SGDSN

France
After DGSE, Martin Briens extends influence at French foreign ministry

A specialist in strategic affairs who previously worked for France's DGSE foreign intelligence service, Martin Briens was promoted to secretary general at the foreign ministry in January.

France
Special funds budget for France set to reach nearly €100m for 2027

The final deliberations underway over France's 2027 budget are being closely watched by the intelligence services, especially with the special funds budget expected to rise sharply to around €100m, according to our sources. But in previous years, the amount budgeted has often fallen far short of the final figure disbursed.

France
Race is on to find new DRM military intelligence chief

General Jacques Langlade de Montgros, who has headed France's DRM military intelligence since 2022, is shortly set to be appointed Chief of the Army Staff. The favourite candidate to succeed him now appears to be falling behind in favour of the French army's second in command.

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.

China
Solomon Islands' secret security deal with Beijing survives change of government

The new prime minister of the Solomon Islands, Matthew Wale, had long promised transparency regarding the secret security deal signed with Beijing in 2022. But in a sharp turnaround, the leader recently said he will not release the agreement.

France
Government pushes lawmakers to approve messaging app backdoors

The French government hopes to persuade senators to withdraw a proposed ban of backdoors on messaging apps in proposed legislation on infrastructure resilience and cybersecurity.

France
SGDSN given big budget boost to counter hybrid attacks

France's SGDSN defence and national security secretariat has split the extra funding it has received since September 2025 to combat hybrid threats between its four operators ANSSI, Osiic, GIC and Viginum.

Spotlight | Europe, France
France's Viginum takes fight against Russian propaganda to Europe's eastern flank

In a bid to fight Russian propaganda, France's foreign disinformation watchdog is deploying its teams across Europe, extending as far as Armenia in the Caucasus. In doing so, the agency is following in the footsteps of its ‘big brother', France's DGSE foreign intelligence service.

France
French MPs seek to tighten controls on foreign investment

French MPs have taken a number of initiatives in recent months that reflect the increasing importance of regulating foreign investments. The underlying desire is to bolster the finance ministry's Strategic Information and Economic Security Service tasked with protecting national economic interests.

The Agencies' Gazette
SGDSN anniversary watch, ODNI military adviser, Kyiv's Africa plan

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

FranceBespoke watches for SGDSN's 120th anniversary

USTulsi Gabbard's new military adviser is a Marine

UkraineA plan for Kyiv's return to Africa

France
Woman analyst in pole position to lead DGSE operations against Russia

In accordance with its proactive gender equality policies, France's foreign intelligence agency is expected to appoint a woman specialist of the Russian-speaking world to direct its most important mission centre, which has seen its influence rapidly grow.