Unconventional Knowledge by GIS

GIS Radio: A new century’s dawn amid a democratic polycrisis

20 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Collapsing paradigms of social cohesion and rules-based geopolitics, confronted with the new reality of AI, create a polycrisis. An analysis by Uri Ga...

GIS Radio: Indigenous politics in the Western Hemisphere

19 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Indigenous communities increasingly influence energy, security and electora dynamics across the Americas. An analysis by James Jay Carafano. Read the ...

GIS Radio: Europe’s quiet stagflation risk

18 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Structural costs, geopolitics and looser monetary legacies leave Europe trapped in low growth and moderate inflation as the ECB withdraws emergency su...

GIS Radio: Myanmar’s rare earth ambitions

17 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Myanmar’s rare earth deposits have drawn international attention, but multiple challenges stand in the way of translating this potential into a stab...

Trans-Caspian Pipeline plan gaining critical momentum

16 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Europe eyes Turkmen gas as a strategic solution with growing urgency.An analysis by Stefan Hedlund. Read the full report here.📚 Explore all GIS Rep...

The unaffordability of big government

13 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Cost-of-living concerns persist as partisan economic narratives dominate politics despite strong growth and rising incomes.An analysis by Diane Katz. ...

Revolutionary Guards take the reins in Iran

12 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

After the Supreme Leader’s death, the Revolutionary Guards are holding firm and steering Iran toward escalation and continued repression.An analysis...

Russia’s growing interest in Svalbard 

11 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Russia has increased its hybrid and military activities on and around Svalbard to secure its strategic position in the European Arctic. An analysis b...

Trump’s Indo-Pacific strategy remains a work in progress

10 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

President Donald Trump’s Indo-Pacific policy shifts from security to economic priorities.An analysis by Bruce Klingner. Read the full report here. ...

Drifted and demonized, ICE remains vital to U.S. security

09 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The Minneapolis shootings renewed scrutiny of ICE, highlighting its post-9/11 mission creep, partisan clashes over immigration and federal-local tensi...

Bitcoin solidifies, altcoins fragment

06 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

As cryptocurrencies mature, Bitcoin is consolidating its position as a reserve asset, while altcoins are diverging into riskier niches with different ...

The election of Jose Antonio Kast and what comes next for Chile

05 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Chile’s institutional checks and balances will constrain how far Mr. Kast can advance his agenda, but voters will expect tangible change. An analys...

Central Asia finds strength in integration

04 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Central Asian nations are harnessing their strengths in tech, trade and transport, increasing their collective bargaining power on the global stage. A...

Terrorism and political unrest undermine stability in South Asia

03 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

South Asia is grappling with geopolitical tensions, political unrest and demographic pressures, all of which are straining the region’s stability.An...

Shockwaves after Maduro: How U.S. pressure is reshaping Latin America's political balance

02 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Unconventional Knowledge, Andrew Kureth speaks with Alejandro Peña Esclusa about the unraveling of the authoritarian power network...

Shadow fleet keeps Russia’s oil exports beyond Western reach

02 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Since 2022, sweeping Western sanctions have reshaped but not halted Russia’s global oil exports. An analysis by Carole Nakhle. Read the full report ...

Stablecoins and CBDCs used as tools to mask public debt

27 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Governments use stablecoins and CBDCs to generate demand for debt and embed controls that postpone fiscal pain while avoiding market discipline. An an...

U.S.-Saudi transactional ties and strategic ambitions

26 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Relations between Riyadh and the White House are warming, driven by different but complementary objectives.

The path of sanctions evasion leads through Kyrgyzstan

25 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Russia’s war in Ukraine elevates Kyrgyzstan as a China-backed hub for sanctions avoidance, reshaping global trade transparency norms. An analysis by...

Venezuela’s Delcy Rodriguez under the tutelage of the U.S.

24 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Venezuela’s interim leader, Delcy Rodriguez, is guiding the country under U.S. oversight following Maduro’s capture, with amnesty and oil reforms ...

