Virgule
India-China

Trump Pushes Modi Toward Beijing

Relations between India and the United States have sharply deteriorated following tariffs imposed by Trump on Indian exports to the US. Intended to pressure India into halting oil purchases from Russia, the tariffs backfired. They drove New Delhi closer not only to Moscow, but also—an unprecedented shift—to Beijing, long regarded as a traditional rival.

France - China | Paris and Beijing are trying to defuse the Covidian fake news crisis

Paris and Beijing are intensifying contacts and initiatives aimed at defusing the effects of the diplomatic crisis that broke out between both countries in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, following “aggressive publications” issued by the Chinese embassy in Paris, denounced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as fake news.

Terrorism | ISIS still has a war chest of 30-45 million dollars.

According to a UN report, ISIS still has an estimated $30-45 million war chest. The report states that this is mainly cash, but notes that some of it has been converted into investments, via nominees, in Iraq, Syria and especially Turkey.

Remaniement gouvernemental | Sarkozy advises (and dissuades) Macron

The former President of the Republic, Nicolas Sarkozy, was in constant contact with President Macron throughout the Covid-19 crisis. In March, at the height of the pandemic, the former President had advised the current President to form a “government of public salvation and solidarity” at the reopening of parliament, in order to face the post-Covidian political and economic challenges.

Counterterrorism | What has become of the French from ISIS who were exfiltrated from Syria?

According to a report by the National Intelligence Council, submitted to President Macron, on the French ISIS fighters exfiltered from Syria, some 40 of them have joined jihadist groups in Libya. As a result of this geographical rapprochement, they are a major source of concern, as they could fuel plans for illegal returns to France.

France | Services fear a post-Covidian rebellion

The Directorate General for Internal Security (DGSI) and the Central Service of Territorial Surveillance (SCRT) alerted the Ministry of the Interior to the risk of a resurgence of acts of civil disobedience this summer in the post-Covidian social context. The Services even fear possible attacks on State symbols, including law enforcement agencies, which could be carried out by radical right-wing and left-wing extremist groups. The alert is particularly concerned about the possible manipulation of the Yellow Vests by these radical...

Saudi Arabia | Local complicity in the Iranian attack on Aramco

According to a confidential note issued by a Western intelligence service, the Iranian Pasdaran would have benefited from local complicity on the ground during the attack on the oil sites of Abqaïq de Khurais, of the Saudi company Aramco, on September 14, 2019.

Exclusive | Lebanon’s money is on its way to Swiss banks

While the country, whose public debt amounts to 166% of GDP, is at risk of defaulting at any time, the money of the Lebanese wealthy is evaporating on the shores of Lake Geneva and Zurich. An international letter rogatory has been sent to Switzerland.