Go directly to: projects | training | publications | bags | applications | reading list.

PROJECT UPDATES

What we’ve been doing, where we’ve been travelling, and what’s next.

Syria Initiatives

We're continuing to engage with clients regarding Syria. Our updated suite of products and services can be found here.

Another initiative I’m working on for Syria—offered pro bono—is a series of community workshops focused on psychological healing and resilience. In collaboration with a leading psychologist, we’ll be running several sessions later this year to equip local community groups with practical tools to support trauma recovery, promote reconciliation, and help rebuild mental well-being across affected communities.

Crisis Management and AI

I’m currently writing a paper on how generative AI can be used to enhance various aspects of crisis management and response. The paper dives into real-world integration and includes technical implementation details for practical use. It’s a fascinating area to explore — and I’m really enjoying the process.

Crisis Simulation Exercises

We're well into our preparations for our next crisis simulation exercise, which will be in Hong Kong, which will focus on a complex technical scenario.

If your organisation is interested in conducting a crisis simulation exercise in 2025, please reach out.

If you'd like to understand how we design and deliver crisis simulation exercises, check out The Crisis Simulation Handbook.

TRAINING

Training workshops and customised training solutions.

Strategic Futures Programme

We recently introduced our Strategic Futures programme. Leveraging more than two decades of experience in crisis management, Strategic Futures is designed to focus executive teams on strategic issues that may affect their organisations in the medium-term.

We offer three unique sessions:

1. Climate Crisis
2. Shifting Powers
3. AI to AGI

These sessions are applicable for all types of organisations, including companies and NGOs. You can learn more here.

If you'd like to have a chat about how our Strategic Futures programme might fit into your organisation's overall approach to risk forecasting and crisis preparation, please get in touch and we can set up a time to talk.

View our other training workshops here.

PUBLICATIONS

We’ve published a number of books on crisis management, travel security and security evacuations.

The Novel

The draft of my first novel is now in the hands of a few friends for review and I'm awaiting feedback. Maybe it's great. Maybe it's complete rubbish. We'll see.

The Physical Intrusion Testing Handbook

I've finished the first draft of The Physical Intrusion Testing Handbook and I'm working my way through the first round of editing. Editing is hard work and it will probably need a second or even a third pass before it's ready to release. This book will be a fantastic reference for anyone involved with physical intrusion tests.

The Travel Risk Management Handbook

The first draft of The Travel Risk Management Handbook is almost complete. The next step is to work on a high level edit that focuses on chapter consistency. From there, more detailed editing until it's ready for release.

View all our publications and download samples here.

Buy copies for your team

Several highly regarded organisations (and one prestigious university) have purchased copies of our books for their teams. If your team would benefit from the knowledge and experience contained in our books, please reach out. We'd be happy to provide a discount for bulk orders.

STATION XV

Updates on our in-house gear, sharing a behind-the-scenes look at our design and manufacturing processes.

As a result of Trump's tariffs, we're not proceeding with our planned Kickstarter campaign for the Travel Pack and Reversible Street Pack. There's too much uncertainty and financial risk involved. For now, we're still able to ship to US customers.

Check out the full range of Station XV bags and accessories here.

APPLICATIONS

Updates on our applications.

Whistler

A simple, secure whistleblowing app for organisations to receive and manage confidential reports. Launched 10 years ago, Whistler 2.0 now features stronger encryption and case management tools.

Pricing starts at $19 a month.

Learn more here.

Incident Manager

The first app focused on improving team performance during major incidents. It minimises cognitive load, helping teams manage crises effectively without added complexity.

Please reach out if you'd like a demo.

Exercise Manager

A streamlined tool for planning and delivering crisis exercises while tracking team performance. Originally for internal use, now available to clients.

Please reach out if you'd like a demo.

Tenacio

A project management app for those handling diverse projects. It prioritises tasks based on deadlines and personal work preferences, ensuring you stay on track.

If you'd like to try Tenacio, get in touch.

READING LIST

Links to interesting articles worth your time.

Competing visions of international order. Responses to US power in a fracturing world (Chatham House). Read here.

Illegal charging stations are powering Delhi’s e-rickshaw revolution. More than half of all EVs in India’s capital are three-wheelers, but there is little official support for these vehicles (Rest of World). Read here.

The Thirst for Power. Overcoming the Politics of Water in the Middle East (CSIS). Read here.

ISIS is on the ropes in Syria. A successful transition in Damascus could deliver a knockout blow (Middle East Institute). Read here.

Why It’s Time to Reconsider a European Army. (CSIS). Read here.

Operation Assad: the air mission to smuggle the Syrian despot's valuables. (Reuters). Read here.

The Changing Face of the Houthis. How the movement adapted to dominate Yemeni politics (New Lined Magazine). Read here.

A TICKING CLOCK ON AMERICAN FREEDOM. It’s later than you think, but it’s not too late. (The Atlantic). Read here.

Four contests for democracy in Europe challenge the narrative of advancing authoritarianism. (Atlantic Council). Read here.

For Scale. The US dropped 5 million tons of explosives during the Vietnam War. How many bombs is that? How can you imagine it? (The Verge). Read here.

Russian Firepower Strike Tracker: Analyzing Missile Attacks in Ukraine. This digital series—featuring scholars from the Futures Lab and across CSIS—explores the challenge of modern firepower strikes and their central role in coercive campaigns and competitive strategy (CSIS). Read here.

How Drug Cartels Took Over Social Media. Mexico’s gangs are influencers now (The Atlantic). Read here.

Car Subscription Features Raise Your Risk of Government Surveillance, Police Records Show. Records reviewed by WIRED show law enforcement agencies are eager to take advantage of the data trails generated by a flood of new internet-connected vehicle features (Wired). Read here.

That’s it for this month, folks.

Thanks for reading and stay safe out there.

Grant Rayner

Spartan9