Spotlight | China
State Security directs its grand influence strategy towards the Global South

The Intelligence Gazette
CIA veteran, Lithuanian borders, counter-espionage in Bishkek, Paris, New Delhi and the Guoanbu, upgrades in Warsaw

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

United StatesCIA Europe veteran opens own consultancy

Lithuania/BelarusVilnius upgrades border surveillance system to counter destabilisation tactics

KyrgyzstanMilitary counter-espionage used to fight misappropriation

France/IndiaBeijing's Guoanbu concerned about growing relations

PolandMilitary intelligence gives input on army upgrades

The Intelligence Gazette
Russian dissident in the Commons, Xi Jinping to visit Marseille, foreign investment in France, Russian intelligence review

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

United Kingdom Russian dissident to attend parliamentary hearing

FranceMarseille favourite to host Xi Jinping in spring

FranceForeign investment control measure confirmed

RussiaA new historical review for espionage fans

China
Soft Power, part 2: Guoanbu's three-pronged strategy in Europe

The Ministry of State Security wants to improve China's image on the continent, which the CCP still considers to be impenetrable. Its new strategy involves identifying more 'neutral' interlocutors to disseminate its narratives in Europe.

Spotlight | Italy, Taiwan
As Rome exits Silk Roads project, Italy's defence industry readies for Taiwanese adventure

With Italy in talks with China to withdraw from the New Silk Roads project, secret parallel discussions are focused on Taiwan as Rome expects compensation from Washington for obeying its wishes and leaving the project.

Spotlight | China, Italy
Beijing plans influence campaign in Italy to stop it exiting New Silk Roads

Beijing does not intend to let Italy leave its giant New Silk Roads programme without hindrance. Its propaganda bodies are preparing to launch a major pro-Chinese influence campaign in Europe, starting in Rome.

China
Xi Jinping invites foreign experts into closed-door meetings on China's challenges

The Chinese Communist Party is increasingly relying on small meetings with foreign participants to tackle the country's problems. It has launched a new LinkedIn recruitment campaign with the aim of building a database of foreign experts who can be called upon at short notice when needed.