Methodology
Churchill Picket
The Churchill Picket is located in Malakand, bordering Bajaur tribal agency in Pakistan. The Picket is named after the legendary Prime Minister of Britain, Winston Churchill. Churchill came to the Sub-Continent in 1897 and worked as a war correspondent for the Allahabad Pioneer and Daily Telegraph. He used to signal his messages from this spot to Malakand and onwards by Helio. The British constructed such posts at strategic locations and routes around the world, to monitor local events and movements. Furthermore, these pickets played a pivotal role in the larger tussle of global powers.
Churchill Picket has conceptually inspired PoliTact’s virtual pickets. These virtual pickets can be imagined as the modern day satellites in space. Through its regional pickets, PolitTact monitors and measures the global balance of power, as it influences various conflicts and fault zones. PoliTact presents a multi-dimensional perspective to the increasingly asymmetric ground realties. We gauge the future through media analysis, public perceptions and the interests of global actors.
Types of Analysis
PoliTact performs six different kinds of analyses to interpret, discern and synthesize events in different regions of the world. We focus primarily on political, security/defense, and economic events.
1. Geopolitical Situation
a. Issue Briefs
b. Vantage Point Analysis
c. Analysis of Perception and Perspective
2. Risk Assessments
a. Entropy Alerts
3. Global Security Advisor – Security Studies
4. GIPSEE Forecasts (Global Intelligence, Political, Security and Economic Estimate)
1. Geopolitical Situation
a. Issue Briefs
Issue Briefs are designed to be a situation report and an early warning system, pointing to issues that can become critical in the future. In the sea of news, Issue Briefs points to what’s important.
b. Vantage Point Analysis
How the West sees a matter and thinks about an issue may not be the same as in the East. FRAME OF REFERENCE and FIELD OF VIEW are two critical components that determines the geopolitical and geostrategic calculations, including threat perceptions of an international actor. Through Vantage Point Analysis we point to the evolving positions and interests international players, and how this impacts the balance of power.
c. Analysis of Perception and Perspective
PoliTact tracks the use of information and media, at the local and international level. Media Analyses is a critical part of this, as the Media are increasingly used as a tool to frame perceptions and perspectives. Through Analysis of Perception and Perspective, we inform our subscribers of the most relevant information, positions, and risks related to the unfolding and ever-evolving future.
2. Risk Assessments – Entropy Alerts
Alignment or misalignment of power and interest leads to many of the struggles and conflicts that the world is witnessing today. We generate an Entropy Alert when we observe a serious discrepancy of power, interest, and perspectives between various global actors.
3. Global Security Advisor – Security Studies
Once dangerous levels of entropy between perceptions and perspectives and interests have been identified and an ENTROPY ALERT issued, the next step is the mitigation of risks and avoidance of conflict. Global Security Advisor issues scenario-specific Advisories and produces Security Studies.
We help our audiences PREPARE and AVOID dangerous escalations in entropy levels that can lead to adverse impacts – suggesting alternative policies, strategies, and tactics that are politically astute, culturally aware, and historically sensitive.
4. GIPSEE Forecasts – Global Intelligence, Political, Security and Economic Estimate
Politact is in the business of dealing with the future state. Using reports generted by PoliTact’s regional pickets, we connect the dots and produce insights. We monitor different parts of the world to gauge where things are heading. PoliTact measures its performance by comparing the analyses it produces, to how events and policies actually unfold.