Playlist:

playlist Go to the Geopolitics (topic) playlist

The Geopolitics of Israel

'WorldWatch' by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The land of Israel's position at the crossroads of three continents makes the Holy Land strategically valuable to the great powers around it.


A Battle Group for Eastern Europe

'WorldWatch' by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

A little-known town in Eastern Europe has given its name to a newly formed battle group consisting of Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia.


Cold War Redux?

'WorldWatch' by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Vladimir Putin's leadership has brought Russia back into play as a world power, and nearby nations are once again bracing against its unwelcome aggression.


Germany Ascendant

'Prophecy Watch' by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Many who believe Germany to be modern Assyria have waited a long time for Germany to rise again. Signs in Europe point in that direction.


NATO: In Search of a Mission

'WorldWatch' by David C. Grabbe

Having failed to keep the Russians out and the Germans down, NATO is struggling to remain relevant in a changing world.


Geopolitics: Scope and Limitations

'WorldWatch' by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

International relations are convoluted enough to make the mind swim. Geopolitics is perhaps the most conservative method of making some sense of the world.


Franco-German Divergence

'WorldWatch' by David C. Grabbe

World news, events, and trends highlighting biblical prophecy for March-April 2005: Franco-German Divergence.


Global Financial Instability

'WorldWatch' by David C. Grabbe

Predicting economic activity is about as tricky as forecasting the weather. Even so, the stage is set for economic instability around the world.


Who Is America's Greatest Enemy?

'WorldWatch' by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The United States stands weakened by worldwide conditions, but its foreign enemies cannot match its power. Its real foe lies much closer.


A Threat in Central Asia

CGG Weekly by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

We would be wise to keep an eye on the Shanghai Cooperation Organization over the next few years.


Germany's Dilemma

'WorldWatch' by David C. Grabbe

Germany is an industrial powerhouse, the richest economy in Europe, but it must prop up several poor-performing economies throughout the rest of the EU.


Japan: Rising Tensions With China

'WorldWatch' by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The history between Japan and China has been punctuated by periods of intense rivalry and hostility, and lately, tensions have ratcheted up once again.


The Awakening Bear

'WorldWatch' by David C. Grabbe

Russian President Vladimir Putin is turning his nation's interests outward—and that does not bode well for international relations.


The Culture War and the Cartoon Ruckus

'WorldWatch' by David C. Grabbe

The initial reaction to the cartoons was mild and non-violent. That it took five months for rage and offense within the Muslim world to be stirred.


Age of Empires

'WorldWatch' by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The United States used to be the world's superpower and policeman. Today, however, new powers are rising to fill the vacuum created by America's retreat.


Is China's Threat a Mirage?

'WorldWatch' by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

A highly placed Chinese official made a point of telling the U.S. Treasury Secretary that China is no threat to the United States. This may be true—for now.


The Dream of a United States of Europe

'WorldWatch' by David C. Grabbe

Birth rates, defense expenditures, welfare spending vs. wealth creation — everything we use to gauge the health of empires suggests that Europe's fire has gone out.


The Rise (Again) of Nations

'WorldWatch' by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The last few decades have seen the rise of globalism as a prime factor in international relations. But the pendulum is swinging back toward nationalism.


Is France Ditching the EU?

'WorldWatch' by David C. Grabbe

The EU has reached a tipping point, where a Franco-German veto could be overridden by the other nations. Will this turn of events sour France on the EU?


Anti-Americanism Abroad

'Prophecy Watch' by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

God prophesies that Israel will be conquered in the end time. Could anti-American sentiment, especially in Europe, be the beginning of the end?


The Lisbon Treaty and the Future of Europe

'WorldWatch' by David C. Grabbe

What are the ramifications of an EU with the power and authority to act as a cohesive whole? Will the members choose to act in a united fashion?


Turkey: A Resurging Pivotal Power

'WorldWatch' by David C. Grabbe

When Turkey develops economically, it develops militarily. It then becomes the leading power—in many regions. That is what it means to be a pivotal power.


An Islamist Vision

'WorldWatch' by David C. Grabbe

The Gulen Movement is a shadowy Islamic sect and political organization whose aim is to overthrow secularism and return Turkey to its Islamic roots.


Is Obama Redistributing Power?

'WorldWatch' by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Barack Obama's stated desire is to redistribute from those who have to those who do not, and this time he is redistributing international power.


Rudderless Leadership in U.S. Foreign Affairs

'WorldWatch' by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

With one look at American activity on the world scene, an observer is struck by the lack of coherence of this administration's foreign policy.


