Intelligence services

Europe
EU faces intelligence capacity challenges

While European countries' determination to improve intelligence-sharing is providing more data for EU intelligence, the EU continues to lack its own independent means, which would free it from the whims of national governments.

Ukraine
Ukraine's economic security services under close scrutiny

The Ukrainian government has discreetly launched a parliamentary inquiry into possible financial wrongdoing by officers in charge of economic security. A number of services - including internal intelligence, the SBU, and economic security, the BEB - will be probed.

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.

Russia, Uzbekistan
Equestrian sports chief Bakhrom Gaziev, a key cog in Tashkent's business networks

Keen to connect its business community with international investors, Uzbekistan's government is receiving informal help from equestrian sports administrator Bakhrom Gaziev, a protégé of President Mirziyoyev's inner circle who is close to some powerful Russian business leaders.

Spotlight | France, Ukraine
French intelligence service kiboshes naturalisation of Ukrainian potential asset

Despite Paris's support for Kyiv, France's domestic intelligence service remains concerned about counter-espionage. France's refusal to grant citizenship to a Ukrainian professor, based on a note from the DGSI, shines a spotlight on the service's interests in Ukraine's State representations in the French capital.

United States
All eyes in the House on intelligence as new committees created on China, and politicisation

The FBI and CIA have been targeted by the House of Representatives, now majority Republican, which just voted to create two select committees, one on the weaponisation of the federal government and the other, on military, financial and technological competition with China.

China
Xi Jinping to bring PLA political commissars to heel

In his third term, China's president wants to consolidate his hold over his country's military apparatus. To regain control over the politics of the People's Liberation Army, Xi has chosen to drastically rein in political commissars, who have now been relegated to merely executing the party's will.

Ukraine, United States
Private military contractors thrust into heart of Ukraine conflict information war

Reeling from a dispute raging between its leaders, Russian information campaigns and blows to its reputation, Mozart Group's current predicament illustrates the delicate position in which such private security contractors operating on both sides of the conflict find themselves in.

Hungary
Hungarian intelligence presses ahead with reforms in midst of upheavals

Against the backdrop of Russia's war on Ukraine, Budapest's intelligence community, which is currently undergoing major reforms, is seeking a new balance as it struggles to attract new recruits and faces scrutiny from its NATO allies.

The Agencies' Gazette
Sudani rallies his troops, counter-espionage in Tbilisi, the Intelligence College in Europe, investigation into Kazakh services

Appointments, reforms and the issues at stake: every Monday, Intelligence Online serves up snippets big and small from the global intelligence community. This week, we bring news from Baghdad, Tbilisi, Paris and Astana.

IraqMohammed Shia al-Sudani rallies his troops after sackings.

GeorgiaIntelligence service hopes to boost counter-espionage.

FranceNews from the Intelligence College in Europe.

KazakhstanFormer KNB leaders targeted in parliament.

Spotlight | Ukraine
Turmoil and gains for Ukraine's spymasters at heart of the war

The Ukrainian intelligence landscape has undergone deep tectonic shifts since Russia's invasion nearly a year ago. Former prominent figures have fallen while previously less sought-after services have risen in power, cooperation partnerships have been formed and missions refocused.

United States
CIA's Directorate of Operations feels left out

Reform at the CIA is not going all that well, particularly at the Directorate of Operations, feeling left out as the White House seems more interested in analytical intelligence.

Spotlight | Russia
Russian intelligence has eyes and ears on military research

Military research institutes are key players in the war in Ukraine and an integral part of the Kremlin's strategy to establish an entirely local manufacturing chain. Intelligence services are all the more vigilant about potential R&D-related leaks.

China, Laos, United States
New airport in Southeast Asia's Golden Triangle sparks Western intelligence concerns

Laos' Bokeo International Airport is set to open next year in Southeast Asia's Golden Triangle. The area, notorious for trafficking, is currently served by only a small airport in Ban Houayxay. The profile of the investors behind the new project has sparked concern in the regional offices of Western intelligence services in Bangkok.

United States
Tech giants' woes provide openings for security and intelligence firms

Budgetary cuts are prompting the tech 'big five', collectively known as GAFAM, to externalise intelligence, moderation and counter-disinformation to external providers. A number of firms are now marketing these services.