The Collapse of Corporate Geopolitical Strategies

Global turbulence is sidelining every playbook

Aug 19, 2025

∙ Paid

For the past several years, in particular since the Ukraine-Russia war began in 2022, companies of all sizes and sectors have been racing to “manage geopolitics”—from specific events to the growing volatility on the world stage.

For some, it is a rinse and repeat approach, like leveraging an extensive network of former diplomats, CEOs, generals, and politicians, providing direct access to what is being discussed and what is coming in the national capitals. For others, responding to geopolitics has been a step-by-step effort that starts with a central move, such as diversifying supply chains from China. Everything else flows from this “base,” as executives prioritize geopolitics and dedicate resources in an almost chronological order.

In recent times, however, many companies have become aware that their strategies, like leveraging a network of former government officials to navigate geopolitics, are running out of steam. Even if a business has eyes and ears in every country, with a global network, it is not enough.