Open Briefing attended the Egyptian government’s recent high-level economic conference. The Egypt Economic Development Conference was designed to support President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi’s intention to strengthen Egypt’s troubled economy. It generated clear optimism, but caution and scepticism prevail among many Western diplomats in the aftermath of the conference.
Category: Insights and updates
Interview: Scott Hickie discusses health corruption
Open Briefing senior analyst Scott Hickie was recently interviewed for the International Affairs Forum, published by the Center for International Relations in Washington DC. In the interview, Scott discusses some of the findings of our July 2013 report into corruption within the pharmaceutical supply chain to the developing world.
Terrorist use of drones presents major potential threat to key sites and personnel in West
The recent crash-landing of a small drone in the White House grounds has highlighted the risk posed by terrorists operating unmanned aerial vehicles fitted with remotely-control explosive devices. Such platforms could be used to target nuclear power plants, government or military infrastructure, tourist sites and high-value targets, such as politicians.
Hack on Sony Pictures highlights key challenges in cyber security and conflict
The international relations fallout from the hacking of Sony Pictures Entertainment in November 2014 steadily increased through December and into January. The potential for miscalculation in cyber conflict is significant due to the absence of international norms or consensus, lack of shared understanding of relative offensive capabilities and limitations in attribution. As such, the Sony Pictures hack has highlighted far-wider issues than initially apparent.
Latest report card from Open Briefing! October-December 2014
As part of our commitment to full transparency and accountability, we prepare evaluation reports every quarter to assess the progress we have achieved against our published objectives. We publish these reports in full, uncensored, on our website so our community can hold us to account. We have just published the evaluation report for October-December 2014, and it was a hugely successful three months for Open Briefing!
Happy Christmas from Open Briefing!
Open Briefing will be closed from Friday 19 December until Monday 12 January for a much-needed holiday! Wishing all our clients, subscribers and website visitors a happy holiday season and a peaceful new year.
Developments in unmanned aerial vehicles and armed drones
A roundup of the latest news and developments relating to unmanned aerial vehicles and armed drones. Includes the two-year feasibility study that has been launched by the British and French governments to initiate the development of a joint future unmanned combat air vehicle and news that the United States reportedly now monitors half of its border with Mexico using drones.
Afghan policy reversal reinstates special forces night raids
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has overturned the ban on special forces night raids. There is acute awareness of Afghan public opposition to night raids and the danger that the policy reversal may expose Ghani to some future political attacks. However, the fact that Ghani and the White House are willing to stir up negative public sentiment during a politically fragile period may give some indication of the seriousness with which they are taking the threat posed by a resurgence in Taliban activity.