Making sense of the world
We're now into month 4 of 2025 and so much is taking place. From Trumps imposition of global tariffs to his ripping up of the global rules-based order. In this podcast we go through the questions you sent us.
In this final part of the series looking at the geopolitics of the different regions of the world we look at the Americas, both North America and Latin America. The America's is probably the least known of all the regions in the world.
In December 2024 when everyone thought the Arab spring in Syria was over, in just a week the long-term regime of the al-Assad dynasty collapsed and today we have a new regime in Damascus. The world and the regional powers have been extremely busy falling over themselves and meeting the new leadership. They are all demanding an inclusive government that respects the rights of minorities. Ahmed al-Shara formerly known as Abu Muhammed Joulani is now officially the President, but he rules over a country battered by decades of mis-rule and warfare and with Israel currently seizing territory. What does the future hold for Syria? How do we make sense of everything that has happened so rapidly?
3 years ago on 24 February 2022, Russian forces invaded Ukraine, in Europe's first interstate war since WW2. The western world all got behind Ukraine and said they would back the Ukrainians for as long as it takes. But today, 3 years on, much of the world has lost the appetite for supporting Ukraine as Russia continues to swallow up its territory. ‘As long as it takes,' has now been replaced with Ukraine should cede territory in order to bring the war to an end. In a telephone conversation between President Trump and Putin, Trump agreed that Ukraine should cede territory order to bring the war to an end. Trump's defence secretary went even further in a speech at NATO HQ, he said Ukraine is no longer NATO's problem, it's Europe's problem. That's quite a U-turn.
Donald J Trump has been inaugurated as the 47th president of the United States and whilst much of the world has been recalibrating since his electoral victory back in November, he comes to power with the US facing significant challenges. US credibility, America's global order, America's tech lead and national unity are all facing major ruptures and the American people have turned to the former reality TV star to ‘make America great again.' In this podcast we look at the complexities of the American geopolitical strategy and the potential future political landscape as Trump embarks on his new term.
2024 was a busy year for geopolitics, in this podcast we look at the top issues to look out for in 2025
In this podcast we preview the forthcoming annual geopolity report, Strategic Estimate 2024
Across Syria and the Middle East scenes of jubilation are beaming across the world as people celebrate the fall of the long-term dictator Bshar al-Assad. What couldn't be achieved in 13 years, has now happened in just two weeks. Bashar al-Assad took a flight and fled as rebel forces reached Damascus. The end of the tyrannical rule of the al-Assad dynasty now opens a new chapter in the strategic country.
On 19 November the Ukraine war passed 1,000 days and the Ukrainian position is looking as precarious as ever. Since the U.S. presidential election, there has been significant speculation about what Donald Trump's victory means for the war in Ukraine. Trump's campaign pledge to end the war quickly, combined with his veiled threats of suspending US financial and military aid for Ukraine to force Kyiv to negotiate with Moscow, have raised questions about whether the conflict could end in 2025. In Just over two months, the Ukraine war will be 3 years old, and it seems now the beginning of the end is upon us.
Things are hotting up in the Middle East with Israel about to imminently launch a strike on Iran due to its missile strikes on Israeli targets. Talk of a major escalation are now reaching fever pitch with WW3 now considered a likely outcome. Iran and Israel have been enemies for decades and now their enmity has spilled out into public view with devastating consequences. Are we really on the brink?
October 7th, 2023, is considered the biggest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust. The Israeli response to October 7th has seen much of the world turn against it with the country taken to the International Criminal Court (ICC) over a likely genocide. In this podcast we look at what drove groups from Gaza to launch the assault, the Israeli response and where things stand after 12 months.
Hezbollah launched hundreds of rockets and dozens of drones toward numerous Israeli military targets in August after Israel's assassination of Faud Shukr, a Hezbollah commander and Hamas political leader, Ismail Hanaya. With the US ceasefire proposal stalling and Israel's assassination strategy expanding, it seems events are spiralling out of control and a region wide war is inching closer. In this po
Just 6 months ago Sheikh Hasina's Awami League secured a fourth consecutive term in office, but now the ruling party faces its biggest challenge yet as hundreds and thousands have taken to the streets in protest against the quota system that reserves government jobs for regime supporters. The regime has responded in brutal fashion, cutting the internet and instituting a curfew. Bangladesh has for long been touted as a rising tiger economy, but the masses are struggling to make ends meet. Is this the beginning of the end of Sheikh Hasina and her Awami League?
