GPF Team

The European Union is struggling to find its way, Russia is in a state of flux, and Turkey is getting dragged deeper into the Syrian conflict. These are developments that indirectly shape the global order because of the size and power of the countries involved. But there is one part of the world that does not have the luxury of being shaped indirectly: the Balkans. This mountainous region’s unique geography has consigned it to a troubled place in history, as much because of the ambitions and machinations of outside powers as because of its own fractiousness.

Developments in the region are rarely internal affairs.

Troop movements in Syria, China cancels public-private projects, India and Vietnam ink defense deals with Russia

Can New Zealand balance between world powers? Is a U.S.-China trade war imminent? What’s the latest on the North Korea nuclear crisis? George Friedman answers these questions and more on News Talk with Leighton Smith.