Obsidian Research Bureau

Illuminating the hidden architecture of power and conflict

Obsidian Research Bureau is an independent think tank dedicated to the rigorous analysis of global security challenges in an increasingly volatile world. We specialize in geopolitical, intelligence, and military affairs, with a particular emphasis on espionage, counterintelligence, terrorism, and irregular warfare. Our work is designed to provide decision-makers, professionals, and informed readers with clear, unvarnished assessments grounded in evidence rather than ideology.

In an era defined by hybrid conflict, covert influence, and asymmetric threats, traditional frameworks are no longer sufficient. Obsidian Research Bureau examines the hidden dimensions of power: intelligence services operating in the shadows, non-state actors exploiting weak governance, terrorist networks adapting to surveillance and pressure, and state actors employing deniable methods to shape outcomes below the threshold of open war. We focus on how these forces interact and how they redefine national and international security.

Our research combines open-source intelligence (OSINT), historical case studies, field reporting, and strategic analysis. We draw on military doctrine, intelligence tradecraft, and real-world operational lessons to produce work that is both analytically rigorous and operationally relevant. Particular attention is given to regions of chronic instability, emerging theaters of competition, and the evolving methods used by intelligence agencies and extremist organizations alike.

Obsidian Research Bureau is committed to intellectual independence. We do not advocate policy for its own sake; instead, we aim to clarify risks, expose patterns, and challenge assumptions. Our assessments are written to withstand scrutiny and to be useful across government, media, academia, and the private sector. Whether examining clandestine influence operations, terrorist financing networks, proxy warfare, or intelligence failures, our goal is to illuminate what is often deliberately concealed.

The name Obsidian reflects our ethos: sharp, resilient, and formed under pressure. In a world where information is abundant but understanding is scarce, Obsidian Research Bureau exists to cut through noise, deception, and complacency—delivering insight where it matters most.