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All articles - Asia

A demonstration by supporters of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte outside the ICC in The Hague, on 28 November 2025.© Mouneb Taim/NurPhoto via AFP

Spotlight | Netherlands, Philippines
Battle at ICC over who will defend former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte

ICC trials attract the cream of international lawyers - and their entourage of consultants, investigators and communications specialists. The trial of Rodrigo Duterte has in recent weeks notably seen a fierce behind-the-scenes battle among lawyers seeking to defend the former Filipino strongman.

Subscribers only 02.06.2026

Pakistan
Karachi defence show cancelled

The Pakistani defence show, "Ideas", has been cancelled, officially due to a “complex geostrategic situation”.

Subscribers only 02.06.2026

France, Vietnam
Intelligence adviser to former French president top pick for ambassador to Vietnam role

Didier Le Bret, the current director of the French foreign ministry's Académie diplomatique et consulaire and the Quai d’Orsay’s top candidate for the post of ambassador to Vietnam, pictured in Paris, on 22 June 2023.© Abd Rabbo Ammar/ABACA via Reuters Connect

Subscribers only 01.06.2026

A view of the Thai capital from the Amari Bangkok hotel.© Eugene Tang/Alamy

Spy Way of Life | Thailand
The Amari Bangkok, a hub for security diplomacy

Officials from Thailand's National Security Council regularly hold meetings at the luxury hotel known for its Italian wines, to outline their strategy on Cambodia, scam centres on the border with Myanmar, and separatists in the south of the country.

Subscribers only 29.05.2026

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang.© Kyodo/MAXPPP

China
Beijing fights back against foreign extraterritorial laws

The Politburo convened a meeting in May with representatives from China's foreign affairs and business communities to rally diplomats and the diaspora against extraterritorial legislation, primarily from the US and Europe, which threatens the interests of Chinese firms and the Party.

Subscribers only 29.05.2026

China, European Union, France
Chinese sanctions threaten to disrupt European supplies of gunpowder used in hunting cartridges

Beijing's sanctions on seven European defence manufacturers it accuses of exporting arms to Taiwan now threaten supplies of nitrocellulose, a compound used to make gunpowder. China's measures, announced in late April, have until now been downplayed, despite the risks they pose to firms throughout the bloc as it seeks to rearm.

Subscribers only Defence 28.05.2026

FN Browning Group, which controls the French hunting ammunition manufacturer Sofisport, tops a blacklist issued by Beijing on 24 April.

Spotlight | China, Taiwan, United States
In Taipei's race to Washington, pro-Beijing opposition edging out President Lai

The Kuomintang leader, who has just returned from a trip to China, has bypassed Taiwanese diplomatic channels to finalise plans for a June visit to the United States. Meanwhile, President William Lai has met with refusals and silence from the White House in response to his own request for a US trip.

Subscribers only Defence, Back-Door Diplomacy 27.05.2026

Kuomintang leader Cheng Li-wun during a press conference in Beijing on 10 April 2026.

France, Thailand
Plane engines seized in France set to be given to sanctioned Russian-Thai firm

Two aircraft engines impounded in France as part of court proceedings in the UK are set to be sent to Thailand to a company suspected of circumventing sanctions against Russia.

Subscribers only Operations 26.05.2026

Spotlight | China, Mexico, United States
Palantir, DEA, US Coast Guard: Washington cranks up war on Chinese suppliers of fentanyl precursors

US authorities are actively tracking Chinese brokers who supply Mexican cartels with the precursor chemicals used to produce fentanyl, Intelligence Online can reveal. This covert war involves cryptocurrencies, maritime shipping routes and front companies.

Subscribers only Operations 25.05.2026

A vial of fentanyl in Shanghai, China, on 4 March 2025.

The Agencies' Gazette
US counter-propaganda, Triads and the DGSE, Rolling purges at the PLA, Bulgarian prosecutor's 'clean hands' operation

Appointments, reforms and the issues at stake: every Monday, Intelligence Online serves up snippets big and small from the global intelligence community.

USState Department plans to boost fight against online disinformation

FranceGiovanni Falcone Prize awarded to ex-Asia specialist at the DGSE

ChinaXi's hidden message following ex-defence ministers' suspended death sentences

Bulgaria ‘Clean hands operation' for public prosecutor after defendant accused of Russian espionage acquitted

Subscribers only 25.05.2026

China, France
France risks 'long-term strategy of influence' from China, study on G7 cautions

While electoral interference is less evident in France than in other G7 states, the country appears to be one of the most vulnerable democracies, an upcoming report by Canadian think tank MIGS on the CCP's influence operations concludes.

Subscribers only Information Wars 22.05.2026

Former French Prime Ministers Laurent Fabius (left) and Jean-Pierre Raffarin (right).

