"People are thinking they lost a year of their lives, and in the back of their minds, they're thinking, 'What if this happens again?'"
In a recent Business Insider article, Global Guardian CEO Dale Buckner weighs in on the expected surge of summer travel as countries around the globe reopen, and how Global Guardian is preparing to support family clients with their travel safety and security needs.
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After weeks of high tensions and violent clashes in Jerusalem, Gaza-based militants have opened another round of conflict with Israel. Casualties are mounting on both sides with no ceasefire on the horizon. Meanwhile, violent clashes and sectarian violence have broken out in multi-ethnic areas of Israel outside of Jerusalem, in Nazareth, Acre, Ramle, Haifa, and Lod with several casualties reported. With escalating conflict on the domestic and military fronts, it is highly unlikely that the situation will calm down before next week with Nakba Day falling on Saturday (15 May).
On May 10, the FBI announced that on Friday, May 7, a group known as DarkSide was responsible for a ransomware attack that effectively shut down the operation of the Colonial Pipeline.
Tensions in the Middle East remain high amid recent incidents in the region, and any number of triggers could lead to conflict involving Lebanon, Israel, Iran, and the U.S and their proxies. The possible renegotiation of the abandoned nuclear deal sits at the center of the situation, and all eyes are now turned to the key players to see how it plays out.
Two key deadlines loom large as conflicting reports emerge over the diplomatic progress concerning Iran’s nuclear program. If a compromise between the U.S. and Iran is not reached by 21 May, Iran has threatened to erase the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) monitoring footage of its nuclear activities, possibly upending negotiations. The second upcoming date is 18 June, where hardliners are expected to win Iran’s presidential elections and gain control over the nation’s diplomatic endeavors.
As the clock ticks on the diplomatic track, regional tensions remain high following several significant geopolitical incidents in April. These include a sabotage event at Iran’s primary nuclear facility, the mysterious death of a top Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Commander, the U.S. navy firing warning shots at an IRCC ship in the Gulf (for the first time in four years), and alarms sounding at Israel’s nuclear reactor. Against the backdrop of recent diplomatic initiatives and geopolitical incidents, the region is on edge awaiting what comes next.
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While the global battle against coronavirus continues, some countries are making progress while others are still experiencing high rates of transmission. India in particular is in the midst of a COVID-19 crisis. Official case counts routinely exceed 300,000/day, and the government reports nearly 3,000 deaths per day. Both of these statistics are significant undercounts, with some estimates putting these metrics at 2-5x official counts. The healthcare system is overwhelmed, with critical shortages of oxygen and hospital beds. There are reports of people are dying from COVID-19 while in line outside hospitals and clinics.
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As the situation unfolds, Global Guardian is actively supporting clients with their security needs. If you are in need of support please contact Global Guardian’s 24/7 Operations by clicking below or calling + 1 (703) 566-9463.
A calculated or unintentional return to sustained hostilities looms as Moscow and Kyiv sabre-rattle over eastern Ukraine. After Russian troops failed to leave the Russia-Ukraine border region following the completion of training exercises on 23 March, U.S. European Command elevated its watch level to “potential imminent crisis,” its highest threat level.
On 26 March, four Ukrainian soldiers were killed near the separatists' de facto capital of Donetsk, marking the most intense fighting in recent months, with cease-fire monitors reporting more extensive artillery and more advanced weaponry being used. Russian-aligned separatists and Ukrainian forces have been engaged in low-intensity conflict since Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014. The U.S. estimates that there are currently approximately 80,000 Russian troops amassed in Crimea and around Ukraine, nearly double Russia’s force posture in early March. The recent Russian military buildup has sparked fears that the frozen conflict on Europe’s eastern flank is heating up.
The trial of Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer charged with killing George Floyd, wrapped up this week. The jury has reached a verdict and it will be announced today between 1630 and 1700 EST.
Protests, counter-protests, unrest, and rioting are possible after the verdict is announced, regardless if he is found guilty or not guilty on any, all, or none of the charges.
Protests in response to Floyd's killing over the summer of 2020 lead to widespread unrest and riots in major cities. Similar unrest is possible in the wake of the trial verdict, especially in Minneapolis and other cities that saw significant upheaval in the summer of 2020, including Chicago and Atlanta.
