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 Indian government cannot just let this pass. … The two answers they can give are: 'We screwed up' or 'The Pakistanis did it,'" said George Friedman, CEO of Stratfor, an Austin-based private intelligence company.
USA Today November 30, 2008
"Previously, their aim was 'to incite communal strife between Hindus and Muslims,' said Reva Bhalla, director of geopolitical analysis at Stratfor, a private intelligence company in Austin, Texas. The latest attacks were aimed at 'spreading fear to Western tourists and businesspeople, hitting at India’s economic lifelines.'"
Bloomberg November 27, 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.