NTV podcast by Kevin Schulte with Managing Partner Dr. Hannes Meissner

For many years, the construction of a Trump Tower in Georgia was considered a failed project. Now, however, it is set to be built after all. This turnaround comes as a surprise. The planned complex, featuring approximately 70 stories, luxury apartments, a hotel, and retail space, is being presented by the Georgian government as a sign of economic strength. Observers, however, view it primarily as a project that engages in symbolic politics and pursues geopolitical goals.

Managing Partner Hannes Meissner discusses the background and the political calculations behind this project on Kevin Schulte’s NTV podcast “Wieder was gelernt.” Please follow the link to the NTV podcast.

Experts highlight rising risks and strategic responses for European companies in a changing global landscape

The recent ACTA webinar on geopolitical developments and their impact on business attracted strong interest from members, reflecting the urgency of the topic in today’s volatile environment. Ongoing global tensions—including the war in Ukraine, escalating conflicts in the Middle East, and broader geopolitical rivalries—are increasingly reshaping economic conditions, with direct consequences for companies, markets, and financial flows.

Titled “Geopolitical Developments, Impact on European Businesses and Management Options,” the webinar featured insights from Dr. Hannes Meissner and Dr. Johannes Leitner. The speakers explored key geopolitical dynamics and examined how these shifts are influencing European businesses. Particular attention was given to the challenges faced by corporate treasury functions, as well as practical strategies for managing risks driven by geopolitical uncertainty.

The webinar concluded with an interactive discussion, during which ACTA Board Member Philipp Schmidt moderated a Q&A session  together with the speakers. The high level of engagement and the depth of questions from participants highlighted the growing relevance of geopolitical risk management for companies today.

An analysis for the journal REFLECTIONS by Dr. Johannes Leitner and Dr. Hannes Meissner

On 19 June, a very exciting summer event took place at the Austrian Institute for International Affairs (OIIP), bringing together experts from various fields. During the event, the third issue of the magazine REFLECTIONS, titled “Beyond the Comfort Zone,” was presented—an especially timely and important topic today. With their article “The Shift to a New Global Order”, Dr. Johannes Leitner and Dr. Hannes Meissner contribute to the discussion by analyzing the impact of current geopolitical developments on the new role and strategies of companies in the EU.

Focus on enforcement, harmonization, and increasing requirements for companies

A recent expert article for the magazine Compliance Praxis analyzes the latest developments in EU sanctions policy in 2026. At its core is the 20th sanctions package, through which the EU is placing greater emphasis on the effective enforcement of existing measures and the prevention of circumvention strategies.

In their contribution, Dr. Hannes Meissner and Dr. Johannes Leitner demonstrate that the focus is no longer on the number of new sanctions, but rather on their quality, precision, and practical enforceability. At the same time, complexity for companies is increasing, particularly due to the inclusion of third countries such as Kyrgyzstan and the interaction of different international sanctions regimes. For practitioners, this translates into growing requirements for structured compliance processes and a stronger integration of trade compliance into corporate management.

Please follow for the full article.

Workshop at the Austrian National Defence Academy on Security in South and Central Asia

Managing Partner Dr. Hannes Meissner gave a presentation on "The Impact of the Taliban on Central Asia and the Southern Dimension of the 'Middle Corridor'" at the Institute for Peace Support and Conflict Management (IFK) at the Austrian National Defence Academy on 2 June. The workshop dealt with the current security situation in South and Central Asia. The discussions focused in particular on the recent escalations between the Taliban and Pakistan in March 2026, as well as the Iran–Israel/USA confrontation and its impact on the regional security architecture. Please follow this link to the presentation.

Dr.Hannes Meissner at the Austrian National Defence Academy

Companies increasingly rely on structured partner due diligence

In the latest article of the Trade Compliance Konkret series (LINK), Dr. Johannes Leitner and Dr. Hannes Meissner highlight the central importance of Know Your Customer (KYC) checks for companies engaged in international trade. KYC forms the foundation of all compliance measures, as only a well-informed understanding of business partners allows risks to be identified and managed at an early stage.

