THE TORCHSTONE WATCH
THE TORCHSTONE WATCH
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TorchStone publishes The Watch to assist our readers in proactively managing risk—whether personal, professional, or organizational—in an increasingly insecure world. The featured articles, blog posts, and expert interviews address vulnerabilities and issues we have frequently encountered while safeguarding high profile individuals, wealthy families, multinational corporations, and international sporting events across six continents. Now, more than ever, security seems to be a precious commodity. Our goal is to give you more of it through The TorchStone Watch.
SPOTLIGHT ISSUE
Russia Conflict Part 1: Global and Regional Threats
By TorchStone Senior Analyst, Ben West
Russia continues to pose a threat of an expanded military conflict beyond Ukraine, with provocative intrusions and exercises against NATO members. Even with limited resources, Moscow could rely on more nuclear forces in future conflicts. NATO members are taking the threat of an expansion of the conflict seriously.
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Busting Myths Surrounding Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzmán Loera
There are many myths surrounding Mexico’s cartels—Joaquín Guzmán Loera, known as “El Chapo” in particular. The article debunks the myth of Guzmán as simply a businessman, shows the Sinaloa Cartel’s aggressive nature, and talks about Guzmán’s involvement in the cartels’ expansion plans. Believing in these myths can lead to an incorrect contextual framework and a faulty understanding of cartel dynamics.
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Mail-Based Threats: Analysis and Management
Mail-based threats can come in many forms, such as explosive devices or lethal substances, and are often sent through parcel delivery services due to the anonymity they provide the sender. Suspicious packages can be mitigated by proper mail-handling processes.
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The TorchStone Watch in 2022
Whether in person or over social media, we’ve been overwhelmed by the amount of positive feedback we’ve received for the material published on The Watch. It is gratifying to know that people are reading the material we are producing and are using it to train their security teams, educate their workforces, and help keep themselves and their families safe.
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What Technology Can (and Can’t) Do for Hostile Surveillance
Criminals have always used technologies to help them commit their crimes. The internet has been especially accommodating in providing information gleaned via such methods as data mining. While such information may be very useful, it still requires verification. Surveillance must therefore be conducted (whether with or without technology), which still leaves detection possible.
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BBC Sounds: Burn Wild Podcast – The Line
There is a school of thought in activism—all movements need a radical flank to succeed. In the podcast, Burn Wild Episode 6: The Line, TorchStone VP Scott Stewart discusses the grievance narrative of Extinction Rebellion (XR).
READ MORE >How to Get on a Watchlist Episode 5: How to Kidnap an Executive
“How to get on a Watchlist” is a new podcast from the team at Encyclopedia Geopolitica. In this installment, How to Get on a Watchlist Episode 5: How to Kidnap an Executive, TorchStone VP Scott Stewart discusses executive kidnappings.
READ MORE >With drug cartel violence, is it safe to travel to Mexico? Security experts weigh in
US tourism is ramping up again in Mexico, but so are the headlines regarding drug cartel violence. TorchStone Vice President of Intelligence Scott Stewart joins the discussion about how safe it is to travel to Mexico.
READ MORE >Perspectives on the Shinzo Abe Assassination
Perspectives on the Shinzo Abe Assassination whitepaper from AT-RISK International, Emergent Risk International, Ontic and Torchstone Global analyzes the July 2022 assassination of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and addresses the broad range of global security implications for individuals and businesses.
READ MORE >Gauging the Jihadist Movement 20 Years After 9/11
“While much attention has been paid of late to homegrown far-right and far-left extremists, jihadist terrorism has not disappeared—it merely evolved. So, as the world marks the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, it behooves security professionals to take stock of the jihadist movement today, forecast where the movement is headed, and consider the implications of ongoing terrorist activity.”
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