China, United States
Beijing purges, part 3: the Guoanbu tightens US embassy system

China
China's NSA has Philippines in its sights

In order to boost its interception capabilities in the South China Sea, the Chinese army's new cyber force has turned to the country's main universities to recruit speakers of Tagalog, the official language of the Philippines.

The Intelligence Gazette
MEIO left out, Hezbollah ties, changes at Pentagon, purges in Beijing

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

France/MalaysiaMalaysian intelligence feels cold shoulder from Paris

FranceNo French nationality for Hezbollah-linked CEA researcher

United StatesPentagon's new data-savvy intelligence boss

ChinaCCP prepares to expel Qin Gang and Li Shangfu

Spotlight | Australia, China
China's Guoanbu keeps control in case of Australian spy who almost got away

Intelligence Online looks at the case of former Chinese spy Yang Hengjun who sought refuge in Australia before being arrested by Beijing and given a suspended death sentence - confirming that a new passport offers no protection for Chinese nationals accused of treason.

China
Soft Power, part 2: Guoanbu's three-pronged strategy in Europe

The Ministry of State Security wants to improve China's image on the continent, which the CCP still considers to be impenetrable. Its new strategy involves identifying more 'neutral' interlocutors to disseminate its narratives in Europe.

China
Xi Jinping to bring PLA political commissars to heel

In his third term, China's president wants to consolidate his hold over his country's military apparatus. To regain control over the politics of the People's Liberation Army, Xi has chosen to drastically rein in political commissars, who have now been relegated to merely executing the party's will.