In the last week social media blew up with news regarding the unwritten petrodollar deal between the US and Saudi Arabia, which has been the bedrock of the dollar's dominance, coming to an end. The demise of the dollar has been a regular feature of discussion in geopolitics in the last decade. On the one hand we have China and Russia calling for alternatives and on the other hand you have US commentators questioning the dollar's continued dominance. What does this mean for the US as a global power? Will this be the end of the American Empire?
In this podcast we cover the questions you had for us at the geopolity. From the Gaza war to the war in Ukraine, as well as the UK elections and who the deep state are in the US.
In a recent report by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, they concluded the bedrocks of democracy are under threat across the globe. They found democracy is in decline around the world, including Europe, where it was born. The report comes alongside a long line of similar reports, research and analysis that show democracy is in retreat. Democracy was for long presented as the nirvana, the ultimate form of government, the west invaded nations to export democracy, but today its own people seem to be losing confidence in this mediaeval idea. How has it all gone so horribly wrong?
The 15th May will see many commemorating “Nakba Day”, marking the catastrophe of the Palestinians with the creation of the Zionist nation. The Nakba has stood as a grim marker of the Zionist's criminality for 76 years. But these last 6 months have surpassed anything that came previously. Israel is now assaulting the last area of Gaza in Rafah, and the numbers injured and killed continue to grow. In this podcast Umar Hussain from Palestine looks back at the events that led to the Nakba and Jameel Khan assesses where things currently stand in Gaza.
South Asia is one of the fastest growing regions in the world. It is also one of the most populated parts of the world that has two nuclear powers. Russia, China and the US are all looking to win the support of the region for their respective strategic interests which makes the region all the more important to understand.
The world's largest democracy goes to the polls from the 19th April to the 1st June to elect the Indian parliament. The election will be held in several stages and see's the incumbent Narendra Modi looking to secure a third term in office. The BJP has now been in power for a decade and is looking to cement its legacy and leave its mark on India. Whoever wins the elections faces some major challenges from the economy to energy to communal relations.
Central Asia was once the prize in the so-called Great Game, a centre of competition for the Russians, British, Persians, Mongols and Turks at various times. The region sits at the intersection of the Russian steppes, the western Chinese frontier, the mountain passes into the Indian subcontinent, and the modern Middle East. The region is at once a barrier and a bridge between the powers in its periphery. It is a path for trade and a highway for invasion, a vast strategic buffer and a cauldron of ethnic and national competition and instability. In this podcast we look at the geopolitics of Central Asia.
With global power shifting to the East it become even more important to understand this region, its history, geopolitics and future role.
The 3rd March 2024 marks the 100 year anniversary of the demise of the Khilafah. The decades leading up to the 3rd March 1924, was a difficult period for the global leadership of the Muslims, as various European powers were competing with each other over Arabia, North Africa, the Balkans and the Black sea. Today, 100 years on Capitalism's supremacy is running out of steam. As we fast approach the quarter point of the 21st century, the forward march of liberal values, the dominance of democracy and the liberal economic order are all on life support. The West is now struggling to justify why we should all be liberals. Across the Muslim world the demand for Islamic governance remains high, something recognised by successive polls and surveys. In the context of liberal values struggling to deliver, does the Khilafah 100 years since its demise still present a new opportunity for nearly 2 billion Muslims? Will its resurrection be able to work in the 21st century?
Russia spectacular failure to conquer the Ukrainian capital two years ago is now a distant memory. On the two year anniversary since Russia's invasion, Ukraine is running out of troops as well as western support and calls for negotiations are only growing. US and European attempts to sanction, isolate and cripple Russia have failed to succeed. The broad support from the West that promised ‘as long as it takes' has now given way to war fatigue. A Western-Ukrainian victory is looking allusive on the second anniversary of the conflict.
With so much going on currently in the world in this podcast we can look at multiple geopolitical issues.
Elections, wars, coups, tech wars and trade wars are just some of the trends that will likely shape the new year. In this podcast we look at the key issues that will likely shape the geopolitical landscape in 2024.
