Stratfor: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|American geopolitical advising firm}}
{{Short description|American geopolitical advising firm}}
{{Confused|STRATCOM}}
{{Infobox company
{{Infobox company
| name = Stratfor Enterprises, LLC
| name = Stratfor Enterprises, LLC
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}}
}}


'''Strategic Forecasting Inc.''',<ref>{{Cite news |date=2012-06-28 |title=Stratfor to settle class action suit over hack |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-stratfor-hack-lawsuit-idUSBRE85R03720120628 |access-date=2022-09-13}}</ref> commonly known as '''Stratfor''', is an American [[strategic intelligence]] publishing company founded in 1996.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Perlroth|first=Nicole|date=2011-12-26|title=Hackers Breach the Web Site of Stratfor Global Intelligence|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/26/technology/hackers-breach-the-web-site-of-stratfor-global-intelligence.html|access-date=2020-11-29|issn=0362-4331|quote=Stratfor Global Intelligence Service, a company based in Austin, Tex., that analyzes geopolitical risk}}</ref> Stratfor's business model is to provide individual and enterprise subscriptions to Stratfor Worldview, its online publication, and to perform [[Intelligence agency|intelligence gathering]]<ref>{{Cite web|last=Chatterjee|first=Pratap|date=2012-02-28|title=WikiLeaks' Stratfor dump lifts lid on intelligence-industrial complex|url=http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/cifamerica/2012/feb/28/wikileaks-intelligence-industrial-complex|access-date=2020-11-29|website=Guardian|language=en|quote=WikiLeaks' latest release, of hacked emails from Stratfor, shines light on the murky world of private intelligence-gathering}}</ref> for corporate clients. The focus of Stratfor's content is security issues<ref>{{Cite news|last=Perlroth|first=Nicole|date=2011-12-26|title=Hackers Breach the Web Site of Stratfor Global Intelligence (Published 2011)|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/26/technology/hackers-breach-the-web-site-of-stratfor-global-intelligence.html|access-date=2020-11-29|issn=0362-4331|quote=a United States research group that puts out a daily newsletter on security issues}}</ref> and analyzing [[Geopolitics|geopolitical]] risk.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Perlroth|first=Nicole|date=2012-03-12|title=Inside the Stratfor Attack|url=https://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/03/12/inside-the-stratfor-attack/|access-date=2020-11-29|website=Bits Blog|language=en-US|quote=Stratfor Global Intelligence Service, a company based in Austin, Tex., that analyzes geopolitical risk}}</ref>
'''Strategic Forecasting Inc.'''<ref>{{Cite news |date=2012-06-28 |title=Stratfor to settle class action suit over hack |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-stratfor-hack-lawsuit-idUSBRE85R03720120628 |access-date=2022-09-13}}</ref> is an American [[strategic intelligence]] publishing company founded in 1996.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Perlroth|first=Nicole|date=2011-12-26|title=Hackers Breach the Web Site of Stratfor Global Intelligence|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/26/technology/hackers-breach-the-web-site-of-stratfor-global-intelligence.html|access-date=2020-11-29|issn=0362-4331|quote=Stratfor Global Intelligence Service, a company based in Austin, Tex., that analyzes geopolitical risk}}</ref> Stratfor's business model is to provide individual and enterprise subscriptions to Stratfor Worldview, its online publication, and to perform [[Intelligence agency|intelligence gathering]]<ref>{{Cite web|last=Chatterjee|first=Pratap|date=2012-02-28|title=WikiLeaks' Stratfor dump lifts lid on intelligence-industrial complex|url=http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/cifamerica/2012/feb/28/wikileaks-intelligence-industrial-complex|access-date=2020-11-29|website=Guardian|language=en|quote=WikiLeaks' latest release, of hacked emails from Stratfor, shines light on the murky world of private intelligence-gathering}}</ref> for corporate clients. The focus of Stratfor's content is security issues<ref>{{Cite news|last=Perlroth|first=Nicole|date=2011-12-26|title=Hackers Breach the Web Site of Stratfor Global Intelligence (Published 2011)|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/26/technology/hackers-breach-the-web-site-of-stratfor-global-intelligence.html|access-date=2020-11-29|issn=0362-4331|quote=a United States research group that puts out a daily newsletter on security issues}}</ref> and analyzing [[Geopolitics|geopolitical]] risk.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Perlroth|first=Nicole|date=2012-03-12|title=Inside the Stratfor Attack|url=https://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/03/12/inside-the-stratfor-attack/|access-date=2020-11-29|website=Bits Blog|language=en-US|quote=Stratfor Global Intelligence Service, a company based in Austin, Tex., that analyzes geopolitical risk}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
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George served as the head of analysis for the organization, and the business was led by several CEOs in the late 1990s and early 2000s as it refined its offerings. Chip Harmon<ref>{{Cite press release |url=https://www.stratfor.com/horizons/stratfor-appoints-chip-harmon-president-lead-next-phase-growth|title=Stratfor Appoints Chip Harmon as President to Lead Next Phase of Growth|publisher=Stratfor|language=en|access-date=2018-03-01}}</ref> was appointed president in February 2018.
