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Middle East & Africa

France, Israel
Israeli financial investigation specialist ThetaRay targets CAC 40

ThetaRay, a software company specialising in financial fraud investigations, is going on the offensive in France, where it is ramping up its efforts to engage with CAC 40 companies.

Subscribers only Cybersecurity, Contractors 27.04.2026

Israel
Former Shin Bet head targeted in campaign against Israeli private intel group

Zvika Nave (left), founder of CGI Group, and Yaakov Peri (right), the company’s current chairman and former director of the Shin Bet, at CGI’s offices in Tel Aviv in 2020. © Abir Sultan/EPA/Newscom/MaxPPP

Subscribers only Corporate Intel 24.04.2026

UAE
Hedayah consolidates role as major player in UAE diplomacy

Based in the United Arab Emirates and presented as a multilateral advisory centre for countering extremism, Hedayah is consolidating its position as a key player in the country's major diplomatic strategies.

Subscribers only Back-Door Diplomacy 23.04.2026

Middle East
Persian Gulf crisis: shipping firms act to protect seafarers as industry waits on diplomatic talks

The Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), Arsenio Dominguez. © IMO / Xinhua via AFP

Subscribers only Corporate Intel 22.04.2026

Spotlight | Saudi Arabia, UAE, Yemen
Mayyun, the Red Sea's most coveted island

An island in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait has become the focus of intense competition between rival powers. Intelligence Online tracks the shifting balance of power between the actors vying for control of the rocky outcrop, whose strategic location could make it a chokepoint for sea traffic.

Subscribers only Defence 21.04.2026

Yemen’s seat at the United Nations Security Council. © Cristina Matuozzi/Sipa USA via Reuters Connect

Yemen
UN in secret negotiations with Houthis to release staff

The United Nations is doing all it can to keep channels of communication open with the Houthis in a bid to secure the release of staff members being held by the proto-state. They are accused of collaborating with foreign intelligence services.

Subscribers only Back-Door Diplomacy 20.04.2026

France, Saudi Arabia
A spy turned diplomat set to be new Saudi ambassador to Paris

Saudi Arabia's next ambassador to Paris is a low-key diplomat with a past in the kingdom's intelligence services. He will now have to build a relationship with Paris that is taking an increasingly political turn.

Subscribers only Back-Door Diplomacy 20.04.2026

UAE
UAE strikes Iran, but homegrown weapons nowhere to be seen

For the first time ever, the UAE carried out direct strikes against Iran at the height of the conflict. But faced with urgent operational needs, Abu Dhabi turned to foreign platforms, whilst those developed by its own EDGE Group remained on the sidelines.

Subscribers only Defence 16.04.2026

Bahrain, United Kingdom
IISS Manama Dialogue preparations under scrutiny after reported tensions

Places and speaking slots for the annual security summit in Bahrain are in high demand. But preparations for this year's event are likely to be under close scrutiny after its organisers reportedly vexed some government partners last year.

Subscribers only Corporate Intel 15.04.2026

The opening of the Manama Dialogue conference, organised by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), in Bahrain, on 31 October 2025.

Russia, UAE
Ukrainian intel sees Russia's sanctions-busting networks leaving Gulf for South-East Asia

Ukraine's foreign intelligence station in the UAE is monitoring the relocation of networks supplying Russia's defence industry to Malaysia and Thailand. Sensitive stockpiles are meanwhile being held up in Sharjah's free zones.

Subscribers only Operations, Defence, Contractors 14.04.2026

Saudi Arabia
MbS-backed defence industry putting up resistance to Aramco's self-defence plans

GAMI and SAMI, the bodies set up by Mohammed bin Salman to equip Saudi Arabia's defence forces, are under increasing internal pressure. Weakened by Iranian attacks, the Saudi national oil company Aramco is looking to set up its own anti-drone unit, having already developed in-house programmes in the naval and secure telecoms sectors.

Subscribers only Defence 13.04.2026

Satellite image showing the damage sustained by Aramco's Ras Tanura refinery following an Iranian drone attack on 2 March 2026.

Spy Way of Life | Pakistan, United States
The Roosevelt Hotel, Pakistan's $1bn bargaining chip in Manhattan

Across the globe, spies gather in inconspicuous places to meet contacts and hold discreet conversations. This week, Intelligence Online delves into the recent history of the Pakistan-owned Roosevelt Hotel, which is now the subject of real estate negotiations between Islamabad and Washington.

