The pandemic has not only resulted in operational and financial challenges for the shipping industry but has also contributed to an increase in maritime attacks, writes Saif Islam.
In 2020, there has been a considerable increase in piracy and armed robbery incidents against ships in Asia. Rising cases have been reported in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, South China Sea, and the Singapore Strait. While the majority of events have not resulted in violence towards crew or significant losses or damages to vessels,…
Islamic State and other armed groups’ intent to stage kidnappings in Turkey never diminished and should be taken seriously, but their capabilities remain limited, writes Saif Islam.
While recent anti-lockdown protests, particularly in Europe, have not been substantially disruptive to public order or commercial operations, their potential adverse impact on public health, commercial and security environments should not be underestimated, writes Saif Islam.
The 4 August explosions in Beirut opened a new chapter in the ongoing political and socio-economic crisis in Lebanon, rejuvenating the anti-government protest movement and heightening political instability, writes Saif Islam.
The 4 August explosions in Beirut highlight an entrenched political and socio-economic crisis in Lebanon, which is fuelling criminal activity across the country, writes Saif Islam.
Recent demonstrations triggered by George Floyd’s killing during an arrest by Minneapolis police have been unparalleled in terms of their scale and global reach, writes Saif Islam.
The COVID-19 outbreak has led to worldwide travel bans and restrictions as well as nearly a complete stop in global passenger air traffic, leaving hundreds of thousands of people stranded in foreign countries. Saif Islam highlights the varied challenges of evacuating and repatriating people amid the pandemic.
The unprecedented number of climate protests and strikes in 2019 coincided with an increase in disruptive activities by environmental organisations. Protest actions by these groups have in many instances caused property damage or interruptions to commercial activities, whether through the blocking of roads to disrupt traffic, storming of mines to prevent…
In 2019, there were an average of more than 9,700 aircrafts in the air – transporting over 1.2 million people – at any given moment. As international travel often brings passengers to new destinations, they may face unfamiliar security dynamics. In fact, in 2019, 68 percent of tourists ranked security threats as their primary concern – above geopolitical…
The extractive industry – including mining, oil and gas exploration, dredging and quarrying – is one of the most vulnerable to kidnapping and extortion. Looking ahead to 2020, these industries’ often remote operating locations with limited rule of law, and the perception of industry actors as lucrative targets, are likely to persist as key factors contributing…
Incidents of mass mobilisation over environmental issues such as climate change gained significant global traction in 2019. Inspired by environmental activists such as Greta Thunberg and organisations such as Extinction Rebellion, millions of school learners, university students, activists and supporters have been organising protests and strikes across…