A recent article on The Independent features Global Guardian's interactive 2023 Risk Assessment Map, highlighting risk ratings by country and geopolitical risk zones around the world. The article notes the risk ratings for popular holiday destinations—including some of the safest countries to visit—and puts a spotlight on "extreme risk" regions and why they have been given that rating.
“That’s why you’re seeing a lot of violence lately in the Western half of Mexico, because these two cartels are accommodating in this trade, fighting with each other. And then you have factions fighting with each other. Sinaloa has rival factions and they’re (also) fighting with police,” Ballard said.
In this article, Julian Resendiz from the Border Report talks to Global Guardian's Director of Intelligence Michael Ballard about Global Guardian's 2023 Risk Map and the drug war happening in Mexico.
"Risk maps are something COOs and security leaders in Fortune 500 need to look at. It’s not paranoid to say we’re decoupling from China. From Russia. We’re looking at possible geopolitical decoupling. Previously looking at risk was a linear model based on crime, kidnap and ransom, etc."
In this article, Michael Goldstein from Forbes talks to CEO Dale Buckner about Global Guardian's 2023 Risk Map and the new world of global risk for travelers. Dale also discusses Global Guardian's business model —and how the firm supports clients across the world, including evacuating thousands of clients out of Ukraine and supporting on-the-ground emergency response during Hurricane Ian in Florida.
The following analysis is part of Global Guardian's 2023 Risk Assessment Map. To explore and download the map, click here.
While there are current humanitarian and health impacts resulting from the violence in eastern Congo, an expansion of the conflict could disrupt the global supplies of cobalt and coltan which are vital for battery production. There are over 5.5 million internally displaced persons in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), with an additional 160,000 new refugees since June 2022. Further destabilization could also lead to severe disease outbreaks, including Ebola.
The following analysis is part of Global Guardian's 2023 Risk Assessment Map. To explore and download the map, click here.
A hot conflict between Iran and its proxies and Israel and/or the United States (U.S.) would have profound macroeconomic effects. Iran has already demonstrated its willingness and capacity to strike Saudi oil production and disrupt maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz – where 30 percent of both global crude and LNG pass through – and the Bab Al Mandeb Strait, the world’s fourth busiest waterway that connects Europe to Asia. With proxy forces in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Gaza, and Yemen, a hot conflict with Iran over its nuclear program could prompt a regional conflagration.
The following analysis is part of Global Guardian's 2023 Risk Assessment Map. To explore and download the map, click here.
The drug war in Mexico is one of the most violent conflicts on the planet with cartel activity permeating through many levels of the Mexican economy and society. Cartel conflicts continue to drive violence across Mexico, including tourist areas previously less affected, such as Cancun and Puerto Vallarta. Inter-cartel violence can impact and disrupt travel, worksites, and supply chains.
The following analysis is part of Global Guardian's 2023 Risk Assessment Map. To explore and download the map, click here.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has led to dramatic increases in energy costs amid already high global inflation. Russia’s hold on much of Europe’s natural gas supply directly threatens Europe’s energy security. Ukraine and Russia constitute a large portion of global food and metal exports, and further disruption of these supply chains will continue to detrimentally affect the food supply and European manufacturing.
The following analysis is part of Global Guardian's 2023 Risk Assessment Map. To explore and download the map, click here.
A military conflict over the Taiwan Strait would have a disastrous impact on the global economy. The primary sectors impacted would include container shipping, manufacturing, and semiconductors. But the second-and third-order impacts would be dire and difficult to calculate. Chief among them would be a total decoupling of the U.S. and Chinese economies.
On 10 October, Russia launched more than 80 missiles, dozens of kamikaze drones, and artillery at civilian targets, in Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odesa, Lviv, and elsewhere (map below). The strikes targeted critical infrastructure, knocking out power in multiple areas, including Kyiv. At least 11 civilians have reportedly been killed, with dozens more injured. Today's strikes are the first time Russia has targeted Kyiv and western Ukraine in months and mark the widest-ranging strikes on Ukraine since the opening hours of the conflict.
The strikes were likely coordinated by Russian Air Force Gen. Sergei Surovikin, who was recently named as commander of all Russian troops in Ukraine. Surovikin is known for overseeing the bombardment of Aleppo.
The mass missile strikes are in retaliation for an apparent truck bombing of the Kerch Strait bridge linking Crimea to Russia, likely carried out by Ukrainian special operatives on 08 September. Parts of the bridge were destroyed; heavy trucks will not be permitted until repairs are made. The attack is highly symbolic, as it represents the only physical link between Russia and Crimea and is an important symbol for President Putin who devoted significant political capital towards its construction.
ANALYSIS
LOOKING AHEAD
"With simple back of the napkin math, you can determine that Ukraine has more tanks now than it did in early February," Faintuch told Newsweek.
Global Guardian Senior Intelligence Analyst Zev Faintuch discusses the Ukrainian capture of Russian tanks, including how Ukraine’s tank capabilities compare with Russia’s and how this has changed over the course of the war.
