I'd rather stay anonymous.
Dense and thought-provoking courses. When I came across Oriane’s work on LinkedIn, I expected something sharp but I did not expect... her. Behind her strong presence on social medias, there's a rare energy: she's calm, generous, dedicated and passionate. I've learned a lot. It's not that I did not know how to network, she just shifted my perspective about it. Her work is special... hard to describe unless you experience it yourself.
Thank you Oriane for what you give.
Lucas de villepin
As a journalist, discovering the stakes of the “grey zone” as presented by Oriane gave me valuable insights tools to better decode a reality I hadn’t been fully aware of.
I especially appreciated the method, grounded in concrete, real-world analysis. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to read between the lines and go beyond pre-digested information.
Ludovic Vuillier
Oriane has a knack for shining a new light on topics I thought I already knew. Her vibe and approach really make learning feel fresh and meaningful, no matter where you’re starting from. Every lesson leaves me with something genuinely valuable. I definitely feel it is worthwhile and intend to continue investing my time reading and studying the material she makes available.
AMS
I haven't come across a system to understand and navigate the opaqueness we now live in with such clarity. Oriane's unique experiences and their application to the real world is captured with some brilliance, in each post.
Yoan
Oriane is the person you call when the stakes are high and the room is loaded.
She doesn’t just help you prepare a negotiation — she rewires the way you think about power, leverage, and human psychology.
In one of the most delicate enterprise deals of my career, her input helped me navigate internal politics, decode a hyper-analytical stakeholder, and hold frame — without ever overreaching.
Oriane isn’t a coach. She’s a tactical partner. And she plays at elite level.
JAY C. KELLERMAN
Oriane is wise beyond her years and has my full confidence. A few weeks ago I arranged to have her speak at the annual meeting of the World Assocation of Mining Lawyers (WAMOL) and her presentation on the mining industry as the ultimate grey zone was very well received.
Jay C. Kellerman
Stikeman Elliott LLP
Anonymous (it's Bart, but shhh)
The internet is flooded with shallow takes on intelligence and grey-zone operations, but Oriane Cohen’s work is a welcome exception. Her articles and trainings are authentic, concise, and uncompromising - each one delivers laser-sharp analysis with zero fluff. I’m a fan.
- An intelligence analyst who wishes to remain anonymous
LJ
I recently had the privilege of participating in online course through the OC Strategic Academy platform and feel compelled to share my thoughts.
How to REALLY Read the News aims to dissect the messaging behind headlines. It provides a systematic methodology for decoding the mechanisms employed by various media outlet, both public and independent, to influence public opinion and policy. This course promises to enhance critical media literacy, enabling participants to navigate the complexities of news consumption effectively.
The course offers a comprehensive exploration of media bias, structured into digestible modules that combine insights with practical analysis. Calling upon extensive professional experience in reporting from complex geopolitical landscapes, Oriane provides an authoritative examination of media representation and narrative construction. By drawing from real-world case studies, the course offers students a nuanced understanding of how media narratives are developed, critically examining the subtle mechanisms of bias that impact contemporary information ecosystems.
Whenever I take a course outside my usual areas of expertise, I like to think about who would benefit from it. In this case, I truly believe that anyone looking to gain a better understanding of the world, and how their personal beliefs can be influenced, will find this course valuable. It offers insights that can help people recognize and navigate the complexities of media and information today.
Tom
"We engaged OC Strategic Advisory for a high-profile client with a history of threats and elevated risk. Oriane’s work was exceptional—she thoroughly assessed the client’s digital footprint to identify any vulnerabilities. What truly stood out was the psychological profiling she conducted. It’s a unique service we’ve never seen offered elsewhere in the industry, and it provided deep, actionable insights. Her expertise gave us confidence and clarity in managing the client’s risk."
hesham
I just finished the negotiation course. It was an excellent one. It really had a positive impact on my performance in the last few meetings. I wanted you to know. Best
david tinsley
Oriane is an Exceptional Talent whose capabilities we have observed & experienced and validated. Oriane has rare depth ~ knowledge & experience in understanding and operating in the most complex regions of the world.
We have also benefited from her training programs for our Specialists who work in the world’s most challenging areas -
Bottom Line ~ what we define as “Cultural Acuity” Oriane has in abundance. She is a rare talent indeed.
david tinsley
5 Stones intelligence
Chairman & Founder
Kenneth Dekleva
Oriane Cohen is a first-rate professional in the rarefied domain of business intelligence. Her experiences as a journalist, intelligence officer, and entrepreneur bring great value to her consulting work. I have greatly enjoyed collaborating with Oriane and have learned much from her. Her website and information contained therein is superb and full of valuable insights.
Dr Kenneth Dekleva
CEO and founder, Blackwood Advisory Solutions LLC
Salzburg Global Fellow
Senior Fellow, George HW Bush Foundation for US-China Relations
Former senior US Dept of State physician-diplomat
Jan Op Gen Oorth
Having followed Oriane Cohen’s work in strategic intelligence, I can state that she operates at the highest level of insight and strategic acuity. Her thinking is both sophisticated and boundary-pushing - grounded in practical experience and deep intellectual discipline.
