The Decision Advantage

It's time for an update on the global geopolitical standoff over Ukraine. In this episode of the Essential Geopolitics podcast from RANE, we discuss Vladimir Putin's game plan for Ukraine, in the long-and-short term, and ask whether the west is playing right into Russia's hand. Eurasia analyst, Matthew Orr is RANE's resident expert on this topic.  Whether you’re watching developments about Ukraine...

In today’s episode of the RANE Insights podcast, RANE founder David Lawrence zeroes in on cybersecurity and disinformation. His guest is the former Secretary of U.S. Homeland Security, now Chairman of the Chertoff Group, Michael Chertoff.  They discuss how the crisis over Ukraine may accelerate disinformation, destabilization, and digital warfare. Stay ahead of cyber risks that could impact your o...

In this episode of the Essential Geopolitics podcast from RANE, a look at the latest from North and South Korea.  North Korea’s missile tests seemed to be on hiatus during the global pandemic. But North Korea held several ballistic missile test launches in January. And that has caught the attention of presidential candidates in South Korea. Scott Kardas, an Asia Pacific analyst with RANE shares de...

In this episode of the RANE Insights podcast, we offer a special cyber briefing from RANE, the Risk Assistance Network and Exchange.  The threat of a cyberattack looms large in both corporate minds and those of governments around the world. For instance, as the standoff at Ukraine’s border continues, RANE has shared analysis with our clients and subscribers about the potential for Russian-driven c...

In this episode of the RANE Insights on COVID-19 podcast, host and RANE Founder David Lawrence gets caught up on the extent of long-haul covid cases, the pros and cons of vaccines for little children, and the state of the Omicron infection in the U.S. Dr. Bill Lang is an expert in public health responses to biological incidents, including pandemics. Dr. Fred Southwick is an infectious disease expe...

In this episode of RANE's Essential Geopolitics podcast, Clara Brackbill walks us through what’s happening in West Africa. She is a Sub-Saharan Africa analyst with RANE. The president of Guinea-Bissau remains president, after a failed coup attempt on February 1.  Just a week earlier, the military of Burkina Faso outed its elected government. In Chad, the military took over last year and the same h...

In this episode of RANE'sEssential Geopolitics podcast, Emily Donahue gets an update on the border dispute between India and China from RANE South Asia analyst, Ekta Raghuwanshi. The disputed border between India and China is unlikely to result in a violent conflict, but the stalemate could hasten regional militarization, raising the perception of a potential security threat. The Ladakh region has...

In this episode of the RANE Insights podcast series, RANE founder David Lawrence delves into the concept of environmental, social, and governance for boards and investors. Amid a global pandemic, increased awareness of climate risk, and new attention to social injustice, corporate responsibility is especially relevant for investors and for boards. Lawrence speaks to Chantal Wessels, who is head of...

In this episode of the RANE insights on COVID-19 podcast, host and RANE founder David Lawrence speaks with Dr. Fred Southwick, an infectious disease specialist at the University of Florida College of Medicine, and Dr. Bill Lang, n expert in public health responses to biological incidents, including pandemics. about the latest on Omicron. Plus: how to get more accurate results on home test kits and...

In this episode of RANE's Essential Geopolitics podcast, The talk turns to recent Houthi attacks against Abu Dhabi. Middle East and North Africa analyst at RANE, Ryan Bohl, says the attacks could provoke a cycle that undermines the United Arab Emirates’ reputation as a peaceful business hub and, if they continue, jeopardize Iran nuclear talks or relations between the United Arab Emirates and Iran....

In this episode of RANE's Essential Geopolitics podcast, Emily Donahue speaks with RANE global security analyst, Charles Thorson. Uganda's recent suspected use of spyware to target U.S. diplomats highlights a recent trend of small and medium states expanding their SIGINT capabilities and using them more aggressively, moving away from purely domestic spying toward international espionage against la...

In this episode of the RANE Insights on COVID-19 podcast, Host David Lawrence speaks with Drs. Fred Southwick and Bill Lang about newly released data on the Omicron surge, boosters, and why vigilance is still the best practice. Fred Southwick is an infectious disease specialist at the University of Florida College of Medicine. Dr. Bill Lang is an expert in public health responses to biological inc...

