International

Russia
Security Vision, the Kremlin cyber protection unit's faithful provider

As Russian intelligence battens down the hatches on who can provide cybersecurity services, some agencies, starting with the FSO's interceptions department, continue to outsource tasks to trusted private partners such as Security Vision's subsidiaries Intellectual Security and Trimeter.

Afghanistan, Central Asia, Russia
Central Asian spymasters want to return Russia's focus to Afghanistan

Silovik chief Nikolai Patrushev is still taking part in discussion forums run by Central Asia's intelligence chiefs worried about the Taliban security risk. But with all their efforts focused on the war in Ukraine, Russia's armed forces have been forced to gradually disengage from that part of the world.

Jordan, United States
US defence industry's Jordanian agent Bassam Pharaon returns to the fray

The name of the US defence industry's favourite agent in Jordan, Bassam Pharaon, has cropped up in a court case being fought in the States between two candidates for a contract to modernise King Abdullah II's VIP helicopters.

Turkey, UAE
Edge Group central to Turkey-UAE cyber rapprochement

The UAE and Turkey have several defence bilateral cooperation projects in the works, and are tentatively exploring cyber cooperation, which might be a way for Abu Dhabi's Edge Group to reestablish itself in the cyber-offensive sector.

The Intelligence Gazette
CIA, Georgia's GIS, Hamas finance, DGSE operations

Appointments, reforms and key issues: every Monday, we report on events both big and small that matter in the global intelligence community. This week we home in on the US, Georgia, Palestine, Turkey and France.

United StatesCIA's spies experience housing crisis in Langley

GeorgiaGovernment increases oversight of GIS' international dealings

Palestine/TurkeyHamas still receiving funds from Turkey

FranceDGSE operations department poised to get new chief

Europe, Georgia
EU uses Ukraine-tested communicators to spread message in Georgia

As Brussels comes closer to its decision on Georgia's bid for European Union membership amid the challenging security situation, it has hired no less than five communications experts to convey its narrative in the country.

Australia, China
Canberra seeks new security accommodation with China

Australia's incoming government, which includes several "Sino-compatible" figures, is trying out a warmer approach to relations with Beijing. The security architecture of the entire Indo-Pacific region is at stake.

Central Asia, Russia, United Kingdom
KPMG Russia boss expands Central Asian consulting business

Taking advantage of the renewed interest in Central Asia brought about by the impact of Western sanctions on Russia, KPMG's managing partner in the CIS, Oleg Goshchansky, is keen to develop his expertise in both the UK and Kazakhstan.

China
Guangdong's oligarchs settle in Xinjiang

Encouraged by the new governor of Xinjiang, Ma Xingrui, eight companies from the coastal region focused on strategic industries are in the midst of setting up operations in this Uyghur region.

Spotlight | Ukraine
Kyiv seeks ground-based ISR sensors to match Russia's air supremacy

The Ukrainian armed forces still rely heavily on data provided by their US partners. As flying its intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft becomes increasingly hazardous, the ministry of defence sent out feelers to acquire ground-based sensors.

France, Iraq, Jordan
French Reaper drones deployed in Jordan, a regional showcase for French defence

The French Armed Forces are taking steps to redeploy its drones in the Near East. As well as its military interests in doing so, the French government wants to reassure Iraq of its continued engagement in the region, where business prospects are picking up.

Iran, United States
Seasoned lobbyist Ayal Frank signs up with Iranian Kurds

The communications consultant, who already works on behalf of the Syrian Kurds, was recently hired by the Iranian Kurdish party Komala. In Washington, he intends to promote the interests of the Middle Eastern minority as a whole.

Israel, United Kingdom
Cyberintel experts Lavie and Zack extend their UK operations with Civilian Development Group

Omri Lavie and Isaac Zack have made a name for themselves in cybersecurity with Orchestra in London. But the Israeli cyberintelligence veterans also own another firm in England, Civilian Development Group, based near Manchester.

The Corporate Intelligence Village Voice
Bilal Sen, Audere, EuroSatory

Appointments, financial results, new contracts: each week, we report on events both big and small that matter in the global corporate intelligence community. This week, we go to Cologne, London and Copenhagen.

Cologne Turkish ex-cyber police official moves into German corporate intelligence

London Audere recruits new managing director

Copenhagen C. Corner and AC Defence eye French market

France
France's highest administrative jurisdiction will handle the case of disowned intelligence official

The legal battle between France's domestic intelligence agency, the DGSI, and one of its former officers, Eric M., suspected of being too close to the US intelligence community, should soon come to a close before the Council of State.

Russia
Jet Infosystems, the Kremlin's all-terrain IT supplier

The Moscow-based firm, which even operates in foreign military theatres, nurtures its security networks through its chief lobbyist, Vadim Shustov.

UAE, United States
Washington focuses on Talal Al Kaissi in its new UAE cloud offensive

Appointed head of G42 Cloud in January, Talal Al Kaissi has been receptive to a charm offensive by US companies and that of their business contacts, providing a ray of hope for Washington that's alarmed by the inroads into the UAE by China's Huawei.