Russia, Ukraine
War in Ukraine puts Russia's Jewish Chabad-Lubavitch community under pressure

France, Russia, Vatican
Vatican keen to bring Russian and French sherpas to the negotiating table

After putting out feelers in different European capitals, Pope Francis' team is hoping to bring the French and Russian presidential diplomatic advisers at the Vatican together to discuss Ukraine. The invitation was welcomed by Moscow.

The Intelligence Gazette
Mossad attack on Iran, War economy discussed at French National Assembly, Rondot gets a biography, Russian mobilisation, Nippon Foundation head meets the Pope, Russian security council reshuffled

Appointments, reforms and key issues: every Monday, Intelligence Online serves up snippets big and small from the global intelligence community. This week, we visit Tehran, Paris, Rome and Moscow.

Israel/IranMossad satisfied by latest operation against Iran

FranceNational Assembly studies defence group financing

FranceIntelligence veteran Rondot gets a biography

RussiaMobilisation and conscription continue to split the elites

Japan/VaticanNippon Foundation president meets Pope Francis

RussiaNikolai Patrushev's inner circle remodelled

France, Ukraine
Parisian PR veterans back Kyiv through #StandWithUkraine

#StandWithUkraine, a French association headed by two PR professionals with close connections to Kyiv, is heavily involved in the communications and legal side of the war in Ukraine. It has been carrying out a series of public relations operations in Europe.

Russia
Russia's religious institutions clash over military draft exemption

Mobilisation continues to divide Russia's ruling class and, behind it, the country's influential religious groups, who are actively taking part in the political debate on the war. Both the Orthodox Church and the Old Believers are trying to weigh in on discussions through their respective networks.

Russia, San Marino, Vatican
War in Ukraine: San Marino offers to be Vatican's diplomatic pedestal

Two consultants, one French, the other Russian, are working to shape and then promote Pope Francis's mediation efforts with Moscow and Kyiv. They would like to see the microstate of San Marino play host to future talks.

Europe, Russia
Russian Orthodox Church bounces back via Budapest posting

Russian Patriarch Kirill and his Hungary-based right-hand man Hilarion have taken stock of their faux pas at the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and are manoeuvring on various fronts to try to emerge from their religious and diplomatic isolation.

Russia, Vatican
War in Ukraine: Vatican and Patriarch of Moscow rally their networks

While the Vatican is trying to position itself as a neutral negotiator between Moscow and Kyiv, the Patriarch of Moscow is looking for ways to counter his own increasing isolation.