Stratfor Daily Podcast

Pastures New: China Seeks To Buy Foreign Farms for Food

cchapman — Fri, 09 May 2008 02:02:15 -0500

The Chinese leadership is considering a proposal by the country’s Department of Agriculture to provide incentives for companies to buy or lease farmland overseas. The purpose: to improve food security in the years ahead. Target areas include Australia, Africa and South America. Colin Chapman and Donna Kwok discuss China’s reasons - and its targets.

The Gulf of Aden: A Resurgent Theater of Jihadist Operations

dialDC — Thu, 08 May 2008 07:41:41 -0500

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.

Russia: Investment Law Caps Putin's Presidency

dialDC — Wed, 07 May 2008 06:59:15 -0500

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.

Dumplings Threaten China's Chopstick Diplomacy

cchapman — Tue, 06 May 2008 06:02:54 -0500

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.

Israel: Storm Clouds for Olmert

dialDC — Mon, 05 May 2008 07:23:55 -0500

A fresh corruption probe targeting Israel’s prime minister carries geopolitical implications.

Afghanistan: Talking to the Taliban?

dialDC — Fri, 02 May 2008 06:39:00 -0500

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.

Death on the Border, Down Mexico Way

cchapman — Thu, 01 May 2008 05:13:36 -0500

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.

Yemen: A Low-Level Campaign of Economic Terror?

dialDC — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 05:41:54 -0500

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.

Iran: Pipeline Diplomacy in South Asia

dialDC — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 07:35:39 -0500

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.

Afghanistan: Between a Rock and Several Hard Places

cchapman — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 02:32:44 -0500

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.

China Reaches Out to Dalai Lama

dialDC — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 08:21:59 -0500

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.

Israel: Rumors of War, Rumors of Peace

dialDC — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 07:19:15 -0500

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.

The Political Ploy Behind Al Qaeda's Audio

dialDC — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 07:18:48 -0500

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.

Supplies the Worry as Oil Price Spike Continues

cchapman — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 01:12:32 -0500

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

South Africa: Unions Refuse To Unload Arms for Mugabe

cchapman — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 07:18:28 -0500

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.

Food Crisis 2008: The Tipping Point

dialDC — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 09:23:00 -0500

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

Celebrations in Nairobi, Stalemate in Harare

dialDC — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 08:24:16 -0500

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

The Olympics: A Pro-China Backlash Begins

dialDC — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 06:35:22 -0500

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.

Agriculture: France Canvases More Subsidies

cchapman — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 04:55:47 -0500

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.

Hunger: Food for Thought at Bankers' Parley

cchapman — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 02:13:55 -0500

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.

Elections Everywhere - But Few Winners in Sight

cchapman — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 04:59:30 -0500

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.

The Games: Beijing Unfazed, But Corporate Sponsors Worried

cchapman — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 06:05:47 -0500

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.

Up the Khyber: Stalemate in Afghanistan, A Mess in China

cchapman — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 01:54:15 -0500

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.

Whither the Economy?

dialDC — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 08:19:35 -0500

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

For Bush, Some Doors Still Ajar

cchapman — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 04:04:43 -0500

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.