Podcasts about geopolitical futures

The return of Donald Trump to the White House was always going to mean a new showdown between the world's two largest economies. But, after spiraling tensions and escalating tariffs, last week the US and China announced that they had agreed to roll back recent measures for an initial 90 days. The agreement, which was hammered out over a weekend in Geneva, has relieved the markets. But the future of the relationship is far from settled – not least because the two sides are attempting to negotiate thorny issues concerning both their security and economic relationships side by side. So what comes next? Host Christian Smith is joined by Geopolitical Futures' director of analysis Allison Fedirka, and China analyst Victoria Herczegh, to find out. Visit http://www.geopoliticalfutures.com for world-class geopolitical analysis and discussion.  

“Europe is a crisis point, not the United States. The crisis point is that Europe has to come to terms with World War II,” says George Friedman, founder and chairman of Geopolitical Futures. In a conversation with Daniela Cambone, he explains that the post–World War II global system, where the U.S. played the role of geopolitical and economic anchor, is now over. “It's a very great system reset,” he explains. “It's a very great system reset. The financial community is obsessed with money, and that's quite understandable. But this nation is more than money, it's national security.”He also shifts focus to Europe, warning that if the continent fails to reconcile with its past and current geopolitical role, it could become a flashpoint for future conflict. “This is the place I'd watch for a war—Europe and Asia,” Friedman says, pointing to Europe's long history of internal wars among nation-states. Key Facts:America undergoes a necessary reinventionWhy is the massive reset necessary?Rising global tensions and instabilityWill the U.S. dollar remain dominant?Why central banks are stockpiling goldThe growing crisis in Europe

After Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy's Oval Office bust up, you might think the war in Ukraine is going rather well for Vladimir Putin. But, according to Geopolitical Futures Chairman George Friedman, the Russian president has already lost the war. Tune in to this new podcast from Geopolitical Futures as Friedman explains Russia's failure, why he thinks Trump is buttering up Putin, and what he thinks of the press conference heard round the world and the decision to pause U.S. military aid for Ukraine. Visit http://www.geopoliticalfutures.com for world-class geopolitical analysis and discussion.

The title of this podcast, The Storm Before the Calm, is taken from a book by George Friedman, founder of Geopolitical Futures. A good friend of mine gave me this book for Christmas. Initially, I balked at the title. I was not eager to read about “the storm” since we have been living in the eye of a hurricane since January 20, 2025, when Donald Trump took office. The last thing I wanted to do was read anything about Trump. I tackled The Storm, and it's a great book—very insightful. I love the long-view historical perspective. Yes, Trump is in the book, but he's not the storm. We're the storm.Today, we'll be talking history, economics and institutional and socioeconomic cycles.  Here are the Time Stamps | We Are the Storm  | 0:21 | Don't Worry. It's Just a Phase.  | 1:48 | Cycling Through US History  | 8:14 | The Rise of Feminism  | 11:45 | Backlash in the 21st Centruy  | 14:05 | Tired of the Trickle-Down  | 19:33 | Common Themes Throughout Our History  | 25:00:00Friedman writes that the US has two predictable cycles that date back to the "invention" of the country by the Founding Fathers: the 80-year institutional cycle and the 50-year socioeconomic cycle. Think of them like the tectonic plates shifting before an earthquake. At the end of each 50-year economic cycle, there is division and great upheaval in the country and "it's as if the country is tearing itself apart," Friedman writes. That's where we are today. I was surprised -- and somewhat dismayed but oddly relieved -- to find out that in this decade both of these cycles will shift. Two earthquakes. In 2020, Friedman said that 2025 would be a pivotal year. Well, here we are! The signals of a shift to a new socioeconomic cycle are: great discontent among the people, broken or obsolete economic systems, and a "failed president" at the end of the cycle. This president is elected during the social unrest and upheaval but uses old ideas and old models to solve current problems. Clinging to old models doesn't work and often makes the situation for the people worse. A classic example is President Herbert Hoover clinging to the old models and ignoring the plight of millions of hungry and impoverished Americans. The Great Depression got worse during his term.Hoover was the "failed president" at the end of that cycle and President Franklin Roosevelt was the first president in the new cycle. Roosevelt made sweeping changes to the federal government to tackle the Great Depression, to feed people and put them back to work, build infrastructure and fight fascism in World War II. President Lyndon Johnson built on the New Deal with the Great Society. The middle class and the union movement grew during this cycle. And the rich paid taxes. President Jimmy Carter was the "failed president" at the end of that cycle.We are in the waning years of the cycle that began with President Ronald Reagan. He infamously introduced us to "trickle-down" economics. The theory is that dramatically cutting taxes on the rich would lead to "trickle-down" wealth. Making the rich richer was somehow supposed to enrich the masses. We have been suffering under this failed model for decades. Thanks to 50 years of Reaganomics, the wealth gap in the US is wider than ever, the billionaires are becoming trillionaires, corporate welfare is running rampant while people are hungry, the middle class has shrunk, the cost of housing, automobiles and college has skyrocketed. The Trump/Musk regime is clinging to the failed model that got here -- tax cuts for the rich and deregulation. Is Trump the last "failed president" of the Trickle-Down Era?

