Thought Leaders

Mahmoud Abuwasel, Bitcoin Regulation vs Control: Global Legal Fragmentation and Risk in Crypto Markets
Mahmoud Abuwasel is the author of UAE Crypto Litigation, the first systematic analysis of 100+ crypto court judgments from UAE courts spanning 2019–2025 — and a disputes partner at Wasel & Wasel, an international arbitration and litigation firm with offices in Washington D.C., Abu Dhabi, Melbourne, and Toronto. His practice covers international arbitration, cross-border litigation, and digital asset disputes, with experience before UAE onshore courts, the DIFC Courts, and the ADGM Courts, and in matters touching New York, England, China, Qatar, and the Netherlands. He was recently admitted and elected as a Full Member in UAE Law with The Academy of Experts (TAE), undeniably one of the most prestigious and highly respected professional bodies for expert witnesses worldwide. He has served as an expert witness on UAE law before foreign courts and tribunals, and holds degrees from Harvard University, the University of Southern Queensland, and Middlesex University.
By Scott Douglas Jacobsen6 months ago in Interview
The D2C Email Audit: 10 Things Killing Your Retention Revenue Right Now
Most direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands treat their email list as just a simple list. If retention revenue has stalled, it is likely due to small self-inflicted mistakes that compound quietly until they're impossible to ignore.
By Kloss Creatives PR6 months ago in Interview
Saša Dobrijević on ICJ, Press Freedom, and the Future of Digital Journalism
Saša Dobrijević is an award-winning Serbian international journalist and founder of the Intercontinental Connection of Journalists (ICJ), a global media initiative addressing structural gaps in journalism. Beginning his career at 19, he developed experience across European media landscapes, including work in Munich. His leadership focuses on creating accessible publishing platforms, supporting freelancers and students, and fostering cross-border collaboration. Dobrijević emphasizes investigative reporting, press freedom, and technological adaptation as essential to sustaining journalism’s democratic function.
By Scott Douglas Jacobsen6 months ago in Interview
Nataliya Nazarova on Frontline Journalism Support in Dnipro
By Scott Douglas Jacobsen and Albina Pryshchep (Translator, Ukrainian-English) Nataliya Nazarova is a Ukrainian journalist who coordinates the work of the Center for Journalistic Solidarity of the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine in Dnipro.
By Scott Douglas Jacobsen6 months ago in Interview
Igor Strehl on Austria’s Real Estate Market in 2026
For the past two years, the Austrian real estate market has been rather uncomfortable for everyone involved. Rising interest rates, inflation, stricter lending conditions killed the momentum of the previous cycle. Many buyers disappeared. Sellers had to adjust expectations. In several regions, prices dropped noticeably from their peak levels.
By Igor Strehl6 months ago in Interview
The Benefit of Nonprofits Investing in Staff Wellness and Development. AI-Generated.
Nonprofits are built on a simple but profound truth. Their impact is driven by people. Every program delivered, every dollar raised, and every community served is made possible by staff who bring commitment, skill, and care to their work. Yet too often, the systems that support these individuals fall short. Investing in staff wellness and development is not an optional enhancement. It is a direct investment in mission success.
By Marvin Webb6 months ago in Interview
When Fighting Becomes a Metaphor: The Rise of Emotion-Driven Independent Cinema
In recent years, independent cinema has been quietly shifting its focus. Instead of relying on spectacle, scale, or high-budget action, many filmmakers are turning inward—toward stories that explore emotional depth, personal transformation, and the complexity of human resilience.
By Andreas szakacs6 months ago in Interview
Mikey Weinstein on Military Purges, Christian Nationalism, and U.S. Defense Integrity
Michael Weinstein has spent more than two decades in a fight he believes is existential—not merely for the U.S. military, but for American democracy itself. A 1977 honours graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy and a former Air Force judge advocate, Weinstein later served in legal posts within the Reagan White House, including during the Iran–Contra investigation. In 2005, he founded the Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF) after concluding that religious coercion—particularly forms of militant Christian nationalism—had taken root inside the armed forces. Since then, MRFF has represented more than 100,000 service members and veterans of every major faith. Although the overwhelming majority of its clients identify as Christian, many seek the foundation's help because they feel marginalized for not conforming to a particular ideological or theological mould.
By Scott Douglas Jacobsen7 months ago in Interview
Soumitra Dutta on "People-First" AI Revolution: Moving from Fear to Hope
The conversation around Artificial Intelligence has reached a fever pitch. Depending on which headline you read, AI is either the savior of modern productivity or the harbinger of a jobless future. However, according to Soumitra Dutta, the former Dean of Oxford’s Saïd Business School, the real "trending topic" isn’t just the power of the algorithms; it’s how we keep humans in the driver’s seat. As we navigate 2026, the shift toward People-First AI Strategies is no longer a corporate luxury; it’s a necessity for survival and ethical growth.
By David William7 months ago in Interview
Soumitra Dutta Explained the New Era of AI Education: Beyond the Matrix
Nowadays, making a discourse on Artificial Intelligence, one is likely to hear two sides of the debate: some individuals express their concern about the potential Matrix-style takeover, while others are already rushing to cash in on the opportunity. But for Professor Soumitra Dutta, the former Dean of Oxford’s Saïd Business School and the lifetime researcher of AI, the truth is much more complicated, and much more thrilling.
By David William7 months ago in Interview
What Is the Cost of Deferred Maintenance
By: Peter Hansen, Co-Owner of Sparrow Estate Management Luxury homes are intricate systems, and the elements that help your home function properly, such as plumbing, HVAC, security, and landscaping, are interconnected. It might seem harmless to put off a small repair or skip a routine check, especially when everything appears to be working well.
By Peter Hansen7 months ago in Interview
Soumitra Dutta on Institutional Change and Human-Centric Leadership
Risk isn't a bug in life; it's a feature. You can't avoid it because it's part of everything we do. The fear of it gives way to the prospects when we are ready to accept it and realize that all the significant opportunities demand taking risks. As the founding co-editor of the Global Innovation Index and a trusted advisor to governments and Fortune 500 companies, Soumitra Dutta, Oxford Dean (Former) says that “I think you take risks every time. When you drive a car, you’re taking a risk. When you take a plane, you take a risk. But you manage the risk; you manage the probabilities, outcomes, and then you take decisions. So, I think whether it’s enterprise or whether it’s starting your own company, you’re taking risks every day.”
By David William7 months ago in Interview