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Flashpoints

The Emerging Crisis in Europe

George Friedman

Talks at Google, 2015

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The European Union is on the verge of collapse, and conflict among the Continent’s interdependent states is inevitable. So says geopolitical strategist George Friedman, who anchors his thesis in past trends to make bold, pessimistic forecasts about Europe’s future. Friedman raises important questions about Europe, but his conclusions spring from generalities and lack deep analysis. Nevertheless, getAbstract believes that Friedman’s somewhat sensational account will appeal to history buffs and fans of geopolitical intrigue.

Take-Aways

For five centuries, Europe conquered the world, yet “it never conquered itself.” Despite several attempts, Europe’s states never unified in a geopolitical entity.
Bloodshed blights Europe’s past. In 1992, the European Union aimed to consign Europe’s dark days to history and to move forward through peace and prosperity, which prevailed until 2008, when Russia attacked Georgia and the US subprime crisis struck.
Germany sets the euro-zone’s rules and regulations to its benefit and to the detriment of peripheral states. When those countries became embroiled in sovereign debt crises, Germany imposed austerity on them, triggering huge unemployment.

About the Speaker

Geopolitical strategist George Friedman is a co-founder of Stratfor, a global intelligence firm.

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A. 8 years ago

Friedman gave the same talk to the Chicago Council on Foreign Affairs [1], where he didn't soften his cynicism as much as he did here, especially when answering questions [2]. There's also a talk from this year in front of the same audience [3]. He also talked to the Russian newspaper Kommersant [4], where he argues much less in a diplomatic manner than in front of Google and "the council". It seems that Friedman adjusts his argument to the audience.
[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QeLu_yyz3tc&t=4m35s
[2] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QeLu_yyz3tc&t=44m37s
[3] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJhb7K_noXs
[4] http://russia-insider.com/en/politics/stratfor-chiefs-most-blatant-coup-history-interview-translated-full/ri2561

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The Emerging Crisis in Europe

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