High-Stakes Diplomacy in the U.S.-Iran Standoff

23 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Escalating U.S.-Iran tensions lead to military threats and economic risks, despite fragile, indirect talks. An analysis by Giorgio Cafiero. Read the f...

GIS Radio: Russia’s economy faces years of low, but stable growth

20 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

As a two-year consumer and liquidity-fueled boom petered out in 2025, the economy has transitioned into a complex mix of resilience and stagnation. An...

GIS Radio: The past, present and future of cryptocurrency

19 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Once privacy-focused and decentralized, crypto has become heavily regulated and institutionalized – trading autonomy for liquidity, clarity and mass...

GIS Radio: Xi’s power consolidation and military calculus

18 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

China’s military purges replace institutional expertise with personal rule, increasing fragility and risks of miscalculation and conflict. An analys...

GIS Radio: Optimism for the future of the Quad

17 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Despite U.S.-India trade strains and China’s assertiveness, strengthened bilateral ties fuel optimism for the Quad’s revival and deeper cooperatio...

GIS Radio: Nuclear deterrence after arms control collapse

16 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Post-Cold War nuclear stability is eroding as treaties lapse, proliferation spreads and tactical deterrence gains prominence in a multipolar world. An...

GIS Radio: Bosnia and Herzegovina: Domestic divisions test regional balance

13 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The Balkan state is experiencing internal political gridlock, while Western and Eastern actors vie for influence in the ethnically and religiously div...

GIS Radio: Venezuela’s oil sector remains uninvestable

12 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

President Trump urged oil giants to invest billions in Venezuela, but companies cite weak rule of law and entrenched resource nationalism as dealbreak...

GIS Radio: Hydropolitics and the weaponization of water 

11 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

As scarcity grows, rivers are turning from lifelines into instruments of power and conflict. An analysis by Colleen Graffy. Read the full report here....

The rise of Asia’s mineral resource nationalism

10 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Asian states with significant mineral reserves are recalibrating the terms under which their resources are extracted, processed and exported. An analy...

GIS Radio: Azerbaijan’s strategic reentry into post-Assad Syria

09 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Azerbaijan is using reconstruction and gas deals in Syria to expand its influence and position itself as a potential mediator among regional rivals. A...

GIS Radio: Europe’s faltering liberal democracy

06 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Across Europe, governing parties are facing mounting pressure as social discontent undermines confidence in liberal-democratic rule. An analysis by Ka...

GIS Radio: China tightening its grip on Latin America

05 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

China has become a leading partner for Latin America, boosting trade, infrastructure and strategic influence, though it now faces increasing U.S. push...

GIS Radio: The trillion-dollar question for AI business models

04 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Investments in AI companies have surged, but profitability remains out of reach for many, prompting concerns about future business models. An analysis...

GIS Radio: Nuclear stalemate gives way to Cold War II arms race

03 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

A renewal of nuclear weapons testing exposes mounting risks, collapsing treaties and a new era of proliferation shaping the second Cold War. An analys...

After the Western Order: Realism, power and the new global balance

02 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Unconventional Knowledge, Prince Michael of Liechtenstein speaks with Professor Christoph Frei about the global shift away from Wes...

GIS Radio: Fortress Finland: Nordic deterrence against Russia

02 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Finland’s NATO membership transforms security dynamics on the alliance’s northeastern flank. An analysis by Stefand Hedlund. Read the full report ...

GIS Radio: Dark pools as an evolution of financial markets

30 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Private trading venues mitigate automated, predatory technologies while improving the execution, liquidity and resilience of securities exchanges glob...

GIS Radio: Russia in Southeast Asia: Gaining ground or treading water?

29 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Moscow seeks influence in Southeast Asia but faces economic, geopolitical and perceptual limits constraining expansion. An analysis by Prashanth Param...

GIS Radio: The politicization of research and teaching

28 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Modern universities are increasingly politicized, with freedom of values eroding and tenure reinforcing ideological conformity and jeopardizing open i...

