State Security

France
Macron set to revamp top diplomatic and security team

The French president is likely to reshuffle his top diplomatic and security team in the coming weeks, a move that will have to juggle major strategic issues with the career ambitions of his loyal lieutenants.

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.

China
Xi Jinping allows some space for 'pacifist' Politburo members

Three rising stars of the Chinese administration, Wang Huning, Li Qiang and Ding Xuexiang have been given space to voice new opinions within the Politburo Standing Committee, with President Xi's consent.

Spotlight | Russia, Saudi Arabia
Ajlan & Bros looks to supply Russian electronic warfare tools to Saudi Arabian intelligence

Sepha, founded by Saudi conglomerate Ajlan & Bros to do business with the Russian defence industry, is putting together a catalogue of Russian-built electronic warfare tools, which it is hoping to supply to the Saudi intelligence services.

Georgia
Georgia tackles overhaul of anti-corruption regulations

To meet the US and EU's good governance standards, Georgia, in the midst of political turmoil, is trying to agree on de-oligarchisation and anti-corruption regulations similar to those adopted by Kyiv. Its intelligence community, also under scrutiny, is hoping to play a part.

Saudi Arabia
Zamil clan increasingly a Saudi defence ally, from telecoms to high-tech munitions

The prominent Saudi family, long popular as a key partner for foreign businesses in Saudi Arabia, is expanding its presence in the defence industry. One of the clan's companies, Wahaj, has been forming new partnerships both in and outside the country.

The Tech Telegraph
ODNI pores over cyberintel industry, Fabian Kaiser moves to ISTARI Global, Sacha Bailly heads Dataminr's defence sales and Belgian spyware

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

WashingtonIs the US clamping down on the cyber intelligence industry?

MunichFabian Kaiser takes over ISTARI Global's office in Munich

ParisSacha Bailly, French Navy and Airbus veteran takes helm of Dataminr's defence activities in France

BrusselsIntelligence oversight committee gives green light to Belgian spyware development

Belarus, Russia
Leak spares key figures of Kremlin's Belarus policy

A document leaked by a consortium of journalists has shed light on some of the Russian networks in charge of increasing Moscow's influence in Minsk. But there are also a handful of individuals shaping and reshaping Russia's Belarus policy left unmasked and still working from behind the scenes.

Saudi Arabia
Khaled Biyari, chief of Saudi Arabia's mission-critical communications network

Sidelining Saudi Arabia's General Authority for Military Industries, Mohammed bin Salman has tasked the deputy defence ministry with overseeing the construction of a mission-critical communications network for the country's defence institutions.

Spotlight | China, Saudi Arabia
Huawei goes all out to win mission-critical communications contract for Saudi defence

The Chinese tech giant is lobbying hard in Riyadh to build Saudi Arabia's defence and intelligence mission-critical communications, while pointing out the shortcomings of its European rivals for the business.

Belarus
Belarusian 'Bellingcat' caught up in opposing disinformation campaigns

Run by exiled journalist and activist Anton Motolko, the @Hajun_BY Telegram channel gathers information about Russian troop and military hardware movements in Belarus. Used by private sector consultants and the Belarusian opposition alike, the channel has also come under attack from Belarusian intelligence services.

Spymaster | Ukraine
Ukraine's bodyguard in chief Sergiy Rud

Ukraine's department of state protection, UDO, which is responsible for Vladimir Zelensky's security and other key interests at the heart of the state, has to meet the considerable challenge of protecting the president's life under threat since the very first hours of the Russian invasion.

Russia, Ukraine
Russian intelligence puts down roots in Donetsk

Firmly established in Donbas for many years, Russia's intelligence services have been gradually taking over the dense security apparatus in Donetsk.