In today's episode of RANE's Essential Geopolitics podcast, we look at Uruguay.  The country is negotiating with China over a potential trade deal. Uruguay is already a member of the South American trade block known as MERCOSUR. RANE Latin Ameria analyst, Carmen Colosi looks into Uruguay's push to unilaterally negotiate free trade agreements outside of Mercosur and why it matters.  The fallout fro...

In this episode of RANE's Essential Geopolitics podcast, Emily Donahue speaks with Matthew Orr, RANE's Eurasia analyst about the latest on Ukraine. The world is watching a standoff between the West and Russia over Ukraine. And it's wondering if Russia will undertake military action against Ukraine. The risks are great, and the danger is real. But why is Russia threatening a conflict with Ukraine n...

In today’s podcast, RANE’s Executive Director of Safety and Security, Brian W. Lynch, speaks to Rod Koyne, Managing Director of Opcentrics, a U.S.-based firm specializing in security operations, protection services, risk assessment, event management, and training programs. They discuss how to protect businesses, assets, and people in an increasingly complex and dangerous world. Brian talks through...

Large-scale Russian troop deployments along the Ukrainian border have markets concerned about the potential for a near-term incursion, possibly accelerated by last week's cyber operations targeting Ukrainian government infrastructure. RANE Executive Director Business Development Ted Obenchain speaks with the company's senior Eurasia specialist, Matt Orr, to explore the potential for a Russian offe...

In this episode of RANE’s Essential Geopolitics podcast, Emily Donahue speaks to Michael Monderer, RANE’s senior analyst for global economics about inflation. If you live in the United States you probably noted several trends during the latter part of 2021. (Not just Covid). But the empty shelves, the ongoing supply chain mess that’s slowing manufacturing and sales. The fact that when you can find...

In this week’s podcast, the Omicron peak may be subsiding, the Supreme Court on an employer mask mandate, and why misinformation about the safety and efficacy of vaccines continues. RANE founder David Lawrence speaks with Dr. Fred Southwick, an infectious disease specialist at the University of Florida College of Medicine, and Bill Lang, an expert in public health responses to biological incidents...

In this episode of RANE’s Essential Geopolitics podcast, Emily Donahue speaks to Senior Middle East and North Africa analyst, Emily Hawthorne about Turkey. To the casual observer, Turkey may best be known for its history - it was the seat of the Ottoman Empire and is home to Mt. Ararat - the architecture of its capital Istanbul, and the landmark Hagia Sophia. It’s also famous for its culture, carp...

In this episode of the Essential Geopolitics podcast from RANE, Senior Middle East and North Africa analyst, Emily Hawthorne, discusses that institutional reforms in 2022 will increase political and economic instability in Tunisia, which by many nations, especially those in the West, had been viewed as the poster child for transitioning from autocracy to democracy. In this article from RANE Worldv...

In today's episode of the RANE Insights on COVID 19 podcast, host and RANE Founder, David Lawrence speaks to Dr. Bill Lang an expert in public health responses to biological incidents, and Dr. Fred Southwick, at the University of Florida College of Medicine, about the omicron surge. How big is, how to live with it and how long it might last.  RANE is a risk intelligence company that provides acces...

Every January, RANE delivers accurate and timely forecasts for our clients on what to expect in the coming year. This year, RANE has identified several overarching themes that will define the security landscape in 2022.  Sam Lichtenstein, director RANE’s global security analysts, explains how the forecast is compiled and what the major security risks for businesses and individuals are in 2022.  In...

RANE’s Executive Director of Safety and Security Brian Lynch gets a crash course on integrating the intelligence and analytical process into business operations from Toni Chrabot of the Risk confidence Group. Chrabot has more than 20 years planning and executing risk mitigation, security, investigative, intelligence crisis response, and other security-related strategies. She currently shares her d...

In this episode of RANE's Essential Geopolitics podcast, Security analyst Blake Laytham discusses Colombia's low-level but persistent conflict against insurgent groups. This will continue in 2022, threatening occasional attacks in urban areas, ongoing attacks against energy infrastructure like pipelines, and ensuring persistent instability in rural areas, particularly the northeast of the country...

In this episode of RANE's Essential Geopolitics podcast, how will the status of Northern Ireland fare between the United Kingdom and the European Union in 2022? For most of 2021, London has threatened to walk away from one of the main elements of the Brexit agreement, and Brussels is threatening to retaliate with trade sanctions. Emily Donahue gets an update from RANE’s Senior Europe Analyst, Adri...