Your account has been succesfully created.

EN FR

Middle East & Africa

France, Iran, United States
Paris secures a seat at Iran-US negotiating table

A new round of talks is due to begin in Doha today between the US, Iran and two mediators from Pakistan and Qatar. Since the start of the discussions, Paris has managed to keep a hand in one key aspect of the negotiations on this multi-faceted crisis: Lebanon.

Subscribers only Back-Door Diplomacy 30.06.2026

Jordan, United States
Amman speeds up plans to upgrade F-16 fleet amid regional tensions

Royal Jordanian Air Force F-16 fighter jets at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan.© IMAGO/APAimages via Reuters Connect

Subscribers only Defence 24.06.2026

Oman, United States
Muscat enlists Washington's help to monitor Strait of Hormuz

Although keen to maintain a neutral position in the current US-Iran conflict, Oman has asked Washington for help to strengthen its maritime intelligence. Muscat is particularly looking to improve its capacity to monitor its coastline during the 60-day ceasefire.

Subscribers only Operations 23.06.2026

Saudi Arabia, United States
Ex-FBI heavyweight with Saudi links overseeing security for 2026 World Cup

The Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta will host some matches of the 2026 World Cup.© Megan Varner/Reuters

Subscribers only Agencies 11.06.2026

Iraq, United States
Washington reinforces security cooperation with Baghdad

With the political and military situation in Iraq remaining particularly volatile, the United States has quietly decided to send new military advisers to the country to bolster its key security institutions.

Subscribers only Back-Door Diplomacy 26.05.2026

Israel, United States
Disgruntled broker exposes secret Israeli-US intelligence contracts

A businessman who specialises in facilitating contacts between the Israeli defence ministry and US intelligence technology firms is suing sector leader Spire Global for allegedly unpaid commissions.

Subscribers only Defence, Space, Contractors 18.05.2026

Spy Way of Life | Pakistan, United States
The Roosevelt Hotel, Pakistan's $1bn bargaining chip in Manhattan

Across the globe, spies gather in inconspicuous places to meet contacts and hold discreet conversations. This week, Intelligence Online delves into the recent history of the Pakistan-owned Roosevelt Hotel, which is now the subject of real estate negotiations between Islamabad and Washington.

Subscribers only Back-Door Diplomacy 10.04.2026

Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom, United States
Saudi defence ministry boosts pool of strategic consultants

The British consultancy Connect Advisory, headed by former FBI and British Army officers, is set to secure a number of contracts with the Saudi defence ministry, posing a serious challenge to established players in the field.

Subscribers only Operations, Defence, Contractors 09.04.2026

Iran, United States
Iran sanctions: US forfeiture action threatens reputation of European energy firms

A forfeiture case filed in Washington last month aims to seize $12m from Wellbred Capital, a trading company allegedly part of oil magnate Hossein Shamkhani's vast laundering network. The suit does not mention Wellbred's Swiss and French units, both held via the same Singaporean shareholder.

Subscribers only Corporate Intel 08.04.2026

Iran, Qatar, United States
Exit Islamabad, enter Doha for US-Iran mediation

In a dramatic turn of events, Iran has just rejected Pakistan's offer to mediate in the conflict. According to our sources, Qatar will now take the lead ahead of next week's talks.

Subscribers only Back-Door Diplomacy 03.04.2026

Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Qatari PM and Foreign Affairs Minister.

Iran, Pakistan, United States
The man at the heart of Pakistan's US-Iran mediation

Many in the West appeared surprised by Pakistan's emergence as a mediator between the United States and Iran. Islamabad's role in this process hinges on one man, whose involvement in the Muscat talks since the beginning was first revealed by Intelligence Online.

Subscribers only Back-Door Diplomacy 03.04.2026

Muhammad Aamer, Pakistan’s ambassador to Doha, is quietly coordinating Pakistan’s role as a mediator between the US and Iran. Photo taken in Islamabad, September 2013.

Iran, United States
US special forces rally their contractors to prepare for next phase in Iran

The Trump administration is weighing up whether to deploy its special forces to storm strategic Iranian facilities. In a subtle but unmistakable sign of its possible intention, the US Special Operations Command has been rushing to fill key positions needed for such a move.

Subscribers only Defence, Contractors 20.03.2026

A US Air Force Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida, on 8 March 2019.

Spotlight | Iran, Israel, United States
How Tehran cobbles together targeting intelligence

As war rages in the Middle East, the Pentagon fears Tehran may be acquiring US imagery from third parties. For Iran, gathering high-quality intelligence to plan its targeting operations is a key military challenge of the conflict.

