Spotlight | European Union, Syria
Secret diplomacy helping Syria pressure EU on sanctions

Syria
Bouthaina Shaaban, Assad's discreet regional relations-builder

While the delicate task of working towards Syria's reconciliation with its neighbours in the Middle East is in the hands of his intelligence chiefs, Bashar al-Assad has also sought help from prominent figures of his father's old guard.

The Agencies' Gazette
Taiwanese in Milan, Damascus and the Arab League, Russian customs chief

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

Italy/TaiwanTaipei uses business to renew political dialogue in Milan

SyriaArab League invitation but not reintegration on the cards for Damascus

RussiaCustoms chief succession causes headache

France, Syria
Pro-Damascus Federation of Syrian Chambers of Commerce makes Paris comeback

The Federation of Syrian Chambers of Commerce, the industrial and commercial arm of President Bashar Al Assad's regime, attended the recent Franco-Arab Chamber of Commerce summit in Paris, despite continuing French hostility to a rapprochement with Damascus.

Syria
Aleppo transport magnate Fares al-Shihabi sees chance to shake up sector

With air traffic booming in Aleppo after airstrikes forced flights away from Damascus, the northwestern city's most prominent businessman Fares al-Shihabi is eyeing a broader boost for the region and for Syria's neglected rail sector.

Syria
Magnate Amer Foz between rock and hard place in Brussels and Damascus

Like his brother Samer, Amer Foz recently failed to get his name taken off the EU's sanctions list, which will not help his business activities in Damascus, threatened by the economic situation.

France, Syria
Syria creeps into France's presidential election campaign

French presidential candidates will not be able to avoid talking about Syria, whether on issues relating to French special forces, repatriating French nationals in prison or the threat still posed by Islamic State. With just two months to go to the first voting round, Intelligence Online looks at their positions.

Syria
Telecom operator Syriatel ousts Rami Makhlouf, starts afresh with Damascus

More than a year after falling out with his cousin Bashar al-Assad, Syrian tycoon Rami Makhlouf has now been ousted from Syriatel's board. The company now finds itself back in Damascus' good books.