"PREVIEW: CANADA: Colleague Allison Fedirka of Geopolitical Futures reports that PM Justin Trudeau has failed in policies meant to manage immigration and supply adequate affordable housing. More tonight." 1900 Quebec

From London to Warsaw, Paris to Kyiv, last week's election of Donald Trump for a second time in the U.S. has sent European leaders scrambling. With the expectation that Trump will reduce defense support for Ukraine and Europe more generally, tune in to this special podcast from Geopolitical Futures as Chairman and Founder George Friedman explains what Trump means for Europe and the post-war order. Visit http://www.geopoliticalfutures.com for world-class geopolitical analysis and discussion.

PREVIEW: #DARIEN GAP: #PANAMA: Conversation with colleague Allison Fedirka of Geopolitical Futures re the Darien Gap and the beginning plans by the Panamanian government, working with the US, to limit the flow of migrants headed North to the USA. More tonight. 1929 Panama City

PREVIEW: #SOUTHAFRICA: Conversation with Ronan Wordworth of Geopolitical Futures in Capetown, South Africa, re the strugges to form a government after the dominant ANC, no longer a majority, offered to form a unity government and was rejected by all other parties unless conditions are met that are not manageable.  The deadline is Sunday 16 June or else new elections. More tonight. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/south-african-opposition-parties-holding-crunch-talks-on-the-ancs-unity-plan-but-deep-rifts-remain/ar-BB1nNUVw 1899 South Africa Kimberley Mines

1/2: #SOUTH AFRICA: ANC struggles to find a unity government or even a partner to form a government by Sunday 16 June. Ronan Wordsworth, Geopolitical Futures, @GPFutures. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/south-african-opposition-parties-holding-crunch-talks-on-the-ancs-unity-plan-but-deep-rifts-remain/ar-BB1nNUVw 1770 MAP

2/2: #SOUTH AFRICA: ANC struggles to find a unity government or even a partner to form a government by Sunday 16 June. Ronan Wordsworth, Geopolitical Futures, @GPFutures. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/south-african-opposition-parties-holding-crunch-talks-on-the-ancs-unity-plan-but-deep-rifts-remain/ar-BB1nNUVw 1890 CAPETOWN

#MOSCOW: Summertime heat and strolling in the parks. Ekaterina Zolotova, Geopolitical Futures https://geopoliticalfutures.com/the-reality-of-russo-chinese-relations/ 1910 Moscow

PREVIEW: #MOSCOW: #SUMMER: Conversation with colleague Ekaterina Zolotova, Geopolitical Futures, re her walks in the parks of Moscow in the early summery heat: Indian tourists -- and what may be cricket-playing.  1900 Moscow

PREVIEW:  #RUSSIA: Conversation with George Friedman of Geopolitical Futures regarding President Putin's recent visit to President Xi in Beijing. The discussion will focus on what Mr. Putin sought to gain from this meeting and whether he was able to obtain the necessary support to aid his ongoing war in Ukraine.  More details on the outcomes and implications of this high-level meeting between the Russian and Chinese leaders will be provided later. 1815 Moscow

What are the geopolitical implications of the AUKUS partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States? In our most recent Podcast+ episode for ClubGPF members, analyst Ronan Wordsworth joined host Christian Smith for a discussion on the future of AUKUS and what the potential addition of Japan and New Zealand to the alliance could mean for China and the Indo-Pacific. To learn more about ClubGPF, including more free audio and video clips, visit http://ow.ly/qHIP50JUPW2. Visit http://www.geopoliticalfutures.com for world-class geopolitical analysis and discussion.

