Diplomacy

Russia, Ukraine
Kyiv and Moscow battle it out at Financial Action Task Force

Despite Ukraine's efforts to have it excluded from international finance systems, Russia has managed to keep off the international Financial Action Task Force's blacklist, thanks to skilled lobbying and taking advantage of the task force's procedural idiosyncrasies.

Spotlight | Albania, Kosovo, United States
Albania and Kosovo launch charm offensive in Washington

Tirana and Pristina have hired Roy Bailey, close to the Texas and Florida Republican communities, to fight their battles in the US.

Chile, Israel
Israeli cyber company makes gains in Chile despite diplomatic snub thanks to SecurityST

The consultancy firm led by sector veteran Ruben Celedon met with high-ranking Chilean military officers to tout the cyber wares and tools of Israeli firms such as Elta, Interionet and Voyager Labs.

Iraq, Kurdistan, UAE
Banking on the UAE, Iraqi Kurdistan plans diplomatic office in Dubai

The Kurdistan Regional Government is planning to open a representative office in the UAE as part of an effort to boost economic ties beyond the oil industry.

China, France
Paris sets foot back in Wuhan, puts past behind it

With Beijing now back in favour with French diplomats and spies, Paris has taken particular care over the appointment of its new consul in Wuhan, birthplace of Covid-19 and site of the P4 high-security laboratory backed by France.

The Agencies' Gazette
Russia's mobilisation, Shin Bet in Dubai, Belloni, Kyiv presses Berlin

Appointments, reforms and key issues: every Monday, Intelligence Online reports on developments great and small in the global intelligence community. This week, we bring news from Dubai, Moscow, Rome and Berlin.

Israel/United Arab EmiratesShin Bet lays down its terms for Dubai airport.

RussiaRussian army also struggling to find instructors for its mobilisation.

Germany/Ukraine New Ukrainian ambassador in Berlin arrives with heavy workload.

ItalyMeloni's government changes skip past Elisabetta Belloni.

China, Russia, Ukraine
Beijing intervenes again in response to Moscow's nuclear threat

Discussions within the Russian high command indicate that Moscow is preparing for an operational, rather than political, use of the nuclear threat in Ukraine. Behind the scenes in Beijing, there is support for the Kremlin's aggressive rhetoric, but not for the execution plans.

Iran, Iraq
Iran's industries go after Kurdistan oil and gas

Targetting the few opportunities still open to them, Iran's oil and gas players are prospecting in Iraqi Kurdistan. Hoping to exploit the dispute between Baghdad and Erbil, they came in droves to the Erbil International Fair.

Russia, San Marino, Vatican
War in Ukraine: San Marino offers to be Vatican's diplomatic pedestal

Two consultants, one French, the other Russian, are working to shape and then promote Pope Francis's mediation efforts with Moscow and Kyiv. They would like to see the microstate of San Marino play host to future talks.

Belarus, Russia
Is Belarus about to go to war with Ukraine?

Since the announcement of a partial mobilisation in Russia and the possible transformation of the "special military operation" in Ukraine into an official war, all parties are evaluating the risk of direct involvement of Belarusian troops in the hostilities.

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.

The Agencies' Gazette
Russia's mobilisation, PUK ends internal feud, EU's foresight hub, France's cyber security plan at UN, defence attachés' battles in Indo-Pacific region

Appointments, reforms and key issues: every Monday, Intelligence Online reports on developments great and small in the global intelligence community. This week, we bring news from Moscow, Erbil, New York, Helsinki and Brussels.

RussiaMobilisation a pretext for settling scores between siloviki and opponents.

IraqThe Patriotic Union of Kurdistan puts end to internal feud.

European UnionEEAS seeks private sector contractor for future strategic foresight hub.

France/Germany/United StatesMacron tries to revive cyber action programme at UN.

United States/ChinaBattle of defence attachés in Indo-Pacific region.

Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom
Private diplomats position themselves for mediation roles in Russia-Ukraine war

Private mediation specialists are poised and waiting for Russia and Ukraine to give in to battle fatigue and come to the negotiating table.

North Korea, Russia, Ukraine
Pyongyang's planned military technology transfers from Donbass

North Korea is putting together the necessary infrastructure to collect and receive Western military systems seized in the occupied territories in eastern Ukraine, using proven methods to effect the illegal technology transfers.