Saudi Arabia
PIF banking on feedering to advance interests in Red Sea

Saudi Arabia, UAE
Abu Dhabi challenges Riyadh for UNESCO director-general role

Audrey Azoulay will step down as DG of UNESCO in 2025 and Saudi Arabia's designs on the prestigious international role now face a challenge from the UAE as the neighbouring countries both seek to raise their profiles and influence.

Saudi Arabia, UAE, Yemen
Abu Dhabi imposes its control of Red Sea on Aden

Keen to gradually take control of strategic positions on the Red Sea, Abu Dhabi is speeding up its agenda in Yemen and is unhesitant about acting alone without consulting Riyadh.

France, UAE
Obvious Technologies moves beyond Doha to Abu Dhabi

The French company founded by a former commander from the French gendarmerie's elite tactical force GIGN, Thierry Orosco, is reaching out to artificial intelligence firms SAFE, a Saudi parastatal, and Group 42, from the Emirates, with whom it already has ties.

Saudi Arabia
Riyadh set to announce GEOINT satellite constellation launch

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has been betting on space for several years, and his country is now about to follow in the Emirates' footsteps and announce an Earth-observation satellite constellation programme.

Saudi Arabia, UAE
Riyadh poaches architects of the UAE's success to accelerate own mega projects

To gain pace on Mohammed bin Salman's goal to turn the kingdom into a global exchange hub, the Saudi sovereign fund is investing heavily in infrastructure. With the end goal being to usurp the United Arab Emirates, Riyadh is actively recruiting among the foreign nations who contributed to the success of Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

France, Kuwait, Middle East, Qatar, Saudi Arabia
Paris creates new ambassador role for sovereign wealth funds, eyes PIF, ADIA, QIA, ADQ

In a bid to attract more foreign capital to France, the government is creating a new ambassadorial position for sovereign wealth funds. The new role would establish a direct channel between Paris and SWFs, especially those from the Arab Gulf states such as PIF, ADIA, QIA and ADQ.

The Agencies' Gazette
Cairo shifts view on Syria, DGSE on Order of Liberation board, drones for Portuguese military, ex-FSO to Russian Security Council, CIA moles

Appointments, reforms and key issues: every Monday, Intelligence Online serves up snippets of news, big and small, from the global intelligence community. This week we hone in on Cairo, Moscow, Lisbon and Paris.

Egypt/Syria Cairo shifts position on Syria's return to Arab League

Portugal Military intelligence eyes US drones

Russia Yet another ex-FSO officer joins Security Council

France DGSE wants seat on Order of the Liberation board

United States Baer vs Redmond, score settling between former CIA officers over a book