George served as the head of analysis for the organization, and the business was led by several CEOs in the late 1990s and early 2000s as it refined its offerings. Chip Harmon<ref>{{Cite press release |url=https://www.stratfor.com/horizons/stratfor-appoints-chip-harmon-president-lead-next-phase-growth|title=Stratfor Appoints Chip Harmon as President to Lead Next Phase of Growth|publisher=Stratfor|language=en|access-date=2018-03-01}}</ref> was appointed president in February 2018.


Stratfor was acquired by RANE in 2020. <ref>{{cite press release | url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rane-acquires-geopolitical-intelligence-platform-stratfor-300998822.html | title=RANE Acquires Geopolitical Intelligence Platform Stratfor }}</ref>
Stratfor was acquired by RANE in 2020.<ref>{{cite press release | url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rane-acquires-geopolitical-intelligence-platform-stratfor-300998822.html | title=RANE Acquires Geopolitical Intelligence Platform Stratfor }}</ref>


==Structure and operations==
==Structure and operations==
Stratfor clients have included academic institutions, investment firms, and large corporations such as [[Lockheed Martin]], [[Goldman Sachs]], [[Bank of America]], [[the Coca-Cola Company]], and [[Dow Chemical Company]].<ref name="rs280212">{{cite news|last1=Hastings|first1=Michael|date=28 February 2012|title=WikiLeaks Stratfor Emails: A Secret Indictment Against Julian Assange?|publisher=RollingStone|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/wikileaks-stratfor-emails-a-secret-indictment-against-julian-assange-181655/|access-date=28 October 2019}}</ref><ref name="nbc280212">{{cite news|last1=Weber|first1=Paul J.|last2=Satter|first2=Raphael|date=28 February 2012|title=Leaked emails shine rare light on Stratfor|publisher=NBC News|agency=AP|url=http://www.nbcnews.com/id/46555168/ns/us_news-security/t/leaked-emails-shine-rare-light-stratfor/#.XbZ6Fi1L0cg|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130303064557/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/46555168/ns/us_news-security/t/leaked-emails-shine-rare-light-stratfor/#.XbZ6Fi1L0cg|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 3, 2013|access-date=28 October 2019}}</ref><ref name="yahoo280212">{{cite news|last1=Vinograd|first1=Cassandra|last2=Satter|first2=Raphael|date=28 February 2012|title=WikiLeaks publishes leaked Stratfor emails|publisher=Yahoo|agency=AP|url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/wikileaks-publishes-leaked-stratfor-emails-135816242.html|access-date=28 October 2019}}</ref> Many of Stratfor's operatives previously worked for the U.S. government.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Pfeffer |first1=Anshel |title=Israel, Kurdish Fighters Destroyed Iran Nuclear Facility, Email Released by WikiLeaks Claims |url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/israel-kurdish-fighters-destroyed-iran-nuclear-facility-email-released-by-wikileaks-claims-1.415066 |website=Haaretz |access-date=21 February 2024 |language=en |date=17 February 2012}}</ref>
Stratfor clients have included academic institutions, investment firms, and large corporations such as [[Lockheed Martin]], [[Goldman Sachs]], [[Bank of America]], [[the Coca-Cola Company]], and [[Dow Chemical Company]].<ref name="rs280212">{{cite news|last1=Hastings|first1=Michael|date=28 February 2012|title=WikiLeaks Stratfor Emails: A Secret Indictment Against Julian Assange?|publisher=RollingStone|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/wikileaks-stratfor-emails-a-secret-indictment-against-julian-assange-181655/|access-date=28 October 2019}}</ref><ref name="nbc280212">{{cite news|last1=Weber|first1=Paul J.|last2=Satter|first2=Raphael|date=28 February 2012|title=Leaked emails shine rare light on Stratfor|publisher=NBC News|agency=AP|url=http://www.nbcnews.com/id/46555168/ns/us_news-security/t/leaked-emails-shine-rare-light-stratfor/#.XbZ6Fi1L0cg|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130303064557/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/46555168/ns/us_news-security/t/leaked-emails-shine-rare-light-stratfor/#.XbZ6Fi1L0cg|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 3, 2013|access-date=28 October 2019}}</ref><ref name="yahoo280212">{{cite news|last1=Vinograd|first1=Cassandra|last2=Satter|first2=Raphael|date=28 February 2012|title=WikiLeaks publishes leaked Stratfor emails|publisher=Yahoo|agency=AP|url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/wikileaks-publishes-leaked-stratfor-emails-135816242.html|access-date=28 October 2019}}</ref> Many of Stratfor's operatives previously worked for the U.S. government.