Early Life and Education
George Friedman was born in Budapest, Hungary, in 1949. He moved to the United States with his family as a child. He attended college at the City University of New York, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in economics and mathematics. Following this, he completed a Ph.D. in political science at Cornell University in 1975.
Early Career
After completing his studies, Friedman began teaching Political Science at the University of Illinois and later moved to the University of California. In 1992, he became a professor of management science at Marquette University’s College of Business Administration. During this time, he wrote prolifically about political analysis and international relations for various publications, including The Wall Street Journal and Harper’s Magazine.
A career in Political Science and Strategic Forecasting
Friedman embarked on a career in political science and strategic forecasting, becoming an influential figure in the field of international relations. He served as the director of the Center for Geopolitical Studies at Stony Brook University from 1985 to 1994 before joining private intelligence firm Stratfor as its CEO and founder. Through his work at Stratfor, Friedman created a unique methodology for strategic forecasting that has become respected in the industry.
Publications
Friedman has authored several books on international relations, international economics, and geopolitical strategy. His most notable works include The Next Decade (2011), The Next 100 Years: A Forecast for the 21st Century (2009), America’s Secret War: Inside the Hidden Worldwide Struggle Between America and Its Enemies (2004), and The Future of War: Power, Technology and American World Dominance in the Twenty-first Century (1996). He also published numerous articles which were featured in leading academic journals.
Legacy
George Friedman left behind an impressive legacy. His work in the field of international relations and strategic forecasting has made a lasting impact on the industry. He is credited with creating a unique methodology for geopolitical analysis and developing innovative ways to predict future events.
Friedman’s theories and predictions have been highly influential, helping to shape our understanding of international politics today. His publication The Next 100 Years was especially influential, as it offered detailed forecasts that helped readers prepare for potential global challenges ahead.
Politics
Friedman also played a prominent role in politics. He served as an adviser to President George W. Bush and advised several other world leaders on geopolitical strategy. In 2012, he was appointed to the Board of Directors of the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission by then-President Barack Obama.
Conclusion
George Friedman was an influential figure in international relations and strategic forecasting. His contributions to the field have had a lasting impact, and his publications are still highly respected today. He also played a prominent role in politics, offering advice to numerous world leaders on geopolitical strategy.