GIS Radio: Academic freedom and the crisis of the modern university

27 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Academic freedom, once the bedrock of universities, is facing internal threats as complacency and bureaucratization undermine independent thought and ...

GIS Radio: The coevolution of sanctions and a multipolar world order

26 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Expanding Western sanctions are inadvertently fomenting alternative economic infrastructures. An analysis by Bob Savic. Read the full report here.📚...

GIS Radio: Regulation and fiscal drift threaten Western prosperity

23 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Europe’s burdensome rules and upward spending trajectory contrast with America’s deregulation and dynamism, widening the transatlantic economic di...

GIS Radio: The Middle East’s next challenge is ensuring a secure power future

22 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

With global energy demand on the rise, the fossil fuel-rich region seeks to expand its energy capacity to include renewable and nuclear sources. An an...

GIS Radio: Why the Abraham Accords endure despite the Gaza war

21 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The Gaza war tested Arab-Israeli normalization, yet strategic regional interests are prevailing under the umbrella of the Abraham Accords. An analysis...

GIS Radio: The pursuit of strategic autonomy in a fragmenting world

20 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Ironically, President Trump’s Liberation Day tariffs have driven both Global Majority and Western nations to seek long-term strategic autonomy. An a...

GIS Radio: Peru’s presidency up for grabs but congress still in charge

19 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The impeachment and congressional appointment of a new president only months before elections underscores the weakness of Peru’s executive branch. A...

GIS Radio: Madagascar after the coup

16 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In contrast to the earlier transfer of power, the current transition places Madagascar under direct military rule. An analysis by Teresa Nogueira Pint...

GIS Radio: Competing models for the future of welfare in Europe

15 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Europe’s postwar welfare model is straining under crises, demographics, debt, eroding trust and the pressures of technological transformation. An an...

GIS Radio: Global oil market dynamics after U.S. intervention in Venezuela

14 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Washington’s move from sanctions to force reshapes Venezuela’s oil outlook and long-term global market dynamics. An analysis by Carole Nakhle. Rea...

GIS Radio: Iran’s protests look like the first tremors of regime collapse

13 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The latest wave of unrest has exposed deep structural weaknesses in the Iranian regime. An analysis by Amatzia Baram. Read the full report here. 📚...

GIS Radio: Moldova’s democratic stand against Russian interference

12 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Moldova’s elections showcased a robust fight for democracy, defying pressures from the Kremlin and reaffirming its commitment to EU integration. An ...

GIS Radio: The future of Europe’s car industry

09 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The European car industry is losing ground as regulation, protectionism and weak productivity collide with global competition, especially from China. ...

GIS Radio: The French leadership paradox

08 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Deepening fiscal stress, rigid centralization and political fragmentation undermine France’s capacity for effective governance reform. An analysis b...

GIS Radio: A Middle East Alliance needs U.S. leadership

07 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Middle Eastern powers cooperate when it suits them, while an enduring alliance for regional peace and prosperity requires sustained American stewardsh...

GIS Radio: Venezuela key in Trump’s national security strategy

06 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In a historic military operation, the U.S. has detained Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, raising questions about his regime’s future and regiona...

Of Drifting and Directing: A global outlook on power, risk and opportunity in 2026

05 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Unconventional Knowledge, GIS Managing Editor Andrew Kureth is joined by Prince Michael of Liechtenstein, founder and chairman of G...

GIS Radio: Russia’s Africa footprint is deeper than imagined

05 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Russia has increased its engagement in Africa, focusing on military presence, energy and infrastructure to secure resources and counter Western influe...

GIS Radio: Christianity and the future of Europe

23 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

At a time of ideological exhaustion and social fragmentation, growing numbers of Europeans are rediscovering Christianity as a source of dignity and p...

GIS Radio: Chinese automation feeds global stress and domestic poverty

22 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Instead of focusing on the existing economic and social problems China is facing, strengthening manufacturing and exports has become Beijing’s overr...

GIS Radio: Trump’s deregulatory sweep

19 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Trump administration’s fast-moving reforms are redefining the U.S. regulatory state. An analysis by Diane Katz. Read the report here.📚 Explor...

