I initiated a public and diplomatic protest to transparently document and contest actions that jeopardize operational autonomy, continuity of global research services, and my recognized rights, while opening formal channels for redress. A public stance mobilizes allied institutions and civil stakeholders, creating reputational and policy incentives for counterparties to negotiate, without escalating to technical or economic countermeasures. Risk analysis showed low-to-moderate operational exposure, high potential for norm-setting and deterrence, and clear off-ramps via mediation if engagement occurs. Alternatives—quiet backchannel-only outreach or immediate countermeasures—were assessed as either too slow to prevent precedent-setting or disproportionately risky given the time sensitivity.