Control Risks

Pakistan is expected to hold general elections later this year, but the country is also grappling with serious economic challenges and mounting security threats. Join Control Risks senior analyst Arsla Jawaid and Chris Torrens, Partner as they discuss how Pakistan has been drawing on key strategic bilateral relationships ahead of its 2023 elections – specifically with China, which is envisioning a greater role for itself in the region.

Catastrophic failures in the digital domain and large-scale cyber spill over have been puzzlingly absent from the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Why? Join Nicolas Reys for a discussion with Control Risks experts Stina Connor and Jayan Perera about the not always clear-cut cyber risk lessons of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, what companies and governments are getting right in protecting themselves, and the longer-term implications as the conflict heads into its second year.    Find out more about our cyber and digital services.   Email cyber@controlrisks.com to get in touch.

There has been much discussion recently about the erosion of democracy worldwide. As always, the picture is more nuanced than it seems at first glance. In 2023, where does democracy stand? Join  Charles Hecker and Claudine Fry for a conversation with Control Risks' expert Achmad Sukarsono and Elisabeth Braw, Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, about how businesses should be approaching threats to democracies, best practice for operating and investing in maturing democracies, and why the notion of democratic erosion is perhaps a Western-centric idea that isn’t always a helpful starting point.

Nic Reys is joined by Control Risks Principal Lianne Kennedy-Boudali and Senior Consultant Steve Sacks to discuss how bringing together defenders from both the physical and cyber domains in your organisation can be the first crucial step in deterring and mitigating emerging threats to your organisation. Find out more about our cyber and digital services.   Email cyber@controlrisks.com to get in touch.

How will China project itself on the world stage in 2023? Join Charles Hecker and Claudine Fry for a conversation with Control Risks' lead China Analyst, Andrew Gilholm, about the foreign policy implications of the recent National Chinese Communist Party Congress, the outlook for business critical issues like supply chain, and China’s relationship with the US and Russia.    Find out more about how Control Risks can help your organisation succeed.

In the absence of easily accessible public record information, employing unique intelligence-gathering techniques to support disputes and recovery efforts can unlock the information needed to make informed decisions and shape effective legal strategies.  This is particularly true when conducting investigations or seeking enforcement in opaque jurisdictions, such as many Middle Eastern countries, where intelligence contributes to the success of legal strategies. Join Courtenay Smith, Monaf Hatam and Kanupriya Jain for a conversation as they discuss utilising intelligence techniques during investigations in support of legal disputes, the different intelligence gathering techniques, how they are used and when they are needed.  Find out more about the support we can offer your organisation.

Few National Congresses of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in history seem to have generated as much global media attention and market response as this year’s, underscoring how business is increasingly driven by politics. Companies are concerned about how China's political trajectory and business environment will evolve over the next five years or more. Have the fundamentals of China's long-term growth changed? Join the discussion between Angela Mancini, Partner, and Andrew Gilholm, Director of Analysis for China and North Asia. They discuss the outcomes of the CPC National Congress, the short-term market reaction, the outlook for China, and key takeaways for businesses. Read our article on the CPC National Congress for more insights about this significant political event, or subscribe to our Asia In Focus podcast series to keep track of dynamics in the Asia market. If you are looking for more analysis on other issues from our experts all over the world, please visit the Our Thinking section on Control Ris

Which factors are driving inflation and, in turn, how is the rising cost of living driving social unrest worldwide? What do businesses need to know when evaluating the efficacy of government policies and moves by central banks? Join Claudine Fry and Jonathan Wood for a conversation with Ben May, Director of Global Macroeconomic Research at Oxford Economics about the impacts of inflation on global economic performance, on social and political stability, and on the business environment right around the world.    Find out more about how Control Risks can help your organisation succeed.

The Pacific Islands are gaining attention amid the great power rivalry. All sides are stepping up their engagement with the region to expand influence. But the Pacific islands are not just pawns in the geopolitical contest – they are taking it as a chance to promote their own agenda, which may lead to new interest from businesses. Angela Mancini, Partner, has a talk with Daniel Rechtschaffen, Analyst, and Harrison Cheng, Director. They discuss the growth of big powers’ presence in the region in the past years, the view from Pacific Island nations and the key priorities and areas they would like to address, and the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead for companies. For more discussions on the Asia market, please subscribe to our Asia In Focus podcast series. If you are looking for more analysis on other issues from our experts all over the world, please visit Control Risks’ Our Thinking section.

With hard-built reputations on the line, the increasing prevalence of double extortion ransomware attacks are costing organisations more than just their financial stability. Control Risks Partner Nic Reys sits down with experts Luke Fardell and Mark Fawcett to discuss the dangers from threat actors around double extortion and what makes for an effective response to them. Find out more about our cyber and digital services.   Email cyber@controlrisks.com to get in touch.

Cryptocurrency, bitcoin, blockchain, distributed ledgers, CBDCs – the flood of new terms and concepts surrounding digital currency can make your head spin. How should companies be approaching this fundamental shift to the way the world transacts, and why are central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) a key development to watch? Join Charles Hecker and Claudine Fry for a conversation with Josh Lipsky, Senior Director of the Atlantic Council’s GeoEconomics Center, as he demystifies digital currencies and the risks they pose for business. Dive deeper with the Atlantic Council’s Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) Tracker, which takes you inside the rapid evolution of money all over the world. Learn more about cybersecurity risks around digital currency in this report from the Atlantic Council. Find out more about how Control Risks can help your organisation succeed.

