2019 was the year I really tried to double down on the commitment to reading and writing.

I set about trying to read a book a week and write as much as possible and that was a great exercise. I feel like I exposed myself to so many great ideas and articulated so many different things that I’m interested in. I read a book a week — all sorts of things — from non fiction to novels, personal development to crime fiction, history to travel guides — all sorts.

My Top 10 books I hear you ask?

1. The world as it is: a memoir of the Obama White…

First published 2nd May 2020
by Tom Warneke
Middle East| Understanding Your World | Resolving Incidents & Crisis | Fostering Growth & Opportunity

Left unaddressed, the Arab states that make up the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) are looking at a dangerous economic situation as COVID-19 decimates the demand for oil sending the oil price into un-chartered territory.

The record low oil prices (in recent history, trending negative) are likely to enshrine budget deficits, reduced social spending and large amounts of borrowing before the end of 2020. …

First published 1st May 2020
by Tom Warneke
Africa | Understanding Your World | Resolving Incidents & Crisis

Living the coronavirus pandemic and focus being on health systems, the economy and a potential restart in various countries, it’s an easy time to forget about some nations that are harder hit tangentially.

East Africa has over the past months been hit by a plague of locusts affecting much of the eastern continent. But coronavirus is impacting the fight greatly. Delays in logistics and supply chain mean that pesticides, helicopters, resources and other supplies are all unavailable. …

First published 1st May 2020
by Tom Warneke
Middle East| Understanding Your World | Resolving Incidents & Crisis

Hezbollah has taken to the streets in recent times rolling out some of Lebanon’s Coronavirus response while the central government attempts to do the same. If successful, this might just be the soft power boost that Hezbollah need to gain significant popularity and political power in Lebanon.

Helping. A soft power gold mine

Time and time again, we’ve seen examples of groups and governments using soft power in a time of crisis to their advantage. Hezbollah is no different.

They’re taking a prominent role in the fight against…

First published 30th April 2020
by Tom Warneke
Americas | Understanding Your World | Resolving Incidents & Crisis

Amid the coronavirus pandemic, the White House seems hellbent on reopening the economy.

At the time of writing, the United States has just over 1 million confirmed cases 61,000 fatalities and has administered just over 6 million tests.

There’s no nationwide lockdown and while the federal government advises against all non essential activities, it’s left to individual states to mandate specific precautions and requirements.

Testing & Health Care

In the United States, there’s been extensive conversations about how this might work but all parties tend to…

First published 29th April 2020
by Tom Warneke
Global | Understanding Your World | Resolving Incidents & Crisis

Coronavirus continues unabated around the world as societies and economies are impacted. Governments, institutions and corporations are all deep in crisis response trying to make it through the day to day as well as prepare for what comes next. One thing’s for sure — no one has dealt with this before.

Depending on your location, some are newer at this than others. Those in Asia are likely entering their fourth month of pandemic management whilst those in South America or Africa are…

First published 29th April 2020
by Tom Warneke
Middle East| Understanding Your World | Resolving Incidents & Crisis

Coronavirus has taken podium position in the geo-political race. While politicians and governments globally may have previously been across all manner of subjects, most are off the table to make way for dealing with a global pandemic. Counterterrorism operations and defeating ISIS is one of these things.

The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has argued that mankind faces a common enemy in COVID-19, and thus appealed for a “global ceasefire”, not all agree. …

First published 28th April 2020
by Tom Warneke
Middle East| Understanding Your World | Resolving Incidents & Crisis

Despite ceasefires and other peace discussions that took place earlier in 2020, the Taliban are continuing their campaign of violence across Afghanistan.

Insurgents have ignored humanitarian pleas for a cease-fire amid the Coronavirus pandemic despite the country’s deteriorating health system. The Taliban have accused the United States of not upholding its end of the deal signed in February which ultimately proposed a prisoner swap for a withdrawal of American forces.

Last Wednesday, President Trump spoke with the Emir of Qatar Tamim bin…