Subscribers only Back-Door Diplomacy 10.04.2026

Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom, United States
Saudi defence ministry boosts pool of strategic consultants

The British consultancy Connect Advisory, headed by former FBI and British Army officers, is set to secure a number of contracts with the Saudi defence ministry, posing a serious challenge to established players in the field.

Subscribers only Operations, Defence, Contractors 09.04.2026

Middle East, United Kingdom
Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar: UK PM's packed schedule on Gulf tour

According to Intelligence Online's information, the UK Prime Minister will move from Saudi Arabia for talks in Manama and Doha in the coming days.

Subscribers only Back-Door Diplomacy 08.04.2026

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer holds a press conference on the situation in the Middle East at 10 Downing Street, London, on 1 April 2026.

Iran, United States
Iran sanctions: US forfeiture action threatens reputation of European energy firms

A forfeiture case filed in Washington last month aims to seize $12m from Wellbred Capital, a trading company allegedly part of oil magnate Hossein Shamkhani's vast laundering network. The suit does not mention Wellbred's Swiss and French units, both held via the same Singaporean shareholder.

Subscribers only Corporate Intel 08.04.2026

Spotlight | Azerbaijan, France, Iran
Behind the scenes of exfiltration to Azerbaijan of French nationals charged with espionage in Iran

French President Emmanuel Macron announced late Tuesday afternoon the release of French nationals Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris, teachers in France who were convicted of espionage while visiting Iran. Their evacuation follows intense diplomatic negotiations and a painstakingly planned operation.

Subscribers only Back-Door Diplomacy 07.04.2026

Rally in support of the French hostages in Iran, Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris, on 6 July 2025 in Paris.

Jordan, Yemen
Jordanian intelligence's secret pact with Houthis

Houthi rebels have finally entered the war on Iran's side by launching strikes on Tel Aviv. While the region's alliances seem clearly defined, Jordan – an ally of the US and Israel – maintains unofficial communication channels with the Yemeni group through its General Intelligence Directorate.

Subscribers only Back-Door Diplomacy 07.04.2026

Houthis stage a protest against US and Israeli attacks on Iran, in Sanaa, Yemen, on 3 April 2026.

Iran, Israel, Russia
Russian-Israeli deconfliction deal tips in Moscow's favour

Moscow is testing the limits of its deconfliction deal with Israel by supplying Iran with a growing amount of drone equipment and expertise. The situation poses a major problem for Israel, which currently has an urgent need of its own for such equipment.

Subscribers only Defence, Back-Door Diplomacy, Contractors 07.04.2026

Iran, Qatar, United States
Exit Islamabad, enter Doha for US-Iran mediation

In a dramatic turn of events, Iran has just rejected Pakistan's offer to mediate in the conflict. According to our sources, Qatar will now take the lead ahead of next week's talks.

Subscribers only Back-Door Diplomacy 03.04.2026

Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Qatari PM and Foreign Affairs Minister.

Iran, Pakistan, United States
The man at the heart of Pakistan's US-Iran mediation

Many in the West appeared surprised by Pakistan's emergence as a mediator between the United States and Iran. Islamabad's role in this process hinges on one man, whose involvement in the Muscat talks since the beginning was first revealed by Intelligence Online.

Subscribers only Back-Door Diplomacy 03.04.2026

Muhammad Aamer, Pakistan’s ambassador to Doha, is quietly coordinating Pakistan’s role as a mediator between the US and Iran. Photo taken in Islamabad, September 2013.

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Middle East & Africa

France, Israel
Israeli financial investigation specialist ThetaRay targets CAC 40

Israel
Former Shin Bet head targeted in campaign against Israeli private intel group

UAE
Hedayah consolidates role as major player in UAE diplomacy

Middle East
Persian Gulf crisis: shipping firms act to protect seafarers as industry waits on diplomatic talks

Spotlight | Saudi Arabia, UAE, Yemen
Mayyun, the Red Sea's most coveted island

Yemen
UN in secret negotiations with Houthis to release staff

France, Saudi Arabia
A spy turned diplomat set to be new Saudi ambassador to Paris

UAE
UAE strikes Iran, but homegrown weapons nowhere to be seen

Bahrain, United Kingdom
IISS Manama Dialogue preparations under scrutiny after reported tensions

Russia, UAE
Ukrainian intel sees Russia's sanctions-busting networks leaving Gulf for South-East Asia

Saudi Arabia
MbS-backed defence industry putting up resistance to Aramco's self-defence plans

Spy Way of Life | Pakistan, United States
The Roosevelt Hotel, Pakistan's $1bn bargaining chip in Manhattan

Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom, United States
Saudi defence ministry boosts pool of strategic consultants

Middle East, United Kingdom
Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar: UK PM's packed schedule on Gulf tour

