Power Players is a narrative-led series from Sibylline, researched and voiced by our regional experts. Each episode explores a major actor shaping the global landscape - from individuals, governments, militias and intelligence agencies to political movements, criminal networks and multinational corporations. Blending geopolitical analysis, historical context and strategic insight, Power Players examines how influence is built, exercised, and contested behind the world’s most consequential…
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In this episode of Power Players, Senior Editor Leo Collins explores the narrow waterways that quietly underpin the global economy and the immense geopolitical influence they provide to any actor that controls them. From the Strait of Hormuz and the Strait of Malacca to the Bab al-Mandeb and the Panama Canal, Leo examines how a handful of strategic corridors have shaped empires, fuelled economic…
In this episode of Power Players, Threat Intelligence Analyst James Barrett examines how the assassination of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson reshaped conversations around executive protection and elevated the risks facing high-profile business leaders. The episode explores the alleged motivations behind the attack, the rise of online support networks surrounding Luigi Mangione and the…
In this episode of Power Players, Sibylline’s Senior Editor, Leo Collins, explores the evolution of BRICS from an economic concept into a growing geopolitical counterweight to the Western-led order. Leo unpacks the bloc’s expansion, its push towards local currency trade and sanction-resistant financial infrastructure, and the strategic importance of its growing membership across key regions and…
In this episode of Sibylline’s Power Players series, Intelligence Analyst James Barett examines Antifa — a decentralised, global anti-fascist movement active across the United States and Europe. Emerging prominently during the wave of anti-fascist mobilisation around the 2017 Charlottesville protests, Antifa has developed as a loose network of regional cells rather than a single organised group.…
In this episode of Sibylline's "Power Players" series, Intelligence Analyst Megan Sutcliffe examines the life and influence of Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran. The episode traces Khamenei’s journey from his early years in a religious household to his rise as a central figure in the Islamic Revolution and, ultimately, the most powerful man in Iran. Megan explores how he consolidated…
In this special Sibylline Podcast, Lead Europe-Eurasia analyst, Alexander Lord, is joined by Elizabeth Bullock, who shares her firsthand experiences of Russia's modern war. Elizabeth discusses her journey from a technology startup background to operating on the front lines in Ukraine for 3 years, offering a rare perspective on how Russia's war unfolded in its early stages and how daily life has…
In this episode of the Insight Podcast, Associate Analyst Azul Hidalgo Solá, along with Principal North America Analyst Claire Brady and Latin American and Caribbean Intelligence Analyst Alexander Marciniak, discuss the evolving dynamics between the U.S. and Venezuela. They explore the implications of the U.S.'s shifting policy towards Latin America and the Caribbean, focusing on recent military…
In this episode of the Insight Podcast, Intelligence Analysts James Barrett and Megan Sutcliffe explore the recent wave of Gen Z protests across the globe, focusing on significant movements in Nepal, Peru, and Madagascar. They discuss the causes, impacts, and political ramifications of these protests, emphasising how social media and youth activism are driving change. The conversation examines the…
In this episode of Sibylline's "Power Players" series, Intelligence Analyst Claire Brady explores the enigmatic world of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). The episode covers the origins of the ISI, its role in shaping regional politics and its controversial involvement in global affairs. From its inception post-partition to its current status as a powerful institution, the ISI's…
In this special episode of the Insight Podcast, Lead Analyst Kailyn Johnson and Associate Analyst Denise Schipani return to discuss the evolving role of AI in cyber operations. Denise highlights the increasing adoption of AI by both cyber criminals and state-sponsored groups to enhance social engineering attacks. They also cover the potential risks this poses to businesses and individuals. They…
