Europeโs naivety toward Iran is misplaced
To date, the EUโs Iran policy has been ineffective and seriously flawed. And the bloc’s leaders need to wake up to the security threat Tehran poses.
Intelligence services
Inside the US intel dilemma on Gaza a year after Oct. 7
Current and former officials say the US has long struggled to collect intelligence on Hamas.
Russiaโs FSB protected Evil Corp gang that carried out Nato cyber-attacks
NCA says cybercriminal gang used family links to spy agency to shield members targeted by US authoritiesA prolific Russian cybercriminal gang carried out attacks against Nato countries at the behest of state intelligence services and used family links …
Middle East pager attacks ignite fear of supply chain warfare
The operations in Lebanon and Syria could spark a global reckoning over vulnerabilities faced by tech companies with global manufacturing operations.
RT running covert military supply operation for Russian forces, US says
The state-backed media outlet has been sending weapons to Russian units, including sniper rifles and suppressors, body armor, night vision equipment and drones, according to State.
โDragon-Bearโ: How China and Russiaโs spy operations overlap in Europe
Beijing is recruiting agents among EU politicians who have demonstrated fealty to Moscow, underscoring their alignment, according to a senior European intelligence official.
Polish authorities takes down Belarusian and Russian cyber-espionage group
Polish authorities successfully dismantled a cyber-espionage group linked to Belarusian and Russian intelligence services, which had been conducting malicious activities in Poland, reported Polish Minister of Digitization Krzysztof Gawkowski onย Monday…
Why the Kremlin loves social media
This weekโs indictment of a social media content firm shows how itโs getting easier and easier for Russia to influence U.S. elections.
World order โunder threat,โ US and UK spy chiefs warn
MI6 boss Richard Moore and CIA chief Bill Burns said inย an op-ed in the Financial Timesย that there was work being done to “disrupt the reckless campaign of sabotage” across Europe by Russia.
German officials claim Poland sabotaged investigation into Nord Stream explosions
A Polish official denied the accusation, calling it โcompletely unfounded.โ
The drift toward unfreedom
Pavel Durov’s arrest and indictment is likely the opening shot in what will be a prolonged legal and political struggle, the consequences of which will reshape the balance of power between states and individuals.
The Guardian view on Germanyโs disaffected east: a growing crisis for Olaf Scholz | Editorial
The far-right AfD may win a state election for the first time this weekend. That should set alarm bells ringing in Berlin and beyondIn 2021, as Olaf Scholzโs Social Democratic party (SPD) unexpectedly triumphed in a knife-edge federal election, one of …
The crazy life and times of Pavel Durov, Russiaโs Elon Musk
Is the arrested Telegram CEO a free speech martyr or a shadowy criminal?
Greece โ the country that lets people escape justice
Cover-ups, botched investigations and a general feeling of impunity set alarm bells ringing.
Dutch cabinet bans phones in meetings over espionage fears
Devices are kept in vault during weekly gatherings, prime minister said.
Russia arrests army staffer suspected of spying for Ukraine
The woman was in touch with Ukrainian intelligence via Signal app, Russian authorities say.
UK probes whether โstate actorsโ stoked far-right riots
False claims about the identity of a murder suspect have spread far and wide online.
Marie Mendras, political scientist: ‘Vladimir Putin has paid dearly for the return of his spies to Russia’
The prisoner exchange is beneficial to both the West and the Russian resistance, as the head of the Kremlin had to make concessions to his intelligence services, writes the Russia expert in an article for ‘Le Monde.’
US-Russia prisoner swap frees Evan Gershkovich, more than a dozen others
Russia released more than a dozen prisoners โ including Americans, Germans, and Russian dissidents โ on Thursday in one of the biggest and most complex prisoner swaps in U.S. history. Three of the those freed were American citizens: journalists Evan Gershkovich and Alsu Kurmasheva, and former Marine Paul Whelan. Journalist Vladimir Kara-Murza, a U.S. resident, [โฆ]
Bulgarian intelligence services โunder scrutinyโ for pressuring health rights activists [Advocacy Lab Content]
Bulgaria’s counter-intelligence service (SANS) and the Anti-Corruption Commission have launched an investigation into health rights activists advocating for the establishment of a state-run children’s hospital. The move provoked an intense backlash.
Brothers suspected of murdering Greek crime reporter acquitted
The 2021 killing of Giorgos Karaivaz sparked concern about press freedoms and the safety of journalists in Greece.
Greek prosecutor closes spyware scandal probe, infuriating opposition and victims
Opposition parties deplore decision to end “Predatorgate” inquest, with one MP labelling it a “disgrace for the country.”
