Frank Farnel

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The Quiet Advantage: How Foresight Beats Firefighting in Public Affairs

This article emphasizes the need for public affairs teams to shift from reactive strategies to proactive issue anticipation and horizon scanning. It outlines a five-stage framework to identify emerging legislation and regulatory changes early, allowing organizations to influence outcomes before they solidify, thus avoiding crisis management and enhancing strategic decision-making.

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Naval ships escorting several large commercial oil tankers through a narrow sea passage flanked by rocky brown hills.

Geopolitical Shifts in the Wake of the Gulf Conflict

The 2026 war reshaped the Middle East’s security landscape, highlighting the complex dynamics between Israel, Iran, and the Gulf states. While Israel achieved military objectives against Iran’s nuclear capabilities and proxies, the regime adapted rather than collapsed. The conflict’s ramifications rippled globally, affecting economies beyond the region and revealing the limits of military force in engendering political change.

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Digital vortex of social media icons and hashtags over Middle East map representing conflict and protests

Influence : The Real Iran-US Conflict Isn’t the One You’re Watching

This article explores the long-standing rivalry between the United States and Iran, emphasizing the crucial competition for narrative control in shaping perceptions among international audiences. It highlights how both nations utilize strategic communications to influence legitimacy, morphing diplomatic discourse and propaganda to sway third-party governments and global public opinion amidst evolving information landscapes.

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Earth with illuminated cities and lines representing global digital connections at night

Political Intelligence as Organizational Capability: Strategic Implications for Firms in Contested Policy Environments

This article explores political intelligence as a crucial organizational capability that aids firms in navigating regulated environments. Through various case studies, it demonstrates how systematic political analysis fosters strategic advantages by creating lead time for proactive engagement. Institutionalizing political intelligence enhances decision-making and organization-wide preparedness against policy shifts.

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Two freight trains with containers traveling on parallel tracks through a desert towards a coastal shipping port and city skyline.

La bataille se joue sur la carte

Il existe un péril singulier dans l’instant où chacun soupire d’aise en même temps. Ce moment précède presque toujours la faute suivante. Et il est en train d’advenir. Dans une douzaine de capitales, la même conclusion confortable durcit : l’Iran est brisé, l’axe est épuisé, la longue épreuve s’achève. La tentation se comprend. Après des

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Two freight trains with containers traveling on parallel tracks through a desert towards a coastal shipping port and city skyline.

The Map After the Missiles

Why Iran’s Decline Will Be Decided by Trade Routes, Not Air Strikes The temptation after a successful military campaign is to mistake damage for resolution. That temptation is now shaping how Western governments think about Iran. After the strikes of 2026, a familiar conclusion has hardened across allied capitals: Tehran is broken, its network of

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Interior of a modern office building with glass walls, multiple floors, a glass pedestrian bridge, and people working and walking

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Work: From Good Intentions to Lasting Impact

Despite investments in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, meaningful progress often stalls due to structural misalignments. This article emphasizes that DEI must be embedded within organizational systems rather than treated as a peripheral program. Effective strategies require accountability, intersectional approaches, and active involvement at all organizational levels to drive real change.

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An impactful split-screen image illustrating the challenges of rare earth elements (REEs). The left side showcases a futuristic, sustainable cityscape powered by renewable energy technologies like wind turbines and electric vehicles, symbolizing the demand for REEs. The right side depicts a barren mining landscape with heavy machinery, environmental degradation, and pollution, representing the extraction challenges. At the center, a globe with interconnected supply chains highlights geopolitical tensions and global dependencies. The image uses high contrast to emphasize the stark differences between technological progress and environmental/geopolitical issues

Rare Earths Are a Leadership Test. Is Your Company Ready? Keys to global economies and Geopolitics

In the 21st century, rare earth elements (REEs) have emerged as indispensable resources, driving the global transition to renewable energy, advanced technologies, and modern defense systems. These 17 elements, including neodymium, dysprosium, and terbium, are critical for manufacturing electric vehicles, wind turbines, semiconductors, and military equipment. However, their strategic importance has also introduced significant geopolitical and economic challenges, reshaping international relations and global power dynamics.

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Brass compass on strategic policy framework documents

Lobbying in the Fishbowl: How Leaders Build Trustworthy Influence

In the evolving landscape of corporate lobbying, transparency and alignment between public commitments and private advocacy are crucial for maintaining credibility and effective governance. Organizations must elevate lobbying to board-level discussions, rigorously audit their advocacy practices, and embrace ethical principles to build trust and withstand scrutiny in an increasingly transparent environment.

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