The US led action in Iraq is being used for propaganda purposes by radical Islamists around the world. Passions are high in the Middle East and we add that these same passions are evident in Muslim communities around the world. The action against Saddam Hussein is being portrayed as an attack on Islam and there are already calls for action directed against the US and the United Kingdom and US/UK interests worldwide. There have already been large demonstrations against the US and the UK around the world. We think it likely that organized Islamic radical groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah, and Al Qaeda will use this as an excuse to initiate acts of terrorism, possibly in the US or the UK, but more likely against US/UK interests and US/UK citizens abroad where they are more vulnerable. Of great concern is the likelihood there will be incidents, possibly widespread, wherein individuals take it upon themselves to attack easy targets of opportunity which are identified with the US or the UK, the two primary countries identified as involved in military actions in Iraq. Such incidents may well take place outside of the obvious "hot spots."

Succinctly, we believe American and British companies and employees may well be targets of retribution at any spot in the world, whether from organized groups or from individual actions. While we do not think it practical or necessary at this time to recall all overseas personnel, we do think caution and planning should be exercised. While we have previously recommended the following steps, we reiterate that businesses proactive steps include, but are not necessarily limited to:

* Review contingency plans in each country in which there are assets. Update the plans as needed and make contact with any contract companies on which you may depend for emergency services in order to ensure these plans are practical.

* Review and ensure emergency evacuation plans and arrangements are in place, including services for emergency medical treatment and medical evacuation.

* Ensure you know exactly where all of your people, and dependents, are at any given time and that you are able to track the movement of travelers and communicate with them at a moment's notice.

* Encourage personnel abroad to register with their respective in-country Consulate or Embassy in order to be sure of receiving any alerts as well as to ensure they are aware of Embassy plans for possible evacuation of personnel.

* The Security Officer in each Embassy should also be contacted in order to ensure you are on their alert list in the event of local intelligence indicating a threat.

* Ensure you have a 24 hour, seven days a week, place where employees abroad who are in trouble can contact the company, and the persons manning the communications have clear emergency contact instructions in the event of an emergency.

* All employees and dependents abroad should be asked to ensure they are prepared to move to designated safe havens, or out of country, at a moment's notice.

* Immediately notify all employees and dependents abroad of this potential threat and instruct them to begin altering routes and times of travel and to increase their awareness of what is going on around them. Predictable daily routines are dangerous and steps should be implemented to avoid such routines.

* All employees abroad should be instructed to take all possible steps to lower their respective profiles and to avoid obvious identification as US/UK citizens or as employees of US/UK companies, particularly those with a highly symbolic or well-known name.

* Consideration should be given to the use of reliable guard services and trained drivers in areas such as the Middle East and Southeast Asia where the threat level is already elevated.

* The need for travel abroad should be kept to only that which is absolutely necessary and when travel is necessary, all reservations should be made without using the company name.

The preceding steps are not all-inclusive or tailored to specific countries or industries. We recommend you review all contingency plans made on a corporate level and put into place any other steps that you have planned and/or believe necessary to ensure the safety of your people and assets.

© Copyright - Smith Brandon International, Inc.

Smith Brandon International, Inc. conducts international investigations and provides actionable business intelligence and risk avoidance counsel to assist companies in their overseas operations. The firm's principals are grounded in investigative, analytical, and intelligence gathering techniques, drawing on decades of experience in the FBI, State Department, intelligence circles and the private sector. For more information, please call 202-887-9363, or visit our website at http://www.smithbrandon.com/.