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 ...
Mar 05, 2025•35 min•Transcript available on Metacast One month into Donald Trump’s second term, even those who closely followed his first time in office have struggled to keep up. Foreign policy shifts alone include tariffs, attacks on allies, and a proposed takeover in Gaza. Now, an apparent rapprochement with Russia has the potential to revolutionize US strategy. What is the US trying to achieve in its negotiations with Russia? And is this all just the new norm for a world without an anchor? Visit http://www.geopoliticalfutures.com for world-cla...
Feb 25, 2025•32 min•Transcript available on Metacast Historically, nations did not conduct themselves without aligning with or getting their bearings in relation to a power system that drove the world; an anchor. This was the case, for example, in the world wars of the last century, and the Cold War. But as Chairman George Friedman explained in our recent ClubGPF live discussion, things have changed, and various nations are testing each other. To learn more about ClubGPF, including more free audio and video clips, visit http://ow.ly/qHIP50JUPW2 ....
Jan 31, 2025•5 min•Transcript available on Metacast Over the past few decades, Poland has seen its economy grow and its military expand. With Donald Trump returning to the White House next month and the former president having made his feelings about European security contributions clear, the Eastern European nation is set to become one of the most important players in Europe. Senior Analyst Antonia Colibasanu joined host Christian Smith in our recent Podcast+ episode for ClubGPF members to discuss the current state and potential future of the Po...
Dec 19, 2024•5 min•Transcript available on Metacast Israel’s decimation of Hezbollah’s leadership and war-making capabilities has paved the way for a massive altering of the geopolitical landscape in the Middle East. After decades on the offensive, Iran has suffered a major setback in its strategy for the region. GPF contributor Kamran Bokhari joined host Christian Smith on our recent Podcast+ episode for ClubGPF members to discuss what’s next for Iran, its proxies, and the Middle East at large. To learn more about ClubGPF, including more free au...
Nov 15, 2024•8 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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....
Nov 12, 2024•25 min•Transcript available on Metacast At GPF we have a distinct method for looking at the world, and every day we see this model play out in real time, like in the current conflicts in the Middle East. In this ClubGPF live discussion, Chairman George Friedman discusses the relationship between current conflicts and the dangers of non-state actors like Hezbollah and Hamas. To learn more about ClubGPF, including more free audio and video clips or to save your seat for our next live discussion, visit http://ow.ly/qHIP50JUPW2....
Oct 25, 2024•5 min•Transcript available on Metacast The European far right has had one of their best electoral years since the Second World War. What could it mean for European geopolitics, and how does migration play a part? GPF Analyst Ronan Wordsworth joined host Christian Smith from Prague on our recent Podcast+ episode for ClubGPF members to understand the moment and plot what comes next. To learn more about ClubGPF, including more free audio and video clips, visit http://ow.ly/qHIP50JUPW2 ....
Oct 15, 2024•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast In order to survive generation after generation, the nation of Hungary has had to maintain a unique balancing act within Central Europe. In our recent ClubGPF live discussion, Chairman George Friedman discussed American and Hungarian world views and the strategic, geopolitical perspective of Hungary and its relation to the US and Central Europe through decades of European conflict. To learn more about ClubGPF, including more free audio and video clips, visit http://ow.ly/qHIP50JUPW2....
Sep 04, 2024•8 min•Transcript available on Metacast Will the Israel-Hamas War spread across the region? After months of Hezbollah and the IDF exchanging fire, attacks have escalated in recent weeks. Middle East Analyst Hilal Khashan joined host Christian Smith on our recent Podcast+ episode for ClubGPF members to discuss the conflict at the border, and how realistic a full-scale war might be. To learn more about ClubGPF, including more free audio and video clips, visit http://ow.ly/qHIP50JUPW2 ....
Aug 02, 2024•7 min•Transcript available on Metacast With a unique position both geographically and economically in Europe, France remains an important player on the world stage. Although it has key roles in the EU, NATO, and the UN, France still struggles to find its global identity. Senior Geopolitical Analyst Antonia Colibasanu joined host Christian Smith on our recent Podcast+ episode for ClubGPF members to discuss the current state of play and the future of French geopolitics. To learn more about ClubGPF, including more free audio and video c...
