Talking Geopolitics

It's a high-stakes week for global geopolitics and diplomacy.

On this episode of Talking Geopolitics, GPF Chairman George Friedman joins host Christian Smith for a broad discussion on the real-world impact of fiery UN debates, the future of European security and Russian provocation, and how global trade hangs in the balance ahead of the US-China summit in Washington.

Also: Iran War impacts and flashpoint Taiwan.

Episode recorded on September 23, 2026.

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Eighty years after World War II, the far right is rising again in Europe. Is their recent success a sign of a geopolitical shift?
On this episode of Talking Geopolitics, GPF Chairman George Friedman joins host Christian Smith to discuss the AfD's regional victory in Germany, how fading historical guilt and tensions over cultural identity serve as unifying populist forces, and how similar movements in France and Britain call back to pre-WWI national posturing. Also: NATO obsolescence, Eastern Europe, and Russia.
Episode recorded on September 10, 2026.
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It's been an interesting few days for US-Russia relations.
On this episode of Talking Geopolitics, GPF Chairman George Friedman joins host Christian Smith to discuss the CIA Director's trip to Moscow, the drone plot in Germany, and reports of Russia's help in an Iranian advanced weapons program. What does a threat assessment of Russia reveal about these tactical and diplomatic shifts? What are the impacts on European security, US-Russia relations, and future peace in Ukraine? Also: Nuclear deterrence and Cold War lessons.
Episode recorded on September 2, 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.

What does the transformation of the PLA mean for China's global position and strategy?

On this episode of Talking Geopolitics, GPF Chairman George Friedman and GPF analyst and China expert Victoria Herczegh join host Christian Smith to discuss how Xi Jinping's supreme desire for loyalty impacts the PLA's effectiveness, the operational risks of rapid technological modernization without critical evaluation, and what's next for US-China relations as signals of de-escalation appear ahead of next month's summit. Also: Taiwan's symbolic role.

Episode recorded on August 18, 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.

Is last week's signing of a landmark mutual defense agreement between Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan a further signal of global geopolitical realignment?

On this special extended episode of Talking Geopolitics, GPF Chairman George Friedman and Middle East expert and GPF contributor Kamran Bokhari join host Christian Smith for a deep dive into the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement and how it shifts the balance of power across the Middle East and beyond.

Also: GPF Chief Geoeconomist Antonia Colibasanu discusses this month's Geoeconomic Lens, and the future of sanctions and the war in Ukraine.

Dr. Bokhari is a Senior Resident Fellow with the Middle East Policy Council and a Senior Director at the New Lines Institute for Strategy & Policy in Washington, DC.

Episode recorded on August 11, 2026.

Learn more about GeoEconomic Lens and access the first issue for free at https://geopoliticalfutures.com/lens/introducing-lens/.