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Spotlight | France, United States
CIA Paris station caught up in former employees' vulnerabilities

The former entrance to CIA headquarters in Langley, near Washington DC, with the agency's seal displayed on the ground. © Greg E. Mathieson Sr./MAI /Landov/MaxPPP

A previous CIA station chief in the French capital is under investigation for corruption, while another former agency employee there is embroiled in a very messy divorce. After a series of embarrassing incidents, the Langley agency's historic and strategic Paris office is trying to clean up shop. [...]

Published on 23/05/2025 at 04:00 GMT Reading time 4 minutes Pierre Gastineau

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Spy Way of Life | China, Thailand
Phuket's Tropical Resort, where Chinese spies handle French sources under the coconut trees

Across the globe, spies gather in inconspicuous dens to meet contacts and hold discreet conversations. This week, Intelligence Online explores the four-star Tropical Resort in Phuket, where, over several years, a double agent from France's DGSE was 'handled' by China's secret services.

Subscribers only Operations 28.11.2025

The charming swimming pool at Tropical Resort, Phuket.

The Corporate Intelligence Gazette
High storms at Highgate, Mintz shrinks in Asia, CIA bigwig launches consultancy

Appointments, financial results, new contracts: every Wednesday, we report on events both big and small that matter in the global corporate intelligence community.

LondonHighgate in turmoil

Singapore/Malaysia Mintz Asia suffers slew of senior departures

WashingtonCIA veteran launches his own consultancy

Subscribers only 19.11.2025

United States
How the former Paris CIA station chief used security access to help two foreign businessmen

Dale Bendler is set to be sentenced in the US later this month for removing classified material while working as a subcontractor for the BGR Group.

Subscribers only Corporate Intel 12.09.2025

France, United States
Diplomat or undercover agent? US embassy visit in French school raises DGSI's eyebrows

France's DGSI domestic intelligence service, which monitors foreign embassy activities for potential covert operations, recently investigated a US embassy representative in Paris who spoke at a secondary school in western France.

Subscribers only Information wars 09.09.2025

Russia, United States
A Russian woman's search for her Nazi-linked inheritance

The story is akin to a film plot, a Russian woman is battling in courts to uncover documents about assets that once belonged to her late uncle Eugene Lukin, a Nazi collaborator with links to the CIA.

Subscribers only Corporate Intel 19.05.2025

The Agencies' Gazette
French security clearance, CIA and ODNI watchdogs, French cognac tariffs, MI6

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

FranceSecurity clearance commission slams ministry deadlines

United StatesNew CIA and ODNI inspector generals

ChinaFrench foreign ministry confident about China cognac deal

United KingdomSecond ex-MI6 chief breaks silence on Trump intelligence reforms

Subscribers only 12.05.2025

Deep Dive | United States
How the Pentagon and CIA kept US intelligence director's role in check

The White House spies, part 3/4 – On the twentieth anniversary of the creation of the post of US Director of National Intelligence, Intelligence Online looks back over how this prestigious role has evolved. The series' third instalment explores the sometimes conflictual relations between the DNI and the heavyweights of the intelligence community.

Subscribers only Agencies 24.04.2025

Spotlight | Ukraine, United States
CIA still backing Kyiv's clandestine war on Russian territory despite Trump

In Ukraine, a base operated jointly by Ukrainian and US forces is proving to play a key role in the deep strike capability against Moscow.

Subscribers only Operations 23.04.2025

A secret air base nestled in the agricultural plains of Ukraine operated jointly by Ukrainian and US forces.

Spotlight | Europe, United States
CIA sends placatory mission to Europe

As Europe strives to adapt to Donald Trump's about-turns, the US foreign intelligence agency has sent some of its officers on a tour of European capitals to strengthen ties with their counterparts while their chiefs hold parallel meetings.

Subscribers only Agencies 19.03.2025

CIA Director John Ratcliffe (L) and US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on 4 March 2025.

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Secret African clients of former Paris CIA chief revealed

The CIA's French station chief at the start of the 2010s, Dale Bendler, became a consultant while keeping a foot in his former employer's camp. Awaiting sentencing for accessing classified documents for private clients, he worked for many figures active in Africa.

Subscribers only Business Africa Intelligence 26.09.2025

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