Jul 03, 2024•5 min•Transcript available on Metacast From the war in Ukraine, instability in the Middle East, and the potential for conflict in the Pacific, the U.S. military is involved to a certain degree in a variety of operations. In this ClubGPF live discussion, Colonel Scott Leonard, Chief of Staff to the Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps (ret) joined GPF Chairman George Friedman to discuss global security challenges from a U.S. military perspective. To learn more about ClubGPF, including more free audio and video clips, visit http://ow.ly...
Jun 10, 2024•10 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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...
May 14, 2024•5 min•Transcript available on Metacast Geopolitical and national security threats are constantly changing and evolving, sometimes it’s hard to keep up. In this ClubGPF live discussion, Rear Admiral (ret) Douglas Fears, Former U.S. Homeland Security and Counterterrorism Advisor to the President joined GPF Chairman George Friedman to discuss a wide range of threats from cyber to denial of service, malign influences in social media and ballistic missile defense. To learn more about ClubGPF, including more free audio and video clips, vis...
May 01, 2024•6 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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....
Apr 05, 2024•8 min•Transcript available on Metacast Middle East expert Hilal Khashan wrote in his January 23rd piece titled ‘The Middle East as a Powder Keg’ that resolving the region’s issues will be on hold pending resolution of the conflict in Gaza. In a recent ClubGPF live discussion, Dr. Khashan was joined by GPF Chairman George Friedman to discuss current conditions, why Israel is reluctant to make any kind of deal, and what a Palestinian state could look like if one was created. For the full recording, and to join the next ClubGPF live dis...
Mar 22, 2024•5 min•Transcript available on Metacast How do intelligence failures happen? What are the ramifications for such failures? In our recent ClubGPF discussion, GPF Chairman George Friedman examined the different types of intelligence and why they’re important, applying the various intelligence strategies to the current geopolitical struggles in the world, including the Israel-Gaza conflict and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. To learn more about ClubGPF and to join the next live discussion, visit www.geopoliticalfutures.com/clubgpf....
Jan 23, 2024•5 min•Transcript available on Metacast Chairman George Friedman and host Christian Smith recently sat down to focus in on the big picture of geopolitics. There is a new order coming, but unlike the reordering that took place after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991. In this bonus clip, Dr. Friedman examines the patterns emerging between today's global crises. For the full episode and much more including our first two episodes on Tensions in Eurasia and The Rise of Geoeconomics, go to www.geopoliticalfutures.com/podcast and click 'S...
Dec 01, 2023•2 min•Transcript available on Metacast The pandemic in many ways caused shifts in the global economic system. Are we still living in pandemic economics? GPF's Antonia Colibasanu broke down the concept of geoeconomics and where we are at now for our podcast series on Geopolitics in the 21st Century. For the full episode and much more including our final installment with GPF Chairman George Friedman, go to www.geopoliticalfutures.com/podcast and click 'Subscribe'.
Nov 30, 2023•2 min•Transcript available on Metacast As the world reels from the shocking violence in Israel and Palestine, Geopolitical Futures brings you a special edition of Talking Geopolitics. GPF Chairman George Friedman joins Christian Smith to discuss why the attacks took place, why Israel’s intelligence failed, and how the conflict will put pressure on Arab nations - and not in the way you may think. For more analysis from George and the GPF team, go to geopoliticalfutures.com/podcast ....
Oct 11, 2023•20 min•Transcript available on Metacast Talking Geopolitics host Christian Smith recently sat down with GPF Chairman George Friedman for a deeper look at the current movements, motives and potential outcomes of the Russo-Ukrainian War and the ongoing friction between the US and China. In today’s bonus clip, Dr. Friedman explains how US- China relations and US-Russia relations are in many ways interconnected. For the full episode and much more, go to www.geopoliticalfutures.com/podcast and click 'Subscribe'....