#BELARUS: Lukashenko and his best ally Putin. Ekaterina Zolotova, Geopolitical Futures https://geopoliticalfutures.com/new-strategic-documents-preserve-belarus...   1930 Minsk

#Myanmar: PRC playing off the rebels vs the junta and not winning. Victoria Herczegh, Geopolitical Futures @GPFutures. ttps://geopoliticalfutures.com/in-myanmar-china-considers-a-new-strategy/ 1900 Burma

PREVIEW:  #ROMANIA: #NATO: Conversation with colleague Professor Antonia Colibasanu of Geopolitical Futures in Bucharest re the recommendation that the next Secretary General of NATO is best from the Eastern Wing of NATO-- Finland, Sweden, the Baltics, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania -- the frontline states facing the Kremlin.  More of this in the new week. 1920 Poland

#Moon: The contest for the armed Lunar colonies. Guest: George Friedman, Geopolitical Futures @GPFutures https://geopoliticalfutures.com/geopolitics-and-the-moon/  1870

#HUNGARY: Orban under political scrutiny by Hungarian protesters. Guest: George Friedman, Geopolitical Futures @GPFutures https://geopoliticalfutures.com/the-hungarian-crisis/ 1956 Hungary

PREVIEW: #HUNGARY: Conversation with George Friedman of Geopolitical Futures re the long serving president of Hungary, Victor Orban, and how he has shaped his maverick presence in the EU, NATO, and the Ukraine war.  More later tonight. 1930 Budapest

PREVIEW-#UKRAINE: #ROMANIA-#DANUBE: Conversation with Antonia Colibasnu of Geopolitical Futures re the vast 1771 mile-long Danube River and the war in Ukraine --and in this exchange, Antonia explains  the evolution of the thinking and plannng about the Danube by the ten riparian states from the Montreux Convention of 1936 to the ejecting of Russia from the Danube Commission  March 1, 2024. more details later. 1904 Danube at Romania

What's on the horizon for the world's largest democracy? In our most recent Podcast+ episode for ClubGPF members, GPF contributor Kamran Bokhari joined host Christian Smith for a discussion on the geopolitical implications of India's upcoming election, how it can continue its balancing act between the US, China and the rest of the world, and why it has cause for concern over the recent ISIS attack in Moscow. To learn more about ClubGPF, including more free audio and video clips, visit http://ow.ly/qHIP50JUPW2. Visit http://www.geopoliticalfutures.com for world-class geopolitical analysis and discussion.

#ROMANIA: On the front line of the Danube River investigating a crashed drone. Antonia Colibasanu, Geopolitical Futures @GPFutures https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/russia-ukraine-war-live-romania-finds-drone-fragments-on-farm-near-ukraine-border/ar-BB1kJNBA 1900 BUCHAREST

1/2: #RUSSIA: The G5 Sahel leans toward Russia and its vision of a railroad from Tripoli to the CAR. Ronan Wordsworth, Geopolitical Futures @GPFUTURES https://geopoliticalfutures.com/what-washingtons-departure-from-niger-means/ 1895 Nigeria

2/2:  #RUSSIA: The G5 Sahel leans toward Russia and its vision of a railroad from Tripoli to the CAR. Ronan Wordsworth, Geopolitical Futures @GPFUTURES https://geopoliticalfutures.com/what-washingtons-departure-from-niger-means/ 1770

#Russia: The Crocus City concert hall and Moscow mourning. Ekaterina Zolotova. Geopolitical Futures @GPFutures  https://geopoliticalfutures.com/an-attack-in-moscow/ 1904 Moscow

