Stratfor Daily Podcast

The Chinese leadership is considering a proposal by the country’s Department of Agriculture to... [more]

Recent events in Somalia and Yemen have thrown a spotlight on the re-emergence of al Qaeda’s regional nodes. Senior security analyst Scott Stewart discusses the state of development and implications of jihadist power in this strategically important part of the world. [more]

Shortly before handing off power to new President Dmitry Medvedev, Vladimir Putin codified the Kremlin’s interest in key economic sectors. Analyst Peter Zeihan explains how the new law will affect foreign investors and maximize the power of the Russian state. [more]

China's president, Hu Jintao, arrives in Tokyo, presenting a friendly face and an end to rancor between his country and Japan. But the case of the bad dumplings may poison high expectations for the talks, Donna Kwok, Stratfor's East Asia analyst, tells Colin Chapman. [more]

A fresh corruption probe targeting Israel's prime minister carries geopolitical implications. [more]

There’s been quiet talk within NATO circles on whether to seek negotiations with some Taliban elements in Afghanistan. While direct, high-level talks involving NATO officials are unlikely, some are encouraging dialogue at the tactical level. Stratfor’s Middle East Director Kamran Bokhari explores the question with Marla Dial. [more]

Mexican troops and police are closely guarding a Tijuana hospital to prevent reprisals against eight alleged members of a drug gang hurt in recent clashes. About 900 people have been killed in drug-related violence in Mexico this year, about 200 of them in Tijuana.Colin Chapman talks to Fred Burton, Stratfor’s terrorism expert, on the uptick in violence. [more]

Another explosion near an embassy in Sanaa points toward the resurgence of an al Qaeda node, which may have all that’s required for an effective low-intensity campaign against the West. [more]

India’s government hosts Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for talks on a $7 billion gas pipeline project, deepening the difficulties Washington faces in its attempts to keep Iran isolated. Marla Dial reports. [more]

The Taliban’s audacious attack against Afghanistan’s president highlights the difficulties NATO faces in beating the jihadists. Geography and difficulties in obtaining cooperation from neighboring Pakistan and Iran will make life difficult for Gen. David Petraeus as CENTCOM chief - as America’s ally, Australia’s Kevin Rudd, acknowledges. Colin Chapman reports. [more]

Seeking to stifle at least one aspect of Olympics-related protests, China says it will hold talks with a representative of the Dalai Lama. Meanwhile, activist pressures on another front are set to grow. Marla Dial reports. [more]

There’s talk of a possible peace deal between Israel and Syria over the Golan Heights. Stratfor explores the questions of why such a peace deal, which would formally end their 1973 war, could make sense now — and how Iran is involved. [more]

Recent statements from al Qaeda's No. 2 man, Ayman al-Zawahiri, speak volumes about fear and loathing in the Middle East and the jihadist groups goal of playing spoiler in Iraq. Analyst Kamran Bokhari and Marla Dial explore. [more]

While oil demand — especially from China — grows, there are worries about supply, with issues emerging also about the long-term contribution of ethanol. [more]

South Africa’s High Court and waterfront unions refuse to allow a Chinese ship to unload its arms cargo for transshipment to Harare and Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe — defying South African President Thabo Mbeki. [more]

The global shortage of grains has reached a geopolitical tipping point, and governments around the world are taking action. Marla Dial reports. [more]

After months of political riots and lingering uncertainty ushered in by hotly contested election results, Kenya welcomes a new coalition government. But Zimbabwe, there are neither riots nor election results. [more]

Nationalism awakened, the Chinese diaspora is planning a series of pro-Beijing demonstrations in Europe and elsewhere -- but the show of support is at best a mixed blessing for the government of China. [more]

France uses food shortages and rising prices as a platform to rekindle EU agricultural subsidies. When it takes over the European presidency in July, France will put a new food program high on its agenda. [more]

The world’s finance ministers and central bankers agree on a World Bank proposal for emergency food aid to those hardest hit by soaring prices, and to 65 new proposals from the World Stability Forum. But they worry still about the U.S. economy and global inflation. [more]

A group of African leaders are meeting to try to sort out the mess in Zimbabwe, the Egyptian government carries on as as usual after the election boycotted by the Muslim Brotherhood, and in the high country of Nepal it looks as if the Maoists may have had a setback, but it's too early to say. And then on Sunday the Italians go to the polls. Colin Chapman reports on the shortage of real winners. [more]

Australia’s prime minister tells Chinese students, in Mandarin, of concerns over Tibet, repeats it to Premier Wen Jiabao, but gets no change….apart from a restarting of a free trade agreement and the promise of a dialogue on climate change. [more]

Is the West heading for stalemate or worse in Afghanistan? What about the mess in China? Is Iran near its end game? Stratfor’s founder and chief executive, Dr. George Friedman, talks to Colin Chapman as to whether the world will be a safer place in the next six months. [more]

Senior analyst Peter Zeihan discusses the outlook for the U.S. economy in the second quarter and beyond with Colin Chapman. [more]

U.S. President George W. Bush returns to Washington without much to show for his 28th and likely final meeting as president with Russia’s Vladimir Putin. He now faces several days of talks on Iraq, a briefing from Gen. David Petraeus and a TV address to the American public. The foreign policy agenda is the coming week’s main focus. But for Bush, some doors are still open. [more]