Scott Stewart supervises Stratfor's analysis of terrorism and security issues. Before joining Stratfor, he was a special agent with the U.S. State Department for 10 years and was involved in hundreds of terrorism investigations.
Mr. Stewart was the lead State Department investigator assigned to the 1993 World Trade Center bombing and the follow-up New York City bomb plot. He also led a team of American agents assisting the Argentine investigation of the 1992 bombing of the Israeli Embassy in Buenos Aires and was involved in investigations following a series of attacks and attempted attacks by the Iraqi intelligence service during the first Gulf War.
Mr. Stewart was deputy regional security officer in Guatemala City and was responsible for embassy and diplomatic security at that post as well as in Belize City. As protective intelligence coordinator for Dell, he served as a member of Michael Dell's executive protective team. He has also consulted on terrorism issues for the Texas Department of Public Safety.
He is regularly featured as a security expert in leading media outlets, including The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, CNN International, NPR, Reuters, USA Today, The Associated Press, World Magazine, Fox News, Discovery Channel and Time magazine.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Even before the 9/11 attacks that shocked the United States 17 years ago, the country was fighting a war against Islamic extremism. And without victory in the ideological sphere, it's a war that won't end soon.
When visiting potentially hostile regions, leave the bright clothes, the high-end electronics and the loud mouth at home -- and fade into the crowd.
Stratfor Threat Lens VP of Tactical Analysis Scott Stewart tells the Los Angeles Times that rising violence is connected to fracturing cartels as the government removes their leadership.
Groups like the Islamic State might be battered and bruised on the battlefield, but because they're in it for the long haul, military defeats are nothing but temporary setbacks.
The potential threat to tourists is not new, but Stratfor Threat Lens VP of Tactical Analysis Scott Stewart tells The Washington Post the important thing is to understand the threat ahead of time and prepare accordingly.
Though inauguration day is three months away, the incoming administration is already shrinking its narco amnesty proposal, considering some drug legalization and promising to pull the military out of the cartel war.
With Russian support, the government has been able to keep a lid on simmering militancy, but poverty and a growing youth population could increase the threat from radicalization.
In their battles with extremism, governments have plenty of reason to misrepresent the names of militant groups. Doing so, however, doesn't help us understand what makes these organizations tick.
Even though commercial models of unmanned aerial vehicles are more widely available than ever, arming them is difficult. Surveillance continues to be the drone's most effective role in a potential assault.
Despite spending millions on hiring scientists and creating modern labs, the chemical and biological attacks conducted by Aum Shinrikyo never created the apocalypse it wanted.
While numerous questions about the mass shooting are yet unanswered, the assault indicates how corporations must monitor threats over the long term and prepare workers for an active shooter.
Tough times await Nicaragua as the country's protesters and government dig in for a protracted battle. Companies still operating in the country would be well-advised to consider contingency plans.