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Pfeffer |first1=Anshel |title=Israel, Kurdish Fighters Destroyed Iran Nuclear Facility, Email Released by WikiLeaks Claims |url=https://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/israel-kurdish-fighters-destroyed-iran-nuclear-facility-email-released-by-wikileaks-claims-1.415066 |website=Haaretz |access-date=21 February 2024 |language=en |date=17 February 2012}}</ref>


Media coverage of their ideas about the [[1998 bombing of Iraq]] brought Stratfor into the public eye.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Fisher|first=Max|date=2012-02-22|title=Stratfor Is a Joke and So Is Wikileaks for Taking It Seriously|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2012/02/stratfor-is-a-joke-and-so-is-wikileaks-for-taking-it-seriously/253681/|magazine=Atlantic|access-date=2021-07-05|quote=. . . Stratfor's first big break had come in 1999 with a spate of glowing articles such as this January piece in ''Time,'' which reported Stratfor's 'striking' theory that the U.S. bombing of Iraq in December 1998 was 'actually designed to mask a failed U.S.-backed coup.'}}</ref> At this time, the company had about twenty employees.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Hall|first=Michael|date=1999|title=The Spying Game|url=https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/the-spying-game/|magazine=Texas Monthly|access-date=2021-07-05}}</ref> By 2008 they were up to 40 full-time employees in [[Austin, Texas|Austin]]. 2016 saw the number rise to about 100, three-quarters of whom were based in Austin.<ref name="states">{{cite news|last=Grisales|first=Claudia|date=25 September 2018|orig-year=21 October 2015 (stated as 4 September 2016)|title=Austin's Stratfor raises $12 million to fund growth|work=[[Austin American-Statesman]]|url=https://www.statesman.com/business/20160904/austins-stratfor-raises-12-million-to-fund-growth|url-status=live|access-date=4 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151023074915/http://www.mystatesman.com/news/business/austins-stratfor-raises-12-million-in-growth-plan/nn6zY/|archive-date=23 October 2015}}</ref> Stratfor often hired and trained interns from the nearby [[University of Texas at Austin|University of Texas]].<ref name="nbc280212" />
Media coverage of their ideas about the [[1998 bombing of Iraq]] brought Stratfor into the public eye.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Fisher|first=Max|date=2012-02-22|title=Stratfor Is a Joke and So Is Wikileaks for Taking It Seriously|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2012/02/stratfor-is-a-joke-and-so-is-wikileaks-for-taking-it-seriously/253681/|magazine=Atlantic|access-date=2021-07-05|quote=. . . Stratfor's first big break had come in 1999 with a spate of glowing articles such as this January piece in ''Time,'' which reported Stratfor's 'striking' theory that the U.S. bombing of Iraq in December 1998 was 'actually designed to mask a failed U.S.-backed coup.'}}</ref> At this time, the company had about twenty employees.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Hall|first=Michael|date=1999|title=The Spying Game|url=https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/the-spying-game/|magazine=Texas Monthly|access-date=2021-07-05}}</ref> By 2008 they were up to 40 full-time employees in [[Austin, Texas|Austin]]. 2016 saw the number rise to about 100, three-quarters of whom were based in Austin.<ref name="states">{{cite news|last=Grisales|first=Claudia|date=25 September 2018|orig-year=21 October 2015 (stated as 4 September 2016)|title=Austin's Stratfor raises $12 million to fund growth|work=[[Austin American-Statesman]]|url=https://www.statesman.com/business/20160904/austins-stratfor-raises-12-million-to-fund-growth|url-status=live|access-date=4 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151023074915/http://www.mystatesman.com/news/business/austins-stratfor-raises-12-million-in-growth-plan/nn6zY/|archive-date=23 October 2015}}</ref> Stratfor often hired and trained interns from the nearby [[University of Texas at Austin|University of Texas]].<ref name="nbc280212" />