Subscribers only Operations, Cybersecurity, Information Wars, Defence 17.03.2026

Satellite image showing the damage caused to the US 5th Fleet naval base following Iranian strikes in Manama, Bahrain, on 1 March 2026.

Spotlight | Iran, United States
The Pakistani general helping shape Washington's stance on Iran

A Pakistani security official appears to have increasing influence over the White House's position on Iran. The former general, with ties to his country's intelligence apparatus, has been keeping a close eye on talks between Iran and the US, including the latest round in Geneva earlier this week.

Subscribers only Agencies, Back-Door Diplomacy 20.02.2026

Islamabad's ambassador to Qatar, Muhammad Aamer.

Gaza strip, Qatar, United States
Fixer-diplomat Ali al-Thawadi comes out from the shadows

Long a hidden figure, the fixer-cum-securocrat's work on the Gaza ceasefire has forced him into the spotlight, with Doha last month naming him a minister for strategic affairs.

Subscribers only Corporate Intel, Back-Door Diplomacy 17.02.2026

United States
US start-up poised to assist Abu Dhabi in its online counter-influence battle

The Emirates are facing intense online influence campaigns critiquing their actions abroad, and are seeking to boost the counter-narrative. Contractors, including some with close ties to the US intelligence community, have expressed interest in the project.

Subscribers only Corporate Intel, Information Wars, Contractors 04.02.2026

Spotlight | France, Iran, United States
The 'Great Things' Macron hopes to do with Trump on Iran

Intelligence Online can reveal that a text from Emmanuel Macron to Donald Trump, posted on the US president's TruthSocial account on 20 January and in which he wrote "We can do great things on Iran", the French leader was alluding to the arrival of a French warship off the coast of Iran.

Subscribers only Operations, Back-Door Diplomacy 22.01.2026

French President Emmanuel Macron and his US counterpart Donald Trump in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, on 13 October 2025.

Spotlight | Turkey, United States
CIA and Turkey's MIT planning secret air base to monitor the Middle East

To keep a closer eye on the Middle East, the US and Turkey's foreign intelligence services are planning to collaborate more closely from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The CIA is on a mission to acquire, through brokers, unmarked C-130 transport aircraft to carry out covert operations.

Subscribers only Operations 08.12.2025

Aerial view from inside a C-130 Hercules. The CIA is trying to discreetly acquire this type of aircraft to operate in the Middle East.

Spotlight | Saudi Arabia, United States
Trump and MbS reach deal on mega-contract for Saudi nuclear programme

Mohammed bin Salman's high-profile visit to Washington on 18 November quietly sealed the future of Saudi Arabia's civil nuclear programme, which is expected to be led by South Korean group Kepco. Intelligence Online has the details.

Subscribers only Back-Door Diplomacy 20.11.2025

US President Donald Trump (right) welcomes Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the White House in Washington, 18 November 2025.

Armenia, Russia, United States
Russian cyber provider Protelion shifts operations to Armenia, keeps US foothold

The cybersecurity firm that was previously known as Infotecs, has sought to rebrand its international operations from Yerevan, keeping on many employees.

Free access Cybersecurity 16.07.2025

The weekly summary

Middle East & Africa Picto Synthese

Don't miss a single headline. Sign up to receive weekly summaries of our coverage of Middle East & Africa.

Once registered, you will be notified by a short message on your computer or mobile phone as soon as a new edition of our publication or an alert is published. Stay informed anytime, anywhere!

Middle East & Africa

France, Iran, United States
Paris secures a seat at Iran-US negotiating table

Jordan, United States
Amman speeds up plans to upgrade F-16 fleet amid regional tensions

Oman, United States
Muscat enlists Washington's help to monitor Strait of Hormuz

Saudi Arabia, United States
Ex-FBI heavyweight with Saudi links overseeing security for 2026 World Cup

Iraq, United States
Washington reinforces security cooperation with Baghdad

Israel, United States
Disgruntled broker exposes secret Israeli-US intelligence contracts

Spy Way of Life | Pakistan, United States
The Roosevelt Hotel, Pakistan's $1bn bargaining chip in Manhattan

Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom, United States
Saudi defence ministry boosts pool of strategic consultants

Iran, United States
Iran sanctions: US forfeiture action threatens reputation of European energy firms

Iran, Qatar, United States
Exit Islamabad, enter Doha for US-Iran mediation

Iran, Pakistan, United States
The man at the heart of Pakistan's US-Iran mediation

Iran, United States
US special forces rally their contractors to prepare for next phase in Iran

Spotlight | Iran, Israel, United States
How Tehran cobbles together targeting intelligence

Spotlight | Iran, United States
The Pakistani general helping shape Washington's stance on Iran

