J.S. Held is a global consulting firm that combines technical, scientific, financial, and strategic expertise to advise clients seeking to realize value and mitigate risk. Our professionals serve as trusted advisors to organizations facing high stakes matters demanding urgent attention, staunch integrity, proven experience, clear-cut analysis, and an understanding of both tangible and intangible assets. The firm provides a comprehensive suite of services, products, and data that enable clients to navigate complex, contentious, and often catastrophic situations.


More than 1,500 professionals serve organizations across six continents, including, 81% of the Global 200 Law Firms, 70% of the Forbes Top 20 Insurance Companies (85% of the NAIC top 50 Property & Casualty Insurers), and 65% of the Fortune 100 Companies.


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Hamas Attack on Israel: Geopolitical & Business Impacts

Dan Arenson joined J.S. Held in May 2022 as part of the company's acquisition of GPW. With eight years of experience in political risk, Arenson manages a wide range of projects, providing geopolitical and operational guidance to companies across diverse geographies. He specializes in advising multinational development banks on integrity and reputational risks prior to potential investments.

Before joining J.S. Held, Arenson worked as a senior editor at a Middle East-focused geopolitical risk reporting consultancy and as an intelligence analyst at Vodafone. His experience also includes working as a political aide to a Member of Parliament, giving him valuable insights into the inner workings of government and policy-making.
Arenson's recent work includes managing several mandates for the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in various emerging markets across Eurasia, the Middle East, and North Africa. He has also conducted pre-IPO reviews for a mining company, assessing political, economic, security, and regulatory threats to assets in sub-Saharan Africa. Additionally, Arenson has successfully identified influential members of ruling elites who can act as 'champions' for a leading social media company's agenda in specific countries.
Fluent in English, Russian and French, Arenson's language skills have been instrumental in his ability to navigate complex geopolitical landscapes and engage with stakeholders from diverse backgrounds. He holds a BA in Russian & French from the University of Oxford, providing him with a strong academic foundation in international relations and cross-cultural understanding.

As a contributor to J.S. Held's 2024 Global Risk Report, Arenson shares his expertise and insights on global political risk, integrity due diligence, stakeholder management, and market entry strategies, helping businesses and investors make informed decisions in an increasingly complex world.

Arenson's key areas of expertise include political risk assessment, integrity due diligence, stakeholder management, and the development of market entry strategies for companies looking to expand into emerging markets.

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