Line 52: Line 53:
===Funding===
===Funding===
In October 2015, Stratfor raised $12 million in funding through a growth equity investment by Dallas-based Teakwood Capital.<ref>{{cite news|last=Calnan|first=Christopher|date=22 October 2015|title=Austin security firm raises $12M, plans C-suite hire|work=[[Austin Business Journal]]|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/blog/techflash/2015/10/austin-security-firm-raises-12m-plans-c-suite-hire.html|access-date=4 April 2019}}</ref> Stratfor planned to use the funds to expand its reporting networks, improve operational infrastructure, and move into new markets.<ref name="states" />
In October 2015, Stratfor raised $12 million in funding through a growth equity investment by Dallas-based Teakwood Capital.<ref>{{cite news|last=Calnan|first=Christopher|date=22 October 2015|title=Austin security firm raises $12M, plans C-suite hire|work=[[Austin Business Journal]]|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/blog/techflash/2015/10/austin-security-firm-raises-12m-plans-c-suite-hire.html|access-date=4 April 2019}}</ref> Stratfor planned to use the funds to expand its reporting networks, improve operational infrastructure, and move into new markets.<ref name="states" />
==Products==
In April 2017, the company launched its core online publication under the name Stratfor Worldview.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/multimedia-update-stratfor-launches-worldview-revolutionizes-access-geopolitical-intelligence-2212225.htm|title=Stratfor Launches Worldview, Revolutionizes Access to Geopolitical Intelligence, Analysis and Forecasting|date=April 26, 2017|website=Marketwired}}</ref>


==Books==
==Books==
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== Hack and publication of emails ==
== Hack and publication of emails ==
{{main|Stratfor email leak}}
{{main|Stratfor email leak}}
On December 24, 2011, Stratfor's website was hacked. [[Anonymous (group)|Anonymous]] claimed responsibility, and also posted data they claim was taken from Stratfor, including credit card details, passwords, and addresses of Stratfor clients.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Perlroth|first=Nicole|date=2011-12-26|title=Hackers Breach the Web Site of Stratfor Global Intelligence (Published 2011)|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/26/technology/hackers-breach-the-web-site-of-stratfor-global-intelligence.html|access-date=2020-11-29|issn=0362-4331|quote=The hackers posted a list online that they say contains Stratfor’s confidential client list as well as credit card details, passwords and home addresses for some 4,000 Stratfor clients. The hackers also said they had details for more than 90,000 credit card accounts.}}</ref> Their email system was also compromised.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970203479104577120530217909036 |title=Anonymous Claims Hack of Credit Data From Security Group |date=December 25, 2011 |publisher=Wall Street Journal |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111226005704/http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203479104577120530217909036.html |archive-date=December 26, 2011 }}</ref>
On December 24, 2011, Stratfor's website was hacked. [[Anonymous (group)|Anonymous]] claimed responsibility, and also posted data they claim was taken from Stratfor, including credit card details, passwords, and addresses of Stratfor clients.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Perlroth|first=Nicole|date=2011-12-26|title=Hackers Breach the Web Site of Stratfor Global Intelligence (Published 2011)|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/26/technology/hackers-breach-the-web-site-of-stratfor-global-intelligence.html|access-date=2020-11-29|issn=0362-4331|quote=The hackers posted a list online that they say contains Stratfor’s confidential client list as well as credit card details, passwords and home addresses for some 4,000 Stratfor clients. The hackers also said they had details for more than 90,000 credit card accounts.