Strategic Intelligence
for a Complex World.
New East Strategic Edge delivers rigorous geopolitical risk analysis, security consulting, and threat intelligence to those navigating Eastern Europe's most volatile fault lines.
Core Services
Intelligence-Driven Advisory
Analytical frameworks combining rigorous research with practitioner expertise to deliver decision-ready intelligence.
Political Risk Assessments
Comprehensive evaluation of political stability, regulatory environments, and governance risks across Eastern European and Central Asian markets. We assess electoral volatility, leadership transitions, and institutional capacity to help clients quantify exposure and build resilience.
Security Consulting
Operational security advisory for organisations in complex environments. Our consulting spans executive protection, facility hardening, crisis response planning, and personnel risk management — tailored for the unique challenges of post-Soviet and Balkan operational theatres.
Hybrid Threat Analysis
Systematic mapping of non-conventional warfare vectors including disinformation campaigns, cyber intrusions, energy coercion, and proxy force activities. We identify the fingerprints of state-sponsored hybrid operations and deliver early-warning indicators for clients in exposed sectors.
Business Analytics & Data Analysis
Data-driven analysis of markets, companies, and business environments to support strategic decision-making. We combine data cleaning, visualisation, and market research using Excel, Power BI, Databricks, R, and Python, alongside databases including PitchBook, FactSet, Refinitiv, Gain.pro, Mergermarket, GlobalData, Euromonitor, Factiva, and Statista.
Industries We’ve Worked With
Our expertise can be utilised in any industry of choice. Current portfolio includes:
- Security and defence
- Pharmaceuticals, healthcare and medical devices
- Energy and sustainability
- Recycling and the circular economy
- Investment banking and financial services
- Packaging and manufacturing
- Public policy and international affairs
About NESE
Bridging Knowledge
and Action
New East Strategic Edge was founded to close the gap between rigorous academic analysis and the real-world decisions faced by governments, investors, and security practitioners operating in Eastern Europe.
Our toolkit combines deep regional expertise with methodological rigour — drawing on the best practices in public affairs, consulting, data analytics and diplomacy.
We focus on the zone stretching from the Baltic to the Black Sea, the South Caucasus, and Central Asia — regions that sit at the intersection of great-power competition and are frequently underserved by mainstream risk providers.
Methodology
Our Analytical Framework
Collection
We draw on open-source intelligence, academic literature, elite network reporting, and proprietary data feeds to build a comprehensive picture of the operating environment across our focus regions.
Analysis
Our analysts apply structured analytical techniques — scenario planning, Red Teaming, and probabilistic forecasting — to stress-test assumptions and surface non-obvious risks before they become crises.
Delivery
Intelligence products are calibrated to the client's decision cycle — from real-time alerts and weekly monitoring briefs to bespoke in-depth assessments and executive workshops.
Leadership
The Analyst Behind NESE
Milana Bagdasarian
Founder & Lead Analyst
Vienna, Austria
LinkedInEducation
MA, International Public Affairs
Central European University, Vienna
2024 – 2026
International Security
European Academy of Diplomacy, Warsaw
2023 – 2024
BA, International Relations
Collegium Civitas, Warsaw
2020 – 2023
Languages
Russian · English · Polish · German
Milana Bagdasarian is a policy researcher and geopolitical analyst specialising in hybrid threats, democratic resilience, and security dynamics across Eastern Europe and the South Caucasus. Her work sits at the intersection of intelligence analysis, international law, and strategic policy — translating complex regional power shifts into actionable assessments. She combines qualitative field methods with data engineering and quantitative modelling.
Drawing on advanced training at Central European University and European Academy of Diplomacy, and hands-on experience at institutions including the Armenian Delegation to the OSCE & UN Vienna and the IDM Institute for the Danube Region as well as in private-sector research at Simon-Kucher, she has developed a deep analytical framework for understanding how state and non-state actors deploy coercive tools — from disinformation and cyber operations to economic leverage and institutional manipulation.
Current Position
Research Fellow
Jul 2026 – PresentCentral European University · Vienna
Designed the Hybrid Pressure & Resilience Index to assess state institutional capacity under hybrid threats, applied to Armenia across five dimensions: legal-institutional capacity, cyber and public-private partnerships, information safeguards, energy and economic resilience, and coordination and transparency.
Experience
External Policy Researcher
Oct 2025 – May 2026IDM Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe · Vienna
Co-authored “Accelerating EU Accession” and developed a Participation Readiness Framework for candidate-state participation in EU Council structures.
Data Engineer
Apr 2025 – Mar 2026Dunapack Packaging · Vienna
Built analytical models and executive dashboards (Databricks, Power BI) and supported the Microsoft Purview data-governance programme.
Representatives' Assistant
Jun – Jul 2025Armenian Delegation to the OSCE & United Nations · Vienna
Reported on OSCE Security Committee, Human Dimension and UN counter-terrorism sessions; drafted briefings on regional security and human rights.
Researcher
Jun – Jul 2025Shattuck Center for Human Rights
Supported the international conference “Contested Solidarities” and the publication project “Healing Ukraine”.
Researcher / Analyst
Feb – Jun 2025Augustin · Vienna
Qualitative research on migration and human rights law in Austria; authored a policy report on deportation practices.
Business Researcher
Oct 2023 – Aug 2024Simon-Kucher · Warsaw
Cross-industry market research and data analysis; prepared 500+ industry and market reports.
Geopolitical Analyst
Jun 2023 – Jan 2026Spykman Center · Paris
OSINT-based analysis of Russia-related regional dynamics, strategic signalling and narrative trends.
Legal Researcher
Feb 2022 – Oct 2023Global Animal Law (GAL) · Zürich
Comparative analysis of animal welfare legislation across 40+ countries.
Methods & Skills
Qualitative
- Semi-structured interviews
- Document & archival analysis
- Comparative case analysis
- Stakeholder mapping
Analytical
- OSINT & geopolitical analysis
- Incident & risk analysis
- Policy analysis
- Policy briefs & reports
Data
- Data modelling
- Power BI
- R
- Python
- Dashboards
Get in Touch
Request an Analysis
Whether you need a bespoke political risk assessment, ongoing monitoring, or a rapid-response brief, our team is available to discuss your requirements in complete confidence.