#RUSSIA: Entertaining a progressive income tax. .Ekaterina Zolotova. Geopolitical Futures @GPFutures  https://geopoliticalfutures.com/to-plug-russias-fiscal-gap-something-has-to-give/ Undated Cossack House

PREVIEW: #MOSCOW: In conversation with colleague Ekaterina Zolotova of Geopolitical Futures re the attack on concert goers and shoppers at Crocus City, where Ekaterina visited as recently as late February. More later. 1815 Moscow

PREVIEW: #NIGER: #RUSSIA: Conversed with Ronan Wordsworth of Geopolitical Futures re the Niger junta ordering the US drone base to close and leave -- and learned of a grand plan out of Moscow to build a railroad from Tripoli into Central Africa and the G5 Sahel Nations (European-influenced Mauritania, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, French-influenced Chad) now tempted to lean toward Moscow and Beijing, even Tehran in Niger's case.  More soon. 1906 Nigeria

#HAITI: Gang Leaders with Agency in charge of Port -Au-Prince & What is to be done? Allison Fedirka, Geopolitical Futures @GPFutures https://geopoliticalfutures.com/no-one-wants-responsibility-for-haiti/ 1900 Haiti German Legation

#Venezuela:Confident Nicolas Maduro looks to the July Election. Allison Fedirka, Geopolitical Futures @GPFutures https://geopoliticalfutures.com/against-russian-allies-in-latin-america-the-us-makes-its-moves/ 1945 Venezuela

#RUSSIA: #UZBEKISTAN: #KAZAKHSTAN: The US competes in Central Asia with Green Tech.  Ekaterina Zolotova, Geopolitical Futures @GPFutures https://geopoliticalfutures.com/the-west-makes-its-case-for-the-green-transition-in-central-asia/ 1913 Samarkand

#HOUTHIS: The Unknowns of the severed cable. Antonia Colibasanu, Geopolitical Futures. @GPFutures https://geopoliticalfutures.com/disruptions-to-undersea-cables/ 1969 Yemen

#Romania: #Moldova: The Russian threat heard soberly in Bucharest. Antonia Colibasanu, Geopolitical Futures. @GPFutures https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/us/moldova-faces-multiple-threats-from-russia-as-it-turns-toward-eu-membership-foreign-minister-says/ar-BB1jDvxh 1890 Bucharest

#PRC: Going Maoist. Victoria Herzegh, Geopolitical Futures, @GPFutures https://geopoliticalfutures.com/maoist-methods-are-making-a-comeback-in-xis-china/ 1966 Red Guards and Mao

1/2: #AFRICA: Russia's Africa Corps and the DR Congo. Ronan Wordsworth, Geopolitical Futures. @GPFutures  https://geopoliticalfutures.com/russian-influence-in-congo/ 1933 Congo