The focus lies on structured review processes such as annual risk assessments, market verification, and systematic screenings. A key component is the KYC report, which evaluates not only compliance with regulations but also a partner’s creditworthiness, reputation, and overall reliability. If warning signs such as “yellow flags” or “red flags” are identified, more in-depth HUMINT analyses become necessary, including the use of non-public information.

The authors emphasize that KYC is increasingly evolving into a strategic management tool. It serves not only to ensure regulatory compliance but also to safeguard business decisions in the long term.

How do geopolitical crises affect businesses? This question was at the center of a high-level panel discussion held on May 12 in Vienna. At the invitation of Canon Austria, the Eastern Committee of German Business, and LM Political Risk and Strategy Advisory, representatives from the business community and corporate sector came together to shed light on current developments and their implications.

The discussion focused on growing tensions in international trade – but also on the opportunities arising from them. One key takeaway was clear: today’s conflicts are not isolated events, but part of a profound global transformation. The world economy is increasingly moving away from a purely efficiency-driven model toward an order in which security considerations play a central role. For companies, this means greater fragmentation, new trade barriers, and stronger political intervention in economic decision-making.

At the same time, it was emphasized that Eastern Europe continues to offer attractive growth prospects despite these challenges – particularly in trade and investment. However, capitalizing on these opportunities requires a clear-eyed approach to risk: geopolitical developments must be actively managed, and trade compliance must be given greater priority.

Dr.Hannes Meissner at the panel discussion

On April 22, 2026, Dr. Hannes Meissner and Dr. Johannes Leitner analyzed the economic, political, and geopolitical framework conditions and opportunities for Austrian companies in Kazakhstan at a roundtable of the Austrian-Kazakh Society (ÖKG).

Kazakhstan is considered one of the more successful post-Soviet economies, but it remains strongly shaped by its resource-based rent economy and a politically dominant executive branch. Informal networks and state influence continue to play a significant role in business activities. Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine in 2022, the risk of sanctions and their circumvention in the region has also increased significantly.

Nevertheless, opportunities arise for companies, particularly through technological expertise, financing capabilities, and know-how. However, this requires targeted risk management, such as comprehensive partner analysis and an effective trade compliance system. Follow for the presentation.

Invitation to LexisNexis Compliance Network Meeting

How are companies responding to geopolitical tensions, tougher sanctions, and new trade barriers? The next LexisNexis Compliance Network meeting, hosted by LM PRISK and FACC, will address these questions. The Forum on 11 June brings together leading experts from business, law, and international organizations. For more information and for registration, please follow this link.

Presentation by Hannes Meissner at the German Eastern Business Association

In 2026, Russia has entered a phase of economic downturn. Following several years of economic boom in the course of the transition of the economic system to a war economy, declining growth rates, structural deficits, and external shocks mark a turning point. The presentation at the German Eastern Business Association (Ostausschuss der Deutschen Wirtschaft) analyses these developments based on current macroeconomic data and voices from inside Russia. The presentation focused on the question of how stable the Russian economic and political system is under conditions of economic stagnation, high war costs, international sanctions, and geopolitical conflicts. Drawing on concepts from the social and economic sciences, the presentation came to the conclusion that while stability is assured in the short term, significant risks exist in the long term. Please follow the link to the slides.

New Eastblog Article by Hannes Meissner and Johannes Leitner in the Austrian Newspaper Der Standard

The Central Asian states are increasingly caught between authoritarian stability and new geopolitical challenges. Since Russia’s war against Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan have grown in importance for European companies. Behind the promising economic figures, however, lie political risk structures shaped by the interests of elites and limited rule of law. At the same time, these regimes face security risks such as Islamist terrorism and shifting regional power dynamics. Despite these threats, however, all five post-Soviet states remain resilient. Their enduring stability is the result of targeted state strategies aimed at maintaining control and public order. The following article by Hannes Meissner and Johannes Leitner examines the foundations of this resilience—and the political risks that remain relevant for international companies.

