Hezbollah

GID gets battle ready to tackle drug trafficking 

Jordan's intelligence community is on high alert over the increased threat of Captagon pills coming across the border from Syria and has been recruiting amongst those connected to the illicit drug trade there.

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.

Riad Salamé plays for time ahead of May general election 

Governor of the Banque du Lebanon, Riad Salamé is at the centre of political manoeuvres ahead of the upcoming general election, as well as being in the sights of judge Ghada Aoun, who is close to the presidential camp.

With Hezbollah in the firing line, Washington wins Mazen al-Atat's extradition from Paris 

In a victory for the US courts, Paris has agreed to a request from New York judges for the extradition of the Lebanese citizen Mazen al-Atat, allegedly linked to Hezbollah. The move is contested by his French lawyers who believe there are no grounds for this decision.

Between Beirut and Tehran, Ali Mamlouk gets back into regional affairs 

Syrian spymaster Ali Mamlouk appears to be back in favour with President Bashar Al Assad, who recently sent him to Tehran to negotiate reducing the influence of Shi'ite militia groups under Iran's control. Mamlouk is also watching over the upcoming elections in Lebanon and giving a helping hand to pro-Syrians in the race.

Tel Aviv tiptoes into regional energy deal 

In search of additional gas flows to meet its contracted share of energy supplies to Beirut through the Arab Gas Pipeline, Cairo turned to Tel Aviv, which was quick to open its valves, on the understanding its role would be kept quiet.

Israel walks a fine line on Ukraine to preserve its freedom to operate in Syria 

The Ukrainian crisis has Israel between a rock and a hard place as its juggles its strategic alliance with Washington and its necessary Syrian coordination with Moscow.

Pasdaran tries to engage Popular Mobilization Forces in Houthi rebellion 

With Yemen's Houthi forces feeling the strain of heavy losses, Iran is struggling to find new recruits for the conflict locally and is now hoping to send in Iraqi fighters.

• PALESTINE-ALGERIA - Master spy Noureddine Mekri takes a stab at Palestinian reconciliation
  

• UNITED KINGDOM - Christine Lee affair sparks Tom Tugendhat's push for draft bill on counter state threats
  

• RUSSIA - 'Compatriot' think-tank receives award
  

After Baghdad meetings, Riyadh and Tehran count on Amman's mediation 

Saudi Arabia and Iran are determined to pursue their secret dialogue, with the help once again of their Iraqi go-between Qassem Al Araji.

IMF needs to see real progress on Alvarez & Marsal's Beirut forensic audit 

On the eve of new talks between Beirut and the International Monetary Fund, held with the aim of seeing the release of a long-awaited financial bailout, many obstacles remain. Foremost among them are the delays to crucial audits, including the one conducted by US forensic auditor Alvarez & Marsal.

Iran appoints top military official Abdul Reza Shahlai following ambassador's death 

Iran is determined to keep on top of the strategic battle for Marib and has appointed Abdul Reza Shahlai, a senior military official who will not be given a diplomatic title, to replace Hassan Erlou, its ambassador in Sa'ana, who died in mysterious circumstances last month.

Syrian and Iraqi spymasters share challenge of cross-border insecurity 

Determined to make the road between Baghdad and Damascus a prosperous trading route, the Syrian and Iraqi authorities are very aware of the need to secure their border in the light of continued sporadic attacks from the Islamic State group.

Pasdaran continue to build up their cyber warfare capacity 

Iran, which is determined to move into cyber space to engage with Israel and other enemies, is continuing to develop its electronic "army", under the watchful eyes of the Pasdaran and Russia, which has been advising the country.