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United States
Russia
China
Iran
Ukraine
Israel
Donald Trump
Middle East
Saudi Arabia
Hamas
European Union
Geopolitical Futures
Turkey
Gaza
NATO
Venezuela
Taiwan
Us-China Relations
Hezbollah
Cuba

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 geopoliticalfutures.com/podcast for details.

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Latest Episodes

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 Russi... more

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... more

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 Mi... more

Is modern technology leading us toward a new geopolitical weapon? In this recent ClubGPF Live Discussion, Retired USCG Rear Admiral Doug Fears joins GPF Chairman George Friedman to discuss the evolution of information warfare, how state actors can ex... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Victoria Herczegh
Geopolitical Futures analyst and China expert
Geopolitical Futures
Episode: Xi Jinping's Military Gamble and a "Critical Moment" for US-China Relations
George Friedman
Geopolitical Futures chairman and founder
Geopolitical Futures
Episode: The Russians Must Decide
Hilal Khashan
Geopolitical Futures Senior Analyst, Professor
Geopolitical Futures
Episode: Hezbollah's End Game: Hilal Khashan Reporting from Lebanon
Antonia Colibasanu
Geopolitical analyst and commentator
Episode: Poland's Emerging Power | ClubGPF Podcast+ Bonus with Antonia Colibasanu
Ronan Wordsworth
Episode: AUKUS and the Indo-Pacific | ClubGPF Podcast+ Bonus with Ronan Wordsworth
Kamran Bokhari
Geopolitical analyst and expert on security and political dynamics
Geopolitical Futures
Episode: ISIS Threats and Hindu Nationalism in India | ClubGPF Podcast+ Bonus with Kamran Bokhari

Hosts

George Friedman
Chairman and founder, Geopolitical Futures; long-standing geopolitical forecaster.
Christian Smith
Host of the show; senior figure at Geopolitical Futures with broad coverage.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 285 ratings
  • Descriptor or determinist

    Friedman either says “everything is rational so the reason is X” or, when there are events he fails to explain he only describes them. This last year the show became a set of trivial statements about what happens. Very sad.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    mijg86
    United Statesa month ago
  • Iran’s 47yr Existential War of Choice

    We may not believe it, but the Iranian Theocracy believes that they have been at war with the US and Israel since 1979.

    Iran & their proxies have killed & wounded thousands of Americans, allied & Israeli troops and civilians. From the suicide bombing of the US Marine Corps & French Army barracks in Beirut, providing shaped charge IED to Iraqi Shia militants, through today.

    No matter what we think - on the Iranian government’s perspective, as long as they survive, their war with the US & Isra... more

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    another RJF
    United Statesa month ago
  • .

    Time to retire, Mr Friedman. The world has outgrown your ways of thinking.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    A.R.T.A.
    United States5 months ago
  • So arrogant

    Mr. Friedman seems to think he has some real insight, his assumptions that no one else thought of the obvious is quite amusing. He makes some bold statements and then follows it with “but I don’t have any intelligence” to back it up.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Da61ve
    United States6 months ago
  • Best geopolitics pod out there

    George, Christian and the team are top notch.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    benni942
    United States7 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Analyses are thoughtful and data-driven, though some listeners want more frequent episodes.
Audio quality has been a recurring concern for some listeners.
Guests and hosts are often seen as experts delivering substantial insights.
Fans appreciate the sober, realist perspective and long-range forecasting.
High-quality geopolitics content with deep historical context.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#180
India/News
Apple Podcasts
#211
Spain/News
Apple Podcasts
#212
South Korea/News
Apple Podcasts
#213
Netherlands/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

How the "Islamic NATO" Shifts Global Geopolitics
Q: How big a deal is this for the region and the world?
For the region, it creates a potential center of gravity around which security and policy decisions can be coordinated, while for the world it signals a realignment where major regional powers assume greater responsibility as the U.S. retrenches, potentially affecting neighbor states and great-power dynamics.
Xi Jinping's Military Gamble and a "Critical Moment" for US-China Relations
Q: What can we actually know about the PLA's capabilities given its recent reforms?
On paper the PLA is formidable technologically, but wartime performance is untested; history shows peacetime troops behave differently under fire, so real effectiveness will depend on how leaders adapt under combat conditions and whether new commanders maintain the balance between loyalty and critical military judgment.
Xi Jinping's Military Gamble and a "Critical Moment" for US-China Relations
Q: What do you expect out of Xi's upcoming meeting with the US in Washington?
Both nations need to avoid a hostile military posture and aim for an accommodation that maintains economic ties while reducing the risk of war; the summit could establish a new model where cooperation coexists with rivalry, though it may not yield an immediate agreement.
The US-Iran "Gut Check" and the Future of European Defense
Q: What is the future of NATO in the long term, especially regarding Article 5 and collective defense?
Article 5 will likely persist, but its practical meaning will evolve as Europe builds its own capable defense while the US recalibrates its commitments, potentially reducing direct troop presence but maintaining strategic alliance under new terms.
The US-Iran "Gut Check" and the Future of European Defense
Q: What would make you think that the situation has changed? What would you look out for in that situation?
The indicators would be a shift toward mass bombardment or other escalatory moves from the US, countered by Iranian responses that demonstrate a genuine commitment to a broader, sustained conflict, rather than isolated strikes.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Talking Geopolitics

What is Talking Geopolitics about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A thoughtful, idea-driven show examining geopolitics, security, and global power shifts through long-range forecasting and strategic analysis. Episodes frequently cover US–China dynamics, Middle East alignments, European security, and the evolving role of technology and economic tools in geopolitics. Notable traits include in-depth interviews with Geopolitical Futures experts, a focus on long-term trends, and a penchant for historical analogies to illuminate current events. The format tends to blend rigorous analysis with accessible explanations, making it useful for listeners who want a disciplined, broad-sweep understanding of international affairs and potential futures. Potential listeners who want to sponsor or guest on a show with seri... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Talking Geopolitics?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Talking Geopolitics:

1. Decoding Geopolitics Podcast with Dominik Presl
2. GZERO World with Ian Bremmer
3. The Foreign Affairs Interview
4. Geopolitics Decanted with Dmitri Alperovitch
5. Asia Geopolitics

How many episodes of Talking Geopolitics are there?

Talking Geopolitics launched 10 years ago and published 100 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Talking Geopolitics?

Recent guests on Talking Geopolitics include:

1. Victoria Herczegh
2. George Friedman
3. Hilal Khashan
4. Antonia Colibasanu
5. Ronan Wordsworth
6. Kamran Bokhari

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