Power Players

In this episode of Power Players, Senior Editor Leo Collins explores the narrow waterways that quietly underpin the global economy and the immense geopolitical influence they provide to any actor that controls them. From the Strait of Hormuz and the Strait of Malacca to the Bab al-Mandeb and the Panama Canal, Leo examines how a handful of strategic corridors have shaped empires, fuelled economic g...

In this episode of Power Players, Threat Intelligence Analyst James Barrett examines how the assassination of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson reshaped conversations around executive protection and elevated the risks facing high-profile business leaders. The episode explores the alleged motivations behind the attack, the rise of online support networks surrounding Luigi Mangione and the broade...

In this episode of Power Players, Sibylline’s Senior Editor, Leo Collins, explores the evolution of BRICS from an economic concept into a growing geopolitical counterweight to the Western-led order. Leo unpacks the bloc’s expansion, its push towards local currency trade and sanction-resistant financial infrastructure, and the strategic importance of its growing membership across key regions and tr...

In this episode of Sibylline’s Power Players series, Intelligence Analyst James Barett examines Antifa — a decentralised, global anti-fascist movement active across the United States and Europe. Emerging prominently during the wave of anti-fascist mobilisation around the 2017 Charlottesville protests, Antifa has developed as a loose network of regional cells rather than a single organised group. J...

In this episode of Sibylline's "Power Players" series, Intelligence Analyst Megan Sutcliffe examines the life and influence of Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran. The episode traces Khamenei’s journey from his early years in a religious household to his rise as a central figure in the Islamic Revolution and, ultimately, the most powerful man in Iran. Megan explores how he consolidated author...

In this special Sibylline Podcast, Lead Europe-Eurasia analyst, Alexander Lord, is joined by Elizabeth Bullock, who shares her firsthand experiences of Russia's modern war. Elizabeth discusses her journey from a technology startup background to operating on the front lines in Ukraine for 3 years, offering a rare perspective on how Russia's war unfolded in its early stages and how daily life has be...

In this episode of the Insight Podcast, Associate Analyst Azul Hidalgo Solá, along with Principal North America Analyst Claire Brady and Latin American and Caribbean Intelligence Analyst Alexander Marciniak, discuss the evolving dynamics between the U.S. and Venezuela. They explore the implications of the U.S.'s shifting policy towards Latin America and the Caribbean, focusing on recent military a...

In this episode of the Insight Podcast, Intelligence Analysts James Barrett and Megan Sutcliffe explore the recent wave of Gen Z protests across the globe, focusing on significant movements in Nepal, Peru, and Madagascar. They discuss the causes, impacts, and political ramifications of these protests, emphasising how social media and youth activism are driving change. The conversation examines the...

In this episode of Sibylline's "Power Players" series, Intelligence Analyst Claire Brady explores the enigmatic world of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). The episode covers the origins of the ISI, its role in shaping regional politics and its controversial involvement in global affairs. From its inception post-partition to its current status as a powerful institution, the ISI's influe...

In this special episode of the Insight Podcast, Lead Analyst Kailyn Johnson and Associate Analyst Denise Schipani return to discuss the evolving role of AI in cyber operations. Denise highlights the increasing adoption of AI by both cyber criminals and state-sponsored groups to enhance social engineering attacks. They also cover the potential risks this poses to businesses and individuals. They de...

In this episode of Sibylline's "Power Players" series, Intelligence Analyst Claire Brady explores the shadowy and influential Wagner Group. Founded in 2014 by Dmitry Utkin, a former Russian military intelligence officer, the Wagner Group has evolved from a small band of elite military personnel into a formidable force with a global reach. Known for its military deployments in countries such as Syr...

In this episode, Claire Brady (Principal North America Analyst), Alexander Marciniak (Latin America Intelligence Analyst) and Azul Hidalgo Sola (Associate North America Analyst) explore the complexities of Trump's economic approach to the Americas. They discuss the implications of the newly introduced remittance tax, the impact of tariffs on Brazil, Mexico, and Canada and the broader effects on re...

In this inaugural episode of Sibylline's "Power Players" series, Intelligence Analyst Claire Brady delves into the enigmatic and influential Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Established in 1979 by Ayatollah Khomeini, the IRGC was created to protect the Islamic Revolution and has since evolved into a socio-military, political and economic force. With a vast network, the IRGC commands signi...

