Talking Geopolitics

George Friedman, founder of Geopolitical Futures and a renowned geopolitical analyst, joins to discuss the escalating tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela. He explores the implications of the Monroe Doctrine and why it remains relevant today. Friedman highlights the threats posed by cartels and Russian influence in the region, emphasizing how geography and sea power shape U.S. security. The conversation also touches on potential U.S. military actions and the psychological dynamic reminiscent of Cold War strategies.

George Friedman, Chairman of Geopolitical Futures and a renowned geopolitical forecaster, shares his insights on America's current crises and the broader cycles shaping its future. He discusses the inevitable shift away from the Cold War-era global economy and the impact of the US-China trade tensions. Friedman examines the 80-year government cycle and the ongoing culture war, arguing that Trump's role reflects deeper societal changes. He emphasizes the need for the US to limit its global exposure while navigating the tumultuous landscape of domestic reinvention.

Two years ago this week, Hamas' October 7 attacks stunned Israel and the world. And now for the first time there is palpable excitement that the war in Gaza may be on the path to an end. The first part of Donald Trump's Gaza peace plan seems to have been agreed by Israel and Hamas, though the plan still faces many hurdles. Geopolitical Futures Chairman and Founder George Friedman has joined host Christian Smith on this week's episode of Talking Geopolitics to discuss how we got here, whether the plan will work and also why the Gulf states are so important to the plan's success. This interview was recorded on Thursday, October 9th 2025. Visit http://www.geopoliticalfutures.com for world-class geopolitical analysis and discussion.

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.