In this edition of the Global Kidnap Bulletin, we consider the proliferation in Violence as a Service networks, and examine the persistent vulnerability of education facilities to active assailant incidents. We also discuss the reemergence of Somali piracy amid regional instability, and the dynamics underpinning a struggling response to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Lastly, as some Latin American governments turn increasingly to heavy-handed crackdowns on organised crime, we consider the implications of this approach for the security landscape.
World news in brief
A roundup of key political violence developments globally. Read the article
Outsourcing violence: The rise of transnational VaaS networks
Over the past year, Violence as a Service (VaaS) networks have grown rapidly. These services, in which kidnapping, extortion and assassinations are commissioned through established channels, and carried out transnationally, are difficult for law enforcement to detect due to their fragmented nature, exposing companies to new security and commercial risks. Read the article
Schools under siege: The enduring threat of active assailant attacks
In 2026, active assailants attacked schools across several countries including the UK, US and Canada. While such incidents remain concentrated in western countries, recent incidents in Turkey and Kenya demonstrate the sustained threat to educational institutions globally. Read the article
Back on the radar: Resurging Somali piracy around the Horn of Africa
The first half of 2026 has seen a marked increase in Somali piracy attacks around the Horn of Africa, facilitated by domestic instability in Somalia, regional maritime volatility, and increasing cooperation between pirates and regional militant organisations. These dynamics have again elevated risks to commercial shipping and crew. Read the article
Fault lines and fevers: How instability and geopolitics are shaping the DRC’s Ebola response
As Congolese authorities and international organisations race to contain the Ebola outbreak in eastern DRC, reduced global cooperation, funding shortfalls, geopolitical tensions, and the region’s volatile security environment are hampering containment efforts and creating a challenging operating environment for healthcare workers. Read the article
Under pressure: Challenges to Latin America’s security landscape amid heightened US security demands
As governments in Latin America escalate military operations to crack down on organised criminal groups, it is likely that an overreliance on heavy-handed approaches – such as leadership targeting or air strikes – will drive potential for further violence, and incentivise a diversification of criminal activity as groups adapt. Read the article
