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The power of outsourced intelligence analysis

In today’s fast-paced business landscape, corporations face the formidable challenge of assessing unprecedented volumes of information. Increasingly, businesses are turning to outsourced intelligence gathering professionals to collect and make sense of vital open-source intelligence on their behalf. What are OSINT and HUMINT? While governments have a long-standing history with open-source intelligence (OSINT), the commercial world …

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Prigozhin’s death – the cracks are beginning to show

Yevgeny Prigozhin’s death in August 2023 has sent shockwaves through the geopolitical community. The alleged founder of the infamous Wagner Group, Prigozhin, was also a Russian oligarch and close aide to President Vladimir Putin. The killing of Wagner’s leadership will have significant negative security consequences for the individuals, continents and countries caught up in the …

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The US vs China – who will draw back?

The two major powerhouses of the world’s industrial and financial markets are not just at odds with each other but are fighting a ‘cold war’ that threatens the very foundations upon which all countries operate. Both economies are suffering – and that’s partly as a result of policies enacted by their own governments. For China, the …

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Unravelling the Dragon’s downturn: analysing the decline of the Chinese Economy

Growth in China’s GDP has unexpectedly slowed, raising concerns for its domestic and global growth prospects. In this second quarter, China’s gross domestic product grew by just 0.8%, signalling one of the worst performances in fifty years. Businesses that are heavily reliant on trade with China must mitigate risk and ensure they are adequately prepared …

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BRICS vs RCEP: Clash of the regional trade titans

At just three years of age, the RCEP (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership) is already showing signs of rivalling its older sibling, BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa). BRICS, formed in the early 2000s as a gathering of fast-growing nations, has had significant influence on the global stage and has become an institutionalised forum. …

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Countering the Shadows: Tackling the escalating Iranian terrorist threat in the UK and EU

The European Union (EU) is having sleepless nights over the increasing threat of in-country terror attacks, instigated by groups such as ISIS, Jihadists, and the controversial Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp in Iran. The threat The terror group ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) dates back to 2004 and was formed from the Sunni terror …

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Damned if you do, damned if you don’t – Putin and the BRICS summit

Putin’s decision to avoid the BRICS summit is not all it seems. Between 22 and 24 August, South Africa will have the honour of hosting the 2023 annual BRICS summit. The big names – Brazil, India, China and the hosts, South Africa – will be present in full force. The Russian President will not. BRICS …

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Chaos and Consequences – Examining the impact of the Taliban’s Kabul takeover

The second anniversary of the Taliban’s Kabul takeover highlights ongoing security concerns in Afghanistan for all stakeholders in the region. The Taliban claim to have full control of the region and a firm hold on security – but it is reported that this is far from the truth. The Taliban’s seizure of control of Kabul …

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Safeguarding the Amazon: Which will triumph – personal profit or the planet?

At the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO) regional summit in early August, representatives of the eight Amazonian countries and senior US/French officials will meet to discuss the ‘lungs of the earth’. Is there any chance that, for once, they will put the environment above personal profit? The two-day meeting (8–9 August 2023) will be hosted …

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The Bear Roars in Africa!

The Russian bear is on the move. Quietly. In Africa. Russia’s affair with Africa dates back to the Cold War era when, as the Soviet Union, it supported liberation movements and like-minded governments across the continent. At the time, it was considered the most influential of external actors. However, interest waned following the breakup of …

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