National Security Council

UAE, Yemen
Ali Al Shamsi sent to Washington to draw up anti-Houthi axis

The Emirati spymaster has been picked to discuss with top US security officials ways to counter Yemen's pro-Iran Houthi militia as the UAE urges Israel to join the alliance, not the least by means of its US contacts.

Iran
After Baghdad meetings, Riyadh and Tehran count on Amman's mediation

Saudi Arabia and Iran are determined to pursue their secret dialogue, with the help once again of their Iraqi go-between Qassem Al Araji.

The Intelligence Gazette
DGSE, Kazakhstan's KGB

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 Nur-Sultan.

Paris the DGSE adopts a TREX

Nur-Sultan the new KNB master's rise signals victory for the Tokayev camp

Paris DGSE more careful on the internet than DGSI

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.

Ukraine
Kyiv seeks to align its forces in information warfare

In its fight against what it identifies as a hybrid war waged by its Russian neighbour, Ukraine is trying to bring together a series of organisations that were not previously well integrated. As such it is bringing together the fight against disinformation, the security of communication systems and the issue of sovereignty in the Donbass region.

Iraq, United States
Iraqi intelligence anxious as US pursues its military operations in Baghdad

Although the International Coalition has announced that it is ending its combat missions in Iraq, American troops are continuing to fly over demonstrations in Baghdad, aggravating the already palpable febrility of the pro-Iranian militias. This is causing anxiety in the Iraqi security services, who are having to take additional measures to contain potential threats.

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

The newly ratified National Defense Authorization Act contains several sections on Syria, but there is no clear line taken. Biden, caught between maintaining a military presence and the application of heavy sanctions against the regime, has not yet defined his Syria policy.

Spotlight | Russia
EU blocks Sergey Shilov-led Skol Airline's regional expansion plans

In a climate which is unfavourable to air transport operators in Minsk, Skol Airline, a leading Russian helicopter operator headed by businessman Serguey Shilov, has had its regional expansion plans blocked by a ban on flying over EU territory.

United States
American integrator ATSC to reorganise Georgia's border surveillance system

As it extends cooperation with the United States, Georgia is to get help securing its borders from American integration specialist Advanced Technology Systems.

Spotlight | India, Iran
Tehran briefed on New Delhi's plans for dealing with the Taliban

As India looks to establish itself as the main regional channel of communication with the Taliban government in Afghanistan, it has reactivated its traditional alliances in Central Asia but also its security cooperation with Iran.

United Kingdom
London lays groundwork for British cyber among Gulf allies

CyLon, a British cyber incubator close to the UK government and advised by Israel's former domestic intelligence chief Yuval Diskin, has been developing semi-public accelerators in the Gulf with funding from the Foreign Office, itself keen to export British cyber tools to the region.

Kyrgyzstan, Russia
Afghan tensions affords Bishkek spymasters strategic regional role

Taking advantage of the renewed prominence of Central Asia following the Afghan outbursts, the Kyrgyz spymasters are seeking to consolidate their position and to assert the interests of Bishkek in the regional dynamics between Beijing, Islamabad and New Delhi.