Situation update

At approximately 1100 local time, sniper fire was reported against members and supporters of Lebanon’s Shia Hezbollah and the Amal Movement near the Palace of Justice in the Tayouneh area of Beirut, southeast of the city center.

CASE STUDY: GLOBAL GUARDIAN EVACUATES A CLIENT FROM INDIA TO THE US DURING A GLOBAL LOCKDOWN

Global Guardian CEO Dale Buckner credits in-country partners with the success of Global Guardian’s efforts in India: “An on-the-ground presence is critical to be able to successfully go the last mile when it comes to saving lives and serving clients. If you try to do this from outside the country, you are guaranteed to fail.” 

In the October edition of ITIJ's Assistance and Repatriation Review, Global Guardian describes the execution of a 24-hour, seven-stop emergency evacuation of a COVID-19-positive client from India back to the US for treatment, all while navigating an international travel lockdown.

EVACUATING EMPLOYEES FROM POLITICAL UNREST

"Ultimately, protecting employees and the business’s interests during these dire situations requires risk professionals to do the work before a crisis happens. 'If you can communicate now, you can organize now,' Buckner said."

In a Risk Management Magazine article, Global Guardian President and CEO Dale Buckner stresses the steps corporations should take to be prepared to protect and evacuate their employees in any crisis, including regular desktop exercises running emergency scenarios, like what unfolded in Afghanistan this year, and reviewing contingency plans, insurance coverage, and vendors.

COUNTERTERRORISM IN THE PAST AND PRESENT: Q&A WITH KEY PLAYERS

"A person, whether an HVE or a DVE, who has a grievance, feels disenfranchised, and is looking for something—they can find like-minded individuals on the internet....You can pick and choose from what’s out there to support your particular ideology and yet never have to leave your computer to communicate, plan, and target individuals."

In the Special 9/11 Edition of the IACP Police Chief Magazine, the FBI National Security Branch conducted interviews of FBI leaders, special agents, and other law enforcement partners who played key roles in the evolving counterterrorism mission before, during, and after 9/11, including Global Guardian Vice President of Global Risk Services Mike McGarrity. In this feature, McGarrity—former assistant director of the FBI Counterterrorism Division—discusses the evolution of terrorist threats, in particular how the internet and social media play a role and the challenges they create.

THREAT REPORT

On Saturday, 18 September, 2021, upwards of 700 people will return to the U.S. Capitol to rally in support of defendants charged in connection with the January 6 storming of the Capitol building following the pro-Trump "Stop the Steal" rally. The demonstration is planned for noon at Union Square, which encompasses the U.S. Capitol. Multiple road closures will be in effect.

Latest DEVELOPMENTS

• The European Union removed the United States from its "Safe List", causing several European nations to alter their entry restrictions on American travelers. For example, Spain now requires unvaccinated Americans to provide proof of a negative test, while Switzerland removed the U.S. from its own list of approved traveler countries. 
• Pfizer expects to report data needed for vaccine approval in five to 11-year-olds later in September and could potentially submit an application for emergency use shortly after. It said data for kids aged two to under five could arrive soon after. For children between six months and two years, Pfizer has said it could have safety and immunogenicity data as early as October or November. It is likely all children in the U.S. 6mo and older will be able to receive Pfizer's vaccine by the start of 2022.
• Hospitalizations in the U.S. appear to be flattening as the Delta variant wave looks to have peaked in much of the South. Hotspots are now in Kentucky, Tennessee, and West Virginia. Daily deaths now average nearly 2,000/day and will likely peak in the next 10-14 days.
  
  

FROM AFGHANISTAN TO LOUISIANA, GLOBAL GUARDIAN GETS CLIENTS OUT OF HARM'S WAY

“Whether responding to the 2015 Paris attacks, the 2016 Turkey coup, the back-to-back hurricanes in the Western Hemisphere in 2017, COVID-19 pandemic border closures of 2020, the collapse of India’s healthcare system in May of 2021 — or the fall of Kabul, Afghanistan, Global Guardian’s ability to move and respond in minutes and hours, delivers positive outcomes and real results to our client base during their greatest time of need,” Buckner said.

Global Guardian was featured in Fairfax County EDA's E-Bird Newsletter with CEO Dale Buckner discussing recent evacuation and emergency response efforts from Afghanistan to Louisiana. Buckner also shares how Global Guardian differs from other providers and why he chose to base the company's headquarters in Fairfax County. 

BLOOMBERG QUICKTAKE "TAKE THE LEAD" FEATURED INTERVIEW AT 27:55

“In this day and age, there is an expectation that your brand, your company, is going to take a vote and a stand on these positions, and now this is going to change how CEOs manage their firms and their brand and the outlook in the market.”

Global Guardian CEO Dale Buckner was featured on Bloomberg Quicktake “Take the Lead” series discussing the societal shift causing corporations and their CEOs to take a stance on political, social, and environmental issues—and the resulting rise in physical and digital threats against today’s business leaders.

Click below to watch the full video. If interested in skipping ahead, Global Guardian segment begins at 27:55.

SITUATIONAL UPDATE

Hurricane Ida hit the Louisiana coast on Sunday as a Category 4 storm, bringing sustained 150 mph winds, massive storm surge, and torrential rains. As a result, more than one million customers remain without power in southeastern Louisiana, including in New Orleans, where all eight major transmission lines into the city have failed. Similarly, nearly 450,000 people are without running water in Louisiana. Several people have died as a result of the storm, and further fatalities are expected. 

The impact was felt in Mississippi as well, where multiple ports are at "Status Zulu", meaning no vessels may enter or transit the port without approval from the Coast Guard. Those under Port Status Zulu include the ports of Biloxi, Gulfport, Pascagoula, and Bienville. 

Damage to oil and gas infrastructure both on and offshore is being assessed, while prolonged disruptions to production, refining, and transportation of petroleum products could see a temporary spike in gasoline prices and long lines at gas stations.

The Global Guardian team is looking forward to attending ASIS International’s Global Security Exchange Conference in Orlando, September 27-29, 2021.