Former Greek spy boss denies using illegal malware
Panagiotis Kontoleon, the former head of Greece’s EYP intelligence service, was one of a handful of top officials who resigned in the wake of the scandal.
French Olympics rail disruptions could last all weekend
Intelligence services, law enforcement and the Paris prosecutor are investigating the sabotage.
Georgia claims to have uncovered plot to violently overthrow government
The allegations come amid a growing crackdown ahead of elections in October.
โThereโs More to Comeโ: What the Trump Shooting Says about Domestic Extremism
A former top Homeland Security Department official discusses the fallout from the Trump assassination attempt.
US reportedly foiled Russian plot to kill boss of German arms firm supplying Ukraine
Plan to assassinate Rheinmetallโs Armin Papperger believed to have been at a relatively advanced stageUS intelligence services have foiled a Russian plot to assassinate the chief executive of Germanyโs leading arms manufacturer, which was an apparent a…
Russian plot to kill European weapons chief foiled by US and Germany
Rheinmetall is Germany’s largest manufacturer of 155mm artillery shells, a crucial resource for Ukrainians defending themselves against Russia’s war.
Ukraine war briefing: Path to Nato membership โirreversibleโ
Alliance censures China as Russian war enabler and supplier; F-16 fighter jets flying for Ukraineโs defence this summer. What we know on day 869See all our Ukraine war coverageNato allies at their Washington summit have said Ukraineโs โfuture is in Nat…
French elections: Putin’s Russia backs far-right Rassemblement National
The Russian Foreign Ministry hopes that the far-right party will govern France. French intelligence services are worried about what an RN win on July 7 would mean.
Franceโs existential election
This could be the most destructive election since the war โ not only for France but also for the EU, NATO and the Western liberal order.
Russia started Berlin factory fire as part of hybrid war on Europe, report says
German police believe a technical defect caused the blaze, but security officials have blamed Russia.
Germany arrests 3 men for spying on Ukrainian target
A Russian, an Armenian and a Ukrainian are accused of shadowing a person from Ukraine.
Estonia sentences Russian professor to six years in prison over espionage
Vyacheslav Morozovย is accused of using his position as a researcher to collect intelligence for Russia.
Espionage and cyberattack threat reaches new dimension in Germany, interior minister warns
Russia adjusted its intelligence strategy following the expulsion of its diplomats in 2023, Nancy Faeser said.
Russia meddling in Moldova elections, Western allies allege
Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States accuse Russia of “seeking to undermine Moldovan democratic institutions.”
Belgiumโs agent of chaos
Flemish far-right frontman Tom Van Grieken battles to break up Belgium.
Moldova strips general of rank and medals over Russian spying allegations
The move comes amid warnings Moscow is seeking to destabilize the EU candidate country.
Germanyโs CDU hit by major cyberattack
Politically motivated cyberattacks have increased ahead of this month’s EU election, with many linked to Russian state-sponsored actors.
Georgia set to approve โforeign agentsโ law amid growing Western backlash
The U.S. has imposed sanctions over the controversial legislation, while Brussels warns it will sink the country’s efforts to join the EU.
US announces travel ban for Georgian Dream politicians behind โforeign agentโ law
The move comes as lawmakers prepare to vote through the controversial restrictions on civil society.
How Putin hijacked Austriaโs spy service โ and is now gunning for its government
Intelligence officials suspect Wirecard COO Jan Marsalek of colluding with the far-right Freedom Party on Moscowโs behalf.ย
Georgia PM: EU threatened me with Ficoโs fate
Irakli Kobakhidze says he was told to
“be very careful,” but the European Commission has dismissed his claims.
Russia directing hackers to attack UK and west, says director of GCHQ
Anne Keast-Butler โincreasingly concernedโ by growing links between Russia and proxy hacker groups that pose risk to UKRussia is increasingly seeking to encourage and direct hackers to attack British and other western targets, the director of GCHQ has …
China an โepoch-defining challenge,โ new UK spy boss warns
In her first major speech Anne Keast-Butler said responding to China was her spy agencyโs โtop priority.โ
German court says far-right AfD suspected of extremism
The ruling means intelligence services can now monitor the communications of the far-right party.
German court says far-right AfD suspected of extremism
The ruling means intelligence services can now monitor the communications of the far-right party.
Elite Russian hackers breach Scholzโs German socialist party
Berlin says German chancellor’s party was hacked by Moscow’s Fancy Bear in 2022-2023.
Moldova eyes energy lever to topple Kremlin puppet regime in Transnistria
For the first time, Moldova can cut an energy link to its breakaway territory. Yet doing so risks Moscow’s threats and a possible humanitarian crisis.
Thousands of former Wagner fighters are now answering to Moscow
In Africa and beyond, Russia is using the same fighters who once turned on Moscow to undermine U.S. efforts to promote democracy and fight terrorism.
