SEPTEMBER 2026 – W.38
“The second and third order impacts of economic downturn often appear in ostensibly unrelated friction, with a long-standing political tradition of creating distractions when an administration seeks to reestablish control by directing public sentiment.”
- Alex H, MH Political Risk Analyst
ACTIONS
Avoid protracted stays in protest hotspots like the Plaza del Congreso and Plaza de Mayo while traveling to and through Buenos Aires until the international relationship restabilizes.
WHY IT MATTERS
The move could signal further imminent cooling of the Argentinian domestic economic recovery and serve as an impetus for civil unrest.
The Milei administration may be seeking a U.S. distraction in the Falklands with a recent injunction against U.K. and Israel joint oil drilling, offshore installations, and port construction activities.
Thatcher’s Dreadnought Diplomacy
Pacific Islands
Digital Identity / Privacy
Travel Disruption
Operational & Logistics
Regulatory
Health Security
Border & Entry Risk
Civil Unrest / Security
Regional Escalation
Time for that PrEP Talk
Low rates of testing, methamphetamine bluetoothing, and chemsex have contributed to a recent declaration of an HIV health emergency by Fiji’s government.
WHY IT MATTERS
Media amplification and institutional distrust often lead to misinformation and disinformation regarding infectious risks.
ACTION
Review pathogen information from reliable publications and medical sources before making changes to travel plans.
OCEANA & THE AMERICAS
Digital Identity / Privacy
Travel Disruption
Operational & Logistics
Regulatory
Health Security
Border & Entry Risk
Civil Unrest / Security
Regional Escalation
On the Hind Foot
A stadium tour in the U.S. has reinvigorated social justice campaigns focused on the Israel/Palestine conflict.
WHY IT MATTERS
Performance and sport venues with high visitor density may be at increased risk for protests and threats in the wake of the renewed controversy.
ACTION
Check local rally and demonstration platforms when booking and attending entertainment venues and plan contingency exit options in case of emerging disruptions during events.
Europe
Digital Identity / Privacy
Travel Disruption
Operational & Logistics
Regulatory
Health Security
Border & Entry Risk
Civil Unrest / Security
Regional Escalation
Every Game You Play
The proposed EU Kids Act legislation under debate by the EU Parliament intends to restrict online access for children 15 and under.
WHY IT MATTERS
If approved, the act will broaden mandatory age verification requirements across EU member nations for social media and online games, with verification onus placed on individual platforms.
ACTION
Monitor the data collection, restriction, and protection policies of platforms and their third-party verification providers when traveling to destinations with changing online restrictions.
NORTH AMERICA
Digital Identity / Privacy
Travel Disruption
Operational & Logistics
Regulatory
Health Security
Border & Entry Risk
Civil Unrest / Security
Regional Escalation
Destination Hesitation
The U.S. has updated vaccination requirements for children in the U.S. and is currently at risk of losing measles elimination status.
WHY IT MATTERS
Lack of public confidence in the U.S. health apparatus has sparked decentralized handling of vaccine information.
ACTION
Assess your destination’s vaccination status and local outbreak history if you’re at higher risk from measles while traveling to or through the U.S.
Established in 2015 by former special operations and intelligence professionals. Merrill Herzog is the world's preeminent security risk advisory and crisis response firm.
Going where others won't, to do what others can't.
Frontline Global, a subsidiary of Merrill Herzog, is a global travel membership program offering travel assistance, security, medical and emergency evacuations, remote area rescues, and crisis response services to individuals, enterprises, and governments worldwide.