Sri Lanka still faces political uncertainty and deep economic turmoil. Global attention remains on the country. Economies with the potential for similar issues see its plans to manage debt with international creditors and set for IMF bailout to be replicable, and – despite the challenges – there are still opportunities in Sri Lanka for international businesses. Join Angela Mancini, Partner, as she talks with Steve Wilford, Partner based in Singapore, and Khalid Bashir Shah, Analyst based in Delhi. They discuss the most recent developments in Sri Lanka and its outlook, what the country’s trajectory means for similar economies, and how companies should learn from the crisis to harness opportunities in key industries and mitigate risks. For more discussions on the Asia market, please subscribe to our Asia In Focus podcast series. If you are looking for more analysis on other issues from our experts all over the world, please visit Control Risks’ Our Thinking section.

The energy crisis spurred by the Russia-Ukraine conflict has led to the weaponisation of energy by governments and blocs on all sides to protect their energy security. Join Charles Hecker and Claudine Fry for conversation with Control Risks experts Oksana Antonenko and Patrick Osgood about how energy weaponisation is manifesting differently around the world, the implications for energy transition, and what steps businesses can take to adapt and even thrive amid energy instability and fragmentation.  Find out more about how we can help your organisation succeed.

The imprisonment of Malaysia's former Prime Minister Najib Razak made headlines recently. The scandal tied directly to him is not just a personal blow, but also affects the prospects of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), Malaysia’s leading political party. While political stability is a perennial issue in Malaysia, it remains a well-placed investment destination for companies looking for opportunities, especially in the sectors that are on the rise. Listen here as Angela Mancini, Partner, and Harrison Cheng, Director, discuss the impacts of Najib’s jailing on Malaysia’s political spectrum and governance standards as the 2023 elections approach. They will look at the country’s investment climate and the promising industries, as well as the key challenges for investors and operators. For more discussions on South-East Asia, please listen to our podcasts about Vietnam and the supply chain diversification. If you are looking for more analysis on other issues from our experts all over the world, pleas

The Africa Risk-Reward Index -- produced jointly by Control Risks and Oxford Economics Africa -- is an authoritative guide for policy makers, business leaders and investors, that illustrates the evolution of the investment landscape in major African markets and provides a grounded, longer-term outlook of key trends shaping investment in these economies. In an era of exacerbated global uncertainty and geopolitical change, Africa’s role with the world is being redefined. With the challenges this will present will also come significant opportunities for African countries and investors. Seizing them will be more imperative now than ever.  Join Robert Hutchinson, Partner for our East Africa region for a discussion about the Index with Patricia Rodrigues, a Senior Analyst for Africa; Vincent Rouget, an Associate Director who leads Control Risks analyst team for Africa; Zainab Animashaun, Senior Analyst; Seamus Duggan, Head of Tactical Intelligence; and Jacques Nel, head of Macro at Oxford Economics Africa, the Afri

Having a strong grasp on where cyber compliance and regulations are headed should be a top concern for any organisation, especially those with global footprints. Control Risks Partner Nic Reys sits down with experts Stina Connor and Jim Fitzsimmons for a conversation about key regional divergences around data privacy, how politics and national security agendas are driving cyber regulations, and what organisations can do to adapt to a perpetually shifting and fragmented cyber landscape.  Email cyber@controlrisks.com to get in touch or visit our website for more information.

Against a backdrop of overwhelming humanitarian and an economic strife, an extraordinary election cycle has been playing out this year across Latin America. Join Charles Hecker and Claudine Fry for conversation with Control Risks experts Gavin Strong and Silvana Amaya about how organisations should understand the candidates, policies and populations in a region ready for change.  Learn more about how we can support your organisation.

A few weeks after Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan, media attention started to dwindle, but the ripple effect is long-lasting. Pelosi's trip may have ushered in a new normal of increased US-China tensions, growing actions and countermeasures around Taiwan and more broadly, and a deepening dilemma for businesses. From security to supply chain, the risk exposure is greater than what companies may have expected. Please join Angela Mancini, Partner, as she talks with Andrew Gilholm, Director of Analysis for China and North Asia, on the outlook of the regional and global impacts following Pelosi’s visit, the top issues faced by businesses in the long term, and what organisations should do to mitigate existing and emerging risks. For more written analysis around this, read our article on the various geopolitical flashpoints in the Northeast Asia region. If you are looking for more analysis on other issues from our experts all over the world, please visit Control Risks’ Our Thinking section.

Decrypt is the podcast making sense of cyber and technology issues impacting your organisation. Since the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, there have been drastic changes to the cyber threat landscape, including a sharp increase in ransomware attacks. In this episode of In Focus, Control Risks Partner Nicolas Reys talks with experts Joe Buckley and Mark Fawcett about these changes, how they might develop and what this means for organisations preparing for and responding to ransomware attacks. Email cyber@controlrisks.com to get in touch or visit our website for more information.

Despite the global headwinds, Vietnam continues to offer a strong value proposition for investors, and has continued to attract keen investor interest with its strong growth story. However, Vietnam is also known for its opaque regulatory and political landscape. Join Angela Mancini, Partner, as she discusses with Stephen Norris, Partner and lead analyst for Southeast Asia, and Linh Nguyen, Associate Director, about the challenges that foreign companies face in the country, what they should be doing to mitigate those risks, the opportunities and growth sectors that lie ahead, and finally, can Vietnam really replace China in global supply chains? Read our article on the great supply chain relocation where we explained how companies can expand operations into Southeast Asia in light of China’s COVID-19-related disruptions, or listen to our discussion on this topic in our podcast episode, The future of the global supply chain: China and South-East Asia. If you are looking for more of such analysis and insights fr