national security issue. This largely involves increased use of the country's intelligence services.

Key French cyber entrepreneur, Erwan Keraudy taking a more hands-off management role at CyberAngel 

Erwan Keraudy is a key relay for French business diplomacy in the US. But the director and founder of cybersecurity company, CybelAngel, is leaving the day-to-day management of the company to his number two, Gregory Faitas.

Pangea Group gauges mood in Israel for US State Department 

The US State Department's search for an analytics provider for its embassy in Israel has landed on Pangea Group, an open source intelligence specialist.

Spymaster Abbas Ibrahim suffers further setback in US over Fakhoury affair  Free

A US court has denied a request from Lebanon's intelligence chief Abbas Ibrahim to withdraw the paragraph incriminating him in a complaint filed by the family of Amer al-Fakhoury. This makes his relations with Washington all the more awkward, despite him having some well-placed supporters there.

Muslim World League back in Washington ahead of Biden's visit to Saudi Arabia 

As tensions ease between both countries, the global Muslim body has been tasked with polishing the Kingdom's image in the United States. To help, it has roped in BGR Government Affairs, a lobbying business familiar with Saudi Arabia.

Beijing, not Moscow, spoils Biden's intelligence nominees 

The CIA's future general counsel Kate Heinzelman is in a tight spot over her previous work for Chinese clients at Sidley Austin law firm, the Biden administration's first port of call for future intelligence hires.

US intelligence got confirmation of Russia's plans to invade Ukraine on 18 January 

After regular alerts over a two-month period, American intelligence services were able to corroborate their suspicions about Russia's intentions towards Ukraine on 18 January. It was on this date that Washington was finally able to assemble the trail of clues left by Moscow into a coherent whole.

CIA rolls out well-oiled plan on familiar turf in Ukraine 

Engrossed in Europe, US intelligence has increased its operations in Ukraine. It has considerable scope of action in the country forged from eight years of building relations with and providing support to its Ukrainian homologues.

Mike Pompeo bears cross at the CIA 

At a time when the CIA is in politically very hostile terrain, every move of its new boss Mike Pompeo [...]