Iran, United States
Iran sanctions: US forfeiture action threatens reputation of European energy firms

Spotlight | Azerbaijan, France, Iran
Behind the scenes of exfiltration to Azerbaijan of French nationals charged with espionage in Iran

Jordan, Yemen
Jordanian intelligence's secret pact with Houthis

Iran, Israel, Russia
Russian-Israeli deconfliction deal tips in Moscow's favour

Iran, Qatar, United States
Exit Islamabad, enter Doha for US-Iran mediation

Iran, Pakistan, United States
The man at the heart of Pakistan's US-Iran mediation

The weekly summary

About Intelligence Online

Subscription

Intelligence Online on social media

Indigo Publications' websites

About Intelligence Online

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Indigo Publications' websites

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Middle East & Africa

France, Israel Israeli financial investigation specialist ThetaRay targets CAC 40

Israel Former Shin Bet head targeted in campaign against Israeli private intel group

UAE Hedayah consolidates role as major player in UAE diplomacy

Middle East Persian Gulf crisis: shipping firms act to protect seafarers as industry waits on diplomatic talks

Spotlight | Saudi Arabia, UAE, Yemen Mayyun, the Red Sea's most coveted island

Yemen UN in secret negotiations with Houthis to release staff

France, Saudi Arabia A spy turned diplomat set to be new Saudi ambassador to Paris

UAE UAE strikes Iran, but homegrown weapons nowhere to be seen

Bahrain, United Kingdom IISS Manama Dialogue preparations under scrutiny after reported tensions

Russia, UAE Ukrainian intel sees Russia's sanctions-busting networks leaving Gulf for South-East Asia

Saudi Arabia MbS-backed defence industry putting up resistance to Aramco's self-defence plans

Spy Way of Life | Pakistan, United States The Roosevelt Hotel, Pakistan's $1bn bargaining chip in Manhattan

Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom, United States Saudi defence ministry boosts pool of strategic consultants

Middle East, United Kingdom Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar: UK PM's packed schedule on Gulf tour

Iran, United States Iran sanctions: US forfeiture action threatens reputation of European energy firms

Spotlight | Azerbaijan, France, Iran Behind the scenes of exfiltration to Azerbaijan of French nationals charged with espionage in Iran

Jordan, Yemen Jordanian intelligence's secret pact with Houthis

Iran, Israel, Russia Russian-Israeli deconfliction deal tips in Moscow's favour

Iran, Qatar, United States Exit Islamabad, enter Doha for US-Iran mediation

Iran, Pakistan, United States The man at the heart of Pakistan's US-Iran mediation

The weekly summary

About Intelligence Online

Subscription

Intelligence Online on social media

Indigo Publications' websites

France, Israel
Israeli financial investigation specialist ThetaRay targets CAC 40

Israel
Former Shin Bet head targeted in campaign against Israeli private intel group

UAE
Hedayah consolidates role as major player in UAE diplomacy

Middle East
Persian Gulf crisis: shipping firms act to protect seafarers as industry waits on diplomatic talks

Spotlight | Saudi Arabia, UAE, Yemen
Mayyun, the Red Sea's most coveted island

Yemen
UN in secret negotiations with Houthis to release staff

France, Saudi Arabia
A spy turned diplomat set to be new Saudi ambassador to Paris

UAE
UAE strikes Iran, but homegrown weapons nowhere to be seen

Bahrain, United Kingdom
IISS Manama Dialogue preparations under scrutiny after reported tensions

Russia, UAE
Ukrainian intel sees Russia's sanctions-busting networks leaving Gulf for South-East Asia

Saudi Arabia
MbS-backed defence industry putting up resistance to Aramco's self-defence plans

Spy Way of Life | Pakistan, United States
The Roosevelt Hotel, Pakistan's $1bn bargaining chip in Manhattan

Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom, United States
Saudi defence ministry boosts pool of strategic consultants

Middle East, United Kingdom
Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar: UK PM's packed schedule on Gulf tour

Iran, United States
Iran sanctions: US forfeiture action threatens reputation of European energy firms

Spotlight | Azerbaijan, France, Iran
Behind the scenes of exfiltration to Azerbaijan of French nationals charged with espionage in Iran

Jordan, Yemen
Jordanian intelligence's secret pact with Houthis

Iran, Israel, Russia
Russian-Israeli deconfliction deal tips in Moscow's favour

Iran, Qatar, United States
Exit Islamabad, enter Doha for US-Iran mediation

Iran, Pakistan, United States
The man at the heart of Pakistan's US-Iran mediation