France
Paris and Ankara vie for Interpol presidency

The French candidate appears to be the front-runner in the race to head the international police organisation, for which his Turkish rival is also leading an active campaign. Candidates from the Ethiopian and Namibian police forces are also seeking the position.

Israel
Doha strikes boost support for UN conference on Palestinian statehood

The Israeli missile strikes on Doha have given a new impetus to the United Nations conference backed by Paris and Riyadh and set for 22 September, which is expected to lead to the recognition of a Palestinian state.

Israel, Qatar
Israeli strikes on Doha: analyses point to use of Silver Sparrow missile

Initial analyses of the Israeli strikes on Doha on 9 September indicate the Israel Defense Forces flew over Syria, without prompting any reaction from the US anti-aircraft defence systems based in the country.

Iran, UAE
Western expats conceal work for sanctions-busting family of top Iranian security chief

For years, the UAE-based employees of Iranian trading magnate Hossein Shamkhani, son of a former secretary to the Supreme National Security Council, have kept their affiliation secret. Intelligence Online has identified numerous Western professionals in the pay of the group.

Iran, UAE
Fake names, empty offices and code words: How Iranian securocrat's family keeps illicit oil ops alive

The Shamkhani group's huge oil, gas and commodities empire has generated tens of billions of dollars by facilitating trading of Russian and Iranian products. As US and European governments clamp down on the group's activities, employees have sought various ways to avoid detection.

Saudi Arabia
Loyal MbS aide takes charge of fighter jet talks

The sudden dismissal of three senior Saudi defence industry officials last month has called into question most military procurement negotiations. One figure appears to be the new point man for fighter jet acquisitions.

Philippines
Manila defence chief sets sights on Indian underwater drones

The strategic rapprochement between New Delhi and Manila has led the Philippine defence secretary, Gilberto Teodoro, to consider alternative options to acquiring submarines.

UAE
From grappling mat to boat building empire: the story of the UAE spy chief's former jiu jitsu partner turned top shipping exec

Little in Guy Neivens' background foretold his role as one of Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed's closest confidants, but the unassuming former sports enthusiast from London now manages more than $2bn of marine infrastructure assets.

Bosnia, United States
Bosnian Serb charm offensive targets Trump's power circle

United Kingdom
Audere-Viceroy: UK ombudsman studying MP's involvement in black PR campaign

Short seller Fraser Perring's complaint to the House of Commons' Standards Commissioner last month upped the ante in a long-running campaign against Liam Byrne MP, who is accused of abusing parliamentary privileges during a speech in 2023.

Australia, UAE
Dubai money laundering trial explores nexus of Western financiers and lawyers in UAE

A Dubai criminal court has been hearing evidence of fraud and money laundering against more than 12 individuals and entities in the UAE litigation sector. Among the accused are lawyers, Gulf law firms and the CEO of London-listed dispute funder Litigation Capital Management.

France, Russia
Russian propaganda machine sets sights on West's 'Coalition of the Willing' for Ukraine

A fake military map showing blown-up projections of an imaginary deployment of the "Coalition of the Willing" in Ukraine is circulating on social media accounts close to the Kremlin. The disinformation campaign highlights Moscow's misconceptions regarding the capabilities of the alliance, whose efforts are already stalling.

France
French army gives up on Safran's Patroller drone

After months of rumours, several military sources say the French army is set to quietly abandon the Patroller programme, which has been marked by technical delays, tactical vulnerabilities and incompatibility with the realities of modern warfare observed in Ukraine.