TONIGHT: The show begins in the Spring rich South of France with calves wandering the roadside and the daffodils in glory.  To London where Mps are trading insults. To Brussels where the EU and NATO struggle to find funding for rearming and remobilizing for the century. To Pyongyang and the Kim family ambitions.  To the Ghost Mansions of China, without windows, occupants, plans. To the Moon for China's plans.  Then to the frontline in Ukraine where the Kyiv Army is low on ammo and expectations. To Sub-Sahara Africa, to the Moon and Mars. 2006 Curiosity CBS EYE ON THE WORLD WITH JOHN BATCHELOR FIRST HOUR 9-915 #FRANCE: Spring in bloom and worry for the tea fleet. Simon Constable, Occitanie. https://www.forbes.com/sites/simonconstable/2024/02/26/red-sea-attacks-on-shipping-brings-another-pinch---a-tea-shortage/?sh=4ffc789c6ffc 915-930 #UK: The poisonous language in Parliament. Simon Constable, Occitanie. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/lee-anderson-leaves-the-door-open-for-a-return-to-the-conservative-party-as-he-tells-the-reaction-it-s-up-to-rishi-what-happens-next/ar-BB1j3ZsG 930-945 1/2: #EU: #NATO: The reluctance to defend Europe. Jakub Grygiel, Hoover Institution. https://www.wsj.com/articles/europe-has-more-to-fear-than-trump-national-security-complacency-eu-6e193465?st=r80n5cdvy6kyppz&reflink=article_copyURL_share 945-1000 2/2: #EU: #NATO: The reluctance to defend Europe. Jakub Grygiel, Hoover Institution. https://www.wsj.com/articles/europe-has-more-to-fear-than-trump-national-security-complacency-eu-6e193465?st=r80n5cdvy6kyppz&reflink=article_copyURL_share SECOND HOUR 10-1015 #NORTHKOREA: Cuba shakes hands with Seoul. David Maxwell, vice president of the Center for Asia Pacific Strategy, @GordonGChang, Gatestone, Newsweek, The Hill https://www.voanews.com/a/seoul-s-diplomatic-ties-with-havana-seen-as-diplomatic-setback-for-pyongyang-/7496043.html https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2024/02/103_369441.html  1015-1030 #PRC: The windowless abandoned mansions of China. Anne Stevenson-Yang, author of the upcoming Wild Ride: China's Short-Lived Experiment in Capitalism, @GordonGChang, Gatestone, Newsweek, The Hill https://finance.yahoo.com/news/china-property-foreclosures-surge-growth-095915227.html https://amp.scmp.com/business/article/3252970/chinas-home-prices-fall-slower-pace-beijing-steps-resuscitate-property-sector 1030-1045 #SPACEX: Musk, Taiwan, Congress, Tesla: the confusion of commerce and security.  Brandon Weichert, author of Biohacked: China's Race to Control Life, @GordonGChang, Gatestone, Newsweek, The Hill: https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2024/02/24/house-china-committee-elon-musk-spacex-starshield-taiwan.html   1045-1100 #CANADA: #PRC bids for Canada's riche  Charles Burton, senior fellow at the Centre for Advancing Canada's Interests Abroad at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, @GordonGChang, Gatestone, Newsweek, The Hill shttps://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/chinese-money-still-chasing-canadian-critical-mining-deals-despite-ottawas-2024-02-27/ THIRD HOUR 1100-1115 1/2:  UKRAINE: What Ukraine needs now at the frontline & What os to be done? Mark Montgomery, John Hardie FDD https://www.fdd.org/analysis/op_eds/2024/02/27/how-to-hold-ukraine-over-until-congress-passes-more-aid-funding/ 1115-1130 2/2:  UKRAINE: What Ukraine needs now at the frontline & What os to be done? Mark Montgomery, John Hardie FDD https://www.fdd.org/analysis/op_eds/2024/02/27/how-to-hold-ukraine-over-until-congress-passes-more-aid-funding/ 1130-1145 1/2: #AFRICA: Russia's Africa Corp and the DR Congo. Ronan Wordsworth, Geopolitical Futures. @GPFutures  https://geopoliticalfutures.com/russian-influence-in-congo/ 1145-1200 2/2: #AFRICA: Russia's Africa Corp and the DR Congo. Ronan Wordsworth, Geopolitical Futures. @GPFutures  https://geopoliticalfutures.com/russian-influence-in-congo/ FOURTH HOUR 12-1215 1/2: #RUSSIA: #NORTHKOREA:The Kremlin and the Kims. Ekaterina Zolotova  Geopolitical Futures. @GPFutures  https://geopoliticalfutures.com/the-limits-of-russian-north-korean-relations/ 1215-1230 2/2: #RUSSIA: #NORTHKOREA:The Kremlin and the Kims. Ekaterina Zolotova  Geopolitical Futures. @GPFutures  https://geopoliticalfutures.com/the-limits-of-russian-north-korean-relations/ 1230-1245 #MOON: Another private probe on its side. Bob Zimmerman BehindtheBlack.com https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/odysseus-tip-over-likely-caused-because-it-landed-without-good-elevation-data/ 1245-100 am #MARS: Ingenuity broke off one blade. Bob Zimmerman BehindtheBlack.com https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/ingenuity-broke-off-one-blade-entirely/

2/2: #AFRICA: Russia's Africa Corps and the DR Congo. Ronan Wordsworth, Geopolitical Futures. @GPFutures  https://geopoliticalfutures.com/russian-influence-in-congo/ 1910 Congo

