Welcome to The Peter Zeihan Podcast Series! Geopolitical Strategist Peter Zeihan is a global energy, demographic and security expert. If you want to stay informed on the realities of geography and populations, you've come to the right place. Zeihan's worldview offers insights into how global politics impact markets and economic trends, helping industry leaders navigate today’s complex mix of geopolitical risks and opportunities. Expect a forward-looking approach to what will drive tomorrow’s headlines, delivered in digestible, accessible and relevant takeaways for audiences of all types. For more info or to subscribe to the newsletter, visit: zeihan.com Subscribe to the YouTube Channel @zeihanongeopolitics Thanks for listening, and don't forget to subscribe!
Israel and Iran are still going at it, but things have not significantly escalated. Here's a breakdown of the situation and what could come next.Join the Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/PeterZeihanFull Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/zeihan/what-is-israels-victory-condition-in-iran
With everything going on between Israel and Iran right now, I know what you're thinking - it's time to run to Costco and fill up the gas tank. Hear me out though, we don't live in the same world we did a few decades ago.Join the Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/PeterZeihanFull Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/zeihan/oil-markets-arent-worried-about-iran
Israel has launched a significant military campaign against Iran, primarily targeting nuclear facilities. Let's break down the targets, impacts, and what's coming.Join the Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/PeterZeihanFull Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/zeihan/israel-launches-attack-on-iranian-nuclear-sites
Everyone, get your calendars out and draw a big red circle around July. Why? Because a recession could be coming.Join the Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/PeterZeihanLink to the tracker: https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/ICNSAFull Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/zeihan/watch-this-number-for-recession-indicators
Anyone remember that 2011 movie called Battle Los Angeles? It's beginning to look a lot like that again, just with a different kind of aliens this time.Join the Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/PeterZeihanFull Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/zeihan/trump-calls-in-the-marines-for-californias-protests
Today, we're launching into our new series on the future of military affairs. Before we get into what is coming, let's first discuss what past revolutions in warfare have looked like.Join the Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/PeterZeihanFull Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/zeihan/the-revolution-in-military-affairs-series-intro
The leader of DOGE (aka Elon Musk) has fallen from grace with President Trump and the rest of the agency is crumbling behind him. So, where does this leave the Department of Governmental Efficiency?Join the Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/PeterZeihanFull Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/zeihan/musk-pulls-the-carpet-out-from-under-doge
America's “favorite” couple is breaking up...and doing so very publicly. I guess there just wasn't enough room for two egotistical divas in the relationship.Join the Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/PeterZeihanFull Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/zeihan/trouble-in-maga-paradise
With rising violence in Mexico, is it time that the US military steps in? To quote Michael Scott, "No God please no!"Join the Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/PeterZeihanFull Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/zeihan/should-the-us-military-invade-mexico
The Russian demographic crisis is worsening. So, let's look at the long-term structural, social, and economic problems, as well as some of the more recent changes hurting the Russian population.Join the Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/PeterZeihanFull Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/zeihan/the-demographic-crisis-in-russia
It's a bird, it's a plane, it's...some long-awaited clarity on US-China relations. Here are the two major developments that we're tracking and what they mean moving forward.Join the Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/PeterZeihanFull Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/zeihan/finally-some-clarity-on-us-china-relations
Oil has been the secret sauce for the Middle East for ages, but that's beginning to change.Join the Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/PeterZeihanFull Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/zeihan/whats-up-with-the-middle-east-saudi-oil-slips
Ukraine just did more to enhance American national security than any country since 1945. Here's what went down...Join the Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/PeterZeihanFull Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/zeihan/ukraine-strikes-russian-strategic-bombers
I won't ramble on about Trump's chaotic trade policy because you're all aware of that. However, there are some interesting updates to share.Join the Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/PeterZeihanFull Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/zeihan/coping-mechanisms-101-the-taco-trade
Next up in the Middle East series is Syria. They're enjoying a calm period right now, but the new President, Ahmed al-Sharaa, is walking on eggshells to avoid the deep-rooted problems that have plagued Syria for ages.Join the Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/PeterZeihanFull Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/zeihan/whats-up-with-the-middle-east-syrian-dysfunction
We're moving onto the region's most dominant country - Turkey. Sitting at the crossroads of Europe, the Middle East, and the Caucasus, Turkey's military, economy, and political identity have all been shaped by this unique identity.Join the Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/PeterZeihanFull Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/zeihan/whats-up-with-the-middle-east-turkish-dominance
We're kicking off a short new series on the Middle East. Of course, we must begin with the country on everyone's mind - Israel.Join the Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/PeterZeihanFull Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/zeihan/whats-up-in-the-middle-east-israels-future