What distinguishes Oriane is her ability to perceive and articulate the layers beneath the surface. In politics, in business, and even in quantum mechanics, there is always the reality we perceive - and then the reality behind that reality. This deeper reality is not speculative; it is tangible, consequential, and often driven by what Oriane calls The Grey Zone.
The Grey Zone is not a void - it is a domain of influence, ambiguity, and hidden power structures. To understand its dynamics is to acquire the playbook for interpreting the world as it truly operates.
Oriane provides not just analysis, but the strategic frameworks necessary to engage with this complexity - whether in leadership, policy, or life more broadly.
That’s why her work is transformative. She equips her clients and readers with the means to see what others miss, to think ahead of the curve, and to act with clarity in uncertain environments.
Mona Davis
Just took the course "How to really read the news". Very useful and informative. Straight-forward and without bias. Should be taught in grade school!!
Joseph
A FIVE STAR PRODUCT OF SMART INTELLIGENCE.
Andi Kuncoro
Writing this testimonial is a truly heartfelt exercise for me. Oriane Cohen did more than just provide advice – she inspired a transformation in how I approach strategic challenges. Her unique blend of intelligence-driven insight and storytelling savvy empowered me to tackle complexity with clarity and confidence. Oriane has a narrative style that makes even the most complicated issue feel accessible and intriguing, and I witnessed firsthand how that sparks engagement and understanding. In my own work, I’ve tried to echo that clarity: to “offer insights that cut through the noise” just as she does. I am deeply grateful for her mentorship and the genuine care she invested in my growth. Oriane’s influence is evident not only in the success of my project but in my evolution as an analyst and leader. She taught me to see the bigger picture without losing sight of the telling details – a balance of vision and precision that is rare. Thank you, Oriane, for equipping me with the toolkits arsenals to find signal in chaos and for igniting the strategic creativity that brought the Jack of Spades to life. You have left an indelible mark on my professional journey, and I carry forward your lessons in every challenge I tackle next.
Diana F
Oriane’s Networking Like a Spy isn’t just a course—it’s a mindset shift. She takes gatekept knowledge and makes it accessible, practical, and personal. It’s not about manipulating the outside world—it’s about transforming your inner world first. Her background in journalism shines through in how she tells stories that stick and delivers wisdom that empowers.
Michal
Actionable and practical wisdom.
Dr. Friedman
Oriane Cohen is a genius, she delivers gold on a daily basis. Read, reflect, and remember - this stuff is atomic. I highly reccomend you subscribe. Cheers.
Justin Black
The classes are highly relevant and really held my attention. I was glad to find such a great resource and look forward to what else is coming soon.
Janvi Lodhawala
The course "Network like a Spy" helped me understand the delicate intricacies about human psychology, power of observation, and how to genuinely connect with people to build a worthwhile network.
David
The courses here do not try to teach you about spying. Instead the author and the platform go to great lengths to teach you about being a better version of yourself. The insight, anecdotes and application of the courses is 100% and authentic, which makes the some of the best content in the industry. Highly recommend!
Russell Taylor
As CEOs are absorbed in growing..delegation etc the one big factor of destruction is overlooked...
I personally recommend OCSA's services with knowledge of security on the highest level.
I would say this service of background checks and deeper knowledge of who is working for you could save a multitude of time and money....don't wait till its to late....
Sara
I signed up for the Human Hack Course because I wanted to explore was to advance my communication skills and I got that and a lot more...I liked every part of the course - I really like how it was organized and how everything was so detailed and explained. After each part of the course, I took time to conduct a self-analysis to reflect on my own personal strengths and weaknesses...and this course has helped me to start fortifying those areas that I still need to improve on. I would absolutely recommend this course to anyone because it is applicable to any field you work in. A lot of the communication aspect can also be applied to our personal lives - building stronger relationships.
BT
Our training was fantastic. Such great material! I will begin putting these tools into practice. I am so glad we met- both professionally and personally!
Angelo S
For people that don't know Oriane they should know that she is extremely smart and sharp. It is someone you would want to discuss ideas to polish them and put them in practice. Thank you for your work!
Antoine Martin
Oriane has an expertise that catches your attention, a degree of humility that makes her approchable, and the passion that also makes her a damn good educator. Have a chat with her, it'd be stupid not to. Just saying!
Daniel
Really enjoyed all the courses. Amazing content that is presented very well 🤙
Olena
Your knowledge is... transformative. Your courses made me realize that I don't use my network to its full potential at all. Very nuanced, well articulated and full or knowledge. I also found that it's actionnable. I am playing with the exercices everyday now 🔥
Anyways I recommend Oriane's courses 100%
Sara
I thought I already had a good general knowledge on intelligence, but the courses took it to another level with the Humint part. What I liked most is that it's not just theory, lots of actionable tips. whether you're already in the field or completely new, I can’t recommend this enough. I loved every minute of it!