TotalEnergies, Rafale, and Baghdad metro project set to keep Iraq's al-Sudani busy in Paris

Oil firms DNO, Forza and HKN nervous about resuming Kurdish operations despite Erbil-Baghdad deal 

Recent turmoil with Baghdad over the Kurdistan Regional Government's pursuit of economically vital oil sales has undermined the confidence of foreign oil companies in the region, raising fears some will not resume their activities.

• RUSSIA - Kovalchuk clan adds another link to Kremlin spymasters

• IRAQ - INIS helps with Sudani's crackdown on corruption

• UNITED STATES/SAUDI ARABIA - Washington calls for greater intelligence sharing with Gulf Cooperation Council

• CHINA - Beijing relies on reserves to expand PLA

• CHINA - Lu Shaye, ambassador in Paris, in Beijing's good graces

British, UAE intel firms help Iraq money-laundering fight with German funding 

German development agency GIZ is funding a programme to help Iraq in its fight against money-laundering and with its asset recovery probes. Two firms have been chosen for this financial investigation job: Britain's Adam Smith International and Emirati company IntelliSys.

• IRAQ - Mohammed Shia al-Sudani rallies his troops after sackings.

• GEORGIA - Intelligence service hopes to boost counter-espionage.

• FRANCE - News from the Intelligence College in Europe.

• KAZAKHSTAN - Former KNB leaders targeted in parliament.

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

TotalEnergies, which is determined to proceed with its big contract in Iraq, can count on the support of the French presidency, which sent its Middle East adviser to Baghdad to meet new PM Mohammed Shia Al Sudani.

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.