Geopolitical Diary

A Discreet Dinner in Rome

The European Union's founders are trying to find a solution to the bloc's problems, but there is little they can do to reverse the Continent's fragmentation. Read more…

Editor's Choice

Annual Forecast 2016Free

With old geopolitical realities resurfacing across Eurasia and commodity prices stuck in a slump, 2016 is shaping up to be an unsettling year for much of the world. Read more…

Geopolitical Weekly
By Matthew Bey
Matthew Bey

Amid Low Oil Prices, OPEC's Divisions Deepen

Global Affairs
By Philip Bobbitt
Philip-Bobbitt

Defining Policy Failure

Security Weekly
By Scott Stewart
Scott Stewart

Why Firepower Alone Can't Destroy Jihadism

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Analysis

Gauging India's Nuclear Power Potential

India needs energy to support its growing economy, but finding willing partners to work with the country's legal system will make it harder to build the country's nuclear power program. Read more…

Maps
Graphic of the Day

Diplomatic Activity Over Ukraine's Standoff Resumes

Deadlocked U.S.-Russia talks over the standoff in Ukraine could see some progress soon. Read more…

Feb 10, 2016 | 22:04 GMT
Video
Field Notes
Stratfor In The News

Sim Tack on New Iran Satellite Imagery

Speaking with The Daily Beast, Stratfor Military Analyst Sim Tack explores what before and after satellite images of Iran's Parchin military complex could tell us about Tehran's nuclear program.

The Daily Beast
Featured Analyst:
Sim Tack
Situation/Intelligence Reports

Venezuela: Opposition Majority Supports Term Limit Amendment

The majority of opposition lawmakers support a proposed constitutional amendment to cut the president's term down from six to four years, set term limits and hold new elections in December 2016, Secretary General Jose Ignacio Guedez of the Causa R party said Feb. 10, EFE reported. Read more…

Nigeria: Bombers Kill 56 At Refugee Camp

A pair of female suicide bombers killed 56 people Feb. 9 at a refugee camp in the northeastern Nigerian town of Dikwa, Al Jazeera reported Feb. 10. Read more…

Sudan: President Replaces Chief Of Staff With Loyal General

Sudanese President Omar al Bashir replaced the head of his joint chiefs of staff with a trusted general who has assumed a leading role in negotiations with anti-government rebels, Reuters reported Feb. 10. Read more…

Saudi Arabia, Turkey: Leaders Consider Deploying Troops In Syria, Reports Say

Sources familiar with Saudi plans said Turkish officials are meeting with their Gulf counterparts in Riyadh about a plan to set up a safe zone in Syria, Gulf News reported Feb. 10. Read more…

Russia: Syrian Kurdish Separatists Open Moscow Office

Syrian Kurdish separatists with ties to the Democratic Union Party opened an office in Moscow Feb. 10, part of broader bid to be included in Syria peace negotiations, AFP reported. Read more…

Palestinian Territories: Unity Government Willing To Step Down

The Palestinian unity government said Feb. 9 that it would step down to make room for new leadership, Naharnet reported. Read more…

Iran: Guardian Council Upholds Disqualification Of Candidate

Iran's Guardian Council, which is in charge of constitutional overwatch, has upheld the disqualification of Hassan Khomeini from running for a position in a top clerical body, IRNA reported Feb. 10. Read more…

Koreas: Seoul To Pull Companies From Joint Industrial Complex

South Korea on Feb. 10 announced plans to stop operations at the Kaesong joint industrial complex on the border with North Korea due to Pyongyang's recent nuclear test and long-range rocket launch, Yonhap reported. Read more…

South China Sea: India, U.S. Mulling Joint Patrols

The United States and India have held talks about conducting joint naval patrols, including in disputed waters of the South China Sea, an unnamed Pentagon official said, Reuters reported Feb. 10. Read more…

Iraq: Prime Minister Calls For Cabinet Reshuffle

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said he would reshuffle his Cabinet, replacing current ministers with professionals, technocrats and academics, Reuters reported Feb. 9. Read more…

Syria: Al Assad's Government Unlikely To Fall Soon, U.S. Defense Official Says

U.S.-backed rebel forces are unlikely to defeat the government of Syrian President Bashar al Assad in the near term, U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency head Lt. Gen. Vincent Stewart told the Senate Armed Services Committee on Feb. 9, AP reported. Read more…

Iraq: KRG Meets On Salary Crisis As Workers Protest

The Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) met Feb. 9 to address salary issues and the region's economic crisis, NRTTV reported. Read more…

Cuba: President Plans To Step Down

Cuban President Raul Castro said in a January meeting that he plans to relinquish the presidency, Caracol reported Feb. 9. Read more…

Ukraine: IMF Withholding Aid Until Political Crisis Ends, Kiev Says

The International Monetary Fund has put aid to Ukraine on hold until it becomes clear whether the current government in Kiev survives, Ukrainian Finance Minister Natalia Yaresko said in a televised interview Feb. 8, RFE/RL reported. Read more…

North Korea: New Rocket Could Reach U.S., Seoul Says

The rocket North Korea launched on Feb. 7 appeared to be more powerful than one fired in 2012, with an increased range of 12,000 km (7,500 miles) making it capable of reaching most of the United States, the South Korean Defense Ministry said Feb. 9, Yonhap reported. Read more…

Nepal: Madhesis Formally End Border Blockade

Ethnic Madhesi protesters in Nepal lifted a four-month-old blockade along a major cross-border trade route with India on Feb. 8, Reuters reported. Read more…

Hong Kong: Protesters Clash With Police

Several people were injured in clashes between police and protesters in Hong Kong on Feb. 9, the South China Morning Post and local media reported. Read more…

Canada: Combat Operations Against Islamic State To End, Prime Minister Says

Canada will end its combat role in Iraq and Syria against the Islamic State, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Feb. 8, Reuters reported. Read more…

Forecasts

Annual Forecast 2016Free

With old geopolitical realities resurfacing across Eurasia and commodity prices stuck in a slump, 2016 is shaping up to be an unsettling year for much of the world. Read more…