Analysis

Lebanon, Syria: Cutting Strands in a Militant Web

November 20, 2008 2316 GMT

Syria has decided to cut ties with Fatah al-Islam, a murky Islamist militant group operating in Lebanon, according to Stratfor sources. [more]

The Web site of Icelandic Internet bank Icesave

Iceland: The Worsening Economic Climate

November 20, 2008 2222 GMT

In spite of a growing aid package, the economic situation in Iceland is about to take a turn for the worse. [more]

Russian President Dmitri Medvedev (R) and German Chancellor Angela Merkel chatting before a meeting in St. Petersburg, Russia

Russia: Granting Favors to Select NATO Members

November 20, 2008 2129 GMT

Russia is showing its willingness to work with those NATO members that cooperate with Moscow on vital geopolitical issues. [more]

Japanese Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Toshihiro Nikai

Japan: An October Surprise Trade Deficit

November 20, 2008 2120 GMT

An October trade deficit has startled Tokyo. [more]

Latvia: Seeking Support from the IMF

November 20, 2008 2104 GMT

Latvia is looking to set up a stabilization package in case the economic situation in the country gets worse, but has to act fast. (With Stratfor map) [more]

Saudi Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdel-Aziz in June

Saudi Arabia: Implications of the Crown Prince's Health

November 20, 2008 1828 GMT

Saudi Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdul-Aziz reportedly is in rapidly declining health, something with major implications for the kingdom. [more]

China: Facing the Inevitable Crisis

November 20, 2008 1802 GMT

With the global economy in a downturn, China's economic options are shrinking. [more]

Iraqi women protest the proposed U.S.-Iraqi SOFA in the southern Iraqi city of An Najaf on Nov. 1

Iraq, U.S.: The SOFA and What Could Still Go Wrong

November 20, 2008 1758 GMT

There are still several factors that could derail the Status of Forces Agreement between the United States and Iraq. [more]

Part 3: Outside Intervention

November 20, 2008 1201 GMT

In the third installment of a series on Ukraine, Stratfor examines Ukraine's strategic importance to both Russia and the West and the ways in which both sides could influence Kiev. (With Stratfor map) [more]

Pakistani paramilitary soldiers lead supplies for NATO and US-led forces in Afghanistan at the Pakistani border town of Jamrud

Afghanistan: The Search for Safer Supply Routes

November 19, 2008 2324 GMT

An increase in attacks on supply convoys for Western forces in Afghanistan is leading the United States to look for alternate supply routes. (With Stratfor map) [more]

A U.S. Air Force UAV in August 2007 at Creech Air Force Base in Indian Springs, Nev.

United States: Pushing Deeper into Pakistan

November 19, 2008 2310 GMT

With its latest missile strike, the United States is testing the limits in its war against al Qaeda and the Taliban. [more]

Alexei Miller, chief of Russian natural gas giant Gazprom

Europe: Skipping Out on Gazprom's Bill?

November 19, 2008 2121 GMT

Countries that buy natural gas from Russia's Gazprom reportedly told the firm that if prices increase, they will not be able to pay. [more]

U.S. Naval Update Map: Nov. 19, 2008

November 19, 2008 2000 GMT

A weekly approximation of the current locations of U.S. Carrier Strike Groups and Expeditionary Strike Groups, based on available open-source information. (With Stratfor map) [more]

Workers weld a pipeline at the border between Russia and Georgia

Russia, Georgia: Preparing for Uncomfortable Energy Talks

November 19, 2008 1908 GMT

Though Russo-Georgian relations are in tatters, Georgia has no choice but to remain dependent on Russia for natural gas. [more]

A salesman helps consumers out at an appliance store

United States: The Pitfalls of Negative Inflation

November 19, 2008 1739 GMT

Inflation in the United States has turned negative, but there is a dark side to decreasing prices. [more]

Part 2: Domestic Forces and Capabilities

November 19, 2008 1204 GMT

In the second part of a series on Ukraine, Stratfor examines the country's internal political and economic forces and capabilities. [more]

Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshiyar Zebari at signing of U.S.-Iraqi security pact

Middle East: How the Region Views the SOFA

November 18, 2008 2246 GMT

Iraq’s neighbors are going to have to start adjusting to a new reality in which U.S. forces will be departing Iraq in three years. [more]

Australian Defense Minister Joel Fitzgibbon

Australia: The Navy's Hopes for the Holidays

November 18, 2008 2153 GMT

Australia will shut its navy down for two months for the holidays as a strategy to help with recruitment and retention -- and perhaps to save money. (With Stratfor maps) [more]