An Israeli-Syrian peace deal and a U.S.-Iranian deal over Iraq are within sight. These developments suggest the Cold War interregnum is coming to a close and a new era is dawning. [more]
The U.N. Security Council voted Jan. 15 to extend the mandate of the U.N. peacekeepers in Cote d'Ivoire. Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo might see this as an opportunity to hold a presidential election. [more]
A strike by Cote d'Ivoire's Coffee and Cocoa Exchange -- timed to coincide with the country's cocoa harvest season -- is aimed at giving the group negotiating leverage for better pay and work conditions. [more]
Even if the newest plan to disarm and reintegrate Cote d'Ivoire's New Forces rebel group is successful, other tensions will remain until the southern-based government addresses the core issue of national identity. [more]
"The Saudis are not unhappy to see lower oil prices squeezing Iran," says George Friedman, chief executive of the Austin, Tex. intelligence outfit Stratfor. "They just don't want prices to get low enough that it forces Iran to do something crazy."
Forbes.com November 6, 2008
What is Geopolitics?
Stratfor CEO Dr. George Friedman explains the meaning of geopolitics and how viewing world events through a geopolitical prism is at the very heart of the intelligence and insight only Stratfor provides.
Out of the Shadows
Stratfor vice president for counterterrorism and corporate security Fred Burton discusses his best-selling book, an autobiography of a career spent hunting terrorists and protecting national security.