National

Iraq
Talks on TotalEnergies' mega contract blocked in the final stages

The concluding details of the major deal were due to be settled at the start of the year. Instead, TotalEnergies finds itself in an impasse with the Iraqi authorities, as fresh obstacles to agreement accumulate.

Central Asia, France
French, Americans, Chinese and Russians vie for Kazakhstan's nuclear programme

With numerous competitors, Orano is counting on its long-standing presence in Kazakhstan to secure its place in the nuclear power plant project being promoted by the authorities in Nursultan.

Europe, Russia, United States
Buoyed by Russian sanctions, Chainalysis corners European crypto probe market

With its Reactor software, the New York-based company which has helped US authorities with several high-profile investigations, is the top supplier to European cybercrime agencies. Its competitors on the continent have tended to shy away from tender calls deemed not profitable enough.

The Agencies' 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

The Corporate Intelligence Gazette
Control Risks Group, Tata Consulting Services, Volexity, Maisha Group

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 London, Singapore, Paris and Tel Aviv.

London, Singapore Control Risks Group snaps up Big Four veteran investigator Michael Peer.

Paris Ex-head of international cooperation at ANSSI joins India's Tata Consulting Services.

Paris US firm Volexity steps into French market with hire of Kaspersky CTI specialist Paul Rascagnères.

Tel Aviv, London Report highlights Israeli anti-poaching specialist Maisha Group.

Kazakhstan
ENRC trio and KNB win against US oil company

Kazakhstan's recent victory over Big Sky Energy at the ICSID has brought to an end years of investigation involving both the founders of ENRC and the country's intelligence service.

Spotlight | Turkey
InterProbe launches Turkish cyber-intel in Silicon Valley

The all-rounder cyber intelligence and cyber defence company Interprobe is continuing its westward deployment from Ankara, and is even making advances into the US. It will soon set up shop in Silicon Valley, California.

Saudi Arabia
Riyadh uses Spire Solutions deal to attract fresh cyber education capacity

Dubai-based cyber systems distribution group Spire Solutions, which has teamed up with Saudi Arabia's leading cyber training body, the SAFCSP, brings with it its own army of experts. This will enable Riyadh to reduce its dependence on US instructors, and boost Haboob, the company running its cyber offensive activities.

Germany
US defence industry preps ahead of German contracts rush

Washington's military industrial and diplomatic complex is rallying to make sure it stands a good chance to snap up opportunities created by plans to upgrade the German military.

Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan's security council drafts new military doctrine

The Kazakh government's desire to strengthen its grip on the security apparatus has prompted it to launch an ambitious project to reform it, which is being carried out by recently appointed officials.

China, France
Mystery surrounds pseudonymous co-author of paper detailing MP's links to Beijing

In March, much of the French press picked up a story first published in an academic paper that pointed to ties between China and Buon Tan, who has a seat in the National Assembly and is a member of Emmanuel Macron's party.

United States
Beijing, not Moscow, spoils Biden's intelligence nominees

The CIA's future general counsel Kate Heinzelman is in a tight spot over her previous work for Chinese clients at Sidley Austin law firm, the Biden administration's first port of call for future intelligence hires.

Belarus
Power-struggles cause turmoil in Minsk security circles

Smear campaigns, orchestrated leaks and a coup plot: with Belarus' role in the war in Ukraine in the balance, the country's political and security elite have been struggling to have President Alexander Lukashenko's ear and the support of the intelligence services.

United Kingdom, United States
Arqit plays key role in big quantum encryption projects under development in US and UK

London-based Arqit, which is a key partner of the UK's GCHQ and the US Air Force, is setting the pace in government research on quantum encryption and key distribution in the US and the UK.