National Guard

Saudi Arabia
Mohammed bin Salman hunts Abdullah's military equipment broker

The royal authorities have set their sights on businessman Salah Fustok, the authorising officer for the National Guard's contracts during King Abdullah's reign, and are determined to apprehend him.

Russia
New FSB special forces chief takes charge

Alexander Bondarenko is the new commander of the FSB's special forces and will oversee counter-terrorism, critical infrastructure protection and operational support operations in Ukraine. Predecessor Alexander Tikhonov is stepping down following a legal scandal.

The Intelligence Gazette
CIA and Taliban, UK geospatial intel, Russian control centre in Ukraine, Serbian BIA

Appointments, reforms and key issues: every Monday, Intelligence Online serves up snippets of news, big and small, from the global intelligence community. This week we hone in on Doha, Baghdad, London and Moscow.

United States/AfghanistanIslamabad and Doha aid CIA-Taliban meeting.

United KingdomIntelligence issues in British space strategy.

RussiaIntelligence services at heart of new Ukraine coordination council.

SerbiaVucic blends geopolitics with internal security.

Russia, Ukraine
Moscow's new high command embarks on three-stage scorched earth offensive

Surrounded by powerful rivals, new Russian commander in Ukraine Sergey Surovikin is looking to establish his authority with an audacious battle plan. His aim is to retake lost Ukrainian territory, force Kyiv to negotiate and win the confidence of Vladimir Putin.

Saudi Arabia
MBS spares veteran spymaster Khaled bin Ali Al Humaidan in Saudi shake up

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who was appointed prime minister in September, has made another step towards the title of king. He is meanwhile ushering his young guard into the bastions of power - except for the intelligence service, which remains untouched.

France, Saudi Arabia
DCI aims relaunch in Riyad

French parastatal military training consultancy Défense Conseil International is looking for a new bureau chief in Saudi Arabia to boost the group, namely through special forces training.

Russia, Ukraine
Ukrainian and Russian intelligence services keep close watch over Kerch Strait Bridge

The Russian bridge over the 35 km-long strait, which has both symbolic and strategic importance, has been kept under increased surveillance by both the Ukrainian and Russian intelligence services in recent months.

Russia
From Moscow to Ukraine, demand for Rosgvardia continues to grow

The Russian paramilitary security service Rosgvardia is being stretched to its limits, as it is being deployed in the conquered areas of Ukraine and in its homeland, where the Ministry of the Interior needs it to ensure officials' safety.

The Intelligence Gazette
Egypt's IS troubles, Kazakhstan's National Guard, Ukraine's new Marines

Appointments, reforms and key issues: every Monday, Intelligence Online serves up snippets of news, big and small, from the global intelligence community. This week we head to Cairo, Nur-Sultan and Odessa.

Egypt Military intel targeted by the local IS

Kazakhstan National Guard ups border surveillance

Ukraine New Marines' Odessa training

Russia
Small legislative revolutions in store for Russia's private security sector

With mistrust growing across the board, Moscow is looking for ways to better control the tchopi, or private security firms, operating on Russian territory while at the same time tap into their more in-the-field presence to support the state security services.

Uzbekistan
With new monopoly, National Guard eats further into SGB's powers

A veritable incubator of trusted men for Uzbek President Mirziyoyev, the National Guard continues to gain power over the historic intelligence service inherited from the KGB, the SGB. Its latest prerogative is to become the sole provider of security services to the private sector.

Russia, UAE
Armoured vehicle maker Streit symbolises Russia-UAE defence industry ties

Guerman Goutorov, head of the Ras Al Khaimah-based Streit Group, one of the world's largest armoured vehicle manufacturers, has reorientated his activities since the war in Ukraine and is counting on support from Putin's inner circle and the UAE authorities to help him break into new markets in Africa.

France
ADIT goes after Sofema and DCI

Acquiring former procurement office Sofema would significantly increase corporate intelligence group ADIT's stake in foreign armies training specialist DCI. But to take control of the latter, ADIT, majority owned by the Sagard fund, must convince the French state to give up some of its shares.

Saudi Arabia
A notable absence: Saudi Arabia's Land Forces Commander was not at Eurosatory

Many of the world's military chiefs attended the European defence show in Paris but the chief of Saudi Arabia's land forces was conspicuously absent, illustrating the power games at play in Mohammed bin Salman's new defence circles.

Russia, Ukraine
FSB still at forefront of intelligence gathering in Ukraine

Rumours abound about the leadership of the Russian security services deployed in Ukraine to back the military offensive and feed Moscow with intelligence from the field.