New Compliance Praxis article by Johannes Leitner and Hannes Meissner

“Trade Compliance Konkret” is a new monthly format that provides clear and practical insights into current trade‑compliance challenges. The series, authored by Johannes Sebastian Leitner and Dr. Hannes Meissner of LM Political Risk and Strategy Advisory, explains why trade compliance has become a strategic priority for internationally active companies. Each edition will address a central topic, offer political and strategic context, and outline what companies need to understand and implement. The first issue explores why trade compliance is highly relevant today, why it is now a top‑management responsibility, and what risks arise when awareness is lacking.

Geopolitical tensions, new security doctrines, and increasing sanctions are fundamentally transforming international trade. As a result, trade compliance—adhering to all relevant regulations governing the global exchange of goods and services—has become a key success factor. Effective compliance systems protect companies from legal and financial risks and ensure operational resilience, even in complex markets. They not only guarantee regulatory adherence but also provide clear, practical guidance for day‑to‑day decision-making. A risk‑based approach is especially important, allowing companies to evaluate business transactions differently depending on country, product type, and corporate context. This enables organizations to remain flexible and competitive despite growing regulatory demands.

The full article can be found at the following link.

An analysis of how sanctions, tariffs and security‑driven interests are reshaping the globalized economic order and pushing companies into a new sphere of geopolitical responsibility.

The formerly globalized economic order is disintegrating and increasingly shaped by security interests and geopolitical rivalry. States are once again employing sanctions, tariffs and regulatory controls more aggressively, fundamentally altering economic processes. As a result, companies themselves become actors in security policy, since their decisions can have geopolitical consequences. At the same time, the spiral of sanctions among major players such as the EU, the United States, China and Russia is intensifying, leading to the creation of alternative trade structures. The new article by Johannes Leitner explains why economic decisions will increasingly be influenced by a more multipolar and conflict‑laden world order, what role the “globoligarchs” play in this shift, and how the new situation affects companies' everyday realities.

Springer Edition on Germany’s Ukraine Policy

The volume, edited by Wolfgang Gieler (Dortmund University of Applied Sciences) and Meik Novak (Hamburg University of the Armed Forces), analyzes Germany's Ukraine policy from three key perspectives: development cooperation, foreign policy, and security policy. In their book chapter “State capture, geopolitics, and EU reform pressure: Opportunities and risks for foreign direct investment and socioeconomic development,” Managing Partner Hannes Meissner and Yaroslav Prytula (Ukrainian Catholic University of Lviv) analyze Ukraine's socioeconomic development prospects and the opportunities and risks the country offers for foreign direct investment. While potential EU membership and extensive reconstruction aid from the West raise hopes for a democratic Ukraine governed by the rule of law with a dynamic economy, two major categories of political risk stand in the way of this scenario: state capture and geopolitical risks. The analysis shows from a historical and conceptual perspective that both categories of risk are deeply rooted and extremely persistent. Finally, the article assesses how the Russian invasion and reform pressure from the EU have shaped these trends and derives three scenarios for future foreign direct investment and socioeconomic outcomes.

Presentation by Dr. Hannes Meissner on Central Asia at the Austrian Defense Academy.

At the Austrian Defence Academy, international experts gathered to discuss “IS Khorasan Province – Ideology, Networks, and Global Security Dynamics.” The conference, organized by Walter Posch and Hessam Habibi Doroh, addressed a highly topical and pressing security issue.

While many contributions focused on developments in Iran, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, the presentation by Dr. Hannes Meissner centered on Central Asia. Titled “Central Asia in the Transnational Networks of ISKP: Responses, Counter-Extremism and Challenges,” it examined the region’s role in ISKP’s transnational structures as well as state and societal responses to extremist threats.

