TotalEnergies optimistic about its $27bn contract after the arrival of new prime minister Sudani

• GEORGIA - state protection service moves up a rung.
  

• RUSSIA/UKRAINE - Promsvyazbank moves into the Donbass under the eye of Russian financial intelligence.
  

• IRAQ - Mohammed Shia Al Sudani's purge of the security services continues.
  

• FRANCE - Intelligence services' right to consult medical records from the public health system confirmed.
  

Dassault lets CMN and Couach test the water in Baghdad before pushing Rafales 

With Iraq known to be still interested in buying Rafale fighter aircraft, France is trying to identify the country's key decision-makers following the recent change of government. In the meantime, it is counting on the sale of patrol boats to the Iraqi navy to test the country's capacity to buy defence equipment.

Militias aim for top intelligence seat after Sudani approved as PM 

Just weeks into the job, new Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani is already having to deal with militia rivalries. To keep these in check, the Coordination Framework candidate has also named himself head of the national intelligence service.

TotalEnergies pivotal in Beirut-Tel Aviv maritime deal 

Poised to play a key role in the maritime border deal between Beirut and Tel Aviv, TotalEnergies is getting fully engaged in Lebanon again - but some issues remain to be settled before exploration of its "Block 9" can be launched.

Groupe ADP picks ex-Baghdad mayor Habbobi to handle its only project in Iraq 

Though it lost out on a contract in Mosul, the French airports operator still has a project on the go in the south of Iraq, in Kerbala. It has picked local bigwig Manhal Al Habbobi to see it through.

TotalEnergies leaves Kurdistan under pressure from Baghdad 

With its major projects in Iraq on hold, TotalEnergies has been drawn into the oil row between Kurdistan and the Iraqi federal government, bowing to pressure from Baghdad to withdraw from the north of the country.

French foreign ministry crisis centre spearheads repatriation operation 

The French foreign ministry's crisis centre is at the forefront of French repatriation operations in northeastern Syria, alongside the DGSI, the French internal intelligence service.

Talks on TotalEnergies' mega contract blocked in the final stages 

The concluding details of the major deal were due to be settled at the start of the year. Instead, TotalEnergies finds itself in an impasse with the Iraqi authorities, as fresh obstacles to agreement accumulate.

In-house fighting rocks country's financial lifeline INOC  Free

Spurred on by the signing of a contract with TotalEnergies, the Iraq National Oil Company is destined to become the spearhead for partnerships with foreign firms but needs a firmer footing in Baghdad, something put to the test by a quarrelling board and a shaky legal framework.

TotalEnergies faces Chinese competition in Iraqi solar energy market 

France's TotalEnergies, which is looking to strengthen its presence in Iraq as part of its drive to diversify its energy interests, is hoping to get a slice of the country's solar energy market. The market is set to develop but is also attracting other countries, including China.