Aegis

• MOSCOW - NtechLab founders' distance from firm not so clean cut

• DUBAI/ROME - Italy's Secom opens door to Europe for Rakia Group 

• WASHINGTON - Israeli anti-drone specialist Convexum after voice in Congress 

• LYON - Interpol seeks to monitor the seas 

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Metals specialist Walter still operating in Russia under Kyiv's watchful eye 

The Russian military industry's long-time supplier announced in September that it would be gradually pulling out of the sanctioned market. But its Saint Petersburg office remains in operation, and its equipment is still sold through state tenders.

Russia's Rosvgardia trains new elite units in Minsk 

Belarus's powerful deputy interior minister and Commander of the Belarusian Internal Troops Nikolai Karpenkov launched a collaboration with the Russian National Guard in January which is now in full swing.

• RUSSIA - Kovalchuk clan adds another link to Kremlin spymasters

• IRAQ - INIS helps with Sudani's crackdown on corruption

• UNITED STATES/SAUDI ARABIA - Washington calls for greater intelligence sharing with Gulf Cooperation Council

• CHINA - Beijing relies on reserves to expand PLA

• CHINA - Lu Shaye, ambassador in Paris, in Beijing's good graces

Kyiv and Minsk keep diplomatic and trade ties despite sanctions 

Despite the sanctions it has itself imposed on Belarus, Ukraine is continuing to import vital supplies from the country. Contact is being discreetly maintained between the two countries via business networks and even through the presidential office in Kyiv.

Kremlin-linked Kiriyenkos consolidate influence over cyber and big data markets 

Anton Gerasimov's appointment as deputy head of the Ministry of Emergencies adds another link in the chain forming between the Ministry of Digitalisation and Rostelecom around presidential adviser Sergey Kiriyenko.

Turkey's MIT maps out intelligence academy plans 

Following the lead of a number of Western intelligence communities, Turkey is planning to open an intelligence academy, under the aegis of the MIT, headed by spymaster Hakan Fidan.

Garda's alleged methods to land State Department security contract in Iraq challenged in court by SOC LLC 

SOC has accused two former executives of supplying confidential company information to help rival Garda win strategic contracts to protect US diplomatic facilities in Iraq earlier this year.

Credence Security expands foothold in forensics tech-hungry Pakistan 

The Dubai cyber and forensic equipment distributor has been building its base in Pakistan, where the federal police is developing a network of laboratories in need of these technologies, driven by its Western partners wanting to push ahead in the fight against terrorism.

• LUXEMBOURG - EIB boosts corporate intelligence budget.
  

• LONDON - FCDO veteran Kilby joins Herminius.

• LONDON - Former Alaco staffer becomes MD at Nardello's London office.
  

• BRUSSELS - European Commission brings in specialist conflict minerals investigators.
  

• LONDON - Enyo sends in lawyers to ICSID

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.

KGB keeps @Lebiadok behind bars  Free

On 12 July, a specialist in the Russian and Belarusian military-industrial complex was quietly taken into custody in Minsk. The extension of his detention beyond the 15 days prescribed by law makes it seem likely he will face administrative or criminal prosecution, probably related to his work as an expert.

Veyron, the small communication firm on the rise alongside Mohammed bin Salman 

One of the firms helping Riyadh polish its image in the US, the "made in KSA" Veyron, is building a name for itself within Mohammed bin Salman's ecosystem by doing its part for the crown prince's communication strategy.

Ark Group wins British contract to support Lebanese Armed Forces 

Ark Group is taking over the Lebanese Armed Forces National Security Assistance Programme, run for the past ten years by The Risk Advisory Group, amid growing insecurity in the country.

Jakarta cancels and scales back major defence contracts as raw materials crisis deepens 

The ministry of defence has embarked on an ambitious defence acquisition programme but is struggling to find the funding to honour the contracts it has signed. Airbus, which was set to deliver two A400M by the end of 2021, is the latest company to bear the brunt of this situation.

The Bolashak Consulting Group, a senior Kazakh official talent incubator 

Bolashak Consulting Group has been a loyal ally to Nur-Sultan during its international legal battles and also acts as a talent incubator for the country's political and judicial elite.