Uzbekistan
With new monopoly, National Guard eats further into SGB's powers

Spymaster | Uzbekistan
Batyr Tursunov, leading the interior security reform as deputy

From his backseat role as deputy, the éminence grise of Uzbekistan's security circles is unofficially leading President Shavkat Mirziyoyev's internal intelligence service, one in need of reform despite several attempts to redefine its scope.

Russia, Uzbekistan
Equestrian sports chief Bakhrom Gaziev, a key cog in Tashkent's business networks

Keen to connect its business community with international investors, Uzbekistan's government is receiving informal help from equestrian sports administrator Bakhrom Gaziev, a protégé of President Mirziyoyev's inner circle who is close to some powerful Russian business leaders.

United States, Uzbekistan
Joseph Quinn Martin, former Tashkent PR who became a champion of Washington business relations

The man who once regularly delivered strategic communications operations to the Uzbek government is venturing into new territory, taking an active role in the privatisation of state assets as well as in American prospecting in Uzbekistan.

The Agencies' Gazette
Cofrex, Viginum, Uzbek SGB, US Captagon crackdown

Appointments, reforms and the issues at stake: every Monday, Intelligence Online serves up snippets big and small from the global intelligence community from London to Paris via Washington.

FranceCOFREX picks representative for its Expo 2025 Osaka presence.

FranceStéphane Bouillon discloses Viginum's annual report.

UzbekistanInternal Security Service adds another layer to border control.

WashingtonDNI to sniff out Assad-linked Captagon.

France, Russia
As top French firms quit Russia, what next for their local security contractors?

Russian private security firms, known as "chops", are continuing to prosper in Moscow, even though some of their top clients from France - CAC40 companies - are pulling out of the Russian market.