1/2: #RUSSIA: #NORTHKOREA:The Kremlin and the Kims. Ekaterina Zolotova  Geopolitical Futures. @GPFutures  https://geopoliticalfutures.com/the-limits-of-russian-north-korean-relations/ 1951 North Korea

2/2: #RUSSIA: #NORTHKOREA:The Kremlin and the Kims. Ekaterina Zolotova  Geopolitical Futures. @GPFutures  https://geopoliticalfutures.com/the-limits-of-russian-north-korean-relations/ 1951 Korea

2/2:  #VENEZUELA: Countdown to sanctions returned on April 18. Allison Fedirka, Geopolitical Futures. @GPFutures  https://geopoliticalfutures.com/washington-remains-committed-to-venezuelas-transition/ 1945 Venezuela coup

PREV: #RUSSIA: #AFRICA: #DRCONGO:  Excerpt from a conversation with Ronan Worsworth of Geopolitical futures re the arrival of the Africa Corps in the resource rish and China invested DR Congo and -- and how the Africa Corps is spreading its influence to other brittle or failed governances in the Sahel. mre later today. 1895 Nigeria

1/2:  #VENEZUELA: Countdown to sanctions returned on April 18. Allison Fedirka, Geopolitical Futures. @GPFutures  https://geopoliticalfutures.com/washington-remains-committed-to-venezuelas-transition/ 1899 Merida

PREVIEW #AFRICA: #RUSSIA:  Excerpt from a longer conservation with analyst Ronan Wordsworth of Geopolitical Futures re the creation and deployemnt and mission of the Russian Africa Corps -- an expanded and well-funded version of the now defunct Wagner Group.  The examples here are Francophone Africa, including DR Congo.  More later today. 1910 Congo

PREVIEW: #PRC: #ROCKETFORCES: From a conversation with Geopolitical Futures analyst Victoria Herczegh in Budapest watching Chinese social media to measure the PLA and the recent jettisoning of senior officrs in the Rocket Rocket Forces (Nuclear Weaponry) -- and the strong indication that the dismissed were not loyal to Xi. Other recent dismissals of senior figures include the vanished Foreign Minister and the fired Defense Minister.  Senior criticl roles supposedly trusted by Xi. More of this later.  1966 Mao in Beijing

PREVIEW: #PUTIN: #POLAND: #BALTICS: From a conversation with Geopolitical Futures founder George Friedman re the Putin lengthy presentation to the American audience (as translated) during the Carlson interview -- and why, George Friedman observes, Putin mentioned Poland and the Baltics.  More later. 1920 Poland

PREVIEW: EU: UKRAINE: Part of a conversation with Romanian analyst Professor Antonia Colibasanu of Geopolitical Futures re the farmers of the EU objecting to and protesting the inferior Ukrainian grain and other produce  permitted into the European Union market last year and what this may mean for the EU Parliamentary vote shceduled for June 2024.  All is not calm on the European farm.  More of the conversation of the EU elections  tonight https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/polish-farmers-protest-against-uncontrolled-ukraine-imports/ar-BB1hcaIQ 1794

2/2:  #Russia: Moscow slowly grows a trade corridor with Tehran:  large cans of tomato paste, warm weather autos -- as well as drones. Ekaterina Zolotova, Geopolitical Futures @GPFutures https://geopoliticalfutures.com/russia-and-irans-over-hyped-alliance/ 1895 Russia

1/2:  #Russia: Moscow slowly grows a trade corridor with Tehran:  large cans of tomato paste, warm weather autos -- as well as drones. Ekaterina Zolotova, Geopolitical Futures @GPFutures https://geopoliticalfutures.com/russia-and-irans-over-hyped-alliance/ 1909 Petersburg

2/2: #Ukraine: #Romania: #Moldova: The front line is the Danube River at the convergence of three threatened nations. Antonia Colibasanu, Geopolitical Futures, @GPFutures https://apnews.com/article/romania-ukraine-russia-attacks-danube-ports-4b1b0e2b9aab3893063352e8f3a85bf8 1940 Danube Romania