Stratfor Daily Podcast

G7, G20 Act - But Eroding Asset Values Signal Bumpty Times Ahead

cchapman — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 01:55:05 -0500

The crisis in the financial system has become an economic problem - for while the authorities move to quell the banking crisis, asset values have been falling, making it riskier to lend.

Black Friday: The Perspective of Galbraith and Friedman

cchapman — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 03:55:37 -0500

Black Friday after a bad week. The Dow is now 40 percent below last year’s peaks, the NASDAQ has lost 60 percent. In Tokyo, the Nikkei lost 10 percent Oct. 10 in just one session, Europe fares not much better. Confidence is shot. The next roll of the dice will be weekend meetings in Washington of the G7, G20, and the IMF’s policymaking committee of finance ministers and central bankers. But, says Colin Chapman, let’s look at events in the perspective of John K. Galbraith and George Friedman.

New Elections and a Battle for Ukraine's Soul

dialDC — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 08:10:19 -0500

The political divorce of Ukraine’s president and prime minister appears final, as the Rada is dissolved and new elections are set for December. Pro-Western President Viktor Yushchenko’s future seems doubtful — but Russia’s star is on the rise in Kiev.

Assessing the Russian Economy

dialDC — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 12:59:55 -0500

Like others around the world, Russia’s financial markets have been roiled in recent weeks by volatility and the global credit crisis — which began to unfold soon after Russia asserted itself more powerfully on the global stage. In this interview, senior analyst Peter Zeihan discusses the strengths and risks of Russia’s economy and what it all means against the broader geopolitical backdrop.

Economy: Fighting Financial Contagion

dialDC — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 07:57:52 -0500

Structural challenges in Europe and economic nationalism in Asia rise to the fore as world leaders struggle to contain damages from the unfolding financial crisis.

Market Capitalism Will Survive, But Bankers Have Lost Power

cchapman — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 04:18:39 -0500

The world’s financial problems are not yet solved, but European talk of the death of American-style capitalism is premature. Bankers, however, have lost the power they have used over the past two decades, argues Colin Chapman.

While West Examines Balance Sheets, Russia Courts Merkel - and Europe

cchapman — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 04:48:23 -0500

While world bankers and treasurers worry about the slowing economy and financial sector solvency, Europe is distracted by a new proposal from Moscow that would threaten the NATO alliance — already under pressure in several quarters.

Economy: All Eyes on Congress as Ripples Prompt Reactions

dialDC — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 08:19:08 -0500

Coverage of the global financial crisis continues with a look at reactions and strategies in Europe, Asia and Russia, while the Bush administration’s bailout package returns to the House for a fresh vote.

McCain or Obama: Who Cuts the Mustard on Foreign Policy?

cchapman — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 02:20:03 -0500

Come 2009, what will be the foreign policy challenges facing the next president? And be it Barack Obama or John McCain, who is best equipped to deal with them? What conclusions can be drawn from the recent U.S. foreign policy debate — overshadowed as it was by financial crisis? Colin Chapman discusses this with Stratfor founder Dr. George Friedman, whose seminal four-part series examining policy issues can be read at www.stratfor.com.

Congressmen Count Costs of Vote as Markets Head South

cchapman — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 05:35:18 -0500

EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson says Capitol Hill has “taken leave of its senses.” But as governments bail out more banks, the pressure is on U.S. congressmen to reconsider a decision that brings recession closer. Colin Chapman talks to Dr. George Friedman, Stratfor’s founder, on the issue.

Bailout Package Signals End of the Beginning

cchapman — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 04:46:12 -0500

Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson’s $700 billion bailout package to Congress signals the end of the beginning, but there are still tough times ahead, with Europe potentially facing a bigger downturn than the United States, argues Colin Chapman, who also says China is clearly not immune.

Iran: Geopolitics in Current Issues

dialDC — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 23:59:55 -0500

Concluding a special series of podcasts, Stratfor’s Middle East director, Kamran Bokhari, discusses how Iran’s geography shapes its economy, security policies and U.S. options in dealing with Tehran.

