Department of State

Syria, United States
USSOCOM keeps troops on ground despite Syria-Turkey talks

After letting its focus on Syria slip, the United States is now having to sit by and watch as the Assad regime continues to engage with Turkey. If the two neighbours do restore ties, this could pull the US back into the regional troubles and call into question the presence of US troops in northeast Syria.

Belarus, UAE, United States
US lobbyists help Belarusian ex-arms czar keep sanctions at bay

The former owner of arms group BelTech, Vladimir Peftiev, who claims to now be enjoying his retirement, still has a team of top-notch lobbyists in the US working to downplay his politically sensitive activities and protect him from sanctions.

United States
Departement of State's intelligence bureau increases OSINT use to support US diplomacy

The Department of State's Bureau of Intelligence and Research is investing in open source intelligence tools to help the Biden administration's new intelligence declassification and publication strategy.

Afghanistan, United Kingdom
Opcit Research to serve as UN terrorism look-out in Afghanistan

With high-level diplomatic meetings in full swing in Central Asia, and Afghanistan one of the main subjects of discussion, the UN has called in one of its regular contractors to help it gain a better understanding of the area.

Spotlight | Ukraine, United States
Anti-corruption controls carried out on US weapons deliveries to Ukraine

The US and Ukraine are looking to provide a clearer framework for military supply deliveries and funding, with Washington seeking stronger guarantees from Kyiv on how funding and weapons are used.

Lebanon, United States
Washington finally ready to launch its anti-drug strategy against Hezbollah

Worried about the scale of the trafficking of captagon pills through Lebanon in particular, with Syria the main source, the US authorities intend to grant additional funds to the Lebanese security forces, which are supposed to be involved in this operation.

The Corporate Intelligence Village Voice
Control Risks Group, Tata Consulting Services, Volexity, Maisha Group

Appointments, financial results, new contracts: each week, we report on events both big and small that matter in the global corporate intelligence community. This week we go to London, Singapore, Paris and Tel Aviv.

London, Singapore Control Risks Group snaps up Big Four veteran investigator Michael Peer.

Paris Ex-head of international cooperation at ANSSI joins India's Tata Consulting Services.

Paris US firm Volexity steps into French market with hire of Kaspersky CTI specialist Paul Rascagnères.

Tel Aviv, London Report highlights Israeli anti-poaching specialist Maisha Group.

Sweden
New Swedish anti-fake news agency boosts online investigation capacity to counter Russian threat

Like their counterparts in other Western countries, Sweden's intelligence services are looking for open source intelligence contractors to help them combat Russian propaganda.

United States
CIA rolls out well-oiled plan on familiar turf in Ukraine

Engrossed in Europe, US intelligence has increased its operations in Ukraine. It has considerable scope of action in the country forged from eight years of building relations with and providing support to its Ukrainian homologues.

Ukraine, United States
'Minor incursion' or not, US still leading light weapon deliveries to Kyiv

Even as the White House briefly took a more tempered pitch in the on-going trading of threats between the US and Russia over Ukraine, US aid, backed with new arms suppliers, continues to help Kyiv build up its defence.

Europe
Italian Air Force renews lease of L3Harris spy planes

While it waits on the delivery of L3Harris's ISR Gulfstream G550 aircraft, the Italian defence ministry has renewed a lease agreement for several Beechcraft King Air 350 from the US defence group.

Spotlight | Israel, Ukraine
Rayzone and ULTRA challenged by crosswinds in Ukraine

The two Israeli firms will deliver a system to counter hybrid warfare to the Ukrainian intelligence service SBU, but not everyone in Kyiv is happy with the choice of provider.

Cambodia, China, United States
Washington increasingly worried about Chinese influence in Cambodia

A new bill highlights Chinese involvement around the Ream naval base and Dara Sakor International Airport, two projects in Cambodia that may be eventually be used for military operations.