Podcast
Talking Geopolitics
Hosted by Geopolitical Futures - Geopolitics from George Friedman and his team at GPF · EN
A non-partisan podcast brought to you by Geopolitical Futures, an online publication founded by internationally recognized geopolitical forecaster George Friedman. Geopolitical Futures tells you what matters in international affairs and what doesn't. Go to https://geopoliticalfutures.com/podcast for details.
11episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
India & The New Anti-China Coalition
3d ago00:33:39Summary readyWhat does Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to Australia, New Zealand, and Indonesia mean for India, China, and the rest of the Indo-Pacific? On this episode of Talking Geopolitics, GPF Chairman George Friedman joins host Christian Smith to discuss how Modi's tour signals a strategic pivot for India, how geography and common security interests can be leveraged to buffer China, and what this loose anti-China framework means for the broader geopolitical system. Also: Chinese countermoves. Pakistan looks west. Episode recorded on July 14, 2026. Learn more about GeoEconomic Lens and access the first issue for free at https://geopoliticalfutures.com/lens/introducing-lens/. Learn more about GPF and subscribe to our free newsletter at http://www.geopoliticalfutures.com/gpf-newsletter.
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The US-Iran "Gut Check" and the Future of European Defense
1w ago00:35:01Summary readyThis week's NATO summit in Turkey left big questions about the war in Iran and America's role in European defense. On this episode of Talking Geopolitics, GPF Chairman George Friedman joins host Christian Smith to discuss the US-Iran ceasefire breakdown, NATO and the European collective defense dilemma, and Turkey's geopolitical rise and impact on the shifting realities in the region. Episode recorded on July 9, 2026. Learn more about GeoEconomic Lens and access the first issue for free at https://geopoliticalfutures.com/lens/introducing-lens/. Learn more about GPF and subscribe to our free newsletter at http://www.geopoliticalfutures.com/gpf-newsletter.
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The Russians Must Decide
3w ago00:34:51Summary readyWill a Russian energy crisis finally lead to a negotiated settlement, or are we headed towards nuclear war? On this episode of Talking Geopolitics, GPF Chairman George Friedman joins host Christian Smith to discuss Ukrainian target shifts toward energy infrastructure and their impact on Russia's already fragile economy, the impending political crisis inside the Kremlin, and the viability of Russia's potential next steps, including "tactical" nukes, Belarusian involvement, and fully mobilizing reserve forces. Episode recorded on June 29, 2026. Learn more about GeoEconomic Lens and access the first issue for free at https://geopoliticalfutures.com/lens/introducing-lens/. Learn more about GPF and subscribe to our free newsletter at http://www.geopoliticalfutures.com/gpf-newsletter.
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Why the US-Iran Deal Could End in Crisis
Jun 1800:41:39Summary readyIs the US-Iran agreement a real move toward peace or just a fragile memorandum? On this episode of Talking Geopolitics, GPF Chairman George Friedman joins host Christian Smith to discuss the "deal" and pause in hostilities, the shifting regional dynamics and military forces at play, and how each nation's internal political pressures could lead us straight back to war. Also: the advantage of defense; the US-Israel divide. Episode recorded on June 17, 2026. Learn more about GeoEconomic Lens and access the first issue for free at https://geopoliticalfutures.com/lens/introducing-lens/. Learn more about GPF and subscribe to our free newsletter at http://www.geopoliticalfutures.com/gpf-newsletter.
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D-Day and the Cycles of American Reinvention
Jun 1000:34:05Tap to summarizeThe US is divided at home and gridlocked abroad. Is the chaos a sign of decline or just the normal process of American progress? On this episode of Talking Geopolitics, GPF Chairman George Friedman joins host Christian Smith to discuss how underestimating the US led to D-Day, the myth of American decline, and how historical cycles can predict the process of US reinvention. Also: foreign policy shifts and competition with China. Learn more about GeoEconomic Lens and access the first issue for free at https://geopoliticalfutures.com/lens/introducing-lens/. Learn more about GPF and subscribe to our free newsletter at http://www.geopoliticalfutures.com/gpf-newsletter.
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US-Israel Alliance in Crisis: George Friedman Explains
Jun 400:38:02Tap to summarizeDoes Trump's tirade to Netanyahu signal the fracture of the historic alliance between the United States and Israel? On this episode of Talking Geopolitics, GPF Chairman George Friedman joins host Christian Smith to discuss the evolution of US-Israeli relations, their diverging interests in the Middle East, and how Israel's strategic burden spells trouble for regional accommodation. Also: Netanyahu's political future. Learn more about GeoEconomic Lens and access the first issue for free at https://geopoliticalfutures.com/lens/introducing-lens/. Learn more about GPF and subscribe to our free newsletter at http://www.geopoliticalfutures.com/gpf-newsletter.
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Crisis in Cuba: George Friedman on the Return of US Pressure
May 2200:32:26Tap to summarizeHistory echoes as the US increases pressure on Cuba once again. On this episode of Talking Geopolitics, GPF Chairman George Friedman joins host Christian Smith to discuss Cuba's unique place in American geopolitics, the cause and potential outcome of the current crisis, and how Cuba fits into the US's new Western Hemisphere strategy. Also: Cuban parallels to other island nations. Learn more about GeoEconomic Lens and access the first issue for free at https://geopoliticalfutures.com/lens/introducing-lens/. Learn more about GPF and subscribe to our free newsletter at http://www.geopoliticalfutures.com/gpf-newsletter.
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How These Economic Structures Shape World Power: Introducing GeoEconomic Lens
May 1400:16:22Tap to summarizeIs global power built on tanks and treaties, or trade and technology? Introducing your view of the global economy through the lens of geopolitics, GeoEconomic Lens. In this exclusive clip from ClubGPF's Podcast+, Senior Analyst and Chief GeoEconomist Antonia Colibasanu joins host Christian Smith for a primer on geoeconomics and the new offering, the vulnerabilities of global economic interdependence, and the distinction between static and dynamic power. Learn more about GeoEconomic Lens and get access to our inaugural issue for FREE, available now: https://geopoliticalfutures.com/lens/introducing-lens/
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The Week the New Global Reality Showed Itself
May 1200:36:43Tap to summarizeWith the US, Russia, China, and Europe all at strategic crossroads, the new global geopolitical order is starting to show itself. On this episode of Talking Geopolitics, GPF Chairman George Friedman joins host Christian Smith to discuss Russia's internal crises and strategic pivot, the upcoming summit and future of US-China rapprochement, and how Europe is critical not only to Russia's future but to the entire global system. This episode of Talking Geopolitics was recorded on May 11, 2026. Visit http://www.geopoliticalfutures.com/gpf-newsletter for a free download from our Special Collection on the Middle East.
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Why Putin's Call To Trump Signals Russia's Existential Crisis
May 500:34:22Tap to summarizeIs Putin looking to Trump for a lifeline? How does last week's phone call between the leaders actually signal Russian weakness? On this episode of Talking Geopolitics, GPF Chairman George Friedman joins host Christian Smith to discuss the geopolitical implications of the meeting, Russia's economic deterioration and internal instability, and what a post-Putin Russia might look like. Also: US troop withdrawals and shifting global alliances. Visit http://www.geopoliticalfutures.com/gpf-newsletter for a free download from our Special Collection on the Middle East.
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