Understanding Iran

dialDC — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 23:59:55 -0500

A new segment in Stratfor’s podcast series on the science and application of geopolitical principles opens with a look at Iran. Marla Dial narrates.

China: Geopolitics in Economic Priorities

dialDC — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 23:59:55 -0500

Rounding out a three-part discussion of China and its geopolitical imperatives, senior analyst Rodger Baker and Marla Dial focus on China’s economic challenges and factors influencing Beijing’s policy decisions.

China: Geopolitics in Security Strategies

dialDC — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 23:59:55 -0500

The second installment of a special podcast series on China’s geopolitics continues, as senior analyst Rodger Baker examines Beijing’s current security challenges and military policies.

Understanding China

dialDC — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 23:59:50 -0500

Stratfor continues a special series examining the geopolitical underpinnings of key world powers. Today, Marla Dial discusses the impact of China’s geography on its social and economic systems.

Israel: Geopolitics in Current Issues

dialDC — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 23:59:55 -0500

In the second installment of a new podcast series, Stratfor founder and CEO Dr. George Friedman discusses domestic Israeli politics, the outlook for a peace deal with Syria and the emergence of new challenges involving foreign powers.

Understanding Israel

dialDC — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 23:59:55 -0500

In the first installment of a new podcast series examining the geopolitical underpinnings of key world powers, Marla Dial narrates a study on Israel’s geography — and how it has shaped the security and politics of its people for millennia.

Risk of stalemate in Zimbabwe

cchapman — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 02:20:43 -0500

The deal struck with Zimbabwe’s opposition and president Robert Mugabe may stop the killing, but it may not solve the country’s problems. Colin Chapman reports that the risk is a stalemate. with only a very slow recovery to the wrecked economy.

High noon on Wall Street: kill or cure?

sstringer — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 10:51:56 -0500

Despite the long faces in Wall Street and at London’s Canary Wharf, the world has not come to an end. Colin Chapman discusses the malaise on Wall Street with Dr George Friedman, Stratfor’s founder.

Mugged investors may be slow to return to the risks of Russia

cchapman — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 05:46:33 -0500

International investors have pulled huge sums out of Russia with the market tumbling 50 per cent from its May peaks. Russia’s prime minister, Vladimir Putin, may seek to staunch the gap from wealth funds- but, reports Colin Chapman, mugged investors rhave delivered a bigger blow to the Kremlin the NATO and the EU.

Oil Prices Falter, But Russia Knocks on OPEC's Door

cchapman — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 19:45:22 -0500

Despite OPEC cutting output, despite some Texas refineries being shut and production platforms in the Gulf of Mexico being evacuated as a precaution against the onset of Hurricane Ike, oil prices declined again — an indication it will take more than bad weather and the hawks to get a barrel of crude back above the $100 mark. But Russia is now seeking a deal with OPEC. Colin Chapman reports.

War, and Rumors of War

dialDC — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 07:57:26 -0500

U.S. officials have outlined a possible new military strategy in the Afghanistan-Pakistan border region. Meanwhile, Bolivia’s political conflict is tipping toward a new crisis threshold, and Russia sends yet another signal to the United States about protecting its spheres of influence.

Russia and Israel, in the Wake of a War

dialDC — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 07:56:36 -0500

The cancellation of an Israeli leader’s trip to Moscow brings Israel’s domestic, regional and global politics to the fore. With a party election on the horizon and regional peace talks on hold, will a newly ambitious Russia find a strategic opening in the Middle East?

Pakistan: A New President, and Challenges Aplenty

dialDC — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 08:00:07 -0500

Pakistan has a new president — Asif Ali Zardari, of the PPP — and no shortage of challenges awaiting his attention. Stratfor examines the latest U.S. air strike, Islamabad’s “Taliban management” policy and its role in the wider region.