The recent death of Libyan leader Moammar Khadafy marks the end of yet another dictatorship, and once again raises the hopes of those desiring to do business in the region.

Libya is only the most recent nation to reach conclusive dramatic change as a result of the "Arab Spring," which generated a series of uprisings and leadership changes in the Middle East and North Africa that continue to date. Tunsia recently held its first-ever free elections after launching the Arab Spring in early 2011 by overthrowing its long-time dictator. Egypt and Morocco followed suit, and both will hold elections next month. Libya is excepted to do the same in short order. Other Arab nations, including Bahrain, Syria and Yemen, have also experienced significant protests and violence but have not undergone a change in their rulers. Outside of the Middle East, other nation-states are also facing prospective changes in leadership, some of them equally unexpected. With Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez's diagnosis and treatment for cancer, what was once thought of as a long-running dictatorship could now change in a much shorter period of time.

Unfortunately, as we've seen in the past and are now potentially seeing again, in nation-states where the people have removed a repressive government, those who assume power are not necessarily any warmer toward the Western business world than were their predecessors. In some cases religious groups that tend to be less friendly toward Western governments and businesses have assumed power, replacing the secular leaders who were toppled. In Egypt, despite their promises, the military leadership is coping with an internal argument regarding how much change they will permit. In the case of Libya, many members of the new power structure were also part of the Khadafy regime and the terms and conditions of the Khadafy era in regard to oil production are currently still in effect. Because of this, oil companies in particular are taking a cautious approach in regard to resuming operations in the country.

In this fast changing, volatile climate, those business leaders who remain on top of the political situations that are pertinent to their operations will likely be the ones who come out on top. Professional organizations such as FrontierMEDEX can provide current, cutting edge intelligence that can make all the difference between making the right moves at the right time, or not acting when the time is right and being left behind.

There is no doubt that the needs of these nations in regard to the oil industry and other industries will be fulfilled. The wise executive will take the necessary steps to make certain that their organization is at the front of the line when the opportunity arises, or knows when to walk away. For more information contact FrontierMEDEX at SecurityInfo@FrontierMEDEX.com or call 1-713-430-7300.

It's always a tricky business when governments are forced to slash public programs in order to bring their budgets in line. Unfortunately, in light of the economic turmoil that has battered Europe (Greece, Italy and Portugal in particular) in recent times, austerity measures have become a necessity. As expected, the response has been loud and boisterous. Protesters are having their say, staging demonstrations and occasionally resorting to violence.

This has become an issue for the business traveler, or really any traveler. Arriving on time for a meeting (or at all) can be a real hassle when there is a transportation strike in progress. Streets clogged with protesters can also make navigating a city a real challenge, not to mention getting in and out of one's hotel.

Beyond the obvious transportation and mobility issues, there is also the issue of security. Accidentally becoming enveloped in a large crowd can be dangerous. Besides the possibility of assault or trampling, there is also the possibility of being mistaken for a protester and being dealt with accordingly by the authorities, as the protesters engage in violent clashes with police officers from time to time, often in areas frequented by tourists.

Athens in particular has seen a great deal of protest activity, as it is the capital city of Greece, which has been forced to implement especially stringent austerity measures. Thousands of protesters have been camping in the city's central Syntagma Square since late May of 2011 as part of continuing demonstrations. The Parliament building, located near here, has also been the site of protests. Unfortunately, many of the hotels used by business travelers, such as the Grand Bretagne, are situated in this area.

Astute travelers can take several measures in order to improve their chances of having a fruitful trip. Watching or listening to local news for reports regarding strikes and locations of demonstrations is vital. If transportation becomes an issue, consider private transportation as a backup, or even as a primary option. A driver who knows his way around the city and is aware of local conditions can be a great help. Selecting a hotel that is not in an area where protests have historically occurred can also go a long way toward keeping problems at bay.

These issues will likely continue as long as the various economies remain unstable. While there are no short-term solutions, and while stock markets, national economies and currency values may experience wide fluctuations amid so much uncertainty, there is one constant for the traveler to rely on: An ounce of prevention is still worth a pound of cure. At FrontierMEDEX we pride ourselves on our ability to provide the personnel and resources needed to keep travelers safe and secure as they journey to their destinations, and after they arrive. For more information contact FrontierMEDEX at securityinfo@frontiermedex.com or call 1-713-430-7300.