Diplomacy

China, Taiwan
Much to Taipei's dismay, Xi about to become president for life

Taipei is refining its analysis of the upcoming PCC Congress. Intelligence services believe Xi Jinping will become president for life.

Spotlight | France, Russia
Moscow poised to recover funds in French court asset tracking case

An upcoming French court decision could see the properties belonging to the New York wife of a former Moscow official, accused of fraud in Russia, seized by the French state. With Moscow still under sanctions, such an outcome could change the way Russia goes about claiming assets.

China, France
French newcomer Sinopole targets Chinese market

The new offshoot of French consultancy Montsalvy Consulting is working to help French firms in China navigate the fields most under Chinese Communist Party control.

Africa, France, Russia
From Paris, ESL & Network promotes the reputation of an increasingly Russia-aligned Madagascar

The French firm has been appointed to smooth relations between the French and Malagasy governments, in the wake of multiple tensions which include Antananarivo's honeymoon with Moscow.

Iraq
Groupe ADP picks ex-Baghdad mayor Habbobi to handle its only project in Iraq

Though it lost out on a contract in Mosul, the French airports operator still has a project on the go in the south of Iraq, in Kerbala. It has picked local bigwig Manhal Al Habbobi to see it through.

Kazakhstan, United Kingdom, United States
Kazakhstan and its Stati nemeses engage in tit-for-tat informational warfare

With Astana's long-drawn-out legal battle with Moldavian businessmen Anatol Stati and Gabriel Stati entering a new chapter, PR companies on both sides are ramping up efforts to discredit each other.

China, Europe
Beijing tests the waters on Europe's views of regime

In the lead-up to the Party Congress on 16 October, the Chinese Communist Party is trying to gain an accurate picture of how Europe's China experts view Beijing's policies.

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.