We're continuing our discussion on the future of tourism with a few new regions. Today we'll be looking at some at-risk European countries, an unstable Middle East, and an uneven Southeast Asia.Join the Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/PeterZeihanFull Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/zeihan/the-future-of-tourism-part-2
If you've followed me for a while, you'll know that I take my travel very seriously. Unfortunately, it seems that my work keeps crawling its way into my personal life, because deglobalization is changing tourism as we know it.Join the Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/PeterZeihanFull Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/zeihan/the-future-of-tourism-part-1
One of the biggest challenges to US reindustrialization isn't the raw materials, it's the lack of processing infrastructure to convert those raw materials into intermediate products. Let's break it down.Join the Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/PeterZeihanFull Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/zeihan/americas-processing-crisis-racing-chinas-decline
As the US withdraws from its position as global protector of the seas, will the age of pirates return once more? Okay, maybe Blackbeard won't be making a comeback, but piracy will have a role in the future of trade.Join the Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/PeterZeihanFull Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/zeihan/the-future-of-piracy-arrrgh
With tensions rising in India and Pakistan, it was only a matter of time before Trump had to step in and put his foot in his mouth. Basically, what happened is the Trump administration announced a ceasefire and peace talks between India and Pakistan...seemingly without consulting either side.Join the Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/PeterZeihanFull Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/zeihan/did-trump-just-wreck-us-india-relations
Yemen, despite all the odds being stacked against it, has recently become strategically significant.Join the Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/PeterZeihanFull Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/zeihan/iran-snuggles-up-with-the-houthis-in-yemen
Over 100 million people are missing in China!? No, the Chinese aren't playing the world's largest game of hide and seek, instead there's widespread fraud in their data collection system. Yay!Join the Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/PeterZeihanFull Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/zeihan/the-fire-hose-of-chaos-how-do-you-lose-100-million-people
Xi Jinping continues to push China closer and closer to that scary edge they've been staring at for quite some time. So, what will the fall of China look like?Join the Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/PeterZeihanFull Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/zeihan/the-fire-hose-of-chaos-xis-power-chokehold
As the pressure within the Chinese system continues to mount, you can expect to see signs as the first few things begin to crack. Those first pieces to slip will be manufactured goods, processed materials, and services.Join the Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/PeterZeihanFull Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/zeihan/the-fire-hose-of-chaos-chinas-first-domino
Note: This video was recorded during Peter's hiking trip in 2024Many countries are on the brink of crisis. No, I'm not talking about political issues or potential wars. Instead, I'm looking at the aging population crisis facing a number of countries around the globe. Let's start with Japan.Join the Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/PeterZeihanFull Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/zeihan/aging-populations-and-which-countries-look-the-worst
Trade tensions are taking their toll on an already fragile Chinese system. The US is dealing with self-sufficiency problems, but for China, it is an existential question. Will this new deal change that?Join the Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/PeterZeihanFull Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/zeihan/the-deal-with-the-chinese
Today, we're launching into the next phase of our "Fire Hose of Chaos” series, shifting our focus from the US and onto China. Trust me, there will be no shortage of chaos in this series either.Join the Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/PeterZeihanFull Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/zeihan/the-fire-hose-of-chaos-chinese-edition-intro
Everyone gets mad at me for critiquing the leader that they like, but listen...I'm out here roasting everybody. Whether it's Obama, Trump, Xi Jinping, or Grandma, nobody is safe. Okay fine, we'll leave Gram Gram out of it for today.Join the Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/PeterZeihanFull Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/zeihan/the-question-of-leadershipand-management
Many of America's most beloved brands rely on Chinese manufacturing, but what happens when that goes away?Join the Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/PeterZeihanFull Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/zeihan/the-fire-hose-of-chaos-american-brands
Romania just held its second attempt at the first round of presidential elections, after the initial round was invalidated due to Russian interference. Looks like the Romanians are having some major déjà vu.Join the Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/PeterZeihanFull Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/zeihan/the-russians-continue-stirring-the-romanian-pot
US agriculture is heading towards a major crisis, and yes, Trump's trade policies are to blame for this as well. Many of the US ag export markets are closed off, and farmers are feeling the heat.Join the Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/PeterZeihanFull Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/zeihan/the-fire-hose-of-chaos-agriculture
Jerome Powell has been on the receiving end of Trump's threats and the markets have reacted negatively to the undermining of the Fed's credibility. Here's the full picture.Join the Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/PeterZeihanFull Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/zeihan/the-fire-hose-of-chaos-the-fed
