The Georgian Intelligence Service’s Role In Contemporary Russia-Georgia Relations

Abstract: The world has never been safe for small and vulnerable countries. Their perilous position has been largely determined by weak economic, political and military capabilities, which deprive them of the ability to ensure their national security effectively. The existing literature concerning national security of small and vulnerable countries reveals that overemphasis is placed upon diplomacy as the major instrument of advancing the national interests of such states while overlooking the importance of their supportive institutions, such as intelligence services. The literature regarding the role of intelligence services in national security demonstrates that the secretive nature of intelligence activities and their association with “dirty tricks” of statecraft demonises intelligence services, ultimately undermining their role in national security. Moreover, discrediting the intelligence services is fueled by frequently blaming the intelligence community for strategic failure, even when the inadequate political decision-making process causes it. Inquiring into the Georgian national security environment, which exemplifies well the difficulties faced by small and vulnerable countries, allows us to review and challenge the existing trends in academia regarding the interplay between intelligence and national security.

SAHEL – La force conjointe du G5 Sahel, une illusion franco-africaine?

La nouvelle force conjointe du G5 Sahel, dont l’opérationnalisation a été actée début juillet 2017, a suscité beaucoup d’espoir depuis sa création, dans la région du Sahel et au-delà. Mais elle semble en butte à nombre de difficultés qui pourraient nuire à son efficacité dans une région confrontée au terrorisme, à la criminalité organisée et à l’aggravation des conflits locaux sur fond de compétition autour des ressources naturelles et de rivalités pour la conquête du pouvoir politique.

ISLAM – Un projet politique né dans la violence…

« Le but de tous les vrais Musulmans, c’est le Califat ! »

Cette simple phrase, relevée au hasard sur les réseaux sociaux, résumerait-elle –fût-ce d’une manière assez abrupte- le message délivré au Prophète Mohamed, dans sa dimension politique en tout cas ?

C’est ce que laisse penser la lecture, qu’elle soit historique ou religieuse, du seul document fondateur de l’Islam, du seul référent considéré comme authentique par les « Croyants », les Musulmans, la seule source où est précisée la « volonté de Dieu » : le Coran.

Libya – political, economic and tribal complexity

When looking at the current situation in Libya, one has to admit it is hardly understandable: Two governments, hundreds of tribes and autonomous armed groups, and the growing presence of competing jihadists groups amongst which the local Islamic State. This article attempts to give an overview of today’s situation in Libya, and to highlight a few important factors, such as the control of the economic resources.

The Future of South Yemen: Will Conflicting Interests Collide?

For the last year, the media has been abuzz with rumors of Saudi Arabia’s impending withdrawal from Yemen. Many analysts have ascribed the normalization deal with Iran to the Saudi exist strategy from the conflict, which has cost the Kingdom tens of billions of dollars in humanitarian aid alone, let alone military and other expenses towards the war effort and assorted administrative tasks. Attempted negotiations with Houthis have thus far not worked out after the Houthis demanded extraordinary concessions, in a new de facto rejection of the Saudi overtures. That left the fate of the Saudi-led Arab Coalition forces in limbo – while further complicating the situation inside the conflict-fraught country and raising questions about the future of South Yemen. In the latest diplomatic salvo, pointing to the Kingdom’s search for an exit strategy, Riyadh is making moves to strengthen its positions in Aden and Hadramut, by forming administrative councils (de-facto militias), aimed at promoting unity. Meanwhile, the Southern Transitional Council (STC) leadership, particularly popular in parts of the South, is more determined than ever to forge a pathway to independence. So where does that leave us?

US embassy in Baghdad struck with seven mortars as attacks escalate

Approximately seven mortar rounds landed in the U.S. Embassy compound in Baghdad during an attack early on Friday, a U.S. military official told Reuters, in what appeared to be the largest attack of its kind in recent memory.

U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria were also targeted with rockets and drones at least five more times on Friday; three times at separate bases in Syria, and twice at the Ain al-Asad airbase west of Baghdad, a different U.S. defense official told Reuters.

Classic Intelligence Failure: The Impact Of Arrogance and Hubris

Over the past 80 years, there have been costly intelligence failures in the United States and Israel despite sufficient intelligence collection and the presence of classic warning signals. For the United States, the attacks on Pearl Harbor in December 1941 could have been prevented or ameliorated because we had deciphered Japanese diplomatic codes that revealed the Japanese instructions to their embassy in Washington to destroy coded materials and to break relations with the United States. These are classic warning signals.

Houthi-Yemeni Tribe Marches In Support Of Gaza –Double Amputee Participant: We Will Continue On This Path, Even If They Cut Us To Pieces And Only Our Heads Remain

On December 5, 2023 Al-Masirah TV (Houthis-Yemen) aired a report on a march of the Khawlan Bin Amer tribe in Yemen in support of Gaza. An elderly participant told the Al-Masirah reporter that he hopes to end his life in Palestine and be martyred there. A young man said: “We are ready everywhere – on land, at sea, and in the air.” An amputee told the reporter that he and his mujahideen brothers are prepared to continue on this path “until we are cut into pieces, even if the only thing that remains are our heads.” The column of uniformed men can be seen passing a banner with the Houthi slogan: “Allah Akbar! Death to America! Death to Israel! Curses upon the Jews! Victory to Islam!”