Members are invited to consider the most recent Risk Intelligence reports provided at the annexes as follows:-

· Annex A – Middle East Updates
· Annex B – Northern Black Sea Updates

Annex A summarises the past week’s security updates across the Middle East, where the status quo has remained as of late. However, there are indications that Israel may be preparing to launch an offensive in Southern Lebanon, as rhetoric about “finishing the job” has become common in Israeli political discourse. Further, the Houthis are expected to continue targeting vessels with connections to Israel.

Annex B summarises the past week’s security updates in the Black Sea region. Ukraine has taken credit for two recent attacks on so-called “shadow fleet” vessels, bringing increased international focus on the war in the lead-up to the current peace talks. It is expected that Ukraine’s targeting of these vessels, along with the coincidental attack on the Kazakhstan oil pipeline, is an attempt to cripple the Russian economy by disabling oil exportation.

In accordance with the scope of the agreement between ICS and Risk Intelligence, members are requested not to circulate the report further in its entirety. Members may precis the report or use extracts from it to help advise members on key issues or to assist in enquiries. In such cases, Risk Intelligence should be acknowledged as the source of the information.