MIT

Iraq, Turkey
Hakan Fidan makes his moves on Iraq's complex political chessboard

The Turkish spymaster, tasked with meeting Iraqi politicians, now stands accused of interfering in the country's internal affairs. But this hasn't stopped him discreetly calling for the formation of a government that would guarantee Ankara's security and economic interests.

Egypt, Turkey
Abbas Kamel bets on experienced spies to mend broken ties with Ankara

Egypt's spymaster has devoted his best men to bridging the divide between Egypt and Turkey. Reconciliation has become a strategic matter for both parties, especially with regards to the thorny issue of the Muslim Brotherhood whose members are in exile in Turkey.

Syria, Turkey
Turkish and Syrian spy chiefs Hakan Fidan and Ali Mamlouk talk again at Russia's initiative

Keen to play the role of mediator between Turkey and Syria, Russia sponsored a new meeting between the spy chiefs of the two countries, which have been at daggers drawn since 2011. The results were not convincing but the meeting at least allowed Ankara and Damascus to set out their demands.

Spotlight | China, UAE, United States
Abu Dhabi's AI champion at crux of Sino-US cross-interest

In joining forces with US research centre Petuum, Group 42's AI lab is reinforcing the growing cooperation between Abu Dhabi and Washington in this area, which is increasingly based on Chinese financial interests.

Ukraine
Kyiv stands tall at international defence fairs despite war

The Ukrainian defence ministry, which in normal times exhibits its defence wares in the world's trade shows, has decided to keep attending these events. Kyiv has just had a stand at Eurosatory in Paris and also plans to be present at Farnborough in the UK.

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

Israel, Turkey
Tel Aviv's spymasters slow down reconciliation with Ankara

Israel and Turkey had been warming to one another, but recent recommendations from Israel's national security council, warning Israelis to avoid travel to Turkey because of Iranian activisim, have put up a roadblock.

Turkey
Armed security: Sadat's decline is benefiting Ekol Security

Armed security group Sadat, which had once hoped to become the main paramilitary arm of Turkey's regional policies, is losing ground increasingly to Ekol Security, a company set up by one of its own founders.

Egypt, Turkey
Turkish and Egyptian spymasters eye deal on Muslim Brotherhood extradition

Ankara, bent on regional reconciliation, is hoping to finalise the normalisaion of its relations with Cairo. It is ready to concede on the issue of extraditing exiled Muslim Brotherhood members, a non-negotiable condition for Egypt.

Iraq
Security tensions high in Iraq's overcrowded Sinjar Mountain region

Various Iraqi and foreign interests with shifting alliances, including Turkey, Iran and the US, have added to the instability in Iraq's Sinjar region.

Syria, Turkey
Turkish and Syrian spymasters making furtive moves to prepare for future normalisation

Though far from singing the praises of Bashar Al Assad's regime, Ankara recognises that the regime's continued existence points to a need to restore dialogue between the two countries. Turkey's intelligence service, the MIT, is taking the first steps towards this.

The Intelligence Gazette
PKK leaders, DGSI, SCO, DoS in Georgia, France-Ukraine

Appointments, reforms and the issues at stake: every Monday, Intelligence Online serves up snippets big and small from the global intelligence community. This week, from Sinjar to Paris via Shanghai, Kyiv, Washington and Tbilisi.

IraqPKK renews high command's mandate and reaffirms strategic priorities

FranceDGSI's role in counterterrorism secured

Russia/ChinaBeijing counts on Russia to promote SCO

USA/GeorgiaWashington confirms its commitment to Tbilisi

France/UkraineFlorence Parly sticks to low estimate on Paris's Ukraine spending

Turkey, Ukraine
How Ankara is luring the best minds of Kyiv's defence industry

While bolstering Ukraine's army with its drones, Ankara is also hoping to benefit from the country's defence industry's expertise. To this end, Turkey has set up policies to attract engineers from Kyiv's major defence groups.

The Intelligence Gazette
Hamas in Turkey, GPIS in Paris, NATO in Georgia

Appointments, reforms and the issues at stake: every Monday, Intelligence Online serves up snippets big and small from the global intelligence community from Paris to Tbilisi by Istanbul.

Palestine/Israel/Turkey: Ankara and Tel Aviv are talking againto Hamas's dismay

France GPIS, Paris's social housing security service provider, collects intelligence for the police

Georgia NATO's ex-liaison officer in Kyiv takes up residence in Tbilisi