Oman, UAE
Spymasters Tahnoon bin Zayed and Mohammed Al Naamani draw up new UAE-Oman intelligence pact

Spymaster | Oman
Mohammed Sultan Al Naamani, the mediator at the heart of Muscat's security apparatus

As head of the Royal Office, Mohammed Sultan Al Naamani is close to the heart of power in Oman, where he oversees the country's intelligence and security services. From this vantage point, he is leading Oman's efforts to play the role of regional mediator and working hard to find a solution to the conflict in Yemen.

Oman, United States
Washington turns to Oman to mediate in US hostage talks in Syria

The US and Oman are stepping up their bilateral cooperation, particularly in intelligence, and Washington is hoping that by the same token the sultanate can help obtain the release of US hostages in Syria.

The Agencies' Gazette
DGSE's green goals, cybersecurity between Sultans, Lithuanian sanctions, Syrian airspace jitters

Appointments, reforms and the issues at stake: every Monday, Intelligence Online serves up snippets big and small from the global intelligence community from London to Paris via Nur-Sultan.

FranceDGSE goes green to justify pricey new head office.

Bahrain/OmanCybersecurity dominates cooperation talks between Manama and Mascat.

LithuaniaAnti-money laundering veteran takes helm of foreign ministry's 'sanctions' group.

Israel/SyriaTsahal seeks new targets from Syrian skies.

Oman, Qatar
Muscat and Doha jostle for lead mediatory role in Iranian nuclear talks

Both capitals want to be the main mediator in the negotiations on Iran's nuclear programme and are now competing directly for the role. Both have called in their respective spy chiefs to work behind the scenes to cultivate their special relationships with the West and Iran.