Welcome to the weekend. It's that special time of year when our American colleagues are getting creative and conjuring up as many different post-Thanksgiving meals as possible, using turkey as a staple ingredient. While Brits everywhere are scouring high street stores and the internet to find the best Black Friday deals, before realising, once again, that no such thing exists in the UK and it's just a lot of marketing noise!

But don't worry, if you're looking for something to distract you from the Holiday hype, then you're in luck. On the Circuit has arrived in your inbox right on time!

In this edition, we've got:

• EP Heavyweight and all-round good guy, Byron Rodgers sits down with Elijah to discuss the importance of building relationships.

• Should Management be held accountable when journalists put themselves in danger?

• Could the wrong response to Russian provocations bring about World War III?

Let's get into this.

The Circuit Magazine Podcast

Relationship Building and Making a Contribution | Byron Rodgers — podcast.circuit-magazine.com

Why should protectors care about building relationships within the EP community with people who could be considered competitors? And what’s wrong with plain old networking?

This week, Elijah is back with another Short Circuit and is joined by good friend and industry personality, Byron Rodgers.

In this episode the two discuss a wide range of industry topics, with a focus on how relationships are the key to longevity in executive protection and as Byron puts it…

“You're going to make mistakes but what’s going to keep you alive? Relationship equity.” 

So, regardless of what stage of your career you’re at, listen in to this week’s show to hear what you could be missing out on by not building more meaningful relationships.

Topics discussed include:

• What is the difference between networking and relationship building? Why does it matter?

• How protectors can gain abundance within the industry by adopting a less defensive attitude.

• What Protectors can do, and what initiatives exist, to improve your industry network.

Tune in for this entertaining and mindset changing discussion.

The Need to Know

Russia warns it can destroy NATO satellites — www.dailymail.co.uk

State TV last night claimed Moscow's new anti-satellite (ASAT) missiles could destroy 32 Nato satellites and 'blind all their missiles, planes and ships, not to mention the ground forces.'

Physical scars and mental trauma of kidnapping will remain forever — www.standard.co.uk

The businessman, Kevin Lunney said a ‘greater torment’ than his physical pain was knowing the ‘anguish’ his wife and children had experienced.

Interpol appoints Emirati general accused of torture as president

Ahmed Nasser al-Raisi of United Arab Emirates elected despite concerns of human rights groups and MEPs

Paris investigates leak purporting to show Egypt misused French intelligence — www.reuters.com

Reports that French intelligence, intended to track jihadist militants, had been misused by Egypt to target smugglers on the Libyan border and kill civilians.

The US's refusal to accept reality in Ukraine could get a lot of people killed — www.businessinsider.com

Biden must honestly assess if it is worth starting World War III over a territory with little significance to overall US security.

Russia’s Jamming Force Could Isolate Ukrainian Troops—So Artillery Can Destroy Them — www.forbes.com

Seven years ago, Russian forces located with drones, isolated with electronic jammers then destroyed with artillery a powerful—on paper, at least—Ukrainian armored group.

Tactics used by a gang of kidnappers is revealing — www.vanguardngr.com

Police have smashed a kidnap syndicate that specialized in luring unsuspecting victims through Facebook and Whatsapp. Their targets are females who are either beautiful and single or working class ladies. To get their attention, they pose on social media as foreigners working in multinational oil companies.

From the Pages of the Circuit Magazine

The Death of Journalist Marie Colvin - Should Media Management be Held Accountable? — circuit-magazine.com

Much has been made about the life and death of Marie Colvin over the years. There’s a film out about her, a book and many articles in newspapers and magazines.

This article by media protection specialist, Bob Shepherd, was written to highlight the failures of media management and their responsibility for too many media deployments that have gone badly wrong in conflict areas around the world. Marie’s death is an example of just one of those failings.

As Bob recalls,

"I had lunch in London with her once. We chatted about working in war zones. I mentioned that no story is worth dying for… she disagreed. I then mentioned that if you’re willing to die for a story, what about the team around you? Most of the time these individuals are working solely in order to feed their families. And what about individuals willing to go that extra mile to extricate you, should you get yourself into a seriously dangerous scenario? She said it was their choice, they could walk away any time."

Bob put forward the argument for why Marie's death was "nothing short of corporate manslaughter."

Read the full article >

Situation Report by RANE

Hong Kong: COVID-19 App Requirements Increase, Raising Surveillance Worries

Hong Kong contact tracing apps increase opportunities for security forces to surveil businesses and average citizens, as Chinese security forces have a history of using public safety apps to clandestinely monitor citizen activities. Chief Executive Carrie Lam is tightening Hong Kong’s COVID-19 restrictions to align with Beijing’s as the region seeks to reopen its border with China.

Ukraine: Officials Continue Warning of Winter Russian Invasion

Concerns over a Russian invasion of Ukraine are likely to continue over the coming months, but Russian President Vladimir Putin is likely only testing the waters at this time, seeking to increase his leverage over Ukraine. U.S. President Joe Biden and Putin will schedule a call by the end of this year and attend an in-person meeting at the beginning of 2022, in part over growing Russia-Ukraine tensions. But the United States is unlikely to significantly alter its supportive stance toward Ukraine after the meetings, and such Western opposition could push Russia to save face by taking military action against Kyiv. The buildup of Russian troops could also be an effort to establish a new normal of constant pressure on Ukraine, but the troops are unlikely to force the West into a more conciliatory stance.

Special Offer for On the Circuit Readers

From the Community

How do You Distinguish between a Fan and Someone Obsessive and a Danger? — protector.disciplemedia.com

As a Protector working in the entertainment industry, your training and all senses will be need to be on point and ready to go!

in an Instagram video, the attacker lays out his game plan before the show. He even befriended the venue staff closest to his entry point.

How would you handle a situation like this? >

🇺🇸 NABA Protector >

🇬🇧 BBA Connect >

On the Circuit Merch

Those Who Know, Know.

To any industry insider, being 'On the Circuit' means being operationally active in the world of international protection. To anyone else, it's just three words. Those who know, know!

Apparel for Protectors >

Until next week...

If you found this issue of the On the Circuit newsletter useful, please forward it to a friend or colleague who’d also enjoy it.

Here's a handy message you can use to share with your friends:

On the Circuit has you covered when you're busy covering others.