Podcast

How did Russia prepare for round after round of sanctions from the West, and to a certain extent evade their impacts, following its invasion of Ukraine over one year ago? Antonia Colibasanu joins John Batchelor to discuss the history of Russian sanctions going back to its annexation of Crimea in 2014, and what the future holds for the Russian economy.

In George Friedman's 2009 book The Next 100 Years, he predicted that Poland, Turkey, and Japan would become rising middle powers. He joins John Batchelor to discuss Poland's rise and the factors that contribute to its strength and success. And in the second segment, the Philippines and its unique challenges and potential on the opposite end of Eurasia.

What did Victory Day represent in the days of WWII and what does it represent today as Russia continues its war in Ukraine? George Friedman joins John Batchelor as Moscow prepares for its annual Victory Day celebrations, marking the Soviet Union’s defeat of Nazi Germany in 1945.

Our world is fraying at the edges, beginning in the European borderlands, potentially stretching into Asia. Antonia Colibasanu joins John Batchelor to discuss the importance of these regions, and the most critical geopolitical nodes of the Black Sea and South China Sea, where the U.S., Russia and China contend for influence.

How have ties between Belarus and Russia evolved over time, and how has the complex relationship between Presidents Lukashenko and Putin shifted, especially throughout the war in Ukraine? Moscow-based analyst Ekaterina Zolotova joins John Batchelor for a discussion of the ways the two leaders and their countries are unified and where they are divided.

How will the European Central Bank keep banks stable and keep inflation in check, considering the variety of banks that exist in the Eurozone? Antonia Colibasanu joins John Batchelor to discuss the current situation in Europe's banking sector and how both the war in Ukraine and the COVID-19 pandemic have altered the way it functions.

What are the geopolitical impacts of natural disasters? On this free preview of our ClubGPF podcast+, Dir. of Analysis Allison Fedirka and COO Antonia Colibasanu join host Christian Smith to discuss the recent earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, last year’s flooding in Pakistan, and the ongoing drought in Argentina.

Russian President Vladimir Putin recently canceled a 2012 foreign policy decree that committed Moscow to peacefully resolving the border crisis of Transnistria, in eastern Moldova. This further raises concerns that Russia could escalate the situation and advance on Moldova. Antonia Colibasanu joins John Batchelor to discuss the latest in the Ukraine conflict and the potential for further military operations in Moldova.

Moldova has made headlines after closing its airspace for several hours following the threat of an unmanned aircraft. Antonia Colibasanu joins John Batchelor to break down the move and Moldova's importance in the region. Also, how is the Turkish government managing the aftermath of the devastating earthquakes?

Growing trade between Iran and Russia will necessitate investment in new transport networks and the cooperation of a key emerging market: India. Antonia Colibasanu joins John Batchelor to discuss the importance of India and the corridor connecting markets across Eurasia by ship, rail and road. In the second segment, a discussion on the Kremlin's credible threats toward Moldova.

As GPF Chairman George Friedman explains, there are two armies fighting for Russia in its war in Ukraine: one under the command of General Gerasimov, and the other under the command of The Wagner Group. He joins John Batchelor for the latest on the war, and in the second segment, a discussion of the top geopolitical developments to look for in 2023.

Water is so fundamental to geopolitics that it is often overlooked. Antonia Colibasanu joins John Batchelor to discuss this finite resource, and how many countries like China, Pakistan, and Iran will need to take measures in the coming year to prevent crises. In the second segment, updates on Russia's invasion of Ukraine as the 101st Airborne is deployed into Constanța.