Canada, China
Chinese interference in G7 countries 'systemic', report warns

A comparative study on China's informational campaigns led in all G7 countries and published in late May, recommends the setting up of a task force to fight common weaknesses, and particularly at local level.

Subscribers only Information Wars 21.05.2026

From left to right: Linda Sun, a Sino-American, and Peter Mandelson, a Briton, both of whom have been implicated in scandals that have rocked G7 countries.

France, Taiwan
French foreign ministry's Asia director in secret Taipei visit

Despite not having official diplomatic relations, Taipei and Paris have been fostering a "strategic dialogue" through a series of visits, most recently with a trip to Taipei by the top French diplomat for the Asia-Pacific region.

Subscribers only Back-Door Diplomacy 20.05.2026

French ministry of foreign affairs' Asia and Oceania director Benoît Guidée, in Suzhou, China, on 14 October 2021.

Vietnam
Tycoon arrested amid public security ministry crackdown on Vietnam Electricity

Hanoi's anti-corruption campaign is once again picking up steam. With its attack on Vietnam Electricity, the Ministry of Public Security is killing two birds with one stone.

Subscribers only Operations 19.05.2026

Electricians at work on a transmission pole at a construction site in Hanoi, on 17 March, 2026.

China
Party sends experts to Global South to counter debt trap narrative

Small delegations of Chinese researchers have been deployed to several countries with the aim of determining the reasons behind negative perceptions of debt to China and seeking ways to thwart them.

Subscribers only Information Wars, Back-Door Diplomacy 18.05.2026

The Chinese Communist Party badge on the jacket of a member of the National People's Congress (NPC).

Spy Way of Life | China
National security ever present at sites of Party archives

Across the globe, spies gather in inconspicuous places to meet contacts and hold discreet conversations. This week, Intelligence Online looks at the Chinese Communist Party archives, document repositories where preservation, political control and the production of official narratives intertwine.

Subscribers only Agencies 15.05.2026

The Chinese government headquarters in Beijing, 18 May 2020.

China, United States
MbS consultant joins Trump's Beijing delegation

US President Donald Trump, who is on a visit to Beijing until 15 May, has brought a large business delegation with him. An adviser to the Saudi crown prince has joined their ranks, alongside the leaders of major US corporations.

Subscribers only Back-Door Diplomacy 15.05.2026

US President Donald Trump is received by his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Beijing, on 14 May 2026.

Japan, Vietnam
Satellites play central role in Hanoi-Tokyo courtship

A confidential call for tenders issued by the Vietnamese Space Centre sets out the future of space cooperation between Japan and Vietnam, moving beyond the customary announcements made during the recent visit of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

Subscribers only Space 14.05.2026

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and To Lam, the Vietnamese President and General Secretary of the Communist Party in Hanoi, Vietnam, on 2 May 2026.

The Corporate Intelligence Gazette
UN security contract in Afghanistan, More turmoil at K2, Vantage Intel gets a new neighbour

Appointments, reforms and the issues at stake: every Monday, Intelligence Online serves up snippets big and small from the global intelligence community.

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All articles - Asia

Spotlight | Netherlands, Philippines
Battle at ICC over who will defend former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte

Pakistan
Karachi defence show cancelled

France, Vietnam
Intelligence adviser to former French president top pick for ambassador to Vietnam role

Spy Way of Life | Thailand
The Amari Bangkok, a hub for security diplomacy

China
Beijing fights back against foreign extraterritorial laws

China, European Union, France
Chinese sanctions threaten to disrupt European supplies of gunpowder used in hunting cartridges

Spotlight | China, Taiwan, United States
In Taipei's race to Washington, pro-Beijing opposition edging out President Lai

France, Thailand
Plane engines seized in France set to be given to sanctioned Russian-Thai firm

Spotlight | China, Mexico, United States
Palantir, DEA, US Coast Guard: Washington cranks up war on Chinese suppliers of fentanyl precursors

The Agencies' Gazette
US counter-propaganda, Triads and the DGSE, Rolling purges at the PLA, Bulgarian prosecutor's 'clean hands' operation

USState Department plans to boost fight against online disinformation

FranceGiovanni Falcone Prize awarded to ex-Asia specialist at the DGSE

ChinaXi's hidden message following ex-defence ministers' suspended death sentences

Bulgaria ‘Clean hands operation' for public prosecutor after defendant accused of Russian espionage acquitted

China, France
France risks 'long-term strategy of influence' from China, study on G7 cautions

Canada, China
Chinese interference in G7 countries 'systemic', report warns

France, Taiwan
French foreign ministry's Asia director in secret Taipei visit

Vietnam
Tycoon arrested amid public security ministry crackdown on Vietnam Electricity

China
Party sends experts to Global South to counter debt trap narrative

Spy Way of Life | China
National security ever present at sites of Party archives