Germany arrests EU Parliament staffer over bombshell claims he spied for China
“The accused repeatedly passed on information about negotiations and decisions in the European Parliament to his intelligence service client,โ authorities said.
Ukraine war briefing: Donald Trump says survival of Ukraine important to the US
Former presidentโs comments are being described as a shift in tone days before Republicans vote on a multibillion-dollar aid package. What we know on day 786See all our Ukraine war coverageDonald Trump has said the survival of Ukraine is important to t…
Polish man arrested over alleged Russian plot to assassinate Zelenskiy
Polandโs national prosecutor says man was preparing to share security details of airport used by Ukrainian presidentA Polish man has been arrested on allegations that he aided a plot by Russian intelligence services to assassinate Ukrainian president V…
Iran hints it could develop nuclear weapons if Israel attacks
The Revolutionary Guards’ commander suggests Iran could review long standing “doctrine and nuclear policies.”
China is a threat to Europeโs gunpowder supply, defense boss warnsย
Saab boss warns Beijing dominates supplies of a key component to make powder to fire shells, and metal for submarines and warships.
Big, bold and unchecked: Russian influence operation thrives on Facebook
Pro-Kremlin network “Doppelganger” is buying Facebook ads to spread divisive content on social media site ahead of EU election.
Hundreds of Manchester arena attack survivors file lawsuit against MI5
More than 250 survivors of the 2017 Manchester Arena attack have filed a lawsuit against Britain’s domestic intelligence services, their lawyers said in a statement Sunday.ย ย
Who did Russia pay? MEPs urge spies to give names
MEPs have urged intelligence services to publish the names of who was paid by Russia, while pointing fingers at the EU’s far right.
With threats to judges and journalists, Slovakia spirals eastward
PM Robert Fico says his advisors are ‘closely monitoring’ justices who have ruled against his political allies.
Ukraine embraces far-right Russian โbad guyโ to take the battle to Putin
Germany describes Denis Kapustin as a top neo-Nazi, and his role in the war is a double-edged sword for Kyiv.
Zelenskyy fires senior aide in continuing reshuffle
Ukrainian president also dismisses three advisers and two other officials.
Franceโs latest foreign interference bill questions democratic control over surveillance services
On Wednesday (27 March), French MPs backed a bill to expand intelligence services competencies to monitor networks, re-opening a debate on democratic control of these agencies.
Russian propaganda network paid MEPs, Belgian PM says
Prague and Brussels collaborated to smash “Russian influence operation.”
France assesses Paris Olympics terrorist threat in light of Moscow attack
Minister and intelligence services meet to discuss security for Games that includes opening ceremony on the SeineThe French interior minister, Gรฉrald Darmanin, has met intelligence services to assess the terrorist threat to the country, after the Mosco…
Zelenskyy yanks outspoken security council boss, appoints spy chief in his stead
Firing comes after Oleksiy Danilov disparages Chinese envoy.
UK accuses China of cyberattacks on British democracy
Britain rolls out sanctions and summons Chinese ambassador as it points finger at ‘Chinese state-affiliated actors.’
Slovak president election: Pro-EU diplomat edges coalition stalwart in first round
Parliament speaker Peter Pellegrini and diplomat Ivan Korฤok move on to knockout round.
Moscow terror attack: Suspects detained as death toll hits 115
Islamic State claims responsibility for one of the deadliest terror attacks to hit Russia in years.
US report sees rising risk of ethnic violence in Western Balkans
Annual ODNI assessment collects worldwide threats to U.S. national security.
Brusselsโ spy problem is the tip of the iceberg, says Belgian justice minister
Belgian Justice Minister Paul Van Tigchelt says Qatargate isn’t the only threat that his country’s security services face.
France slashes Olympics opening ceremony crowd size amid terror attack fears
French President Emmanuel Macron asked for capacity to be reduced to half of what was initially planned for showpiece event.
Stalin could have been poisoned by the West, Russian communists claim
Party calls for a probe on 71st anniversary of Soviet dictator’s death.
Russia communist party asks for probe into Westโs possible involvement in Stalinโs death
The Communists of Russia party has asked the FSB security service and top prosecutors to investigate the possible involvement of Western intelligence services in the death of Soviet leader Joseph Stalin in 1953, RIA news agency reported on Tuesday (5 M…
Munich 2.0: Israelโs plan to hunt down Hamas killers
The country has a track record of carrying out revenge killings, even in Europe.
Leaked audio shows Germany discussed possible Taurus missiles delivery to Ukraine: Reports
German military officials also discussed possible targets including the Kerch Bridge linking Russia and occupied Crimea, according to media reports.
