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River systems are not only trade routes but also pathways through which criminal networks and major global powers exert territorial control. Strategic waterways like the Paraguay–Paraná, Mekong, and Congo have become sites for drug trafficking, resource smuggling, and intense competition between Washington and Beijing for strategic resources and geopolitical power.

Iran-backed militias in Iraq have opened a northern front against Saudi petroleum infrastructure. The Houthis are simultaneously threatening Saudi ports, pipelines and tankers from Yemen. The attack on the Saudi-flagged tanker Encelia showed that the campaign extends beyond land-based infrastructure into the Red Sea.

The Arctic is becoming an increasingly important region due to climate change, opening previously inaccessible sea routes and creating new economic opportunities. Emerging shipping corridors could reshape global trade by reducing journey times between Europe and Asia, while competition increases between countries seeking influence over Arctic infrastructure. Growing activity in the Arctic is likely to create new security challenges, with implications for businesses oper

Canada is deepening ties with Saudi Arabia and the UAE as Ottawa seeks greater trade and investment diversification. Mark Carney's Saudi visit produced more than C$1 billion in commercial agreements across technology, infrastructure, mining and defence. The UAE's major investment commitment has highlighted the practical challenge of matching available capital with sufficiently advanced Canadian projects.

Key Takeaways Violence-as-a-Service is transforming organised crime, allowing criminal groups to outsource violent acts through online recruitment and encrypted communications. Young people are increasingly being targeted and exploited via social media and messaging platforms to carry out serious offences on behalf of organised crime networks. The threat is driving greater international cooperation, with the UK participating in Europol’s Operational Taskforce GRIMM to disrupt

Colombia's "Total Peace" strategy under Petro failed to reduce armed group activity, rebel numbers nearly doubled to roughly 27,000 fighters by 2026, and 2025 became one of the deadliest years in a decade. Abelardo De La Espriella won the presidency on 21 June by less than one percentage point, pledging a 90-day military offensive and an end to all peace talks.

Pashinyan’s victory transforms Armenia from an isolated country into a strategic corridor between Europe and Asia, unlocking new logistical, energy, and digital routes. The normalisation of relations with Azerbaijan and Turkey marks the end of decades of belligerence in the South Caucasus. Yerevan is accelerating its distancing from Russia and moving closer to the EU, while still managing its economic dependence on the Kremlin.

Israel, Egypt and Cyprus are developing a functional gas corridor that links Israeli production, Egyptian LNG infrastructure and future Cypriot offshore fields. The corridor is commercially useful but politically fragile, with Gaza, Palestinian offshore gas, Cyprus’s divided status and Turkey’s maritime claims all shaping the risk environment. Companies should monitor offshore security restrictions, Egypt’s LNG utilisation, Cyprus project timelines, Turkey’s maritime posture.

Rising anti-immigration sentiment across both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland is increasingly shaping the protest landscape, with migration pressures, housing concerns and high-profile incidents acting as key triggers for mobilisation. The open border under the Common Travel Area enables rapid cross-border movement, meaning demonstrations in Belfast and Dublin can draw overlapping supporter bases and increase the scale, visibility and unpredictability of prote

Demonstrations and civil mobilisations concerning major international political events are common, especially for the G7. This time around, US President Trump’s foreign policy with Iran is at the forefront. For European leaders, this means dealing with Trump’s political plans and addressing Russia’s war on Ukraine.

Key takeaways Island sovereignty acts as a defensive paradox, where maritime isolation provides a strong protective moat against invasion, but leaves nations vulnerable to economic collapse via naval blockades. A 2026 US energy blockade targeting Cuba's fuel imports has triggered a humanitarian and economic crisis, marked by 20-hour daily blackouts, toxic waste burning, and violent protests. Washington is increasing pressure on Cuba to eliminate a perceived, nearby Marxist

Crime is falling. So why do so many people feel less safe? It’s a paradox that sits at the heart of the UK’s current security landscape. Understanding the threat landscape isn’t just about analysing crime data - it’s about understanding how people experience and interpret risk.

Key takeaways Anti-immigration tensions in South Africa have intensified, with groups calling for stricter immigration enforcement and the removal of undocumented migrants. Reports of vigilante activity, business closures, and attacks on migrant communities have raised concerns over a potential escalation in the unrest. Regional fallout is growing, with Ghana and Mozambique repatriating citizens, while several African governments issue warnings to nationals in South Africa.

Railways, particularly the Lobito Corridor and the Tanzania–Zambia Railway, have regained strategic importance as they connect the Copperbelt to the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Transport infrastructure has become a key instrument of international influence and geopolitical power. Global competition driven by control over routes bringing critical minerals to world markets allows African countries to leverage this rivalry to attract investment and development.

Hope Bay is expected to produce more than 400,000 ounces of gold annually, support close to 2,000 jobs and increase Canadian exports by C$2.6 billion each year. Canada increasingly views Arctic infrastructure, mineral development, clean energy and defence capability as connected elements of national sovereignty and economic resilience. The Arctic is no longer solely an environmental or security issue. It is emerging as a supply-chain frontier.

The G7 remains a relevant, minilateral forum capable of defending the liberal international order and its values at a time when it is under threat. It serves as an alternative to larger, often gridlocked global institutions, providing an informal structure for diplomacy. To protect G7 unity and avoid direct confrontation with the Trump administration, France has compromised on its agenda by omitting climate change.

nternal conflict in the UK has, in recent years, been heavily influenced by international conflict across the globe. The rise in hate crime incidents cannot be ignored, with increases in antisemitism and Islamophobia often closely linked to periods of international warfare and heightened geopolitical tensions.

Houthi attacks in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait have demonstrated how relatively low-cost drone and missile attacks can generate disproportionate economic disruption across global supply chains, shipping lines, and energy markets.

The Dutch MV Hondius cruise liner has seen several of its passengers become infected with Andes hantavirus, a strain capable of spreading between humans.So far, three individuals have died and 11 have been infected, with all passengers disembarking from the ship. Communications between countries concerning the logistics and permissions needed to address, contain, and treat infected individuals have been difficult. Fears of the virus have rekindled fears about a global pandemi

The KSA maintains strong ties with the US whilst closely monitoring Iran in the Gulf, cooperating with the UAE and Russia, and engaging with BRICS+ economies. Businesses can capitalise on the KSA’s Vision 2030 for significant long-term opportunities.