In this episode of Boardroom Statecraft, we examine the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk in the United States and its wider implications.

We discuss Kirk’s role in shaping the conservative youth movement, the suspect’s uncertain motives, and why the killing fits into a troubling pattern of targeted violence against political figures and business leaders worldwide. The conversation connects today’s climate of polarization to historic periods of political violence in the U.S., Europe, and beyond, drawing parallels to the late 1960s and 1970s.

Key themes include:

• The blurred line between political polarization and violent extremism.
• How recent assassinations and attempts — from U.S. politicians to corporate CEOs — highlight growing risks to high-profile figures.
• The shifting tactics of left- and right-wing extremist groups, and what that means for future incidents.
• Why corporations and their executives are increasingly perceived as geopolitical actors and potential targets.
• The international dimension: rising populism in Europe, large-scale protests, and parallels across Latin America and Asia.

The episode concludes with a forward-looking assessment of how businesses and governments should prepare for escalating political violence and the spread of targeted attacks.