Biography

George Friedman is a New York Times bestseller and geopolitical forecaster with more than two decades of experience in intelligence consulting and publishing. He is the founder and Chairman of Geopolitical Futures and is highly sought after at industry events as an expert strategist and speaker on international affairs. 

Geopolitical Futures, founded in 2015, is an online publication that focuses on analysing and forecasting global events as a guide to navigate the future. With George’s stellar reputation and expertise, the publication is used as a driving force to predict geopolitical events. Prior to Geopolitical Futures, George founded a private forecasting and intelligence publishing company called Stratfor. The company, based in Texas, USA, was founded in 1996, and he served as the CEO and Chief Intelligence Office until his resignation in 2015.

George is a well-established author who has published several books, including The Storm Before the Calm (2020), which outlines the challenges the United States will face in the 2020s in what would be described as a ‘crisis decade’. He correctly forecasted Russia’s re-emergence in Flashpoints (2015) and in his book The Next Decade (2011) he outlined the skills that future leaders would require and the United States need to create regional power balances. His most engaging and fascinating work is the 2009 acclaimed New York Times bestseller titled The Next 100 Years, where he outlines the political and economic crisis in the EU and China’s economic decline. One of his earliest publications was a book he co-authored titled The Coming War with Japan (1991), where he forewarned a potential conflict between Japan and the United States following the dismantling of the Soviet Union.

In a quest to share his knowledge and expertise, George has been featured in many publications and online media, including Bloomsberg, Daily Pioneer, Forbes, CNBC and Business Insider.

George obtained his PhD in government from Cornell University in 1970, and prior to that, he received his BA Honors in political science from The City College of New York.

Hungarian-born and immigrating to the United States as a child, George is an admired and well-respected speaker who is internationally recognised as a pioneer and is celebrated for his ability to analyse and portray the geopolitical landscape strategically.

Read More

Videos

Request Availability

Speech TopicsExpand each topic to learn more

Geopolitical Trends Businesses Need To Watch.

The next 100 years will see political powers rise and fall, but the basic matrix remains the same. Russia and China will weaken, as Japan, Turkey, and Poland fix their internal issues and rise. The United States will maintain its position as the primary global force.

The current trend of population decline in the developed world will spread globally, leading to cheaper land as demand decreases. For the first time in centuries, labor will be the expensive commodity as capital seeks to augment the shrinking workforce. Global GDP may fall, but per capita GDP will rise. Subsequently, the main technological breakthroughs must be in medicine, making people more productive as their lives extend toward 100 years.

The ability to produce highly-educated workers from the lower levels of society will define the status of nations. Policies that support the efficient use of labor are the key. The surge of the educated and informed class will pose challenges to regimes. The regimes can suppress the challenge and weaken geopolitically; or, they can allow the regime to evolve and strengthen geopolitically. This is the key choice.

Booksby George Friedman

THE STORM BEFORE THE CALM: America’s Discord, the Coming Crisis of the 2020s, and the Triumph Beyond

The Next 100 Years: A Forecast for the 21st Century

Flashpoints: The Emerging Crisis in Europe Kindle Edition

The Next Decade: Where We've Been . . . and Where We're Going

America's Secret War: Inside the Hidden Worldwide Struggle Between the United States and Its Enemies

Blog Posts

Embrace Your Authenticity and Lead Better Teams with Mike Robbins

Great teams aren’t built on talent alone—they’re built on trust, authenticity, and human connections. Learn more in our podcast episode with Mike Robbins.

Read More

Unlock Your Creativity With Progress And Bold Ideas

Embrace creativity, progress, and bold risk-taking to unlock innovation and empower personal growth in this week's newsletter.

Read More

How Businesses Can Use More Creative Thinking with Natalie Nixon

In this episode of The Keynote Curators Podcast, keynote speaker Natalie Nixon discusses her transformative approach to creative thinking in the workplace.

Read More

Why Embracing Imperfection Is the True Path to Success

Learn why progress, not perfection, is the key to success through empowering insights on resilience, positivity, and personal growth.

Read More

Become a Powerful Leader By Inspiring Others Through Your Actions

Executive coach and keynote speaker Amy Eliza Wong shares how she empowers leaders to transform everyday interactions into trust-building, impactful moments.

Read More

How Belonging Creates Workplace Magic with Adam “Smiley” Poswolsky

What if the secret to a thriving workplace lies in the power of belonging? Learn insights on business success with from keynote speaker Adam “Smiley” Poswolsky.

Read More

Related Speakers

Reviews & Ratings

Here's how toHit the mark with the perfect speaker!

1. Schedule a call

We’ll connect so we understand your needs to curate a selection of great speakers.

2. Book your speaker

We’ll manage all the details so you will be confident with your choice.

3. Wow your audience

Inform & educate your participants to ideas that transform their work & personal life.

Schedule a Call

Blog Posts

 

Embrace Your Authenticity and Lead Better Teams with Mike Robbins

Great teams aren’t built on talent alone—they’re built on trust, authenticity, and strong human connections....

Read More

Unlock Your Creativity With Progress And Bold Ideas

"Creativity is intelligence having fun." – Albert Einstein Somewhere along the way, many of us...

Read More

How Businesses Can Use More Creative Thinking with Natalie Nixon

Creative thinking isn’t just an extra skill—it’s the ultimate competitive edge. In today’s hyper-competitive business...

Read More

Why Embracing Imperfection Is the True Path to Success

I used to think success meant having it all figured out. That if I just...

Read More

Become a Powerful Leader By Inspiring Others Through Your Actions

What makes a leader truly exceptional beyond simply completing daily tasks? In a world where...

Read More

How Belonging Creates Workplace Magic with Adam “Smiley” Poswolsky

What if the secret to a thriving workplace isn’t more perks or policies—but the power...

Read More