National

Spotlight | United States, Vatican
Ex-CIA agents claim security contracts with 'Vatican' stamp

The arrival of several US intelligence veterans as consultants at a security firm that claims to operate to Vatican standards has raised eyebrows in the sector.

Subscribers only Agencies, Contractors 23.06.2026

A statue of St Peter at the Vatican, to which US private security and intelligence firm VORDR International loosely claims to have ties.

France
Leading French private intel firm offered to 'bring DGSE spymaster' to one of its clients

A French court ruling has shed light on the services promised by strategy and influence consultancy ESL & Network – part of ADIT Group. It offered to organise a conference attended by the boss of France's DGSE foreign intelligence service as well as two ministers.

Subscribers only Corporate Intel 23.06.2026

Leading French private intel firm ESL & Network reportedly offered one of its clients the opportunity to organise a conference possibly attended by the DGSE chief.

United States
Pentagon poised to take over National Intelligence University

A unique higher education institution, the NIU is soon to be absorbed by the US Department of Defense. The move, which comes amid sweeping cuts in the intelligence community, will result in a fall in the number of courses on offer.

Subscribers only Agencies 22.06.2026

Europe, France, Russia
French police officer deemed too close to Russia to join Frontex

An officer with the French police force had been slated to join the European Border and Coast Guard agency Frontex for five years, but a decision by the French authorities - who are concerned about his family ties to Russia - has scuppered those plans.

Subscribers only Agencies 22.06.2026

European border agency Frontex headquarters in Warsaw, on 29 April 2022.

Belgium, France, Vietnam
Hanoi uses diplomacy and its 'united front' to tap into Europe's AI and nuclear tech

A growing number of associations of Vietnamese experts abroad, overseen by Hanoi's embassies, reflect the Southeast Asian nation's desire to make the most of its diaspora in strategic sectors such as civil nuclear and AI.

Subscribers only Back-Door Diplomacy 19.06.2026

China
Beijing beefs up strategic coastline surveillance

China is expanding its coastal monitoring and scientific research centres. In addition to these programmes' stated environmental goals, they incorporate dual-use technologies and practices.

Subscribers only Operations, Defence 19.06.2026

A view of Rizhao Port in the Chinese province of Shandong, overlooking the Yellow Sea, on 1 September 2025.

France
DGSE's clandestine Action Service hunts for new post-presidential chief

The French foreign intelligence service is on the lookout for a new chief to head its highly strategic Action Service. Finding the right candidate ahead of the presidential election next year has become all the more crucial in light of a potential far-right National Rally win, for which the service would have to carry out its most notorious special operations.

Subscribers only Agencies 19.06.2026

Spotlight | UAE
US and UK consultants stranded in UAE for months amid money laundering probe

A corruption complaint filed in 2024, relating to events at the now-defunct Abraaj investor group, saw scores of expatriates subject to movement and asset restrictions. Two years later, sources close to the case say authorities in Sharjah have cleared all previously-named suspects, effectively ending the probe.

Subscribers only Corporate Intel 18.06.2026

The Sharjah skyline from Dubai Airport, United Arab Emirates.

United States
Tulsi Gabbard's ODNI cuts also targeted counternarcotics

The major downsizing of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, spearheaded by its head Tulsi Gabbard, has also hit the fight against drug trafficking, despite the US administration setting the issue as a top priority.

Subscribers only Agencies 18.06.2026

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, discussing counternarcotics during a panel discussion with the Working Group on Internal Security, in Washington, DC, on 23 October 2025.

France
DGSE locks down top positions until presidential

From new appointments to job extensions, France's foreign intelligence service is making its final staff adjustments ahead of next year's presidential election.

Subscribers only Agencies 18.06.2026

The head of France's DGSE external security agency Nicolas Lerner, in Paris, on 11 June 2026.

Deep Dive | Belgium, China, European Union
European Commission beefs up security in face of China threat

After years of lax security despite being increasingly targeted by foreign intelligence services, the European Union has stepped up its game recently, even as the Commission seeks to set up its own intelligence unit.

Subscribers only Agencies, Operations 18.06.2026

Brussels, a hub for Chinese spies (3/3).