GIS Radio: Myanmar junta seeks legitimacy through elections

18 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Four years after seizing power, Myanmar’s military is conducting phased elections it openly admits will exclude large parts of the country. An analy...

GIS Radio: The Black Sea region after the Russia-Ukraine war

17 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Russia holds its strongest position in the Black Sea region since 1991 and is poised to strengthen it further, especially if its war against Ukraine e...

GIS Radio: Trump’s long-term strategy for American power

16 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Trump’s presidency showcases disruptive strategic methods that require observing actions rather than traditional policy frameworks. An analysis by J...

GIS Radio: Meloni’s rise signals a new era of Italian political stability

15 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Giorgia Meloni is emerging as Europe’s unexpectedly resilient leader, reshaping Italy’s politics and influencing continental dynamics. An analysis...

GIS Radio: Germany’s tall order: Leadership to make hard decisions

12 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Germany faces economic strain, coalition instability and geopolitical uncertainty, yet decisive leadership still appears out of reach. An analysis by ...

GIS Radio: Digital ID: The visible and hidden implications

11 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Countries are rolling out digital identification schemes, but many citizens are protesting – and they may have a point. An analysis by Vahan P. Roth...

GIS Radio: Europe’s strategic dependence on China: The next energy crisis?

10 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Europe faces a challenging period ahead as it works toward decarbonization while reducing supply-chain risks from China. An analysis by Karl-Friedrich...

GIS Radio: Colombia: Petro facing mounting pressure

09 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A deepening clash with Washington, rising violence and mounting economic strain have pushed Colombia into its most volatile moment in decades. An anal...

GIS Radio: The future of the U.S.-Australia partnership

08 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Until recently, the Albanese administration had been tentative in its dealings with President Trump, but will likely find common ground moving forward...

GIS Radio: Timor-Leste charts its post-oil future

05 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Timor-Leste, a small nation heavily reliant on oil, finds itself in a delicate position, grappling with economic downturns and dwindling resources. An...

GIS Radio: Kuril Islands become a Sino-Russian fortress against Japan

04 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Kuril Islands dispute, long a bilateral issue between Russia and Japan, is increasingly shaped by Moscow’s dependence on Beijing. An analysis by...

GIS Radio: Gen-Z protests ignite across Morocco

03 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The youth-led “Gen-Z 212” movement demands reforms in education and healthcare, as well as stronger anti-corruption measures. A report by Federica...

GIS Radio: Delhi’s ambitious plan for naval power and strategic deterrence

02 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A new 15-year defense strategy outlines India’s expansive naval modernization to counter growing threats from China and Pakistan. An analysis by Jam...

GIS Radio: Europe’s brain drain: Can the EU compete for talent?

01 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The European Union is losing in a human resources race as global rivals outpace the bloc in attracting skilled talent. An analysis by Karl-Friedrich I...

Ukraine from the front lines: How technology, morale and innovation are shaping both the Ukraine conflict and the future of warfare: A first-hand account

01 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Unconventional Knowledge, GIS Managing Editor Andrew Kureth speaks with Dr. Paul Schwennesen, a GIS expert who has spent months emb...

GIS Reports: The V4 and the future of regional action in Europe

28 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Visegrad Group faces diminishing influence as shifting interests and politics reshape Central Europe’s model for cooperation. A report by James ...

GIS Radio: African influence in DRC fades as U.S.-backed deal takes lead

27 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

South Africa has withdrawn from the DRC peace mission, as regional fractures deepen. The U.S.-led deal highlights resource-driven geopolitics. An anal...

GIS Radio: U.S. cybersecurity policy under Trump

26 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Trump administration’s 2025 cybersecurity reset reduces federal oversight while sharpening its focus on foreign threats and critical technologie...

GIS Radio: What is holding up progress on small modular reactors?

25 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Factory-built reactors offer a scalable, low-carbon solution for climate and digital needs yet still face legacy challenges to nuclear deployment. An ...