In this podcast we preview the forthcoming annual geopolity report, Strategic Estimate 2024
2024 will be a bumper year for elections. There are scheduled to be 76 national elections, across the world, with over 4 billion people going to the polls. Some of the world's most powerful nations will have elections next year as well as a number of strategic nations. The outcome of many of these will have global repercussions and will shape relations into the 2030s.
It's been over a month since the events of 7th October where a number of Palestinian resistance groups launched an assault into Southern Israel. Israel responded with a broad invasion of the Gaza Strip and the images that continue to beam out have led to much criticism of Israel, due to the mounting civilian casualties. What is Israel's end game? Is the two state solution dead? Has public opinion turned against Israel? Who's winning the information war?
It has been over a week since the events of 7 Oct, where various groups from the Gaza Strip carried out an audacious operation into Southern Israel. Hamas and various other groups captured army bases, hostages and soldiers. Israel is still shocked and they have called it there 9/11 and a ground invasion of the Gaza strip is imminent. This will have major implications for the region and beyond and in this podcast we unpack it all.
The Middle East seems to always be in the news. From monarchies, to oil, to war to terrorism. Very rarely does a day go by without the Middle East being in the news. On amazon.com the Middle East is the most written about topic. How do we make sense of this complex region? Who are the key players? What are the long-term trends?
With its countless ethnic groups, tribes, languages and nations, Africa is not just a huge continent but a very diverse one. The countries in Africa share a history of foreign exploitation and a legacy of poverty and corruption as well as stifled political development that has prevented the African people from capitalising on their economic potential. In this podcast we look at the geopolitics of Africa.
Semiconductors are fast becoming the oil of the 21st century. They are what allow us to get all the power and speed in things like smartphones, tablets, digital TVs, wireless communications infrastructure, network hardware, computers and many more devices which have smart capabilities. The supply chain for semiconductors is critical, similar to how the supply chain for oil was in the 20th century. Last Year US president Biden placed an embargo on the export of advanced semiconductor chips and equipment to China and so now there is in effect an arms race on semiconductors.
The war in Ukraine has just passed its 18-month anniversary. It was on 24 February 2022 when Russian troops crossed into Ukraine beginning Europe's first interstate war since WW2. Since then, the west has provided military and economic support to Ukraine whilst Russia has been trying to conquer territory and grind out a victory.
It was two years ago on August 15th, when the Afghan people prevailed against another empire as the US got up and left the mountainous country after a disastrous two decade occupation. The Taliban have been busy trying to rule over the nation and trying to solve the myriad of challenges. How have they fared 2 years on?
The ancient Greeks, Romans, the place of the reformation and the enlightenment. The region that found the new world and colonised the world, for the last 500 years Europe defined the world. In this podcast we begin by looking at the regions of the world, beginning with Europe
There is lots of chatter about the demise of the dollar, especially since the US placed unprecedented sanctions on Russia. Many US commentators are talking about the end of the dollar's dominance as a number of US allies trade with China in currencies that do not include the dollar. It seems not a day goes by without China's currency, the Yuan being in the news. The recent gathering of the BRICS organisation revealed they are considering launching a new currency. Many consider BRICS will replace western institutions such as the G7 and the IMF. So are the days of the US created financial order numbered?
The killing of Nahel Mehzuk, a 17-year-old French-Algerian delivery driver during a traffic stop by French police has led to widespread protests in France. For many, taking to the streets is an expression of frustration and anger over injustices such as racism and inequality. Whilst for others it's a case of immigrants not adopting French values. In this podcast we sit down with Al-Ameer who was born and grew up in Paris on the underlying issues facing France
We asked you on a number of platforms for your questions on geopolitics. We gathered these together and put them to geopolity founder Adnan Khan. 0.52 - Why are relations being normalised with Al-Assad 4:18 - What does Erdogan's recent electoral victory mean for Turkey's future 7:01 - What is the current status in Pakistan between the army and Imran Khan 9:12 - Tensions have broken out between the Taliban and Iran. What is going on, what is the latest with Afghanistan? 11:18 - Where does the war in Ukraine currently stand? 12:57 - We can't really talk about Ukraine Adnan without talking about the rebellion by Wagner a few weeks ago. We did do a Podcast at the time, but what do we know now that we didn't necessarily know then? 17:26 - Can India ever become a global power? 20:03 - Is US power in decline? 22:51 - Can you explain how the concept of a vassal nation works 25:12 - How is it possible that independent nations have disputes with someone else's vassal nation? 27:31 - How does one acquire deep political thinking, what books can one read
The events of the weekend in Russia could have been a plot from a Russian drama. A rogue soldier withdraws his units and leaves the battlefront in order to carry out a coup. He takes over a key base in Southern Russia which is essential for the war in Ukraine and whilst this is all going on, Moscow is put under high alert for a potential coup. And as we approached the climax of the plot an agreement is struck, and everything all comes to an end. The Coup is over, but is Putin still in trouble?
