People's Liberation Army

Africa, China
Space-based surveillance: no change from Beijing as rebels advance in Sudan

The capture of the strategic town of Heglig by Sudanese Rapid Support Forces rebels on 8 December puts them in control of the CNPC pipeline valve, which exports South Sudanese crude oil to Port Sudan.

Taiwan
Taipei lagging behind Beijing in geospatial intelligence

Taiwan's launch of a new Earth observation satellite appears to be a hollow success. The country is still heavily dependent on US and European imagery to monitor its Chinese neighbour.

China
NATO and Peter Thiel's kamikaze drone start-up closely watched by China

Beijing has been taking an increasing number of satellite images of sites being used to test kamikaze drones made by NATO-backed start-up Stark Defence.

The Agencies' Gazette
Paris Club's Madrid meet, fired NSA ace joins CFR, cut in French intel's 2026 budget, China's retrospective scrutiny turns to PLA

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

SpainEuropean spy chiefs hold Madrid get-together

United StatesSacked by NSA, artificial intelligence whiz bounces back at think tank

FranceSpecial funding for intelligence down for 2026 budget

ChinaAfter Rocket Force, retrospective checks for PLA

China
Airsat, STAR.VISION... Chinese geospatial intelligence in upheaval

The emergence of Airsat illustrates the evolution of China's Earth observation industrial ecosystem. Players are renewed based on their results, but also according to the changing role of their regional or national sponsors, who may or may not give their projects launch slots.

China, Hong Kong
Hong Kong abandons hopes of autonomy in military intelligence

Despite rumours that Hong Kong had gained some autonomy in military intelligence, Intelligence Online can confirm that the Chinese Communist Party retains control in all strategic areas, given the lack of trust in the local authorities.