G20

France, Jordan
‘Intelligence-focused' diplomat to head French embassy in Jordan

According to Intelligence Online sources, a diplomat renowned for his "hands-on" approach is to be appointed French ambassador to Jordan.

France, Israel, Vietnam
French embassy pushing Airbus for new Vietnam spy satellite despite bumpy past

France has renewed hopes of selling an observation satellite to Vietnam, but the new corruption trial in absentia of businesswoman Nguyen Thi Thanh Nhan in Hanoi could bring back bad memories.

Azerbaijan, France
On COP29 sidelines, lawyers ramp up efforts to defend one of their French clients in Baku

Lawyers representing French nationals held in Azerbaijan are taking advantage of the world climate conference being held in Baku to raise awareness of their client Théo Clerc's predicament.

The Agencies' Gazette
DGSE training camp revamp, Wagner hires for Africa, Xi's talk with Macron at G20, New military intelligence chief in Hanoi, Viginum awaits its hour against Baku

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

FranceDGSE to bring parachutist training centre up to scratch

RussiaWagner's Africa Corps is hiring

China/FranceXi and Macron to discuss Ukraine at G20 summit in Rio

VietnamPham Ngoc Hung closes 10-year chapter as military intelligence chief

FranceViginum awaits its hour against Baku

India, Indonesia
Indonesia eyes monitoring technology from India's L&T for new capital

Indonesia is looking to be a player in the smart cities stakes, and its officials were recently shown New Delhi's Integrated Command and Control Centre, built with Israeli know-how.

France, Saudi Arabia, Spain
Naval Group's fight for Saudi Arabian combat ship deal sunk by Spain's Navantia

Faced with the contract won by the Spanish Navantia to equip the Royal Saudi Navy, the French Naval Group has conceded defeat. Intelligence Online takes a look into the background of a competition that did not go well from the start.

Canada, China
CSIS under fire from Canadian parliament after stand-off between Trudeau and Xi Jinping

As relations between the two countries become increasingly tense, the federal intelligence service has been ordered to account for its efforts to counter supposed Chinese interference in Canadian affairs.

France, Syria, Turkey
Between asset freezes and support, Paris displays contradictory stance over Kurds

Recent French sanctions against individuals suspected of financing the Kurdish Workers Party, or PKK, highlight incoherent foreign policy towards the Kurdish movement.

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.

Saudi Arabia
Riyadh sets its sights on UNESCO's top job

Determined to become a world tourist destination by promoting its history, Saudi Arabia is rolling out a discreet influence strategy. After having laid its first groundwork, Riyadh is now working to secure the leadership of UNESCO.