Spotlight | Russia
Kremlin spymaster tightens screws at Russian Security Council

The Intelligence Gazette
Sideswipe in French Senate, high representative for Tibet, Russian security council

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

FranceIntelligence watchdog takes swipe at former spy chief

Europe/TibetThe battle for a high representative

RussiaInformation security expert climbs another rung at security council

The Intelligence Gazette
FSO, ex-COS in Abu Dhabi, NATO and Taiwan, DNI in demand on drones

Appointments, reforms and the issues at stake: every Monday, Intelligence Online serves up snippets big and small from the global intelligence community from Moscow to Paris, via Taipei and Washington.

RussiaFSO regulates military service

FranceFormer COS liaison chief ordered to return extra pay

TaiwanNATO slows down rapprochement with Taipei

United StatesAll drone policies point to the DNI

Russia
Russian customs service fights to extend its responsibilities

For years there was talk of Russia's customs service, the FTS, becoming part of the FSB, and the long-standing rivalry with the internal intelligence department has tarnished the two services ability to cooperate. However, a bill is now being pushed through to extend the FTS's responsibilities.

Russia, Ukraine
Moscow's shifting security and political strategies in the Donbass

The heavy losses suffered by its armies in Donetsk and Luhansk are forcing Moscow to review its political and security roadmap for the territories.

Europe, Russia
Sweden rushes to develop electronic warfare systems in the Baltic Sea

Under increasing pressure from Russia, the Swedish army is focusing on strengthening its naval electronic warfare capabilities.

Spotlight | Belarus, Russia
How Russia is working to absorb Belarusian news networks into sovereign internet

While everyone's focus is on Ukraine, the information space in Belarus continues to quietly but steadily move towards a shared sovereign internet with Russia, one that is controlled by the latter's security and cut off from the rest of the world.

Russia
Moscow's shadow advisers, intelligence officers and lobbyists lay low

As the hunt for those responsible for Russia's setbacks in Ukraine continues, lobbyists, private consultants and advisers close to the Kremlin, as well as former and current civil servants, are fearing a wave of purges.

Russia, Ukraine
Russian influence activists got busy behind recognition of Donbas republics

The champions of Russia's protection of its "compatriots" - Russian-speaking descendants of the USSR that Moscow is trying to reconquer or keep in its cultural fold - were going all-out to support Moscow's latest moves in Ukraine.

Russia
Next generation of Russian siloviki blocked by old guard

The Kremlin allowed its most powerful generals to stay on an extra 5 years beyond retirement age and is now looking to extend their careers even further on an ad hoc basis, dashing the prospects of younger officers.

Spotlight | Russia
Afinogenov serves as intermediary between Novatek, Total and Russian security services

Dmitry Afinogenov, an intermediary between the Kremlin and Novatek, the lead company on the Arctic Yamal project, was reupped as a member of the Russian National Security Council's scientific committee on 11 May.

Russia
FSB: General Tkachev to be promoted

According to our sources, General Ivan Tkachev, the head of the "K" directorate of the FSB, in charge of financial [...]