North America

The multinational nature of the upcoming World Cup presents unique coordination, security, and infrastructure challenges for the host nations. With historical examples of terrorist groups targeting major sporting events serving as a warning, effective counter-terrorism planning will be crucial.

US / Mexico / Canada: Risks, Challenges, and Threats Ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Planning for the June-July 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America is well underway. As the world’s most-watched sporting event, addressing the challenges and threats associated with the tournament is a major focus. With the matches set to be played in 16 venues across the US, Canada, and Mexico, the tournament expanding from 32 teams to 48, and five million people expected to attend, risk planning is a complex, multinational undertaking.

Sep 236 min read

The recent national security concerns raised by China over Nvidia’s H20 AI chip serve as a reminder of ongoing Sino-American tensions and escalating technological competition. The challenges faced by Nvidia underscore how individual companies can become caught in the crossfire of the Sino-American technological rivalry. With their broad range of applications, advanced semiconductors will become even more critical, retaining major economic and military significance. The global market is projected to reach $2,062.6 billion by 2032. China’s Made in China 2025 initiative and the Big Fund signal Beijing’s determination to close the gap with the US and Taiwanese semiconductor capabilities, as well as achieve self-reliance. If the US loses its competitive edge in the semiconductor industry relative to China, it risks becoming politically, economically, and militarily subservient. By strengthening cooperation with like-minded allies, Washington can safeguard its position.

USA / China: The Importance of Semiconductors in the Escalating Sino-American Strategic Competition

On 31 July 2025, China raised concerns over potential security risks in Nvidia’s H20 artificial intelligence (AI) chip, casting uncertainty over the US company's sales prospects in China. In particular, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) took issue with the proposal for the chips to include tracking and positioning functions.

Aug 198 min read

Many have welcomed a U.S.-Africa partnership; however, scepticism remains as this could negatively affect countries that are more aligned with China, Russia, or BRICS. Countries with far less bargaining power and smaller economies could be left without a share of the “investment cake”, resulting in fragmentation in U.S.-Africa trade relations. Any deal with the U.S. is likely to result in partnerships and investments within the private sector, infrastructural development, and security cooperation.

“Trade, not aid”: Trump Hosts Five African Leaders in Washington

U.S. President Donald Trump hosted leaders from Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania and Senegal at the White House for a three-day summit that began with a working lunch in the State Dining Room on 09 July 2025. A high-stakes summit designed to reassess American influence across a continent. Each of these countries is currently facing a 10% tariff on exports to the U.S.

Jul 115 min read

The targeting of undersea cable infrastructure highlights the growing use of grey zone warfare by Western adversaries such as China and Russia. Nations targeted by grey zone tactics are best positioned to mitigate the threat through collaboration. In the case of protecting deep-sea cables, solutions include enhanced surveillance, AI integration, and deploying UUVs. The multitude of challenges posed by grey zone warfare demands ongoing multilateral cooperation and investment. This will be made harder by actors who continue to refine new methods and technologies to undermine and neutralise countermeasures.

Global Deep Dive - Undersea Cable Sabotage Underscores Ongoing Threat of Grey Zone Warfare

With growing political will, multiple countries are recognising and developing solutions to the challenges posed by grey zone warfare. However, the matter will require ongoing multilateral cooperation and investment. This will be made harder by actors who continue to refine new methods and technologies to undermine and neutralise countermeasures.

Jun 275 min read

Although Sino-American negotiations suggest a potential easing of trade tensions, until the proposed deal has been implemented, it would be premature to conclude that the talks were successful. The centrality of rare earth export restrictions to the talks deal underscores their criticality to the US economy and the severity of Beijing’s hold on global supply chains. Strategies such as friendshoring are available for Western countries to address their overreliance on Beijing. However, as time will be required to produce tangible results, achieving a compromise with China is firmly within US interests.

US-China Trade Talks Shed Light on China’s Critical Minerals Dominance

Recent US- China trade talks in London followed a rare 90-minute phone call between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping aimed at easing trade tensions. Since an agreement on 12 May 2025 to roll back the majority of the triple-digit tariffs, resolving trade tensions has emerged as a shared priority. One major reason for Washington’s interest in coming to the table is Beijing’s utilisation of export controls on a range of critical rare earth minerals and

Jun 195 min read

On Wednesday 21 May 2025, two employees of the Israeli embassy in Washington DC were shot dead near the Capital Jewish Museum at 2105hrs (local). After being detained by event security, the suspect, 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez, repeatedly chanted “free, free Palestine”. Writing on Truth Social, US President Donald Trump immediately condemned the shooting as antisemitism, commenting: “These horrible DC killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW! Hatred and Radicalism have no place in the USA”. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that security will subsequently be increased at Israeli embassies around the world.

USA - Capital Jewish Museum Attack Sparks Security Concerns for Israelis Abroad

As the death toll continues to rise, impatience with Israel is growing among the international community to end the conflict in Gaza. However, Netanyahu’s political and legal motivations, coupled with the US’ continued support for Israel, stand in the way. The recent killing of two Israeli embassy employees in Washington underscores the growing global threats facing Israelis, particularly those working in official roles. Risk mitigation strategies need to be taken to prote

May 224 min read

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