We need to be more aware of the spies in our midst
Knowing about the massive amounts of spying taking place can make one paranoid. But the best antidote to widespread espionage isnโt fear โ it’s awareness.
โJudasโ: Russian deserterโs father slams dead โtraitorโ son, local media reports
Maksim Kuzminov was shot near Alicante in Spain less than a year after he fled the Russian army.
Gaza truce talks in Paris reportedly making โsignificant progressโ
Efforts to broker a truce appeared to regain momentum after a senior U.S. envoy for the Middle East met with Israeli leaders.
Moscow hired gunmen to murder Russian defector, Spanish intel says
Maksim Kuzminov was shot dead near Alicante in Spain.
How Russia has rebranded Wagner in Africa
Russia has taken the mercenary group into its intelligence services, using it to destabilise Africa.
Orbรกn faces the biggest challenge of his political career
The Hungarian prime minister, who championed the clean, moral, conservative life for years, was hoisted by his own petard. The question is whether he can ride out the storm once more.
Journalistic research points at โRussian spyโ among MEPs
Tatjana ลฝdanoka, a long-serving member of the European Parliament from Latvia, is allegedly an agent working with Russian intelligence services, according to a collaborative investigation released by the independent Russian media outlet The Insider on …
Germany: After leaked deportation plans, civil society urges ban on far-right AfD
Germany’s far-right AfD party is gaining momentum. For the past few months, it has been capitalising on widespread fears among the population over the war in Ukraine, immigration and inflation, as well as the challenges faced by the ruling coalition. …
UN chief pleads for Palestinian relief funding amid allegations of Hamas aid
Antรณnio Guterres says the UNRWA’s current funding won’t carry it through February.
Moscow mocks CIA for new bid to recruit Russian spies
Spy games heat up ahead of Vladimir Putin’s likely re-election in March.
4 Hamas members arrested in Germany, Netherlands over suspected terror plot against Jews
The suspects plotted to carry out ‘potential terrorist attacks against Jewish institutions in Europe,’ German federal public prosecutor’s office said.
Top human rights prize targeted by Qatargate corruption suspects
Suspects allegedly interfered with EU Sakharov Prize nominations to help foreign governments, leaked police files suggest.
Finland considers reopening border with Russia after immigrant row
Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen says the traffic of migrants has stopped since Finland closed its entire eastern frontier with Russia.
Israelโs trauma was compounded by talk of an existential threat
Hamas gunmen say their leaders ramped up indoctrination with religious leaders lecturing them to inflict maximum pain and suffering on the Jews they encountered.
How Ukraineโs secret agents re-learned the art of shadow warfare
New revelations in the sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipeline in September 2022 have strengthened the case for Kyivโs involvement, with a controversial Ukrainian secret agent alleged to have been the brains behind the operation. Although Kyiv contin…
A chastened Israel fights for its life and its soul
As the country combats an unrelenting Hamas, the tussle between defense and integrity grows sharper and more poignant.
Russia withdraws from CFE, NATO countries suspend adherence
SNEAK PEEK โ Russia withdrew from the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe: NATO announced the suspension of the agreement in response. โ Britain and Canada push back against a bill to fund the U.S. government next year, saying it would seriously harm maritime defense cooperation between the three allies. โ Europe undermined hopes [โฆ]
AfD in Saxony-Anhalt classified as right-wing extremist
Party official have made Islamophobic, anti-semitic and racist remarks.
EUโs diplomatic arm slams Russia over North Korea weapon deals
North Korea believed to have made at least 10 arms transfers to Russia since August, delivering a million rounds of artillery.
Belgian officials knew all about Brussels terror attack gunman โ but were unable to stop him
Tunisian shooter’s profile sheds light on Belgium’s security failures.
Transatlantic blame game: Trump, Merkel, Biden and the danger of Germanyโs dependence on Huawei
Donald Trump tried to prod Germany to ban the Chinese tech giant, but former Chancellor Angela Merkel defied him. As Germany grows increasingly anxious about China, Biden is trying to do the same with Merkelโs successor.
Finland says โstate actorโ might be involved in gas pipeline damage
NATO defense ministers are briefed on the investigation.
Hamas’ attack on Israel: ‘Analogue’ warfare and Iran’s political interests
According to experts, the operation avoided Israeli intelligence services by using “analogue tactics” in a time of digital war.
How Israel was duped as Hamas planned devastating assault
A careful campaign of deception ensured Israel was caught off guard when the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas launched its devastating attack, enabling a force using bulldozers, hang gliders and motorbikes to take on the Middle East’s most powerful army.
How did Israel miss what Hamas was planning?
Despite intense digital and satellite monitoring, Israelโs security services were caught just as off-guard as they were by Egypt and Syria with the Yom Kippur War.