China, United States
MbS consultant joins Trump's Beijing delegation

Japan, Vietnam
Satellites play central role in Hanoi-Tokyo courtship

The Corporate Intelligence Gazette
UN security contract in Afghanistan, More turmoil at K2, Vantage Intel gets a new neighbour

AfghanistanUN poised to renegotiate long-standing security contract

IllinoisK2 loses senior Chicago investigators

LondonVantage Intelligence and Blenheim Martlet become neighbours

Cambodia, Netherlands
Phnom Penh seeks Dutch solution for secure communication needs

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Intelligence Online on social media

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Indigo Publications' websites

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Xi Jinping

All articles - Asia

Spotlight | Netherlands, Philippines Battle at ICC over who will defend former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte

Pakistan Karachi defence show cancelled

France, Vietnam Intelligence adviser to former French president top pick for ambassador to Vietnam role

Spy Way of Life | Thailand The Amari Bangkok, a hub for security diplomacy

China Beijing fights back against foreign extraterritorial laws

China, European Union, France Chinese sanctions threaten to disrupt European supplies of gunpowder used in hunting cartridges

Spotlight | China, Taiwan, United States In Taipei's race to Washington, pro-Beijing opposition edging out President Lai

France, Thailand Plane engines seized in France set to be given to sanctioned Russian-Thai firm

Spotlight | China, Mexico, United States Palantir, DEA, US Coast Guard: Washington cranks up war on Chinese suppliers of fentanyl precursors

The Agencies' Gazette US counter-propaganda, Triads and the DGSE, Rolling purges at the PLA, Bulgarian prosecutor's 'clean hands' operation

USState Department plans to boost fight against online disinformation

FranceGiovanni Falcone Prize awarded to ex-Asia specialist at the DGSE

ChinaXi's hidden message following ex-defence ministers' suspended death sentences

Bulgaria ‘Clean hands operation' for public prosecutor after defendant accused of Russian espionage acquitted

China, France France risks 'long-term strategy of influence' from China, study on G7 cautions

Canada, China Chinese interference in G7 countries 'systemic', report warns

France, Taiwan French foreign ministry's Asia director in secret Taipei visit

Vietnam Tycoon arrested amid public security ministry crackdown on Vietnam Electricity

China Party sends experts to Global South to counter debt trap narrative

Spy Way of Life | China National security ever present at sites of Party archives

China, United States MbS consultant joins Trump's Beijing delegation

Japan, Vietnam Satellites play central role in Hanoi-Tokyo courtship

The Corporate Intelligence Gazette UN security contract in Afghanistan, More turmoil at K2, Vantage Intel gets a new neighbour

AfghanistanUN poised to renegotiate long-standing security contract

IllinoisK2 loses senior Chicago investigators

LondonVantage Intelligence and Blenheim Martlet become neighbours

Cambodia, Netherlands Phnom Penh seeks Dutch solution for secure communication needs

About Intelligence Online

Subscription

Intelligence Online on social media

Indigo Publications' websites

Spotlight | Netherlands, Philippines
Battle at ICC over who will defend former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte

Pakistan
Karachi defence show cancelled

France, Vietnam
Intelligence adviser to former French president top pick for ambassador to Vietnam role

Spy Way of Life | Thailand
The Amari Bangkok, a hub for security diplomacy

China
Beijing fights back against foreign extraterritorial laws

China, European Union, France
Chinese sanctions threaten to disrupt European supplies of gunpowder used in hunting cartridges

Spotlight | China, Taiwan, United States
In Taipei's race to Washington, pro-Beijing opposition edging out President Lai

France, Thailand
Plane engines seized in France set to be given to sanctioned Russian-Thai firm

Spotlight | China, Mexico, United States
Palantir, DEA, US Coast Guard: Washington cranks up war on Chinese suppliers of fentanyl precursors

The Agencies' Gazette
US counter-propaganda, Triads and the DGSE, Rolling purges at the PLA, Bulgarian prosecutor's 'clean hands' operation

China, France
France risks 'long-term strategy of influence' from China, study on G7 cautions

Canada, China
Chinese interference in G7 countries 'systemic', report warns

France, Taiwan
French foreign ministry's Asia director in secret Taipei visit

Vietnam
Tycoon arrested amid public security ministry crackdown on Vietnam Electricity

China
Party sends experts to Global South to counter debt trap narrative

Spy Way of Life | China
National security ever present at sites of Party archives

China, United States
MbS consultant joins Trump's Beijing delegation

Japan, Vietnam
Satellites play central role in Hanoi-Tokyo courtship

The Corporate Intelligence Gazette
UN security contract in Afghanistan, More turmoil at K2, Vantage Intel gets a new neighbour

Cambodia, Netherlands
Phnom Penh seeks Dutch solution for secure communication needs