National Security

France
French foreign ministry sets up new anti-disinformation task force

The French foreign ministry has recently gained some ground in the fight against disinformation, while France's military and security aparatus already have their own structures in place.

The Agencies' Gazette
Austria pessimistic over Ukraine, Russian soft power for Africa summit, Europol reaches out to Kyiv

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

AustriaAnalysts not optimistic about Ukraine's chances

RussiaRussian influence agency supports African journalists

UkraineAsset recovery agency steps in line with Europol

Armenia, France
French military diplomacy treads carefully in South Caucasus

By planning to appoint a new French defence attaché in Yerevan, France aims to bring Armenia closer to the West. But in a region torn between multiple antagonistic forces, this new role would have to be carried out with care.

China, Japan
Japan's system of military surveillance for Chinese students draws interest in the West

The pioneering strategy Japan has put in place to fight Chinese interference in the academic sphere is earning attention from an increasing number of foreign powers, including France, the United States and Australia. Intelligence Online investigates the secret system of military surveillance of Chinese students.

Bahrain, France
French paratrooper and boxing enthusiast punches weight for Bahraini princes' business

A former French special forces member turned security and business consultant, Richard Fabre is a close adviser to the two favourite sons of Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, as well as a boxing trainer.

Russia, United Kingdom
London leak at heart of Russian prosecutor's plan to capture FESCO assets

A Russian court has used a London Court of International Arbitration decision to justify confiscating the assets of shipping giant FESCO, amid a four-year battle between its shareholders Ziyavudin Magomedov and Mikhail Rabinovich. The Russian prosecutor was not forthcoming about how he got his hands on the normally confidential ruling.

France, Russia, Vatican
Vatican keen to bring Russian and French sherpas to the negotiating table

After putting out feelers in different European capitals, Pope Francis' team is hoping to bring the French and Russian presidential diplomatic advisers at the Vatican together to discuss Ukraine. The invitation was welcomed by Moscow.

Iraq, Turkey
Baghdad called upon to mediate between the MIT and the PUK

Hugely concerned about the origin of the intelligence that allowed the MIT to attack the Sulaymanyah airport on 7 April, the PUK has called on Baghdad to lead the investigation. It is also hoping to calm down the increasingly tense relations between the Talabani clan and Ankara.

The Agencies' Gazette
Syrian Kurds at French National Assembly, Kyrgyz diplomacy, Ukrainian BEB, US farm security

Appointments, reforms and key issues: every Monday, Intelligence Online serves up snippets big and small from the global intelligence community.

France/SyriaYPG representatives at the French National Assembly

UkraineEconomic security office headless

KyrgyzstanEx-spymaster on the rise in diplomatic corps

USFood security as well as agricultural sovereignty

China
Xi Jinping forms new security clique to stamp out corruption with iron fist

The Chinese leader has entrusted several members of the CCP's new security faction with the challenging task of ensuring the anti-corruption campaign is strictly implemented, especially within those state structures over which Xi Jinping believes he does not yet have full control.

The Tech Telegraph
Filigran raises funds, Mark McLaughlin advises Conceal, Ukraine sets up cyber warfare institute

From SIGINT to GEOINT and OSINT and a dose of cyber, each week we report on events both big and small that matter in the community of technical intelligence providers.

ParisCyber threat intelligence start-up Filigran set to launch fundraising operation

AugustaMark McLaughlin replaces Michael Rogers as Conceal's top adviser

KyivYegor Aushev's Institute of Cyberwarfare looks for partners

United States
Biden administration ratchets up efforts to win renewal of domestic interception law

Advocacy for Section 702 has included deployment of senior officials to press the case and creation of a congressional panel to sensitise lawmakers. The urgency stems from worries among supporters that they don't have the votes needed to win reauthorisation, especially from the Republican side.