Talking Geopolitics

Kamran Bokhari, a geopolitical expert and senior director at the New Lines Institute, dives into Turkey's potential as a major Middle Eastern power. He discusses George Friedman's predictions, highlighting Turkey's strategic opportunities amid regional instability. Bokhari explores Turkey's influence in Gaza, the emergence of Saudi Arabia as a competitor, and how weakened regional players benefit Turkey. He also addresses economic constraints, military expansion, and historical rivalries with Saudi Arabia, painting a complex picture of Turkey's future on the global stage.

Join George Friedman, founder of Geopolitical Futures and a seasoned geopolitical forecaster, as he delves into Putin's provocative airspace violations and their implications for NATO and Ukraine negotiations. Friedman argues these actions are strategic attempts to pressure NATO while revealing Russia's military weaknesses. He also discusses Poland's rise to power, shaped by its geography and historical role as a buffer state. With insight into Poland's military evolution and its strategic partnership with the U.S., Friedman outlines its potential role in negotiating peace in Ukraine.

In this insightful discussion, Kamran Bokhari, a GPF contributor and expert in geopolitical trends, delves into Israel's evolving strategy in the Middle East. He highlights significant geopolitical shifts, including regional threats and Israel’s military responses post-October 7th. Bokhari elaborates on Israel's use of buffer zones in southern Syria, particularly the Golan Heights, and how these moves are reshaping Israeli-Syrian relations amidst external pressures from Turkey and Saudi Arabia. His predictions on future regional dynamics are both thought-provoking and eye-opening.

George Friedman, Founder and Chairman of Geopolitical Futures, delves into Israel's unprecedented military action against Hamas leaders in Qatar. He explores Prime Minister Netanyahu's motivations behind this bold move and its significance for U.S.-Israeli relations. Friedman discusses the complexities of U.S. involvement, the impact on regional dynamics, and Israel's intelligence failures post-October 7th. He highlights how this offensive could reshape Hamas and further complicate diplomacy in the Middle East.

Over the weekend, the leaders of countries like China, Russia, India and Pakistan arrived in Tianjin, China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit. Meanwhile, on Tuesday, Chinese President Xi Jinping was joined by Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un for a victory parade celebrating the end of the Second World War in Tiananmen Square. As Xi spoke of nothing less than creating a new global security and economic order, while U.S. President Trump claimed that the trio were conspiring against America, what are the real takeaways from such high-profile events? Shifts away from the U.S. are nothing new, but in this rapidly changing world, could this be different? GPF Chairman George Friedman joined Talking Geopolitics host Christian Smith to discuss it all, as well as how India factors into the equation. Visit http://www.geopoliticalfutures.com for world-class geopolitical analysis and discussion.   *Note: In reference to China GDP data mentioned in this episode, China's growth rate is a little below 4% whereas at its highest point it was 15%.

George Friedman, Chairman and founder of Geopolitical Futures, is an internationally recognized geopolitical forecaster. In this discussion, he analyzes Trump's bold decision to impose tariffs on India, exploring its implications for U.S.-India relations and the strategic maneuvering against China. Friedman delves into the hypocrisy of U.S. foreign policy and the broader geopolitical game at play, linking tariffs to shifting alliances and military investments. He unpacks the unpredictability of U.S. strategies and their profound impact on global dynamics.

George Friedman, an internationally recognized geopolitical forecaster and founder of Geopolitical Futures, delves into U.S. naval readiness and its implications for future conflicts. He discusses the evolution of U.S. military strategy from land-based engagements to potential naval confrontations. Friedman emphasizes the importance of maintaining dominance in the Atlantic theatre, as rising tensions in the Eastern Hemisphere may challenge that supremacy. Will the fleet face a major war in the next decade? His insights provide a thought-provoking analysis.

A long-awaited meeting between Presidents Trump and Putin is slated for this Friday in Alaska. The summit, which comes after three and a half years of war in Ukraine, was announced last Friday after President Trump said that he was going to impose 50 percent tariffs on India. Excitement and trepidation in political circles across the US and Europe is making this feel like a big moment. But is it? Do we actually expect anything to come from this when the two sides appear so far apart? Chairman and Founder of Geopolitical Futures George Friedman joins host Christian Smith to discuss the significance of and potential for the forthcoming meeting. Visit http://www.geopoliticalfutures.com for world-class geopolitical analysis and discussion.

Last week, the U.S. Treasury sanctioned the Venezuelan group the Cartel de los Soles as a terrorist organization. President Trump has long considered the cartels to be terrorists and has made their destruction a key policy of his administration. The cartels export of drugs to the U.S. is having a devastating impact on parts of the country. In our new episode of Talking Geopolitics, join GPF Chairman George Friedman and host Christian Smith as they ask whether the cartels can they really be “destroyed,” and why this all has become a geopolitical issue? Visit http://www.geopoliticalfutures.com for world-class geopolitical analysis and discussion.

Before he was elected for his second presidential term, Donald Trump promised to end the Ukraine war in one day. Last week, Trump gave Vladimir Putin a 50-day deadline to come to a peace deal on Ukraine before more sanctions will kick in on Russia and anyone who trades with Russia. In a recent live discussion with our Charter ClubGPF members, GPF Chairman George Friedman broke down what 'winning' actually means in the context of the war, Putin's threat of tactical nuclear weapons, and how Europe is preparing for the worst. Visit http://www.geopoliticalfutures.com for world-class geopolitical analysis and discussion.