Stratfor

Strategic Forecasting, Inc., commonly known as Stratfor, is a private intelligence and strategic advisory firm founded in 1996. The company's origins trace back to the Center for Geopolitical Studies at Louisiana State University, where professors George Friedman and Leonard Hochberg developed wargaming simulations and advised companies on geopolitical risks. Friedman, who holds a Ph.D. in government from Cornell University, founded the company and served as its chief analyst, applying a methodology rooted in the study of history and geopolitics to forecast global events. The company moved to Austin, Texas, in 1997. In February 2020, Stratfor was acquired by RANE (Risk Assistance Network + Exchange), a network-based risk intelligence company, to expand its suite of services for risk professionals.

Stratfor's business model centers on providing geopolitical analysis and forecasting to a diverse client base that includes large corporations, financial institutions, government agencies, and individuals. Clients like Lockheed Martin, Goldman Sachs, and various U.S. government bodies have utilized its services. Revenue is generated primarily through subscriptions to its online publications and through custom advisory services. The firm offers tiered products to meet different client needs. 'Stratfor Worldview' provides subscribers with objective intelligence and analysis on the implications of global events. For corporate clients, 'Threat Lens' is a specialized product designed to identify, measure, and mitigate risks to an organization's people and assets worldwide. Additionally, Stratfor provides bespoke advisory services, offering tailored analysis for strategic planning and investment decisions.

The firm's approach involves analyzing open-source information and leveraging personal networks to produce non-partisan, predictive intelligence. This methodology aims to cut through the noise of daily news to provide clients with a deeper understanding of the underlying forces shaping international affairs. By focusing on long-term trends rather than isolated events, Stratfor helps organizations and individuals anticipate and navigate a complex global landscape. Following its acquisition by RANE, Stratfor's content and analysis have been integrated into the RANE platform, which offers a broader suite of risk management tools and access to a network of vetted experts.

Keywords: geopolitical intelligence, strategic forecasting, risk management, global analysis, political risk, security consulting, corporate security, intelligence advisory, strategic intelligence, geopolitical forecasting, international relations analysis, Threat Lens, RANE Network, George Friedman, country risk assessment, open-source intelligence, strategic advisory, corporate intelligence, global trends, economic forecasting, security analysis, investment intelligence, geopolitical risk analysis, strategic consulting, government intelligence