CIA's HR woes, Hamas and Taliban in Istanbul, Tbilisi's oligarchs, France's DPR, China worries Russia, repatriated Afghans

Georgia tackles overhaul of anti-corruption regulations 

To meet the US and EU's good governance standards, Georgia, in the midst of political turmoil, is trying to agree on de-oligarchisation and anti-corruption regulations similar to those adopted by Kyiv. Its intelligence community, also under scrutiny, is hoping to play a part.

• EGYPT/IRAN - Abbas Kamel lays down terms for normalisation with Iran

• RUSSIA - Rosgvardia divided over Kadyrov's rise

• POLAND - Surveillance sweep uncovers counter-espionage flaws

Russia diplomacy redraws map 

As Moscow grows increasingly isolated from the West, it is turning toward Asia and preparing to transfer large numbers of staff from its European to its Asian department.

Beyond Taiwan headlines, China lays ground for more regional conflicts 

The security-focused conclusions of the Chinese Communist Party Congress went beyond the international headline issue of Taiwan. Beijing is already considering diplomatic and intelligence manoeuvres to aid its expansion into other territories.

Moscow and Tehran behind Syria-Hamas reconciliation 

Damascus and Hamas officially buried the hatchet on 16 September, after a decade of dispute, in a deal brokered by Russia and Iran that gives the Palestinian faction the lead over Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah.

Abbas Kamel bets on experienced spies to mend broken ties with Ankara 

Egypt's spymaster has devoted his best men to bridging the divide between Egypt and Turkey. Reconciliation has become a strategic matter for both parties, especially with regards to the thorny issue of the Muslim Brotherhood whose members are in exile in Turkey.

UE and US use tried and tested methods for security reform in Tbilisi 

After refusing Georgia the status of candidate for European Union membership, Brussels is pushing the country to relaunch major reform programmes. National security is an area that has come under particular criticism, both in defence and intelligence.

Chambers of commerce weigh up prospects for government's deoligarchisation drive  Free

The government in Kyiv is keen to offer foreign investors a sound business environment in Ukraine. To achieve this, it is counting on the deoligarchisation law which has just been adopted by parliament despite growing opposition.