Aug 18, 2023•2 min•Transcript available on Metacast Talking Geopolitics is back with a subscriber-only limited series on some of the key issues in geopolitics today. Today we're sharing a clip of this month's episode where Chairman George Friedman joined host Christian Smith for a deeper look at the current movements, motives and potential outcomes of the Russo-Ukrainian War and the ongoing friction between the US and China. For the full episode and much more, go to www.ge opoliticalfutures.com/podcast and click 'Subscribe'....
Aug 14, 2023•2 min•Transcript available on Metacast What are the geopolitical impacts of natural disasters? On this free preview of our ClubGPF podcast+, Dir. of Analysis Allison Fedirka and COO Antonia Colibasanu join host Christian Smith to discuss the recent earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, last year’s flooding in Pakistan, and the ongoing drought in Argentina. Go to www.geopoliticalfutures.com to join ClubGPF for more exclusive podcast episodes like this one.
Apr 03, 2023•43 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week we are revisiting one of our most popular episodes to date. Chairman George Friedman explores China’s relationship with both the United States and Russia, as well as its tendency towards isolation. East Asia Expert Phillip Orchard breaks down the geopolitical imperatives that drive China’s behavior. Director of Analysis Allison Fedirka gives us an update on the tension at the Colombia–Venezuela border. Hosted by Christian Smith. Go to www.geopoliticalfutures.com/podcast for more....
Aug 18, 2021•35 min•Transcript available on Metacast A year removed from a massive explosion in Beirut, Middle East expert Hilal Khashan discusses the dire situation in Lebanon and its larger impact on the region’s geopolitics. Analysts Allison Fedirka and Phillip Orchard share insight into the forecasting process here at Geopolitical Futures and lay out a midterm report card on this year’s forecasts for Europe and the Asia-Pacific. Go to www.geopoliticalfutures.com/podcast for more....
Aug 04, 2021•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast Chairman George Friedman discusses the recent protests in Cuba and dives into the past, present, and future of its geopolitical importance. Analyst Ekaterina Zolotova takes us on a tour of Central Asia and explores its potential for destabilization. Also, East Asia expert Phillip Orchard explains why the Chinese foreign minister’s visit to the Middle East is on his radar. To read George’s recent article on Cuba go to: http://ow.ly/37Jl50FAczC ....
Jul 21, 2021•38 min•Transcript available on Metacast Chairman George Friedman analyzes the debate surrounding the future of the European Central Bank’s emergency coronavirus bonds program and how it strikes at the core of the EU. East Asia expert Phillip Orchard explains the tensions between India and China in the Himalayas. Head of Analysis Allison Fedirka explores how NATO’s withdrawal from Afghanistan has teed up a new round of the Great Game in Central Asia. To read George’s free weekly articles go to http://ow.ly/wrIk50FqqCz ....
Jul 07, 2021•32 min•Transcript available on Metacast How secure is the new Middle East power balance ushered in by the Abraham Accords? How much does the U.S. care? Chairman George Friedman explains how two recent events can help us find answers. Head of Analysis Allison Fedirka explores Africa‘s increasing importance in today’s multipolar geopolitics. To read George’s article mentioned in this episode go to http://ow.ly/ttwD50FgHqb .
Jun 23, 2021•39 min•Transcript available on Metacast Chairman George Friedman explains how, following the defeat of Napoleon, the Congress of Vienna shaped an entire continent and why its reflection can still be seen in European geopolitics today. Editor Ryan Bridges explores US attitudes towards an integrated EU army. Dir. of Analysis Allison Fedirka discusses the implications of extensive government programs and support packages brought on by the global COVID-19 crisis. Go to www.geopoliticalfutures.com/podcast for more....
Jun 09, 2021•37 min•Transcript available on Metacast Chairman George Friedman explains why necessity is the mother of alliances for the US, Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines in the Pacific. Eurasia expert Ekaterina Zolotova helps us understand the commandeering of a plane over Belarus. Head of Analysis Allison Fedirka explores the future of Mercosur. Go to www.geopoliticalfutures.com/podcast for more.
May 26, 2021•36 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
