RANE Podcast Series

With its close proximity to major regional conflicts, artificial borders dictated by imperial politics instead of geography, limited natural resources and a swelling refugee population, we sit down to discuss the geopolitics of Jordan in this episode of the Stratfor Podcast. Stratfor analysts Emily Hawthorne and Mark Fleming-Williams take close look at Jordan’s rich history, incredible success maintaining a stable government and both the economic challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for this Middle East kingdom. Read our latest analysis on this topic and more at Stratfor Worldview. If you’re not already a Worldview member, you can subscribe today at: https://worldview.stratfor.com/subscribe

On March 18, Russians re-elected Vladimir Putin as president. Beyond questions of whether the elections were fair or if opposition candidates were allowed the opportunity to campaign in earnest, the interesting question for Stratfor analysts is what comes next. With a stagnant economy, rising poverty, ongoing sanctions and a highly divisive political climate, Russia faces a wide range of challenges over the next six years, not the least of which is the question of who could follow Putin as Russia’s next leader. To discuss those challenges and more, we sit down with Stratfor Senior Eurasia Analysts Lauren Goodrich and Eugene Chausovsky for the latest edition of the Stratfor Podcast.

When Stratfor analysts work to understand the constraints and compulsions of nations, they always begin with geography. It’s at the core of our unique methodology, grounded in the practice of applied geopolitics, that shapes how we view the world. In this episode of the podcast, we explore the geopolitics of Spain and the primary geographic challenges that come from within its own borders. From the invasion of the Moors to the secessionist movement in Catalonia, Stratfor analysts Mark Fleming-Williams and Emily Hawthorne discuss the history of constraints facing this southern European nation, how it has responded throughout time and what new opportunities the future holds for Spain.

New York Times Bestselling Author Ronen Bergman sits down with Stratfor Chief Security Officer Fred Burton in this episode of the Stratfor Podcast to discuss his latest book, Rise and Kill First: The Secret History of Israel’s Targeted Assassinations. Bergman’s book, described as the first definitive history of the Mossad, Shin Bet and the Israel Defense Forces’ targeted killing programs, is the result of seven years of research and over a thousand interviews with the people responsible for leading and carrying out those programs.

From parental leave and women in the workforce to the economic fate of nations, we mark International Women’s Day in this episode of the Stratfor Podcast with a discussion on women and geopolitics. Stratfor Vice President of Global Analysis Reva Goujon sits down with Senior Science and Technology Analyst Rebecca Keller and Middle East and North Africa Analyst Emily Hawthorne to examine the evolving social, economic, cultural and political roles women play around the world today as well as ongoing challenges they face.  

North Korea held its annual military parade a day before the opening of the 2018 Winter Olympics just 40 miles from its border with South Korea. While the timing was no surprise, in this episode of the podcast we take a closer look at the messages Pyongyang meant to send as well some of the hardware they chose to put on display. We also dive into renewed discussions about reviving military parades in the United States, how they’re used as a projection of power and why the United States moved away from them in the past with Stratfor Vice President of Strategic Analysis Rodger Baker and Asia-Pacific Analyst Evan Rees.

Forecasting global trends and developments can prove challenging even when you have the best information available. Stratfor leverages the study of applied geopolitics, tools of intelligence analysis and public report cards on our work to constantly improve our forecasting process. The team at Good Judgment Inc. seeks to directly quantify their forecasts with numerical probability assessments.   In this episode of the Stratfor Podcast, we’re joined by Good Judgment’s Philip Tetlock and Warren Hatch as well as Stratfor’s Rodger Baker and Mark Fleming-Williams to explore how qualitative insight and quantitative rigor can be applied in unison to improve forecasting of global developments. This is part of a larger collaboration between Stratfor and Good Judgment as we explore the future of European integration.  

One of the executive security risks Stratfor continues to track closely is the kidnapping threat to high net worth individuals and their families. In this episode of the podcast, we turn back the clock to the 1960s and take a look at the high-profile kidnapping of brewing empire heir Adolph Coors III. Stratfor Chief Security Officer Fred Burton sits down with author Philip Jett to discuss his book, The Death of an Heir: Adolph Coors III and the Murder That Rocked an American Brewing Dynasty.

As South Korea prepares to host the 2018 Winter Olympics just a short drive from its border with North Korea, we sit down to discuss security at the games in this episode of the podcast. From heightened political tension with North Korea to the ongoing security threats facing every iteration of the games, Stratfor Chief Security Office Fred Burton shares his experience working security at the Olympics during his time with the U.S. Diplomatic Security Service. He’s joined by Stratfor Worldview Contributor Austin Duckworth, a doctoral student in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Education at The University of Texas at Austin. Duckworth’s work focuses on the intersection of security, international politics and sports.

Stratfor’s model of applied geopolitics always starts with geography. We look at how mountains, plains, rivers and mineral resources constrain a nation’s political, security and economic imperatives. In this episode of the Stratfor Podcast, we explore the increasing implications of water scarcity around the globe. Stratfor South Asia Analyst Faisel Pervaiz and Senior Science and Technology Analyst Rebecca Keller explore the nature of water scarcity and the challenge it poses to domestic and foreign policy with a particular eye toward India, Pakistan and the Indus Water Treaty of 1960.