We are former journalists, analysts and consultants who have been working in this field for a decade. Our work is designed for real-world decision-makers who need clarity, context and credible insight in complex environments.
All our reporting is built on first-hand access and human intelligence, for an audience of intelligent humans. If you like what you see, please subscribe to our free newsletter to support our work.
Why we exist
We started The Geopolitical Desk (GPD) because too often geopolitical coverage is either desk-bound, agenda-driven or written for click-bait.
Having worked for over a decade in high-stakes environments, we understand how frustrating it can be to read the same recycled analysis that doesn't really provide much value and is not rooted in ground truth.
That's why we’re building an impartial, evidence-based publication that explains frontier and emerging markets through the people, networks and incentives that actually shape them.
Our backstory
Before GPD, we were Libya Desk, a niche service founded in 2017 that became the leading source of grounded, high-signal reporting on Libya for embassies, energy companies, traders, INGOs and multilaterals.
We earned trust the hard way: by being on the ground, building local networks and getting things right when it mattered.
Over seven years, that work has expanded across North Africa and the Middle East. Clients began asking for the same style of field-informed, impartial, and operationally useful reporting in other jurisdictions, like Algeria, Tunisia, Iran, Syria, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and beyond.
And that's when we realised the massive gap in the market for trusted information on frontier markets. GPD wants to fill that gap by providing deeper and broader coverage designed for a global audience operating in complex regions.
What we do
We publish analysis built on primary research, interviews, local networks and multilingual source monitoring.
Our geographical focus includes Libya, Algeria, Tunisia, Iran, Syria, the Gulf, Egypt and select frontier markets where global operators have real exposure.
We are not trying to be everywhere. We cover fewer places, with more depth, and only where we have meaningful access.
We currently offer:
- A free plan that provides access to a selection of website articles, as well as a weekly newsletter that breaks down the biggest stories in geopolitics each week in 5 minutes or less.
- Paid subscriptions offering access to deep-dive articles, expert analysis and business intelligence on countries such as Libya and Iran.
- Cross-cutting thematic insights on specific sectors including Oil & Gas, Banking & Finance and more.
- Advanced resources that provide deeper insights and confidential analysis that is not published elsewhere.
Who it’s for
Our reporting is designed for readers who don’t have time for cluttered dashboards or recyled analysis. Our subscribers include:
- Diplomats and foreign policy teams
- Energy companies and commodity traders
- Development actors and humanitarian planners
- Security and risk management professionals
- Independent researchers and consultants
- Universities and media organisations
If you’re trying to understand or operate in complex, frontier markets we exist to support you.
How we work
Our editorial process prioritises verification, fieldwork and local insight.
Each piece you read on this website combines:
- Primary research: key informant interviews, local networks, multilingual media and targeted field collection
- Desk research: verified open-source material, datasets and document reviews
- Internal databases: built from six+ years of work in high-risk environments across MENA
- Editorial review: senior analysts and editors with experience at the UN, BBC, EU institutions and major risk consultancies
Oliver Crowley
We operate under four guiding principles:
- Impartiality: We do not serve political agendas or promote specific actors or interest groups.
- Neutrality: We are an independent publication funded by readers, which allows us to maintain our neutrality while researching and reporting competing geopolitical interests.
- Do-No-Harm: We avoid publishing content that may endanger individuals or communities.
- Confidentiality: We protect our sources and treat sensitive information with the utmost discretion.
Who’s behind it
GPD is led by Oliver Crowley and Mohamed Dorda, alongside a wider network of analysts, field researchers and regional contributors.
Mohamed Dorda
Mohamed is a senior researcher and political risk advisor with over 13 years of experience in the Middle East and North Africa.
He is a co-founder of Libya Desk and has served as a lead advisor to diplomatic missions, energy companies and multilateral institutions navigating complex regional contexts.
He brings deep insight into armed group dynamics, political negotiations, transitional governance, and regional security architecture.
Mohamed has designed and led dozens of large-scale research projects and is a regular contributor to confidential briefings and strategic assessments for institutional clients.
Oliver Crowley
Oliver previously co-founded Libya Desk, where he helped grow the business into one of the most trusted sources of political risk and energy analysis in the country.
Since then, he has led complex research and risk advisory projects in the Middle East and North Africa, advising companies, embassies, and international organizations.
Oliver’s background is in political economy, public affairs and strategic communications. He has lived and worked across North Africa and the Middle East.
Our team works across multiple time zones, convening several times a week to review developments, stress-test analysis and align regional reporting.
Each desk is supported by local specialists who bring hyperlocal knowledge and linguistic fluency to ensure our output is accurate, timely and grounded.
How we’re funded
GPD is reader-supported. Our only incentive is to produce work that readers value enough to pay for.
We generate revenue through:
- Paid subscriptions
- Enterprise and institutional access
- Bespoke briefings and analysis
- Selected advertising partnerships
How our advertising works
We also run limited advertising with strict safeguards.
Every sponsored placement is clearly labelled, and we only accept advertising from selected partners who meet our standards for:
- Relevance to our audience
- Professional or sectoral alignment
- No political funding
- No entities involved in sanctions or compliance risks
Sponsored content and advertisements never influence our reporting, editorial decisions, coverage choices or conclusions.
GPD's editorial independence is non-negotiable and we do not publish unmarked advertorials, political ads or paid-for influence pieces.
This hybrid model keeps GPD financially sustainable while protecting the neutrality and integrity of our coverage.
Follow our work
We publish new articles weekly, in addition to working on original content for Instagram and our weekly newsletter.
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If you like what we’re building, share it with someone in your network who works in this space.
If you have further questions about how we work, or if you're interested in a partnership, enterprise plan or custom research, please contact us at insights[at]thegeopoliticaldesk[dot]com.
Thanks for reading. We hope you stay with us as we continue our growth.