Bashar Al Assad appoints new spymasters for a new diplomatic era

• SYRIA/SAUDI ARABIA - Hossam Louka pops up in Riyadh.

• UNITED STATES/MOLDOVA - Chisinau biggest receiver of US fund to counter Russian influence.
  

• FRANCE/IRAN - Former pro-Iranian Centre Zahra France official fails to block asset freeze.

Kremlin steps up charity diplomacy in Damascus 

With the Kremlin's strong encouragement, Russia's Muslim regions are increasingly active in Syria in an effort to counteract the influence of Iran.

Cornered by its strategic choices, Erdogan's MIT forced to negotiate in Syria 

The revelation that Turkish and Syrian intelligence services met in secret illustrates the tight spot that Ankara now finds itself in.

Mohamed Mahla sacking deepens rivalry between Moscow and Tehran 

The stand-off between Russia and Iran in Syria has risen a notch since the eviction of General Mohamed Mahla, the

GID/National Security discussions 

Meetings between Jordanian and Syrian intelligence officials have accelerated in

Jordan and UAE court Damascus under Riyadh's watchful eye 

Although Saudi Arabia is officially still taking a hard line against Bashar Al Assad, some of its strongest regional allies are getting closer to Damascus.

Syria-Italy cooperation growing 

Mohammed Dib Zaitoun, the head of Syria’s National Security Bureau,