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

Georgia
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.

The Intelligence Gazette
Abbas Kamel opens path to Iran, Kadyrov splits Rosgvardia, ABW taken aback

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

Spotlight | Afghanistan, China
The unassuming Kabul guest house at the heart of China's Afghan business networks

The recently signed deal between a Chinese mining group and the Taliban authorities was made possible by the existence of a Chinese political and commercial network in Kabul, with, at its heart, a guest house for visiting Chinese business people.

Russia
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.

China
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.

Palestine, Syria
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.

Egypt, Turkey
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.

Europe, Georgia, United States
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.