On May 14, Turkish voters will go to the polls to elect a new president and parliament in what is one of the most important elections of 2023. According to the latest polling, Turkey's united opposition poses an unprecedented challenge to Erdogan's rule. Is this the end of Erdogan or will he pull out another ace card?
20 years ago in March 2003, the US launched an invasion of Iraq, promising to end the rule of President Saddam Hussein and destroy alleged weapons of mass destruction in the oil-rich country. Today, 20 years on, Saddam Hussain is gone, 200,000 Iraqis lost their lives and the country remains deeply scarred, the economy is devastated and the government is marred with sectarian battles. America's reputation is at rock bottom and the war left a dark mark on America's global position.
Saudi Arabia has recently been in the headlines with its normalisation with Iran. Named after the tribe that came to dominate the Hijaz. Successive Saudi Kings have navigated the Kingdom through the discovery of oil, the Cold War and 9/11. Saudi faces many challenges going forward much like its history
How do we make sense of the world? There is so much going on at any given time, what are the building blocks of geopolitics and how do we make sense of them. In this series of podcasts, we begin with looking at the how to do this.
Germany today is the industrial powerhouse of Europe, sitting at the centre of the continent. But its had difficult relations with many of its neighbours leading to devastating wars. In this podcast our Europe analyst Massihollah Rohparwar, who is based in Hamburg outlines the geopolitics of Germany.
The 24th February marks the anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The conflict looks very far from ending anytime soon and a Russian victory that everyone was expecting didn't come to pass. There hasn't been a nuclear war yet or WW3 but all the major powers are involved in different ways. In this podcast we asses where the war stands after one year
Nigeria goes to the polls on the 25th February 2023 to elect the President, Vice President, Senate and House representatives. The West African nation has for long been seen as a developing nation which led Goldman Sachs to label the African nation as one of the MINT nations in 2014 who along with Mexico, Indonesia and Turkey have the potential in the long term to move up the economic ladder and become developed nations due to their latent potential.
Pakistan faces a perfect storm as numerous crises have all converged at the same time. From spiralling inflation to the national debt, Pakistan is fast approaching a national meltdown. Pakistan's rulers are busy trying to show the IMF they are worthy of a bailout as her usual lenders in the Gulf as well as China have had enough bailing out the South Asian nation. Is Pakistan about to become a failed state?
Recently there was a standoff on the Kosovo-Serbia border. This was after Kosovo ordered drivers to surrender their Serbian-issued licence plates and replace them with Kosovo plates. Serbs living in northern Kosovo started erecting barricades and Kosovo residents confronted them. A traffic jam ensued, and so did a small shootout. The shooting has now died down but the threats have continued. A shootout over licence plates may seem excessive, but this is the Balkans, the region where a shootout led to WW1 and where today many ethnicities live in relatively small areas where the political borders don't match the ethnic borders. Adnan Khan sits down with Petret Salmani who is from the Balkans to make sense of the tensions as well as the broader region
The French emerged at the centre of Europe becoming the first nation to embrace liberal values on the continent. In time France become a global power establishing colonies and spreading French culture and values. But the French have struggled after two world wars with Germany to maintain a leading position in the world with many questioning the future of France as a power in the world.
As 2023 fast approaches Geopolity looks at some of the key issues that are likely to take place as well as some of the major events that will shape the year.
Yusuf Chaudhry previews the forthcoming annual geopolity report, Strategic Estimate 2023.
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