Between Giants: The Middle Power Paradox

Between Giants: The Middle Power Paradox

Author: Geopolitical Futures - Geopolitics from George Friedman and his team at GPF February 10, 2026 Duration: 33:09

At January's World Economic Forum in Davos, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney argued that the old world order is not coming back. He went on to say that we are now in an era of great power rivalry, and that middle powers, like Canada, should come together to counter the rise of great powers. So what could the new order look like, and just how much influence can middle powers wield compared to the U.S. and China? They may be smaller by GDP standards but they are not without importance geopolitically.

 

In this episode of Talking Geopolitics, host Christian Smith is joined by GPF Chairman George Friedman to discuss it all, to examine why the U.S. and Canada can't just decouple from one another, and what will happen to Cuba now that it has reached a tipping point in its economy and its defense. Visit www.geopoliticalfutures.com for world-class geopolitical analysis and discussion and to access our full 2026 Forecast: Re-anchoring the World.


Talking Geopolitics offers a clear-eyed, non-partisan look at the forces shaping our world, moving beyond the daily headlines to examine the deeper historical and strategic currents. This podcast comes from the team at Geopolitical Futures, the publication founded by George Friedman, whose analysis is grounded in decades of experience. You'll hear discussions that distinguish between fleeting noise and the underlying realities that truly matter in international affairs. The conversations focus on understanding national imperatives, regional tensions, and long-term trends, all framed within a historical context. It’s for anyone who feels overwhelmed by fragmented news cycles and seeks a more structured, insightful perspective on global power dynamics. By tuning into this podcast, you gain access to a disciplined method of thinking about geopolitics, one that prioritizes enduring geographic, economic, and political constraints over partisan narratives. Each episode aims to provide listeners with a coherent framework, making sense of complex events from Eastern Europe to the South China Sea. The analysis presented here is designed to be practical and forward-looking, exploring not just what happened, but the likely consequences and strategic options available to key nations. Engaging with this content regularly helps build a more nuanced understanding of why states behave as they do, offering a valuable resource for navigating an interconnected world. The tone is conversational yet precise, reflecting the serious work done by Friedman and his analytical team at GPF.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Talking Geopolitics
Podcast Episodes
Ukraine Peace Talks: Will Putin Accept a Loss? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:57
This week, leaders from Russia, Ukraine and the United States will meet in Abu Dhabi for another round of peace talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine; a conflict which has continued for four years this month. After so…
Unrest in Iran: A Tipping Point for the Middle East? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:34
Widespread anti-government protests in Iran have been growing for weeks now in Iran, and the government crackdown has turned deadly. While protests here are not a new phenomenon, many are saying this time things are much…
Venezuela, Cuba, and the New Western Hemisphere Strategy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:14
America's new National Security Strategy reflects a fundamental change in U.S. policy. It prioritizes America maintaining its preeminence in the Western Hemisphere, while avoiding military competition with China as well…
George Friedman on the Trump-Putin Peace Plan: Is It Now Or Never? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:08
[REUPLOAD] If the peace proposal currently under negotiation to end the war in Ukraine feels like déjà vu, you're not alone. Throughout the year, hopes for a diplomatic breakthrough have repeatedly surged and faded. But…
Ukraine Isn't the Only Frontline In Russia's War Against the West [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:36
Russia's war with Ukraine is about to enter yet another winter. Meanwhile in the US, Donald Trump is turning his attention to Russia's southern border in an effort to woo the nations of the South Caucasus with diplomacy.…