Justice

Kuwait, United States
Fake lawyer dupes Kuwaiti military attaché in Washington for years

Having omitted to run background checks, representatives of the Kuwaiti Ministry of Defence in Washington, DC had enlisted the services of a man pretending to be a lawyer to handle their legal affairs with the US federal agencies for eight years.

China, Uruguay
With free trade talks under way, Huawei prepares its commercial offensive

Beijing is closely associating negotiations over a free trade agreement with Uruguay with market opportunities for the telecommunications behemoth.

The Agencies' Gazette
New Iranian militia in Syria, Chinese retiree recall, Finnish border, Swedish NSA, ANSSI

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 hone in on Tehran and Zhengzhou, via Helsinki, Stockholm and Paris.

Iran/Syria IRGC mobilises new militia against US interests in Syria

China Retired military, state personnel hired to prevent iPhone production jam

Finland Border guards camp in the east

Sweden Bigger budget for interception agency FRA

France Senators move to make ANSSI more aggressive

Russia
Kremlin retakes control of the patriotic 'black' PR networks

Faced with economic and military difficulties, the Russian presidential administration is looking to tighten up its control over the information sphere. The effects have already been felt by media groups controlled by the powerful factions headed by the country's elite.

Argentina, Israel
Israel Aerospace Industries caught up in Argentinian anti-corruption probe

Argentina's anti-corruption bureau is investigating potential price fixing in a 2016 government-led acquisition of Israel Shipyards patrol boats equipped with Israel Aerospace Industries systems.

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.

France, United Kingdom, United States
Burton moves to Nardello, Sene sanction confirmed, Crystal Blockchain sets up in London, Kikkar debuts in asset recovery, Avisa expands in DC

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 New York, London, Paris and Washington.

Syria, Turkey
Taksim Square blast makes Ankara ill at ease with its private fighters in northern Syria

While it is still not clear who perpetrated the deadly attack in Istanbul on 13 November, a theory that Syrian fighters could be responsible has begun to surface in Ankara. This comes on the back of already growing disquiet between these fighters and their sponsor.

France
France seeks Qatar defence cooperation amid tensions

As strains emerge from criticism and legal action targeting prominent Qataris, France's defence ministry is hoping for a breakthrough in defence cooperation with the Gulf country, which has requested help from a French state armament agency to boost procurement.

Germany
BND's new second in command Philipp Wolff provides fast track to Paris

The German foreign intelligence service has placed its former representative in France at the head of its administration, just as Paris and Berlin relations are going through a cold spell. The new BND vice-president has his work cut out for him with a raft of internal issues to deal with.

Kazakhstan, United States
Astana lobbyists in Washington adapt to new political landscape

The US midterms, shortly followed by a general election in Kazakhstan, have shaken up the networks carefully crafted by Kazakhstani lobbying firms working in Washington for both the government and the opposition. This, as Astana has several cases still pending in the US courts.

The Agencies' Gazette
Access to UK Special Forces, DGSI and criminal records, JIO's new hub, TurkStream under threat and spying on French pilots in China?

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 hone in on London, Paris and Budapest.

United KingdomBen Wallace and the Defence Committee cross swords over parliamentary control of UK Special Forces.

FranceDGSI to have permanent access to criminal records file.

United KingdomThe Joint Intelligence Organisation creates an OSINT "insights hub".

HungaryBudapest scans TurkStream for sabotage risks.

FranceIs DGSE now keeping an eye on ex-Air Force staff abroad following Intelligence Online's revelations?

Iran
Basiji militia leads Pasdaran crackdown against popular uprising in Iran

Mobilising all its military forces in a bid to crush the anti-government uprising that began nearly two months ago, Tehran has positioned its Basiji miltia, which can infiltrate all levels of the poulation, at the front line.

United States
Alaco investigator retained to assist plaintiff seeking damages for alleged sexual assault by fleeing Jordanian diplomat

Commissioned by an alleged victim of a Jordanian diplomat, the investigations firm succeeded in finding contact information from the defendant, who had proved difficult to track down.

Saudi Arabia, United States
MBS's hound hired by FTI Consulting

The PR and investigation firm FTI Consulting has recently hired Madji Al Madani, a key figure in Mohammed bin Salman's anti-corruption purge.

France
French intelligence increasingly mobilised against cults

Cult-like organisations have grown more and more active since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. As a result, French anti-cult agency MIVILUDES, now under the authority of the interior ministry, is increasingly collaborating with the intelligence community.