Brazil
Sean Steinberg is a Senior Consultant with Control Risks' Global Risk Analysis team based out of São Paulo, Brazil. He is responsible for analyzing political, security, and regulatory risks facing businesses operating in Brazil and the broader region (Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay). Sean’s geopolitical analysis has been featured in international news broadcasts and newspapers in English, Korean, Spanish, Portuguese, and Russian; his written work on democracy and technology has appeared in Slate and other digital publications; and he has produced several documentaries on landmark cybersecurity events with an Emmy award-winning filmmaker. His decade of professional experience encompasses work in journalism, media, think tanks, politics, and NGOs. Until the think tank's closure, he held the title of Research Fellow at the Center on National Security (CNS) at Fordham Law, where oversaw research projects into reforming the Department of Justice and securing the 2024 U.S. elections. Prior to joining CNS, Sean worked at the Soufan Center, where he distilled geopolitical analysis into over 100 articles and co-authored a comprehensive report on the Russian private military company known as the Wagner Group. He also oversaw the center’s Securing the Future Initiative, which analyzed two decades of counterterrorism policy and missteps at the UN Security Council. Before that, he held fellowships with the NYC Mayor’s Office of the Chief Technology Officer and the Eurasia Group Foundation; served on disaster operations with the the American Red Cross; staffed a Congressional election campaign; and led a research team delivering policy recommendations to the U.S. State Department, which aimed to steer NATO’s response to Russian pressure in and around the Black Sea.
• Produced regional threat assessments for clientele ranging from Fortune 500 corporations to NGOs, evaluating political instability, regulatory exposure, and physical security risks to assets across South America • Assessed second- and third-order political, economic, and operational impacts of U.S. military action against Venezuela in Brazil, Chile, and Argentina • Conducted corruption and regulatory risk evaluation of Brazil’s transport infrastructure sector, mapping key stakeholders and outlining concession dynamics to support investment decision • Applying standardized risk framework, scored and benchmarked security vulnerabilities of data centers operated by global, market-leading technology platforms to crime, civil unrest, and surveillance
• Working alongside Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and think tank director, co-authored 2 academic reports aimed at restoring public trust in Justice Department and revitalizing its role in securing American democracy • Assuming project management, comprehensively reorganized research schedule and led write-up to meet final deadline • Translated director’s strategic vision and feedback into action items communicated to 7 subordinate researchers • Reviewed government investigations, academic analyses, media reports, and legal documents to map institutional developments of four major DOJ offices
• Distilled nuanced geopolitical insights into 100+ short-form IntelBriefs on rapid deadlines for 12k readers, and wrote comprehensive reports on Russian digital authoritarianism and Wagner Group • Authored year’s most-read IntelBrief and earned recognition for writing CSIS’ “Article of the Day” • Expanded national security perspectives by analyzing climate conflict, exploring digital geopolitics, leading Latin America coverage, covering the war in Ukraine, and explaining repercussions of U.S. counterterrorism policy • Analysis featured in international news broadcasts and newspapers, translated into 4 languages, and reached American, European, South Korean, Israeli, and Australian audiences. • Coordinated event production needs for Global Security Forum – hosting heads of state, senior government officials, and prolific journalists – and edited follow-up summary report. • Staffed executive director for meetings with high-level national security officials, diplomats, and NGOs and drafted talking points.
• Managed production of 60+ page report on UN Security Council counterterrorism, informed by nearly 450 stakeholders • Operated $250,000 program budget towards commissioned policy research and event planning • As lead project focal point, organized 3 international events to operationalize report findings attended by 60+ officials, diplomats, and experts from UN, national governments, and CSOs • Edited 12 research briefs covering topics related to the Security Council, counterterrorism, and justice/accountability
• Conceptualized timely international relations narratives and solicited experts to publish on digital platform • Developed mini-series on international consequences of shifting role of U.S. foreign policy • Participated in weekly editors’ meetings to pitch and workshop articles with co-editors
• Led policy research team supporting NATO response to Russian hybrid pressure in Black Sea region • Oversaw final product delivery – policy roadmap and heatmap of potential conflict zones – to State Department • Developed and oversaw research and production schedule, adapting project scope to Ukraine invasion • Coordinated fact-finding meetings with U.S. diplomats and subject-matter experts concerning regional NATO partners