The Corporate Intelligence Gazette
K2, Michelin and AZ Security

Appointments, financial results, new contracts: every Wednesday, we report on events both big and small that matter in the global corporate intelligence community.

New YorkK2 acquires AI firm from Kroll-affiliated VC group

ParisEx-ANSSI official replaces former DGSE executive as Michelin's security chief

ParisAZ Security secures lucrative UAE Paris embassy contract

Subscribers only 17.06.2026

Deep Dive | China, European Union, France
China's learned European influence network

Beijing maintains a network of pseudo-independent entities and academic ties across Europe which it uses to spread its narrative among member states and within European institutions. The network is sometimes also used for espionage and influence operations.

Subscribers only Operations, Information Wars 17.06.2026

Brussels, a hub for Chinese spies (2/3).

Deep Dive | China, European Union
From seduction to disdain, EU diplomacy grapples with China

The European Union's diplomatic arm under Josep Borrell took its relationship with Beijing so far that several senior Commission officials got their fingers burnt. There has however been a noticeable hardening of the stance towards China since the arrival of his successor, Kaja Kallas.

Subscribers only Back-Door Diplomacy 16.06.2026

Brussels, a hub for Chinese spies (1/3).

France, Ukraine, United States
Mistral AI pursuing Palantir-style partnership with Kyiv

The French AI startup is set to deploy a team in Kyiv, with the backing of the French Defence mission there, to work with the Ukrainian Centre for Innovation and Development of Defence Technologies. Mistral AI is seeking to gain access to the DELTA ecosystem and its combat data, a move which Palantir is watching closely.

Subscribers only Defence 16.06.2026

An advertisement for French AI startup Mistral AI displayed inside Grand Central subway station in New York, on 21 May 2026.

Poland
Warsaw steps up talks with European firms to free itself from Palantir

The Polish Ministry of Defence is stepping up consultations with European stakeholders in a bid to extricate itself from its proposed agreement with the US firm Palantir to acquire an AI-powered data processing platform.

Subscribers only Cybersecurity 16.06.2026

Spotlight | Europe
Costs swell for 'Putin tribunal' in The Hague as Russian threat rises

The Netherlands, where the new Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine is based, has asked for extra funding to boost its defences against threats of interference and espionage from the main defendant, Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Subscribers only Back-Door Diplomacy 15.06.2026

The International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands, on 23 April 2026.

Myanmar
Min Aung Hlaing turns to Putin to help win back Southeast Asia

After visiting India, the junta leader who this year became president of Myanmar was expected to attend a Russia-ASEAN summit in Kazan in mid-June. The fact that he is sending someone else does not change his ambition to become Moscow's man in a divided Southeast Asia.

Subscribers only Back-Door Diplomacy 15.06.2026

Min Aung Hlaing, President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, on 10 April 2026 in Naypyidaw.

Spotlight | United States, Vatican
Ex-CIA agents claim security contracts with 'Vatican' stamp

France
Leading French private intel firm offered to 'bring DGSE spymaster' to one of its clients

United States
Pentagon poised to take over National Intelligence University

Europe, France, Russia
French police officer deemed too close to Russia to join Frontex

Belgium, France, Vietnam
Hanoi uses diplomacy and its 'united front' to tap into Europe's AI and nuclear tech

China
Beijing beefs up strategic coastline surveillance

France
DGSE's clandestine Action Service hunts for new post-presidential chief

Spotlight | UAE
US and UK consultants stranded in UAE for months amid money laundering probe

United States
Tulsi Gabbard's ODNI cuts also targeted counternarcotics

France
DGSE locks down top positions until presidential

Deep Dive | Belgium, China, European Union
European Commission beefs up security in face of China threat

The Corporate Intelligence Gazette
K2, Michelin and AZ Security

New YorkK2 acquires AI firm from Kroll-affiliated VC group

ParisEx-ANSSI official replaces former DGSE executive as Michelin's security chief

ParisAZ Security secures lucrative UAE Paris embassy contract

Deep Dive | China, European Union, France
China's learned European influence network

Deep Dive | China, European Union
From seduction to disdain, EU diplomacy grapples with China

France, Ukraine, United States
Mistral AI pursuing Palantir-style partnership with Kyiv

Poland
Warsaw steps up talks with European firms to free itself from Palantir

Spotlight | Europe
Costs swell for 'Putin tribunal' in The Hague as Russian threat rises

