Belarus
Belarusian border guards change chief as crisis brews

Belarus
Loyal lieutenant Nikolai Karpenkov prepares for post-Lukashenko

Acting on persistent rumours of President Alexander Lukashenko's possible replacement, his faithful security chief and deputy interior minister colonel Karpenkov has been rallying his network of journalists and experts to broadcast messages of support for the leader and preferred succession scenarios.

The Intelligence Gazette
French watchdog seeks greater remit, Ukraine's GUR, intel master's degree changes venue, KGB and FSB cross swords

France
CNCTR wants dibs on sovereignty files

Ukraine
Budanov's deputy moves into the limelight

France
Intel degree moves from Toulon to Saint-Cyr military academy

Russia/Belarus
FSB and KGB bicker at the border

Belarus
Power-struggles cause turmoil in Minsk security circles

Smear campaigns, orchestrated leaks and a coup plot: with Belarus' role in the war in Ukraine in the balance, the country's political and security elite have been struggling to have President Alexander Lukashenko's ear and the support of the intelligence services.

Spotlight | Belarus, Syria
Minsk makes murky play to become first EU migrant smuggler

From Damascus, Minsk has constructed a web of a dozen travel agencies which recruit migrants who are eventually taken to EU borders. This is taking place against a background of rejuvenated diplomatic activity in the Middle East by Lukashenko who is keen to renew ties with his longstanding Syrian ally.

Belarus
Uneasy Lukashenko presses ahead with his reform of the national security council

Although the stir created by the hijacking of a Ryanair aircraft on 23 May brought Belarus back into the public eye, Western condemnations have not stopped Alexander Lukashenko from proceeding with his plans to further strengthen his security services.