Syria, United States
Congress struggles to clarify US approach to Syria

Spotlight | Israel, Russia, Syria
Western spy agencies worried by Russian delivery of Israeli-designed drones to Syria

The intelligence services of several countries in the global coalition operating in Syria and Iraq are keeping a close eye on ISR drones that Moscow is sending to Damascus, much to Israel's fury.

The Intelligence Gazette
New Iranian militia in Syria, Chinese retiree recall, Finnish border, Swedish NSA, ANSSI

Appointments, reforms and the issues at stake: every Monday, Intelligence Online serves up snippets big and small from the global intelligence community. This week we hone in on Tehran and Zhengzhou, via Helsinki, Stockholm and Paris.

Iran/Syria IRGC mobilises new militia against US interests in Syria

China Retired military, state personnel hired to prevent iPhone production jam

Finland Border guards camp in the east

Sweden Bigger budget for interception agency FRA

France Senators move to make ANSSI more aggressive

The Intelligence Gazette
Cofrex, Viginum, Uzbek SGB, US Captagon crackdown

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

FranceCOFREX picks representative for its Expo 2025 Osaka presence.

FranceStéphane Bouillon discloses Viginum's annual report.

UzbekistanInternal Security Service adds another layer to border control.

WashingtonDNI to sniff out Assad-linked Captagon.

Syria, United Kingdom, United States
Oil firm Gulfsands sees new opportunities in updated US sanctions list

Washington's recent decision to exclude the oil sector from the foreign investments it is allowing once again in northeast Syria paves the way for the return to the area of juniors linked to the Syrian regime, such as UK oil firm Gulfsands Petroleum.

Jordan
GID gets battle ready to tackle drug trafficking

Jordan's intelligence community is on high alert over the increased threat of Captagon pills coming across the border from Syria and has been recruiting amongst those connected to the illicit drug trade there.

Lebanon, United States
Washington finally ready to launch its anti-drug strategy against Hezbollah

Worried about the scale of the trafficking of captagon pills through Lebanon in particular, with Syria the main source, the US authorities intend to grant additional funds to the Lebanese security forces, which are supposed to be involved in this operation.

Syria, United States
USSOCOM to face Assad forces on the Iraq-Syria border

Despite pleas from the US to repoen the Til Koçer crossing between Iraq and Syria, the Kurdish authorities have decided to give its control to Syrian forces, a move that further weakens Washington's position in northeastern Syria.

Spotlight | Iraq, Syria
Syrian and Iraqi spymasters share challenge of cross-border insecurity

Determined to make the road between Baghdad and Damascus a prosperous trading route, the Syrian and Iraqi authorities are very aware of the need to secure their border in the light of continued sporadic attacks from the Islamic State group.

Syria
Pasdaran attacks US's Al-Tanf Syrian Garrison

Tehran's priority is to see US troops leave Syria and it has stepped up its deployment of armed drones, which were used to attack the Al-Tanf garrison in October.

Syria, United States
US Treasury grapples with complex application of Caesar Act

As the US attempts to shift its Syria policy, showing greater tolerance towards the normalisation of that country's relations with neighbouring states, Joe Biden is hampered by the sanctions regime put in place by the Trump administration, which also has officials overwhelmed.

Syria, United States
Delta Crescent Energy reads between policy lines to stay put in northeast

Still unknown just a year ago, the small US oil company Delta Crescent Energy has carved out a place for itself in northeastern Syria, working alongside Kurdish forces that control the area. It intends to maintain its presence there despite obstacles set by the new Biden administration.

Syria
American special forces stuck in a tight corner in north east Syria

The United States Special Operations Command forces, which were sent to Syria to fight Islamic State, are also having to deal with the forces of Bashar Al Assad, who is hostile to America's continued presence in his country.