CIA

Georgia
US exasperation with Georgia's security apparatus grows

Washington is upping the pressure on Tbilisi while also starting to decrease its presence there, at a time when Georgia appears more important than ever in the face of Russia.

The Agencies' Gazette
SGDSN anniversary watch, ODNI military adviser, Kyiv's Africa plan

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

FranceBespoke watches for SGDSN's 120th anniversary

USTulsi Gabbard's new military adviser is a Marine

UkraineA plan for Kyiv's return to Africa

Spotlight | Israel
Blame game erupts within Israel's security apparatus

It's daggers drawn among Israeli security officials as they seek to blame each other for the situation in Iran. The head of the Mossad is having to speak out in defence of his service.

China, Russia
SVR's shadow looms over founder of Night Wolves biker gang's trip to China

Alexander Zaldostanov, president of the pro-Putin Night Wolves motorcycle club, visited Chinese students at Fudan University in late February. He was accompanied by two individuals affiliated with Russian intelligence services.

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.

Spotlight | France, Iran
Europe moves to shape post-conflict Iran as Pahlavi rejects united opposition efforts

French and European parliamentarians are stepping up efforts to shape a post-conflict Iran, with Brussels pushing a forum to unite the fragmented opposition. Passionate activists coexist in the latter with American interest groups harboring more assertive geopolitical ambitions.

Spymaster | North Korea
Kim Yo-jong: Kim dynasty's spokesperson turned spymaster

At the ninth congress of the Workers' Party in Pyongyang in February, Kim Jong-un's sister was promoted and her roles confirmed within the intelligence and influence apparatus. Her mission: to consolidate the Kim family's dominance and pave the way for its continued power in future generations.

Spotlight | Canada
Despite thaw, Canadian intelligence remains vigilant on China

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has adopted a more conciliatory approach towards Beijing during his first year in office, but his services nevertheless remain on high alert when it comes to Chinese espionage and interference.

Spotlight | United States
Congress to question Trump's intelligence chiefs next week

Iran, Venezuela and the major changes that have shaken the US intelligence community over the past year will be on the agenda for this eagerly awaited public hearing of Tulsi Gabbard, John Ratcliffe and Kash Patel.

France
French surveillance balloon maker Lium eyes border contracts in Asia and Europe

French firm Lium began by protecting sensitive industrial sites in France with its Horus surveillance balloon. As the start-up completes a second round of fundraising, it has set its sights on export defence markets, notably in response to the Russian threat.

Iraq, United States
Washington pressures Kurdistan security forces to take part in Iranian war effort

President Donald Trump has warned Kurdish leaders in Iraq that US funding for security forces could be cut if they do not help US and Israeli war efforts against the Iranian regime.

United States
With Iran, CIA faces ultimate test in its relationship with Trump

After Caracas and now Iran, the agency once disparaged by Donald Trump as an embodiment of the "deep state", is back in favour. But the CIA headed by John Ratcliffe now faces a far more complex situation with much higher political stakes.

Spotlight | Mexico, United States
Revealed: US involvement in the elimination of Mexican cartel leader El Mencho

Washington led a secret large-scale technological operation to stage its deadly raid against Mexican drug lord El Mencho on 22 February. MQ-9 Reaper drones on SIGINT missions, USSOCOM operators, the CIA's Action Service unit and Palantir's analytical tools were all mobilised to mount an unprecedented cross-border manhunt.