Uzbekistan
Mirziyoyev continues overhaul of security service after ousting spymaster Rustam Inoyatov

Uzbekistan
Farkhod Mamatdjanov, the Uzbek presidential family's trusted financier

The banking investor, who had already enjoyed a prominent position under President Islam Karimov, is steadily growing his ties with the current Uzbek government. In the ongoing power struggles, he has been playing on his connections with the presidential clan.

Russia, Uzbekistan
Equestrian sports chief Bakhrom Gaziev, a key cog in Tashkent's business networks

Keen to connect its business community with international investors, Uzbekistan's government is receiving informal help from equestrian sports administrator Bakhrom Gaziev, a protégé of President Mirziyoyev's inner circle who is close to some powerful Russian business leaders.

United States, Uzbekistan
Joseph Quinn Martin, former Tashkent PR who became a champion of Washington business relations

The man who once regularly delivered strategic communications operations to the Uzbek government is venturing into new territory, taking an active role in the privatisation of state assets as well as in American prospecting in Uzbekistan.

The Intelligence Gazette
Cofrex, Viginum, Uzbek SGB, US Captagon crackdown

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 Washington.

FranceCOFREX picks representative for its Expo 2025 Osaka presence.

FranceStéphane Bouillon discloses Viginum's annual report.

UzbekistanInternal Security Service adds another layer to border control.

WashingtonDNI to sniff out Assad-linked Captagon.

Uzbekistan
With new monopoly, National Guard eats further into SGB's powers

A veritable incubator of trusted men for Uzbek President Mirziyoyev, the National Guard continues to gain power over the historic intelligence service inherited from the KGB, the SGB. Its latest prerogative is to become the sole provider of security services to the private sector.

Israel, Turkey, United States
Alexander Machkevich, the financier diplomat helping Turkey reconcile with Israel

Despite their ongoing differences, Ankara has reached out to Tel Aviv as it continues to patch up relations with its regional neighbours, helped by advocates of the reconciliation in both Turkey and Israel. These proponents of a warming of relations include Mendy Chitrik, head of the Alliance of Rabbis in Islamic States that receives funding from Kazakh oligarch Alexander Machkevich.

Spotlight | Belarus, Syria
Minsk makes murky play to become first EU migrant smuggler

From Damascus, Minsk has constructed a web of a dozen travel agencies which recruit migrants who are eventually taken to EU borders. This is taking place against a background of rejuvenated diplomatic activity in the Middle East by Lukashenko who is keen to renew ties with his longstanding Syrian ally.

Spotlight | Russia, United Kingdom
Dmitry Vozianov, Oligarchs' trouble-shooting czar

"Be careful if you write about him", Intelligence Online was warned when it started looking into Dmitry Vozianov a few weeks ago. There are not many people in the corporate intelligence world who inspire as much awe as this consultant [.