Myanmar
Min Aung Hlaing turns to Putin to help win back Southeast Asia

United States
Washington seeks to bolster arsenal in Arctic against Chinese and Russian espionage

The Agencies' Gazette
Ex-CIA at Stanford, French fight against organised crime, strategic post in Beijing

USFormer NIC vice-president lands new job at Stanford

FranceDefence ministry considering involvement in fight against organised crime

ChinaXi secures loyal advisers post Politburo

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National

Spotlight | United States, Vatican Ex-CIA agents claim security contracts with 'Vatican' stamp

France Leading French private intel firm offered to 'bring DGSE spymaster' to one of its clients

United States Pentagon poised to take over National Intelligence University

Europe, France, Russia French police officer deemed too close to Russia to join Frontex

Belgium, France, Vietnam Hanoi uses diplomacy and its 'united front' to tap into Europe's AI and nuclear tech

China Beijing beefs up strategic coastline surveillance

France DGSE's clandestine Action Service hunts for new post-presidential chief

Spotlight | UAE US and UK consultants stranded in UAE for months amid money laundering probe

United States Tulsi Gabbard's ODNI cuts also targeted counternarcotics

France DGSE locks down top positions until presidential

Deep Dive | Belgium, China, European Union European Commission beefs up security in face of China threat

The Corporate Intelligence Gazette K2, Michelin and AZ Security

New YorkK2 acquires AI firm from Kroll-affiliated VC group

ParisEx-ANSSI official replaces former DGSE executive as Michelin's security chief

ParisAZ Security secures lucrative UAE Paris embassy contract

Deep Dive | China, European Union, France China's learned European influence network

Deep Dive | China, European Union From seduction to disdain, EU diplomacy grapples with China

France, Ukraine, United States Mistral AI pursuing Palantir-style partnership with Kyiv

Poland Warsaw steps up talks with European firms to free itself from Palantir

Spotlight | Europe Costs swell for 'Putin tribunal' in The Hague as Russian threat rises

Myanmar Min Aung Hlaing turns to Putin to help win back Southeast Asia

United States Washington seeks to bolster arsenal in Arctic against Chinese and Russian espionage

The Agencies' Gazette Ex-CIA at Stanford, French fight against organised crime, strategic post in Beijing

USFormer NIC vice-president lands new job at Stanford

FranceDefence ministry considering involvement in fight against organised crime

ChinaXi secures loyal advisers post Politburo

Recommended keywords

About Intelligence Online

Subscription

Intelligence Online on social media

Indigo Publications' websites

Spotlight | United States, Vatican
Ex-CIA agents claim security contracts with 'Vatican' stamp

France
Leading French private intel firm offered to 'bring DGSE spymaster' to one of its clients

United States
Pentagon poised to take over National Intelligence University

Europe, France, Russia
French police officer deemed too close to Russia to join Frontex

Belgium, France, Vietnam
Hanoi uses diplomacy and its 'united front' to tap into Europe's AI and nuclear tech

China
Beijing beefs up strategic coastline surveillance

France
DGSE's clandestine Action Service hunts for new post-presidential chief

Spotlight | UAE
US and UK consultants stranded in UAE for months amid money laundering probe

United States
Tulsi Gabbard's ODNI cuts also targeted counternarcotics

France
DGSE locks down top positions until presidential

Deep Dive | Belgium, China, European Union
European Commission beefs up security in face of China threat

The Corporate Intelligence Gazette
K2, Michelin and AZ Security

Deep Dive | China, European Union, France
China's learned European influence network

Deep Dive | China, European Union
From seduction to disdain, EU diplomacy grapples with China

France, Ukraine, United States
Mistral AI pursuing Palantir-style partnership with Kyiv

Poland
Warsaw steps up talks with European firms to free itself from Palantir

Spotlight | Europe
Costs swell for 'Putin tribunal' in The Hague as Russian threat rises

Myanmar
Min Aung Hlaing turns to Putin to help win back Southeast Asia

United States
Washington seeks to bolster arsenal in Arctic against Chinese and Russian espionage

The Agencies' Gazette
Ex-CIA at Stanford, French fight against organised crime, strategic post in Beijing