GIS Radio: Stabilizing Gaza under the Trump plan

24 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A historic U.S.-mediated ceasefire in Gaza offers hope for peace, but regional dynamics and doubts about Hamas’s compliance challenge its fragile su...

GIS Radio: Global copper supply chains under escalating stress

21 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The industrial metal is trading at record-high prices as states aim to secure supply amid geopolitical rivalry and the green transition. An analysis b...

GIS Radio: U.S.-Pakistan path to nowhere

20 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ties between the two countries have warmed, but strategic priorities pull Washington toward India and the South Caucasus. An analysis by James Jay Car...

GIS Reports: U.S.-India embrace turns to transactional tension

19 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Tariffs and shifting relations with Pakistan, along with uncertainties about the Quad, cast doubt on the once-robust U.S.-India partnership. An analys...

GIS Radio: Angola at 50: Resources, unrest and a political crossroads

18 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Post-independence Angola has been defined by inequality, unrest and contested power. That may change. An analysis by Teresa Nogueira Pinto. Read the r...

GIS Radio: The myths of central bank independence

17 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Once designed to protect economies from political influence, central banks have instead become political actors in their own right. An analysis by Enr...

GIS Radio: Hard power returns, but soft power will win

14 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The decisive contests of the next decade will be won through persuasion, not coercion. An analysis by Uri Gabai. Read the report here.📚 Explore all...

GIS Radio: Libya’s fractures drift toward permanence

13 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The intense rivalries, power struggles among militias and shifting regional dynamics are casting a shadow over the country’s prospects of ever achie...

GIS Radio: The Netherlands: Economic decline and waning influence

12 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Once innovative and influential, the Netherlands is now gripped by stagnation amid political deadlock, economic pressures and a weakening internationa...

GIS Radio: Iceland redraws the map of Arctic security

11 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Despite Russian threats and Arctic tensions, Iceland stays cool and strategically strong, playing a crucial role in regional security. An analysis by ...

GIS Radio: How Italy is increasing its footprint in Africa

10 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Mattei Plan is strengthening Rome’s African partnerships and redefining Europe’s geopolitical role. An analysis by Teresa Nogueira Pinto. Read...

GIS Radio: The geopolitical costs of AI

07 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What began as a scientific breakthrough has now become a complex security threat. An analysis by Karl-Peter Schwarz. Read the full report here. 📚 ...

GIS Radio: Stability eludes Bangladesh as election date is set

06 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ahead of elections, Dhaka is struggling to stabilize the political scene, revive the economy and manage strained relations with its neighbors. An anal...

GIS Radio: Understanding President Trump’s China strategy

05 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Washington’s strategic ambiguity toward China creates uncertainty for allies and adversaries. An analysis by James Jay Carafano. Read the report her...

GIS Radio: Scandals erode Sao Paulo Forum’s leftist grip

04 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Sao Paulo Forum, once a powerful left-wing Latin American political bloc, now struggles with corruption, criminal ties and waning influence. An an...

GIS Radio: Is AI the new dot-com bubble?

03 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The AI boom of today contains echoes of the dot-com bubble of the late 1990s – but does the tech match the hype? An analysis by Vahan P. Roth. Read ...

From Enlightenment to Entitlement: Europe's quest for comfort reveals a cultural crisis

03 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Unconventional Knowledge, H.S.H. Prince Michael of Liechtenstein speaks with Prof. Dr. Karl-Friedrich Israel, Professor of Economic...

GIS Radio: Hezbollah’s refusal to disarm risks Lebanon’s stability

31 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Lebanon’s plan to demilitarize Hezbollah by year-end could falter, risking renewed tensions with Israel and economic crisis. If enforced, it could s...

GIS Radio: Is the EU weaponizing standards?

30 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The EU promotes itself as a global standard-bearer for values, but critics argue its regulations serve economic protectionism and entrench industry do...

GIS Radio: Geopolitics affirms gold as a key strategic asset

29 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Surging precious metal prices are not mere market fluctuations, but a fundamental repricing of long-term risk and strategic value in an increasingly f...