Talking Geopolitics is a non-partisan podcast that analyzes the forces that drive a nations behavior and predict what's next.

Brought to you by Geopolitical Futures and internationally recognized geopolitical forecaster George Friedman.

The Evolution of the Iran War

FREE
The US-Israeli war with Iran has no end in sight as strikes on both sides continue. With Iran’s capitulation failing to materialize and the IRGC’s true strength revealed, the conflict is in a state of evolution. On this episode of Talking Geopolitics, GPF Chairman George Friedman joins host Christian Smith to discuss shifting US war aims, the rising price of oil as the Strait of Hormuz remains a critical chokepoint, and just how long this all might last.

Hezbollah’s End Game: Hilal Khashan Reporting from Lebanon

FREE
As war rages in the Middle East, the future of Iran remains an open question. The same can be said for Lebanon, where exchanges of fire between Hezbollah and Israel have been taking place for more than a week. On this episode of Talking Geopolitics, host Christian Smith is joined by Senior Analyst Hilal Khashan for a ground-level perspective on the escalating conflict in Lebanon, and to explore the broader regional impacts of the Iran war.

George Friedman on America’s Real Iran Goals: Regime Change or Regional Reset?

FREE
The ongoing US-Israeli strikes on Iran, which began over the weekend, come after a protracted period of tension, negotiations and military build-up. Tehran has now said it will attack U.S. assets in the region in response to the U.S. and Israeli strikes, which killed several top Iranian officials and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. So why, in a world where the U.S. is trying to withdraw from anything outside the Western Hemisphere, does the U.S. still care about Iran? Talking Geopolitics host Christian Smith is joined by GPF Chairman George Friedman to discuss how we got here, intelligence failures, and the future of the Iranian regime, which could look quite different or remain just a new version of the same.

Podcast Comments

Thank you for listening to Geopolitical Futures’ podcast series Talking Geopolitics. We’d love to hear from you. Please leave us your feedback, let us know what you'd like to hear more of, or ask us a question. Your comment may be selected for a future episode.

    The War is Evolving: George Friedman on Miscalculations in Iran

    FREE
    The US-Israeli war with Iran has no end in sight as strikes on both sides continue. With Iran’s capitulation failing to materialize and the IRGC’s true strength revealed, the conflict is in a state of evolution. On this episode of Talking Geopolitics, GPF Chairman George Friedman joins host Christian Smith to discuss shifting US war aims, the rising price of oil as the Strait of Hormuz remains a critical chokepoint, and just how long this all might last.

    The Battle for Lebanon’s Future

    FREE
    As war rages in the Middle East, the future of Iran remains an open question. The same can be said for Lebanon, where exchanges of fire between Hezbollah and Israel have been taking place for more than a week. On this episode of Talking Geopolitics, host Christian Smith is joined by Senior Analyst Hilal Khashan for a ground-level perspective on the escalating conflict in Lebanon, and to explore the broader regional impacts of the Iran war.

    George Friedman on America’s Real Iran Goals: Regime Change or Regional Reset?

    FREE
    The ongoing US-Israeli strikes on Iran, which began over the weekend, come after a protracted period of tension, negotiations and military build-up. Tehran has now said it will attack U.S. assets in the region in response to the U.S. and Israeli strikes, which killed several top Iranian officials and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. So why, in a world where the U.S. is trying to withdraw from anything outside the Western Hemisphere, does the U.S. still care about Iran? Talking Geopolitics host Christian Smith is joined by GPF Chairman George Friedman to discuss how we got here, intelligence failures, and the future of the Iranian regime, which could look quite different or remain just a new version of the same.

    Stay up to Date with our Latest Podcasts & Videos

    Our Content

    As a Geopolitical Futures subscriber, you’ll receive regular updates on what’s important today and what’s to come in the future. This includes real-time Briefs on the world’s most pressing geopolitical events, daily in-depth Analysis from our global team of analysts, and a concise Daily Memo to give you exactly what is geopolitically important today.

    FREE Featured Content

    Geopolitics, War and Iran

    FREE
    In 1940, the United States placed Japan in a difficult position. Japan was a...

    Cuba’s Energy Crisis

    FREE
    (click to enlarge) Cuba's energy crisis has been going on for years but is now...

    Podcast: Talking Geopolitics

     Subscriber-only Analysis 

    Daily Memo: Belarusian Fertilizers, US-Japan Relations

    Belarusian rapprochement. The U.S. will remove sanctions on two key Belarusian fertilizer producers amid...

    Conditions for US-Russia Rapprochement Fall Into Place

    Seven months after the historic Alaska summit between Russia and the United States, the...

    George Friedman

    Geopolitics, War and Iran

    FREE
    In 1940, the United States placed Japan in a difficult position. Japan was a country with very limited resources....

    George Answers Your Questions: A Summary of the Iran War, So Far


    A Summary of the Iran War, So Far March 11, 2026 Question: Is your first option effectively the so-called mowing the...

    Premium Membership - ClubGPF

    Join ClubGPF to engage in our interactive community. Enjoy viewing and participating in live discussion seminars, listening to our Club-only Podcast+, as well as discussion forums, videos, maps & more!

    Understand the Issues That Are Shaping the World's Future

    Choose your membership

    GPF Monthly SUBSCRIPTION

    $ 9 /yr
    then $9 every month
     
    • Access to all content
    • Daily Geopolitical Analysis
    • Annual Geopolitical Forecast
    • Forecast Insights

      PLUS
      America In Transition
      The Geopolitics of the American President
      PDF download immediately after purchase

    SPECIAL

    GPF Annual SUBSCRIPTION

    $ 59 /yr
    then $79 annually
     
    • Access to all content
    • Daily Geopolitical Analysis
    • Annual Geopolitical Forecast
    • Forecast Insights

      PLUS
      America In Transition
      The Geopolitics of the American President
      PDF download immediately after purchase

    Club Member

    $ 299 /yr

    Club Membership +
    Subscription

    • Access to all content
    • Daily Geopolitical Analysis
    • Annual Geopolitical Forecast
    • Forecast Insights
    • Special Report:
      The World Explained in Maps
      Club Member Perks
    • Video discussions
      With George and GPF analysts
    • Access to Discussion Salon
      Discuss and debate Geopolitics with the ClubGPF community
    • Access to Video Salon
      View exclusive videos and recorded video discussions
    • Other exclusive content
      Includes Podcasts+ and a Map room

    Why do our subscribers love us? Take it from them:

    I cannot express just how much I value the work that you guys do. My subscription will be ongoing—many thanks.

    P.J., Auckland, NZ

    For the past few years I have found your firms daily updates, supplemented by your personal analyses to be invaluable. The opportunity to learn about our world is a gift. Thank you, for your information, and more importantly for your insights.

    P.B., Santa Rosa, CA