Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan

China, UAE
Sharjah springboard for Chinese arms to Africa

Allowing for discreet sales to third countries, UAE free trade zones are attracting Beijing's arms manufacturers. A brand new Chinese equipment reseller has just set up shop in one such zone, with its sights set on contracts in Africa.

UAE
Italian cyber specialist Negg plants its flag in Abu Dhabi

Negg, best known for its VBiss spyware, is making inroads in the United Arab Emirates, against a backdrop of closer security ties between Rome and Abu Dhabi.

The Intelligence Gazette
Pressure on DGSE in Africa, China on Ukraine fence, France's ‘Mr Big Event' security boss moves on, UK's former ISC chair speaks out

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

France/AfricaPressure tactics on DGSE

ChinaCCP bans criticism of Putin and Trump

FranceProtection Service's ‘Mr Big Event' lands interior ministry job

United KingdomFormer head of parliamentary oversight opens up

UAE
Mersad, a new player in Abu Dhabi's defence networks

A mysterious new defence company based in Abu Dhabi is relying on a vast network of consultants from Beirut to Paris, including a former intelligence specialist from the French defence ministry.

UAE, United Kingdom
UK Foreign Office concerned about British cyber expert jailed in Abu Dhabi

The British Foreign Office has been in touch with the Emirati authorities regarding a British-Australian cyber specialist who was arrested in the Emirates in mid-January.

UAE
Expat arrests in Abu Dhabi cyber sector

Intelligence Online can reveal that several expats working in the Emirati cyber sector are currently in prison. The murky case involves national security, and the embassies concerned are remaining silent. The situation could have repercussions for Western companies that have worked with those detained.

France
ADIT and Amarante International up stakes as merger rumours swell

Leading French corporate intelligence and security players ADIT and Amarante International must reshuffle their shareholding this year. Meanwhile, rumours of a possible takeover have fuelled concern among rival firms after Amarante founder Alexandre Hollander was recently approached by ADIT.

UAE
The burgeoning business empire of the rising security branch of Abu Dhabi royals

The steady rise to positions of power in Abu Dhabi of the heirs of former advisers to sheikhs Zayed and Khalifa bin Zayed has helped several of the brothers, who already have a strong presence in security and the military, to develop their business activities.

France, Indonesia
Defence networks battle in Jakarta to win over Abu Dhabi

The UAE has been scouting for defence contracts in Jakarta, but its struggle to break into the market highlights the intense battle playing out between defence manufacturers wanting to make their mark with the new president Prabowo Subianto.