The Axis of Evil and the Western Coalition

'WorldWatch' by David C. Grabbe

God warned ancient Israel against putting their trust in alliances with other peoples. If only the modern nations of Israel would heed His counsel!


What's in It for Us?

CGG Weekly by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

If a person has a firm grasp on the principle of self-interest and what a nation considers to be good for it, he can forecast what a nation will do.


The Paradox of U.S. Power and Defeat

'WorldWatch' by David C. Grabbe

Since World War II, the U.S. has rarely fought a successful military action, be it Korea, Cuba, Vietnam, Iran, or Iraq, yet it stands as a lone superpower.


A Growing Divide

'Prophecy Watch' by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

America and Europe have been moving away from each other politically, economically, and culturally. How does this affect our understanding of prophecy?


The Beast and Babylon (Part One)

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Europe is not uniting as we once thought it would. How does this affect our interpretation of the prophecies?


Once Again, Britain Dominates Europe

'WorldWatch' by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Great Britain has a history of playing the balance-of-power game to keep any Continental state or empire from becoming strong enough to threaten Britain.


The Whole World is Writhing

Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh

Wherever secularism has gained ascendancy, it has attempted to bully and harass the religious elements of society by the tyranny of political correctness.


Going Nuclear

CGG Weekly by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Do not be distracted by the antics of rogue states, as they are somewhat predictable. The trick is not to miss the elephant in the living room.


The Saudi Arabian Makeover

Commentary by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman has given the fundamentalist, cleric-influenced regime an intense, severe punch in the solar plexus.


Israel at a Crossroads

'Prophecy Watch' by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The State of Israel has come to a point in its history when it must take a hard look at where it wants to go in the next few years.


The Pragmatic Japanese

'WorldWatch' by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Japan has a history of abrupt changes in policy when the geopolitical situation alters against their self-interests. It is starting to do so once again.


The Greatest Threat

'WorldWatch' by David C. Grabbe

Despite the instability of its neighbors, Egypt and Syria in particular, Israel's greatest threat is an internal problem: its relationship with God.


Brexit (Part Two): Exposing the Divide

'WorldWatch' by Joseph B. Baity

As reactions to the Brexit vote run the gamut from applause to denunciation, one fact shines through: The vote exposes just how divided this world is.


An Israel-Turkey Reconciliation?

'WorldWatch' by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Despite the on-again, off-again nature of their ties, Israel and Turkey have common interests, and both could use a friend in the region.


New Fractures in the 'Special Relationship'

'WorldWatch' by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Sparks are flying between President Joseph Biden and Prime Minister Boris Johnson. These cracks in the Special Relationship come at an inopportune time.


Globalism (Part Five): Globalism's Teeth

'Prophecy Watch' by Charles Whitaker (1944-2021)

Globalism is not just an economic phenomenon, but it is also a strong political and military movement—and America's military gives it its teeth.


Blood and Soil: The Persistence of Anti-Semitism

'Prophecy Watch' by Charles Whitaker (1944-2021)

Why has anti-Semitism remained a part of this world's way of thinking? Recent history shows that anti-Semitism has morphed into new expressions of an old evil.


Today's Christianity (Part Three): Southern Christianity's Impact on America

'Prophecy Watch' by Charles Whitaker (1944-2021)

Though secularists tried to use immigration policy to sideline Christianity, it backfired. God has used their scheme to accomplish His own purposes.


The World's Need for Atonement

CGG Weekly by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

According to the liberal media, all we have to do is get world leaders in one room, and after a few handshakes and a couple of beers—voila! World peace!


Crisis? What Crisis?

CGG Weekly by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

We would recognize something as horrible as the Great Depression, right? We would know if we had entered the Crisis! But would we?


Japan: Rising or Setting Sun?

'Prophecy Watch' by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Japan, among the top economies of the world, has been in deep recession for nearly a decade. Can she recover? What is in store for her in the end time?


The Wars of Israel and Judah

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

Where God's people are concerned, military might is far less of a factor in the outcome of a war than morality. Do we still have God's favor?


Globalism (Part Twelve): It Shall Never Be

'Prophecy Watch' by Charles Whitaker

Though the nations of this world are pushing for global economics and government, God's Word shows that mankind will NOT succeed.


The Burning Middle East: Revolution or Power-Grab?

'WorldWatch' by David C. Grabbe

While the geopolitics of North Africa and the Middle East have not substantially changed, Iran may benefit the most from the ongoing turmoil.