George Friedman is an American political scientist, author, and entrepreneur. He is the founder of Geopolitical Futures (GPF), a geopolitical analysis company, and was formerly the chairman of Stratfor, a private intelligence firm. He has written several books on international relations, including “The Next 100 Years,” which became a New York Times bestseller in 2009. In addition to his work as an author and analyst, Friedman also serves as an advisor to many governments around the world.
Education & Career
Friedman holds various degrees from Columbia University and City College of New York. After completing his studies, he worked for Rand Corporation before founding Stratfor in 1996. At Stratfor, he served as chairman and CEO until 2013, when it was acquired by a private equity firm. After leaving Stratfor, Friedman founded GPF in 2015. In addition to his work as an author, analyst, and advisor, Friedman also serves on the board of directors for several global organizations.
Publications
Friedman has written several books on international relations. His first book, “The Coming War With Japan,” was published in 1991 and predicted the future course of U.S.-Japanese relations. This book was followed by “The Next 100 Years,” which became a New York Times best seller in 2009 and explored potential scenarios for the next century of geopolitics. He is also the author of other popular titles such as “Flashpoints: The Emerging Crisis in Europe,” “America’s Secret War: Inside the Hidden Worldwide Struggle Between America and Its Enemies,” and “The War of Our Time: The Changing Face of World Conflict.”
Controversy
Friedman has been criticized for his close ties to authoritarian regimes, including Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan. In addition, Stratfor faced criticism from some media outlets for its alleged role in monitoring activists. Some have also questioned Friedman’s views on immigration and Muslim refugees.
Politics
Friedman is an outspoken critic of President Donald Trump and the Republican Party. He has also expressed his opposition to certain foreign policies, such as the Iraq War. However, he remains largely supportive of U.S. foreign policy objectives in general, including its involvement in NATO and other international alliances.
Conclusion
George Friedman has established himself as one of the foremost geopolitical analysts in the world today. His expertise in international relations has made him a sought-after advisor by governments around the globe. Additionally, his books on geopolitics have become widely read and stirred much debate from both ends of the political spectrum. Although Friedman’s views have sparked controversy at times, he continues to be held in high regard for his intellectual foresight and expertise.
