Donald Trump

United States
Rubio on hunt for China experts ahead of the Trump-Xi summit

Following a year marked by drastic restructuring and staff cuts, the US State Department's intelligence agency is beginning to rebuild its analytical capabilities and has turned its focus to Beijing.

The Agencies' Gazette
SGDSN anniversary watch, ODNI military adviser, Kyiv's Africa plan

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

FranceBespoke watches for SGDSN's 120th anniversary

USTulsi Gabbard's new military adviser is a Marine

UkraineA plan for Kyiv's return to Africa

Ukraine
SBU blocks Ukrainian drone manufacturers from exporting, especially to Gulf states

Kyiv's domestic intelligence service has ordered Ukrainian manufacturers of drones and interception equipment to cease all commercial exports outside the state framework. This move comes as Gulf nations urgently seek technology to protect themselves from strikes by Tehran.

Spotlight | Israel
Blame game erupts within Israel's security apparatus

It's daggers drawn among Israeli security officials as they seek to blame each other for the situation in Iran. The head of the Mossad is having to speak out in defence of his service.

Spotlight | Caribbean, United States
Backed by Washington, Caribbean intelligence chiefs to meet in Barbados

The annual US-backed Caribbean Community intelligence summit, aimed at fostering intelligence cooperation within the 15-country bloc, helps to offset the erosion of Washington's soft power in this region plagued by major security challenges.

France, South Korea
In Seoul, Macron expected to prioritise G7, AI and telecoms

In light of Seoul reviving its naval nuclear programme, the upcoming meeting between Lee Jae-myung and Emmanuel Macron will serve to assess Paris's ability to offer meaningful partnerships, outside the realm of strategic nuclear power, while remaining in line with Washington's constraints and Seoul's industrial ambitions.

Spotlight | United States
Iran war exposes vulnerabilities in US counterterrorism in light of security priorities shift

The switch in Washington's security priorities, marked by a pivot to counternarcotics and Latin America, has largely been at the expense of the fight against terrorism.

France, Iran, Norway
Paris struggles to build naval coalition to secure Strait of Hormuz

New Delhi, Tokyo, Riyadh... most of the countries approached by France to join a naval coalition to secure the Strait of Hormuz in the event of a cessation of hostilities are turning down the offer.

Iran, United States
US special forces rally their contractors to prepare for next phase in Iran

The Trump administration is weighing up whether to deploy its special forces to storm strategic Iranian facilities. In a subtle but unmistakable sign of its possible intention, the US Special Operations Command has been rushing to fill key positions needed for such a move.

Iraq
Attack on Baghdad's Al Rasheed Hotel rattles foreign embassies

As Iraq is unwillingly drawn into the war in Iran, diplomatic missions in Baghdad are considering whether or not to leave the country. The Iraqi authorities are doing their best to convince them to stay.

Spotlight | Canada
Despite thaw, Canadian intelligence remains vigilant on China

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has adopted a more conciliatory approach towards Beijing during his first year in office, but his services nevertheless remain on high alert when it comes to Chinese espionage and interference.

Spotlight | United States
Trump shifts position on key surveillance law as debate heats up in Congress

As an April deadline on Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act approaches, the Trump administration wants to extend the law, while some US Senators are pushing for changes to ensure Americans more privacy.

Deep Dive | United States
Transatlantic tensions test US intelligence diplomacy

'America First' diplomacy (4/4) – From Marco Rubio to Charles Kushner, a deep dive into the State Department's radical transformation under Donald Trump. This final episode explores the role of intelligence as a diplomatic tool for Washington in a rapidly changing international landscape.