International

New corruption probe threatens French contract hopes in Jakarta 

An investigation into the Indonesian defence ministry's award of a satellite contract is threatening to damage Airbus Defense & Space's chances at a time when Indonesia is a sought after market for defence contracts.

EU piles on border protection contracts for eastern front  Free

The European Union's willing display of a united commitment to support its eastern members has been backed with action to extend the framework agreements of its security agencies Frontex and eu-LISA, and send them additional staff.

Schillings, the last safe haven for Russia-focused investigators 

Investigations firm Schillings, which specialises in reputation repair for oligarchs, appears to be going against the grain. While most of Londongrad's private investigators are fretting over losing business, the firm, which employs both lawyers and investigators, is betting on the future by expanding and recruiting more staff.

New Swedish anti-fake news agency boosts online investigation capacity to counter Russian threat 

Like their counterparts in other Western countries, Sweden's intelligence services are looking for open source intelligence contractors to help them combat Russian propaganda.

Xi Jinping and Zelensky set to speak 

Everyone is waiting to see what China will do about the war in Ukraine, but Xi Jinping and Zelensky's upcoming conversation may not give any concrete answers.

• ISRAEL/GULF - Riyadh, Abu Dhabi and Manama eye Tel Aviv's anti-missile shield
  

• TURKEY/KAZAKHSTAN - Kazakh and Turkish military intelligence services strengthen rapprochement

• FRANCE - President Emmanuel Macron and Special Forces' love-in continues

As top French firms quit Russia, what next for their local security contractors? 

Russian private security firms, known as "chops", are continuing to prosper in Moscow, even though some of their top clients from France - CAC40 companies - are pulling out of the Russian market.

• LONDON - Ex-Aegis Armstrong launches Horatius Advisory.

• GENEVA - Athena Intelligence makes crypto debut.

• LONDON - Control Risks has limited 2021 damage by cost cutting.
  

Britain's MASS Consultants builds Saudi Arabia's electronic warfare capacities 

The British electronic warfare IT firm MASS Consultants, a longstanding contractor to Britain's Ministry of Defence, has started a new phase of a major programme to upgrade Saudi Arabia's air warfare.

Israeli drone pioneer Ephraim Menashe runs into flak over suspected unauthorised sales to China 

Before he was placed under investigation by the Israeli public prosecutor on suspicion of having sold missiles to China, Ephraim Menashe was long a maverick among Israeli drone exporters. Intelligence Online has retraced his career.

Bashar Al-Assad confirms hold on telecoms sector with launch of new operator Wafa 

Syria's telecoms sector, which plays a strategic role in the country, has been in disarray following the family dispute between Bashar Al-Assad and his cousin, telecoms tycoon Rami Makhlouf. In launching a new operator, Wafa Telecom, the authorities are ensuring their control of the field.

Russian gold still luring London consultants 

London directors of Russian consortia are in the spotlight more than ever. Many have left their posts, but others are continuing to work in the city, such as AMB Business Consultants' boss Alexandra Maria Beckwith for the Polyus gold group.

Kazakhtelecom symbolises Nazarbayev clan sleaze 

The recent arrest of ex-president Nursultan Nazarbayev's nephew has put the spotlight on the former ruling family's hold over Kazakhstan's telecommunications sector.

Oligarch crackdown shakes up private investigation sector 

The wave of sanctions against Russian oligarchs in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine is having a big impact on the corporate intelligence world.

Secure network specialist DataFlowX backed by Havelsan in Dubai 

At the UAE cybersecurity trade fair GISEC, Ankara presented DataFlowX, a brand of unidirectional networks. A true product of the country's public-private partnerships, it is a perfect example of the Turkish defence industrial sector's determination to establish itself internationally.

Iran nurtures Dubai business circles as lukewarm Expo 2020 draws to a close  Free

Linked by a few companies under US sanctions, the Iranian pavilion's prominent position at 2020 Expo Dubai is testament to the special relationship between the Dubai and Iranian business communities.