One of the most important things you should do is to decide very early in your career which environment and in which speciality you wish to work. You cannot do anything significant unless you make this fundamental decision.
Global Situation Report – September 2021
As the battle for control of Afghanistan unfolds following the withdrawal of foreign troops, Pakistan will aim to consolidate its influence in the country.
Pakistan has historically relied on its good relationship with the Afghan Taliban to keep TTP fighters in check. As it awaits the rise of the ultimate power bearer amid the turmoil in Afghanistan, Islamabad will focus on preventing violence in its western provinces that poses a serious threat to CPEC-related Chinese investments.
Industry News – At A Glance
We cast our eye over the main stories impacting the security industry. Here’s what’s appeared on the radar since the last issue. Including, attack in Afghanistan, Boko Haram Leader dead, severed heads in Mexico and Kevin Durant’s Bodyguard charged.
Kidnap & Ransom – Finding a Resolution
If you’re travelling to today’s hostile environments as an International actor, anywhere from Mexico to Afghanistan, and all the bad places in between, it would be madness to go without K&R insurance coverage, especially as it helps to reduce your overall insurance costs of travelling to these places.
Global Situation Report April 2021
Each issue our global geopolitical partner, Stratfor, provides an in-depth analysis of global incidents via in-house experts, cutting edge technology and through a comprehensive globally sourced network. Here is your summary from the last 30 days.
Global Situation Report
Each issue our global geopolitical partner, Stratfor, provides an in-depth analysis of global incidents via in-house experts, cutting edge technology, and through a comprehensive globally sourced network. Here is your summary for the last 30 days. West Africa: Al Qaeda Is Expanding Operations in Benin and Ivory Coast Feb 2, 2021 France’s intelligence chief, Bernard […]
War in Venezuela
On the morning of April 30th, 2019 Venezuela’s opposition leader Juan Guaidó seemed to attempt a coup d’état against the communist government of Nicolás Maduro.
I use the word ‘seemed’ as what occurred can be best described as a publicity stunt more than an actual coup d’état. For the remainder of the day, even those that thought they knew what was going on in Venezuela, really, had no idea what was going on. While social media and the news channels were touting a revolution in Caracas, life went on as normal on the military bases and for the rest of Venezuela. Guaidó’s attempted overthrow was mostly just another demonstration that is all too common in Caracas.
Global Situation Report October, 2020
Having informed insight in today’s increasingly complex international environment is more important than ever. That’s why we’ve partnered with Stratfor, the worlds leading geopolitical intelligence platform, to bring readers regular analysis and accurate forecasting of global trends from someone you can trust.
The Fallacy of the Individual Bodyguard
It was the height of British military and government involvement in the ill-fated NATO-led effort to crush the Taliban, and Kabul was inundated with people needing close protection services. From diplomats attempting to build infrastructure and civil institutions to corporate honchos sniffing out potential business opportunities, there was no shortage of clients for security firms to pitch. As my conversation with the in-country manager progressed, I broached the subject of IBGs – individual bodyguards. I told him in no uncertain terms that the idea of having an individual effectively carry out the functions of a close protection team was utter and absolute flannel. His response: “Maybe, Bob. But it brings in the dollars!”
WHY AMERICA MUST BAN ASSAULT RIFLES
I was a seventeen-year old military recruit when I was issued my first rifle. That marked the beginning of what would amount to nearly forty years of carrying firearms professionally. Twenty-three of those were in the military, including nearly twenty years with the SAS, followed by almost seventeen years of commercial security work.
The Silent Sniper, PTSD & The Battlefield
You might be forgiven for thinking that a life on the frontline is exciting, even glamorous. And on occasion, it is. But for the most part, my job is nothing of the sort. It’s dangerous, it’s far from well paid, and it’s stressful. And I mean, stressful. Nothing focuses the mind more than the sight and sound of a guerrilla army and its arsenal of fully-automatic weapons. And nothing destroys the mind more than the sight of women, children and innocent civilians lying dead or dying at one’s feet.
SYRIA… OH, THE IRONY
US foreign policy has been a dismal failure in the Region of today’s Greater Middle East. It has really had no end game at all, when we look at Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya and now Syria.
ALWAYS HAVE IT TOGETHER
My job is to look after my media team first and foremost. With the right mindset and approach, most of the time, this can be communicated to the military in a way that not only will they understand but also gets them onside.
Trump Is Bringing Troops Home, But What About The Next 20 Years Of US Foreign Policy?
Trump Is Bringing Troops Home, and in contrast to most US foreign policy of the past 20 years, Trump is making the right call. The question is – will it herald a more sensible US foreign policy in the years to come?
Why A Political Soloution With The Afghan Taliban Is So Important
A political solution with the Afghan Taliban must take place while there is still hope for one and before the situation morphs into something far worse! Afghans need and deserve a stable country in which to live their lives with hope for the future.
Taliban Attack IEC in Kabul
Taliban Attack IEC in Kabul Overview: On March 29 2014, AGE launched an attack on the Headquarters of the Independent Elections Commission (IEC) in Kabul. The attack began at approximately 1220hrs, when 4 x AGE took over a disused villa close to the IEC HQ. The attackers are reported to have been disguised in […]
Serena Hotel Attack
Serena Hotel Attack 20 March 2014 At approximately 2055hrs, on 20 March 2014, the Serena Hotel located close to the Presidential Palace in Kabul was attacked by four men armed with pistols. Incident Detail At approximately 2055hrs, on 20 March 2014, the Serena Hotel located close to the Presidential Palace in Kabul was attacked […]
Focus on: Afghanistan – March 2013
Focus on: Afghanistan – March 2013 Significant Events At least one Afghan civilian and a foreigner residing in Kabul have been injured during an explosion in District 15, Kabul. A magnetic IED attach to a Toyota Surf detonated at the front gate of the Minister of Interior’s Counter-Narcotics office. During the explosion two people […]
The Threat To Americans for Burning The Quran In The US
Mazar-e-Sharif is a northern Afghanistan province and the location where seven U.N. workers were killed by a mob in retaliation for the threat of burning of a Holy Quran in the U.S.
Rough Injustice
My name is Philip Young and I am a South African citizen incarcerated in Afghanistan. My incarceration is the result of an incident that took place in Helmand Province on the 1st of October 2009. The incident involved the fatal shooting, by me, of an Afghan citizen. The shooting came about when the […]