All articles - Middle East

Azerbaijan, France
On COP29 sidelines, lawyers ramp up efforts to defend one of their French clients in Baku

Lawyers representing French nationals held in Azerbaijan are taking advantage of the world climate conference being held in Baku to raise awareness of their client Théo Clerc's predicament.

Canada, France, Iran
Visa refusal review for researcher of Iranian origin with alleged links to Revolutionary Guards

A French administrative court has suspended a decision to refuse to grant long-stay visas to a couple who are of Iranian origin and who have been recruited to teach at the University of Picardy and a business school in Amiens.

Jordan, UAE
Abu Dhabi and Amman's burgeoning cyber-cooperation

Emirati parastatal defence conglomerate EDGE Group recently sent a delegation including some of its most seasoned cyber specialists to Amman under the guise of training.

Saudi Arabia, United States
Carbon credit brokers battle in US court to be gateway of choice for Gulf investors

Petro-monarchies have struck on carbon trading as a key tool to achieving their net zero goals. But the sector is not without its problems. Less than a year after it launched, the first Saudi-backed offset trading platform has been accused of stealing business secrets.

Iraq, United States
Rebuilding Iraq's financial system, part 2: how K2 Integrity landed role at core of Iraqi central bank reforms

The US investigations firm began its work for Iraq's central bank auditing a group of poorly operating banks. By mid-2024, that role had expanded significantly, with K2 invited to strategy discussions with senior central bank officials.

The Intelligence Gazette
DGSE training camp revamp, Wagner hires for Africa, Xi's talk with Macron at G20, New military intelligence chief in Hanoi, Viginum awaits its hour against Baku

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

FranceDGSE to bring parachutist training centre up to scratch

RussiaWagner's Africa Corps is hiring

China/FranceXi and Macron to discuss Ukraine at G20 summit in Rio

VietnamPham Ngoc Hung closes 10-year chapter as military intelligence chief

FranceViginum awaits its hour against Baku

Iraq, United States
Rebuilding Iraq's financial system, part 1: K2 Integrity's ability to block international dollar payments prompts interference complaints

Not yet confirmed by the Iraqi government, K2's contract with the Central Bank of Iraq includes powers to verify, and decline, dollar payment requests made through a centralised platform. The new process has seen Iraqi financiers lamenting a lack of transparency.