On Monday, April 28, a widespread power outage hit Spain and Portugal. Other than our marketing guy who was on vacation in Madrid at the time claiming he "had no signal" and "couldn't work", this outage highlights a broader issue with renewable energy infrastructure.Join the Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/PeterZeihanFull Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/zeihan/the-night-the-lights-went-out-in-geor-er-spain
What do you get when you mix overly aggressive trade measures and a poor economic plan? Trump's idea of a great start. Or, as I like to call it, a policy-induced recession. Here's what's happening.Join the Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/PeterZeihanFull Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/zeihan/the-fire-hose-of-chaos-recession-time
Does everyone remember that bedtime story about the Three Little Pigs and the Big Bad Wolf? Well, the Trump administration is doing its best wolf impression and trying to blow the entire housing industry down.Join the Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/PeterZeihanFull Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/zeihan/the-fire-hose-of-chaos-housing-problems
The Trump administration has given us a masterclass on how to set supply chains ablaze using tariffs. While some supply chains are smoldering, others are raging wildfires. So, let's look at two that are in the thick of it: steel and aluminum.Join the Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/PeterZeihanFull Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/zeihan/the-fire-hose-of-chaos-steel-and-aluminum
The US has known that a capital crunch was inbound for decades now. With the Baby Boomers retiring and Trump's trade policies hitting at the same time, these financial woes might sting a bit more than we thought.Join the Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/PeterZeihanFull Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/zeihan/the-fire-hose-of-chaos-finance
Today we're discussing the Trump administration's 96th tariff policy which imposes port fees on Chinese ships.Join the Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/PeterZeihanFull Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/zeihan/the-fire-hose-of-chaos-port-fees
In the past, we've chatted through the domestic issues facing New Zealand, so let's discuss the economic future of the ~5 million Kiwis in the context of the shifting global landscape.Join the Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/PeterZeihanFull Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/zeihan/will-new-zealand-dive-or-thrive
Well, the Russian Reach series needed an update, and it's not a pretty one. The infiltration of the US government by Russian interests is growing and I don't see an end in sight.Join the Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/PeterZeihanFull Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/zeihan/a-concerning-update-to-the-russian-reach-series
The green transition in the US has made great progress in recent years, but the wheels are falling off. This is largely due to economic pressures, lack of financing, and the new tariffs instituted by Trump.Join the Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/PeterZeihanFull Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/zeihan/the-green-transition-is-over
With everything that's going on in the US, it makes sense that foreign investors decided to dump US T-Bills. But what does this mean for the government debt market and the future of the USD?Join the Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/PeterZeihanFull Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/zeihan/the-fire-hose-of-chaos-government-debt
Pete Hegseth, the current Secretary of Defense, has been doing his best to completely dismantle the United States' ability to fight a war now or in the future. Let's look at why this is happening...Join the Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/PeterZeihanFull Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/zeihan/what-is-hegseth-doing
The Trump administration has introduced a level of chaos that can only result in one thing: corruption. I'm not talking about starting a cryptocurrency or manipulating the stock market, this is deeper.Join the Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/PeterZeihanFull Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/zeihan/the-fire-hose-of-chaos-corruption
US efforts against fentanyl have been ramping up. Specifically, the Trump administration has turned its focus to one specific Mexican cartel - La Familia Michoacana.Join the Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/PeterZeihanFull Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/zeihan/why-theres-no-fentanyl-in-easter-eggs-this-year
The US is plugging a loophole in the trade system called "de minimis" which allowed imported goods under $800 to bypass tariffs and traditional customs processes. This system will end on May 2, and these small packages will now face a 90% tariff and $75 minimum fee.Join the Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/PeterZeihanFull Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/zeihan/bye-bye-de-minimis
The Trump administration can put out as much trade deal fluff as they want, but the reality is that the internal dysfunction and unpredictable nature of this admin will impede most deals from ever making it out of an email chain.Join the Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/PeterZeihanFull Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/zeihan/dont-expect-many-trade-deals
What could have happened much, much further down the road (or even avoided given the right circumstances) is now in the headlines - the US is headed into a recession.Join the Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/PeterZeihanFull Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/zeihan/wait-the-recession-is-already-here
Here's a video I recorded while I was in New Zealand at the end of 2024. In this video, we cover a question that the US is still trying to answer - should the US maintain its presence in the Middle East?Join the Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/PeterZeihanFull Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/zeihan/should-the-us-stay-in-the-middle-east
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