Internationally-Recognized Geopolitical Strategist George Friedman Launches New Publication; Releases 2016 Predictions
AUSTIN, Texas, Dec. 2, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, internationally recognized geopolitical forecaster and founder of Stratfor, George Friedman, announced the launch of Geopolitical Futures, a new online subscription-based publication. After almost 20 years of building Stratfor with his colleagues into a successful publishing and consulting company, Friedman recently stepped down as Chairman and resigned his other positions at the company to start Geopolitical Futures. Along with its launch Geopolitical Futures is publishing its annual forecast, The World in 2016.
"I founded Stratfor 20 years ago, and am very proud of its growth and ambitions. However, at this point in my life, my focus is on publishing. I decided, therefore, to create Geopolitical Futures, which will be dedicated to that and nothing else, without distraction. I wanted more time to write, more time to work with analysts and more time to spend with my readers, online and off. I am excited about this new chapter in my life and the deeper level of insight that we will be delivering to readers," said Friedman.
By forecasting global events, Geopolitical Futures will challenge two common assumptions. First, that political leaders decide what they will do and individual actions can't be predicted; and, second, that there is no methodology for predicting non-quantitative events.
"There is an assumption by most people that international affairs are unpredictable. I don't believe that's true and I think that can be seen in the books I've written. Geopolitical Futures will provide the public with an intelligence capability focused on the future. As important, its goal is to allow readers to distinguish what is important from what is not. In a world inundated with information, where it is hard to distinguish the significant from the trivial, or to understand not just where we have been but where we are going, I think a highly focused publishing effort will be in the public interest," said Friedman.
As The New York Times bestselling author of "The Next 100 Years," Friedman has used a systematic forecasting methodology to successfully predict hundreds of major events over the years. In advance of the New Year, Geopolitical Futures today released its global predictions for 2016. The following are a few highlights from the report:
- The economic crisis, refugee crisis and now the concern over terrorism following the attacks in Paris will change the face of the European Union by forcing the EU to limit the movement of people in 2016 and the movement of goods later. Member states will increase their autonomy and the EU's power will be diminished.
- The Islamic State's main focus will be to defend its core turf in Syria and Iraq, where it will be able to hold on to most of the areas it currently holds and even push into areas that are either held by the Bashar al-Assad regime or by rival rebel groups.
- Germany has been dealing with the financial crisis in Greece by forging deals that the Greeks cannot and will not abide by. In 2016, the epicenter of this crisis will likely shift from the Greeks to Italy, which is facing increased problems with non-performing loans.
- In China, the growing dictatorship of the Chinese Communist Party will moderately intensify and China's underlying economic problems will also grow, with spasmodic crises occurring.
The full 2016 report can be found online at www.geopoliticalfutures.com.
Geopolitical Futures will publish regular forecasts and assessments, including: annual and regional forecasts, daily intelligence briefs analyzing events as they occur, and daily reality checks to distinguish what matters from what doesn't. Subscriptions to Geopolitical Futures can be purchased online at www.geopoliticalfutures.com for $139.00 a year.
About Geopolitical Futures
Geopolitical Futures is an online, subscription-based publication that produces annual and regional forecasts, daily intelligence briefs and daily reality checks to distinguish what matters from what doesn't.
About George Friedman
George Friedman is the Founder and Chairman of Geopolitical Futures and Founder and former Chairman of Stratfor. He is also the author of six books, including the New York Times best-seller "The Next Hundred Years," and his most recent book "Flashpoints: The Emerging Crisis in Europe." Friedman is frequently called upon by media and international organizations as an expert in international geopolitics. He lives in Austin, Texas.
SOURCE Geopolitical Futures
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