International SOS

India is seeing a rise in COVID-19 cases, especially in states like Kerala, Maharashtra, and Delhi. Dr Prabha Xaxa, Medical Director at International SOS, explains what’s driving this wave, how serious the new variants are, and what people and organisations can do to stay protected. 

We expect South Korea’s presidential election result to ease tensions and create stability in the immediate term. However, it also brings other drivers of a potential deterioration to the fore. Lead Analyst for North Asia Jenn K.S. Lo shares her insights into the latest developments and the implications of Lee Jae-myung's decisive election win. 

Following our recent ease to inbound travel advice for Damascus, essential travel may be possible to Damascus with robust journey management planning.   We spoke to our Lead Security Analyst for Mashreq & Iran, Polina Vynogradova, about the reason for this change, our latest advice, and what the future security environment looks like for Damascus. 

In February, the sudden death of a prominent Taiwanese actress in Japan was met with shock. How could a seemingly healthy person on vacation die so suddenly from a common flu, and is it safe to travel to Japan? Our Medical Director in Tokyo, Dr Makiko Yui, discusses influenza in the region, and how travellers can stay safe.

The 2024 Global Tuberculosis Report from the World Health Organization reported that in 2023, more than 10.8 million people fell ill with TB, with five countries accounting for 56% of this total. International SOS spoke to four of our Medical Directors about the importance of eliminating TB in the workplace, and our approach to good TB programming.  

On 12 April, Gabon will hold a presidential election, marking one of the final stages of its transition after a military coup in August 2023. Lead Security Analyst for Europe and Central Africa, Tarun Nijjer, and Security Manager for Assistance, Taylor El Hage, discuss the upcoming election, and what the security environment might look like.

Following the three-year anniversary of the conflict in Ukraine, we saw an announcement of a potential ceasefire plan and the resumption of US assistance to Ukraine. International SOS' Lead Security Analyst for Ukraine and Russia, Louise Hogan, explains what these developments mean for organisations with interests in Ukraine and Russia. 

In February, the sudden death of a prominent Taiwanese actress in Japan was met with shock. How could a seemingly healthy person on vacation die so suddenly from a common flu, and is it safe to travel to Japan? International SOS' Medical Director in Tokyo, Dr Makiko Yui, discusses influenza in the region, and how travellers can stay safe.

Following an in-country assessment of Israel and The Palestinian Territories, International SOS has updated its Risk Rating and advice for Israel, and lowered its Evacuation Monitor level for the region. Lead Security Analyst for Sahel, Maghreb, and Israel and Palestinian Territories, Jessica Trichias, explains why the changes were made.

On the 20th of February, at President Donald Trump’s request, the US State Department designated eight criminal networks as Foreign Terrorist Organisations (FTO). The Canadian government also designated seven transnational criminal organisations. Both governments have identified six Mexico-based cartels within these organisations. In this podcast, International SOS’ Lead Securi...

International SOS conducted a country visit to Israel and The Palestinian Territories to validate the logistics and assess the risks. We spoke to our Security Director for Europe, Maghreb, and West and Central Africa, Adam Lakhani, and our Senior Security Specialist for Assistance, Alessio Vicario, about what travellers should be made aware of when visiting. 

The growing volume and virality of misinformation and disinformation will be amplified by the rise of generative Artificial Intelligence and use of social media networks as a key source of information in the coming years. Lead Security Analysts for our Global Threat Monitoring Centres in London and Sydney, Baani Gambhir and Anelisiwe Hatto, and our Global Medical Director, Dr Irene Lai,...

Overnight on 26-27 January the rebel March 23 (M23) group claimed it had captured Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, following months of clashes with Congolese armed forces. Significant social unrest then broke out on 28 January. Tarun Nijjer, Lead Security Analyst for Central Africa, and Dylan Evans, Security Director for Assistance in London, who cover Congo (DRC), provide insight into th...

Political turmoil continues in South Korea and broader tensions persist on the Korean peninsula. International SOS Security Managers for North Asia, Sonia Park and Joung Kim, travelled from Seoul to Fukuoka via Busan to validate the logistics and assess the evacuation route.  

Donald Trump is set to be inaugurated as the 47th President of the US on 20 January. Mike Rogers, Chief Security Analyst at International SOS, provides an assessment of the security environment surrounding the inauguration. He also outlines our analytical approach to how the change in the US administration could impact key global situations.

The wildfires situation in Los Angeles county is continuing. The fires have led to fatalities, and evacuation orders are in place. Tyler Hosford, Security Director for International SOS, based in Southern California, gives his assessment and outlook.

International media are reporting an increase in respiratory illnesses in China, with some raising concerns about the global impact. However, health officials state the situation is not unusual. In this podcast, our medical expert Dr. Irene Lai tells us what this virus is, and sorts the fact from fiction.

The government of Bashar al-Assad in Syria fell after rebel forces led by Haya Tahrir al-Sham entered the capital, Damascus, overnight on the 7-8 of December. With the country now under a transitional government, Gulnaz Ukassova, Security Director, Information & Analysis and Gil McNay, Security Director, Assistance, who cover the Middle East and North Africa, provide analysis of the situation...

Following decisions by the US, UK and France to allow Ukraine to use long-range missiles inside Russian territory, we have examined what the knock-on effects could be for countries in Europe. Given the uncertainty over what a potential Russian response may be, our Lead Security Analyst Tarun Nijjer provides his assessment.

International SOS recently carried out in-country assessments of Comoros and Mayotte in the Mozambique Channel. Lead Security Analyst Kirna Kataria travelled to both islands to assess the security situation. She has compiled tips for business travellers planning a trip, to help them prepare for their journey and outline what they should expect while they are there.

International SOS has recently changed its Risk Ratings for two municipalities in South Africa, following a recent review of the country's security environment. We have increased the Risk Ratings for the metropolitan municipalities of the City of Johannesburg and eThekwini, which includes the city of Durban, from MEDIUM to HIGH. International SOS’ Lead Security Analyst for East and Southern Africa...

As the conflict in Ukraine passes 1,000 days, we assess the latest challenges faced by the country ahead of Donald Trump re-entering the White House as US President. Outgoing President Joe Biden has signalled an intention to bolster support for Ukraine as much as possible before his successor takes office, as Russia continues to make steady progress on Ukraine's eastern and southern fronts. Lead S...

Former US president Donald Trump has won the 2024 US presidential election. Vice President Kamala Harris has publicly conceded defeat and urged her supporters to accept the result. She has pledged to a peaceful transfer of power. International SOS' Chief Security Analyst - West, Mike Rogers, and Lead Security Analyst - North America and the Caribbean, Tim McShane, explain what...

International SOS recently launched its enhanced Security and Medical Risk Ratings service. In addition to our longstanding country, sub-national and city Risk Ratings, clients can access detailed risk information on around 1,000 cities, and some of the key Risk Factors that drive our Ratings. Managers can see our latest data on variables such as political violence, crime, infrastructure and natur...

International SOS is closely monitoring the India-Canada diplomatic tensions and what the next escalation may look like. In this podcast, our Lead Security Analyst – South Asia, Anugya Chitransh, and Lead Security Analyst – North America and the Caribbean, Tim McShane, discuss what individuals and businesses can do to protect themselves and how International SOS can assist.