international business diplomacy

Map of West Africa at night showing country borders illuminated with glowing fiery lines

JNIM Transformation: Threat to Global Security in the Sahel

Leave a Comment / G7, international business diplomacy, Muslim Brotherhood, SkyNewsArabia, terrorism, Terrorism / Temp

The security architecture of the Sahel is undergoing a fundamental transformation. In 2024, West Africa accounted for more than half of all terrorism-related deaths globally. Central to this destabilization is the rapid expansion of Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM). As I recently discussed in an interview with Sky News Arabia, the group is transitioning from […]

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Mastering Government Consultations: A Strategic Guide

Leave a Comment / international business diplomacy, Public Affairs & Communication, terrorism / Temp

Governments often seek public input on proposed policies through formal consultations, crucial in shaping effective regulations. Success hinges on timely engagement during the formulation stage, adherence to the Gunning Principles for fair participation, and presenting well-structured, evidence-driven submissions. Collaboration and transparency enhance influence, enabling stakeholders to navigate policy processes effectively.

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Aligning Corporate Reputation with Public Affairs Strategy

Leave a Comment / international business diplomacy, management, Public Affairs & Communication / Temp

The article asserts that corporate reputation and public affairs should be seen as an interdependent system rather than separate functions. It emphasizes that aligning external advocacy with internal practices enhances credibility, strengthens stakeholder trust, and improves policy influence. Using examples from companies like Microsoft and Unilever, it advocates for deliberate collaboration among executives to convert reputation into a measurable strategic advantage.

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Stakeholder map chart with sticky notes categorizing stakeholders by interest and influence levels

Mastering Policy Engagement in Complex Regulatory Environments

Leave a Comment / Government Relations, Influence, international business diplomacy, Lobbying, Public Affairs & Communication / Temp

This article advocates for transforming policy engagement into a proactive strategy that influences regulatory outcomes. It outlines eleven best practices, including stakeholder mapping, cross-functional coordination, and evidence-based advocacy. Companies that implement these strategies can shift from vulnerability to establishing a competitive advantage, effectively shaping the regulatory landscape.

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How Data Drives Strategic Advocacy

Leave a Comment / international business diplomacy, Public Affairs & Communication / Temp

In high-stakes policy environments, evidence-led advocacy is crucial for recommendations’ durability. This approach relies on verifiable data and transparent methodologies to withstand scrutiny, contrasting with assertion-based tactics. Effective implementation of evidence strengthens credibility, fosters lasting influence, and requires institutional practices that prioritize sourcing, calibrating claims, and mapping disagreements to enhance decision-making.

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Public Affairs Belongs in the Boardroom: Why It Is a Strategic Leadership Function, Not a Support Role

Leave a Comment / Government Relations, Influence, international business diplomacy, Lobbying, management / Temp

Public affairs is now a crucial strategic function for companies, influencing external forces that impact value, such as policy, regulation, and reputational trust. Firms that proactively engage in public affairs avoid significant costs and crises. Elevating this function to the boardroom enhances decision-making and provides a competitive edge in a fast-paced business environment.

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The Quiet Advantage: How Foresight Beats Firefighting in Public Affairs

Leave a Comment / Influence, international business diplomacy / Temp

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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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

Leave a Comment / International Affairs, international business diplomacy, iran, Iran, Rare Minerals, Ukraine conflict / admin

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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Lobbying in the Fishbowl: How Leaders Build Trustworthy Influence

Leave a Comment / Business Diplomacy, Government Relations, Influence, international business diplomacy, management, Public Affairs & Communication / Temp

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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How to Build Institutional Fluency Across Government, Regulators, and Legislatures

Leave a Comment / Government Relations, international business diplomacy / Temp

Abstract Most senior leaders can describe their industry in precise detail. Fewer can explain how the agency that regulates it actually makes decisions — or why a proposed rule that looked manageable in draft form became operationally disruptive once finalized. That gap between sector expertise and institutional intelligence is the problem this article addresses. Institutional

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