Gaza strip, Qatar, United States
Fixer-diplomat Ali al-Thawadi comes out from the shadows

United States
US start-up poised to assist Abu Dhabi in its online counter-influence battle

Spotlight | France, Iran, United States
The 'Great Things' Macron hopes to do with Trump on Iran

Spotlight | Turkey, United States
CIA and Turkey's MIT planning secret air base to monitor the Middle East

Spotlight | Saudi Arabia, United States
Trump and MbS reach deal on mega-contract for Saudi nuclear programme

Armenia, Russia, United States
Russian cyber provider Protelion shifts operations to Armenia, keeps US foothold

The weekly summary

About Intelligence Online

Subscription

Intelligence Online on social media

Indigo Publications' websites

About Intelligence Online

Subscription

Indigo Publications' websites

Donald Trump

Xi Jinping

Palantir

G7

CIA

Middle East & Africa

France, Iran, United States Paris secures a seat at Iran-US negotiating table

Jordan, United States Amman speeds up plans to upgrade F-16 fleet amid regional tensions

Oman, United States Muscat enlists Washington's help to monitor Strait of Hormuz

Saudi Arabia, United States Ex-FBI heavyweight with Saudi links overseeing security for 2026 World Cup

Iraq, United States Washington reinforces security cooperation with Baghdad

Israel, United States Disgruntled broker exposes secret Israeli-US intelligence contracts

Spy Way of Life | Pakistan, United States The Roosevelt Hotel, Pakistan's $1bn bargaining chip in Manhattan

Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom, United States Saudi defence ministry boosts pool of strategic consultants

Iran, United States Iran sanctions: US forfeiture action threatens reputation of European energy firms

Iran, Qatar, United States Exit Islamabad, enter Doha for US-Iran mediation

Iran, Pakistan, United States The man at the heart of Pakistan's US-Iran mediation

Iran, United States US special forces rally their contractors to prepare for next phase in Iran

Spotlight | Iran, Israel, United States How Tehran cobbles together targeting intelligence

Spotlight | Iran, United States The Pakistani general helping shape Washington's stance on Iran

Gaza strip, Qatar, United States Fixer-diplomat Ali al-Thawadi comes out from the shadows

United States US start-up poised to assist Abu Dhabi in its online counter-influence battle

Spotlight | France, Iran, United States The 'Great Things' Macron hopes to do with Trump on Iran

Spotlight | Turkey, United States CIA and Turkey's MIT planning secret air base to monitor the Middle East

Spotlight | Saudi Arabia, United States Trump and MbS reach deal on mega-contract for Saudi nuclear programme

Armenia, Russia, United States Russian cyber provider Protelion shifts operations to Armenia, keeps US foothold

The weekly summary

About Intelligence Online

Subscription

Intelligence Online on social media

Indigo Publications' websites

France, Iran, United States
Paris secures a seat at Iran-US negotiating table

Jordan, United States
Amman speeds up plans to upgrade F-16 fleet amid regional tensions

Oman, United States
Muscat enlists Washington's help to monitor Strait of Hormuz

Saudi Arabia, United States
Ex-FBI heavyweight with Saudi links overseeing security for 2026 World Cup

Iraq, United States
Washington reinforces security cooperation with Baghdad

Israel, United States
Disgruntled broker exposes secret Israeli-US intelligence contracts

Spy Way of Life | Pakistan, United States
The Roosevelt Hotel, Pakistan's $1bn bargaining chip in Manhattan

Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom, United States
Saudi defence ministry boosts pool of strategic consultants

Iran, United States
Iran sanctions: US forfeiture action threatens reputation of European energy firms

Iran, Qatar, United States
Exit Islamabad, enter Doha for US-Iran mediation

Iran, Pakistan, United States
The man at the heart of Pakistan's US-Iran mediation

Iran, United States
US special forces rally their contractors to prepare for next phase in Iran

Spotlight | Iran, Israel, United States
How Tehran cobbles together targeting intelligence

Spotlight | Iran, United States
The Pakistani general helping shape Washington's stance on Iran

Gaza strip, Qatar, United States
Fixer-diplomat Ali al-Thawadi comes out from the shadows

United States
US start-up poised to assist Abu Dhabi in its online counter-influence battle

Spotlight | France, Iran, United States
The 'Great Things' Macron hopes to do with Trump on Iran

Spotlight | Turkey, United States
CIA and Turkey's MIT planning secret air base to monitor the Middle East

Spotlight | Saudi Arabia, United States
Trump and MbS reach deal on mega-contract for Saudi nuclear programme

Armenia, Russia, United States
Russian cyber provider Protelion shifts operations to Armenia, keeps US foothold