S9 Dispatch for February 2025
Welcome! My name is Grant Rayner, and I’m the founder of Spartan9. This is our monthly newsletter for [month], which we use to keep our clients, partners, and friends updated on what we’re up to.
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.
New World Order
If you're struggling to adapt to Trump's jarring shift from aligning with democracies to autocrats, you're not alone. We're potentially entering a dangerous period in our history, where the US is aligned with Russia against Europe and other democracies.
I forecasted exactly this scenario in the "Shifting Powers" workshop that's part of our Strategic Futures executive programme. If your organisation wants to explore different short- to medium-term scenarios to aid your strategic planning, you'll find this workshop insightful.
Syria
I've spent most of this month in Syria, gaining an understanding of the situation after the fall of the Assad regime. This trip follows an earlier trip in 2020. So much has changed here in a very short period of time. Here's a few highlights:
It's now possible to fly to Damascus via several airlines (just be aware that the airlines aren't up to date on Syria's current visa on arrival processes).
Many areas that were previously off limits are now accessible to foreigners. I was able to travel to Idlib, Daraa and Busra, amongst other places. Some areas are still off limits as the new government negotiates with the different groups. Be aware that some of these areas have not seen foreign travellers for many years and may be suspiscious of foreigners.
HTS now operates in most areas in the major cities of Damascus, Homs, Aleppo and of course Idlib. The Free Army secures the south, and other groups are still in place in the east.
Most of the regime checkpoints have been dismantled. These checkpoints were hated by the local people, as the soldiers would demand bribes, cause delays, and in some cases steal valuables. HTS operates some of the old checkpoints but are friendly and courteous, and don't take bribes.
Some HTS fighters have adopted an all black uniform and many wear masks to cover their faces, reminiscent of Daesh. Some foreigners may find this worrisome. The local people don't like it at all.
Some Syrians have started returning from abroad, mostly to visit family members they haven't seen for many years.
Syrians are now able to import cars, so there are many new cars on the road (which has had the downside of increasing congestion in Damascus significantly).
US and Euros are now accepted. While you can't change money at the bank, there are now 'black market' money changers everywhere. Rates vary and the exchange rate is steadily coming down.
Similarly, 'black market' fuel is now available everywhere. This fuel is brought in from Lebanon and sold by the roadside.
Green, white and black flags are flying everywhere and are being sold in markets.
All signs of Assad and his father are gone, which is visually striking to anyone who travelled here before the fall of the regime. Statues have been cut down (or in one case, destroyed with a DSHK), posters and banners have been removed, and paintings on walls have been shot at, defaced or painted over (sometimes all three).
There are significant changes to the social dynamics that have the potential to increase risk. That said, while the current situation is complex, my experience suggests it can be navigated successfully.
Most importantly, the Syrian people are optimistic for the first time in decades. They now face the daunting challenge of reversing decades of oppression and exploitation. Hopefully, once sanctions are lifted, foreign aid and foreign companies will be able to step in to assist.
I've prepared a comprehensive report designed to help guide organisations considering sending preliminary groups in to assess the situation and explore opportunities. If your organisation woujld be interested in this report, please contact me.
Crisis Simulation Exercises
If your organisation is interested in conducting a crisis simulation exercise in 2025, please reach out.
TRAINING
Training workshops and customised training solutions.
Security Evacuations
We have developed three workshops focused on security evacuations:
These workshops go into significant detail regarding how to manage each stage of an evacuation. We've integrated case studies and participants have the opportunity get into the practical aspects of planning, decision making and execution.
If your organisation would be interested in conducting these workshops for your security teams, please let me know.
View all our training workshops here.
PUBLICATIONS
We’ve published a number of books on crisis management, travel security and security evacuations.
Crisis Management
Travel Safety and Security
The Field Guide Series
Security Evacuations
The Security Evacuation Handbook Vol I - Fundamentals & Planning
The Security Evacuation Handbook Vol II - Decision Making & Execution
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.
We've been field testing a few of our prototypes while in Syria. So far, so good.
I'll be posting a few photos on social media once I've returned.
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
Tenacio is a project management application designed for people like me who are juggling a diverse range of projects. Tenacio cuts through the myriad of projects and tasks and tells you what you need to work on next. It does this based on the deadlines you set and your preferences for when you like to work on different activities.
If you'd like to try Tenacio, get in touch.
READING LIST
Links to interesting articles worth your time.
The Changing Face of the Houthis. How the movement adapted to dominate Yemeni politics (New Lines Magazine). Read here.
The Health-Climate-Security Triad. (CSIS). Read here.
The Tech Revolution and Irregular Warfare: Leveraging Commercial Innovation for Great Power Competition. (CSIS). Read here.
Americans Are Trapped in an Algorithmic Cage. The private companies in control of social-media networks possess an unprecedented ability to manipulate and control the populace. (The Atlantic). Read here.
Pandemic monitoring with global aircraft-based wastewater surveillance networks. (Nature Medicine). Read here.
DOGE Is Hacking America. The U.S. government has experienced what may be the most consequential security breach in its history. (Foreign Policy). Read here.
A New Spy Unit Is Leading Russia’s Shadow War Against the West. The operations of Moscow’s Department of Special Tasks have included attempted killings, sabotage and a plot to put incendiary devices on planes (The Wall Street Journal). Read here.
The Transatlantic Alliance in the Age of Trump: The Coming Collisions. (CSIS). Read here.
How Iran Targets Women Dissidents Abroad. From deepfake pornography to relentless online harassment, activists are facing a new form of state repression — one that transcends borders (New Lines Magazine). Read here.
That’s it for this month, folks.
Thanks for reading and stay safe out there.
Grant Rayner
Spartan9