In this episode, Lewis Galvin (Lead Americas Analyst), along with colleagues Claire Brady (Principal Americas Analyst) and Azul Hidalgo Sola (Associate North America Analyst), delve into the first six months of President Donald Trump's administration. They discuss the implications of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, Trump's trade and tariff policies, the USMCA negotiations, immigration enforcement,...

This episode of the Insight Podcast explores the recent political developments in South Korea following the election of Lee Jae-myung as president. Asia Pacific Intelligence Analysts Jonah Kaplan and Sophie Hanck discuss the implications of Lee's victory, his economic strategies, cabinet appointments, and foreign policy directions, particularly regarding North Korea, China, and Japan. The conversa...

In this episode, Noam Ostfeld, Megan Sutcliffe, Omar Khadr and Claire Brady discuss the recent military confrontation between Israel and Iran, exploring Israel's objectives, Iran's response, the role of Iranian proxies, and the potential involvement of the US. Analysts provide insights into the geopolitical implications and the internal dynamics within Iran, as well as the strategies both nations...

In this episode, Gareth Westwood (Head of Global Intelligence) is joined by Lewis Galvin (Lead Americas Analyst) and Megan Sutcliffe (Middle East and Africa Analyst) to discuss the renewed nuclear talks between the US and Iran ahead of upcoming talks in Rome over Easter weekend.   They explore the context of these negotiations, the motivations of both parties, and the implications of Trump's negot...

In this cyber episode of the Insight Podcast, Lead Analyst Kailyn Johnson and Associate Analyst Denise Schipani, two experts from our Cyber desk, sit down to explore the increasing collaboration between state-sponsored cyber actors and cyber criminals, highlighting the implications for cybersecurity, business risks and attribution challenges. Denise explains the commercialisation of cybercriminal...

In this special episode, Head of Global Intelligence Gareth Westwood is joined by General Sir James Everard, the former NATO Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe and current Lead Senior Mentor for Allied Command Operations. Gareth is also joined by Lead Europe-Eurasia Analyst Alexander Lord and Principal North America Analyst Claire Brady. Together, they discuss the evolving situation in Ukraine...

In this episode, Gareth Westwood, Head of Global Intelligence, is joined by two analysts from the Americas desk, Claire Brady and Alexander Marciniak, to discuss Trump's tariffs on Canada and Mexico. Together they explain the reactions from both countries, the initial policy responses from both governments and how the tariffs could impact the economies of the US, Canada and Mexico.  If you enjoyed...

In this episode of The Insight Podcast, Lead Asia-Pacific Analyst Aédán Mordecai is joined by colleagues Jonah and Sophie to analyse the impeachment and arrest of South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol following his short-lived declaration of martial law. They explore the key events that led to his downfall, the legal battles ahead, and the broader geopolitical consequences for North Korea, the US a...

In this episode, Sydney Stewart is joined by Principal analyst on our Middle East, North Africa and Turkey desk, Noam Ostfeld and his fellow analyst Omar Khadr, who walk us through recent developments in Israel, Lebanon and Syria. Noam starts us off by explaining the situation between Israel, Lebanese Hezbollah and Hamas after a recent ceasefire was put in place. Omar then walks us through the rec...

Welcome back to another episode of the Insight Podcast! Join our Americas Intelligence Analysts Sydney Stewart and Claire Brady as they review Trump's victory over Kamala Harris in the Presidential Election, Trump's latest cabinet picks and the likely policy position of the new administration, including trade with China. If you enjoyed the episode, please give us a like and subscribe for new episo...

What qualities do veterans bring to the business table? This Special Sibylline Insight episode tackles that question. Hosted by Sibylline CEO Justin Crump, our guests Caitlin McGilley, Bridget Guerrero, and Herbert Clay share personal experiences from military service to impactful careers in corporate security, consulting, and advocacy. They reveal the 'superpowers' that veterans possess, how they...

In this special episode of the Insight Podcast, Lead Analyst Kailyn Johnson and Associate Analyst Denise Schipani, two experts from our Cyber desk, sit down to discuss trends they’ve observed in recent months that present risks to both businesses and individuals alike. Denise highlights the continuing trend of crypto scams and theft by state and non-state actors and the perennial threat that cyber...