Even though the corporate focus was not at the center of this conference, the topic is also highly relevant for companies, as large companies need to screen job applicants and employees for religious radicalization tendencies. This is necessary due to a new strategy by IS Khorasan. It aims to identify, radicalize, and mobilize young adults in the West who are socially isolated and dissatisfied and spend a lot of time on social media, playing computer games, and surfing the internet. The difficulty with screening individuals lies in the fact that those at risk have often been completely inconspicuous up to now. Follow the link to the presentation.

Dr. Hannes Meissner Presenter at Pre-Davos Workshop

On 18 January 2026, the University of Zurich and the European Business Association (EBA) welcomed corporate leaders travelling to the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos to participate in a practice‑oriented workshop titled “Geopolitical Scenarios for Corporate Leaders in Ukraine.” During the event, Dr. Hannes Meissner introduced scenario planning as a structured method designed to help companies navigate uncertainty by systematically analyzing future developments. The workshop focused specifically on Ukraine, and in the practical exercise participants identified geopolitical developments and military developments as the two critical uncertainties shaping business strategy.

Scenario planning emphasizes the identification of all relevant influencing factors, the determination of key uncertainties—such as shifts in the military situation and global geopolitics—and the formulation of balanced assumptions informed by expert insights. The method encourages the development of a small number of realistic scenarios, including best‑ and worst‑case options, and the assessment of their implications. Ultimately, companies are guided to develop concrete strategies for each scenario while continuously monitoring ongoing developments, as scenario planning is an iterative and long‑term process rather than a one‑time exercise. Follow the link to the presentation.

Dr. Hannes Meissner leading a workshop group

Compliance Praxis article by Johannes Leitner und Hannes Meissner

The United Arab Emirates, particularly Dubai with the Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA), are among the most important global trading hubs and offer companies attractive infrastructural and regulatory advantages. At the same time, the low transparency of such free trade zones entails considerable trade compliance risks, particularly with regard to possible sanctions circumvention. Trade – especially with Iran and potential re-exports to Russia or Belarus – often takes place via intermediaries, which makes comprehensive control difficult. The full article explains exactly how companies are overcoming these challenges – and why Dubai continues to boom as a hot spot for global trade despite all the risks. Please follow the link.

Geopolitical risks, trade compliance, sanstions and the economic dynamics in the CEE region were the focus of the panel discussion during the DRIVE EAST Forum, organized in November 2025 in cooperation with the Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe, the Competence Center for Emerging Markets & CEE at WU Vienna, and AUSSENWIRTSCHAFT AUSTRIA. Dr. Johannes Leitner’s presentation dealt with new challenges for companies regarding trade compliance management.

Please follow the link.

On 30 October 2025, EQS Connect brought together experts from the fields of trade compliance, law and governance in Vienna to develop practical strategies and new perspectives. Besides, the aim was to present the most important findings from the Whistleblowing Report 2025. EQS Connect provides a framework for discussing how responsible corporate governance can be achieved in times of regulatory dynamics, technological change and increasing transparency requirements. Dr Johannes Leitner provided insights into the influence of geopolitics on enterprises and the growing importance of trade compliance.

Please follow the link to Dr. Johannes Leitner’s presentation.

CompliancePraxis article by Johannes Leitner and Hannes Meissner

The global economic and security order is undergoing profound change: fragmentation, geopolitical power shifts and a resurgence of neorealist political approaches are increasingly calling into question the previously dominant logic of globalization. For companies, this means a new reality in which sanctions, tariffs and export controls are no longer the exception, but rather central conditions for their international activities. At the same time, there is growing pressure to establish robust trade compliance structures that offer security without slowing down business operations. This article shows how closely geopolitics and trade compliance are now intertwined – and what strategies companies have to apply in this complex, multipolar world.

Please follow the link.