}}</ref> Their email system was also compromised.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970203479104577120530217909036 |title=Anonymous Claims Hack of Credit Data From Security Group |date=December 25, 2011 |publisher=Wall Street Journal |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111226005704/http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203479104577120530217909036.html |archive-date=December 26, 2011 }}</ref> Leaked emails were published by [[WikiLeaks]] and revealed Stratfor's surveillance of groups such as [[Occupy Wall Street]] and activists fighting for compensation from [[Dow Chemical Company|Dow Chemical]] for the [[Bhopal disaster]].<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Kopfstein |first1=Janus |date=November 21, 2013 |title=Hacker with a Cause |url=https://www.newyorker.com/tech/annals-of-technology/hacker-with-a-cause |access-date=November 27, 2018 |magazine=The New Yorker}}</ref>


In November 2013, computer hacker [[Jeremy Hammond]] was sentenced to ten years in [[federal prison]] for his role in the Anonymous attack.<ref>{{cite news|last=Kopfstein|first=Janus|title=Hacker with a Cause|url=http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/elements/2013/11/jeremy-hammond-and-anonymous-hacker-with-a-cause.html|access-date=8 March 2014|newspaper=The New Yorker|date=21 November 2013}}</ref> An [[FBI informant]], [[Hector Xavier Monsegur]] (also known as "Sabu"), initially faced 124 years in prison for his role in the attack, but his sentence was reduced to time served plus one year's supervised release in May 2014 in exchange for his cooperation as an FBI informant.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Pilkington|first1=Ed|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/may/27/hacker-sabu-walks-free-sentenced-time-served|access-date=26 June 2014|title=LulzSec hacker 'Sabu' released after 'extraordinary' FBI cooperation|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|date=May 27, 2014}}</ref>
In November 2013, computer hacker [[Jeremy Hammond]] was sentenced to ten years in [[federal prison]] for his role in the Anonymous attack.<ref>{{cite news|last=Kopfstein|first=Janus|title=Hacker with a Cause|url=http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/elements/2013/11/jeremy-hammond-and-anonymous-hacker-with-a-cause.html|access-date=8 March 2014|newspaper=The New Yorker|date=21 November 2013}}</ref> An [[FBI informant]], [[Hector Xavier Monsegur]] (also known as "Sabu"), initially faced 124 years in prison for his role in the attack, but his sentence was reduced to time served plus one year's supervised release in May 2014 in exchange for his cooperation as an FBI informant.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Pilkington|first1=Ed|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/may/27/hacker-sabu-walks-free-sentenced-time-served|access-date=26 June 2014|title=LulzSec hacker 'Sabu' released after 'extraordinary' FBI cooperation|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|date=May 27, 2014}}</ref>


[[WikiLeaks]] announced the initial publication of more than five million of Stratfor's e-mail messages on February 26, 2012, under the name Global Intelligence Files.<ref name="The Global Intelligence Files">{{cite news| url=https://wikileaks.org/the-gifiles.html | work=[[WikiLeaks]] | title=The Global Intelligence Files | date=February 27, 2012}}</ref> Anonymous said it had leaked the emails to WikiLeaks.<ref>{{cite web|author=Andy Greenberg |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/andygreenberg/2012/02/27/wikileaks-tightens-ties-to-anonymous-in-leak-of-stratfor-emails/ |title=WikiLeaks Tightens Ties To Anonymous In Leak Of Stratfor Emails |work=Forbes |access-date=2012-02-27}}
[[WikiLeaks]] announced the initial publication of more than five million of Stratfor's e-mail messages on February 26, 2012, under the name Global Intelligence Files.<ref name="The Global Intelligence Files">{{cite news| url=https://wikileaks.org/the-gifiles.html | work=[[WikiLeaks]] | title=The Global Intelligence Files | date=February 27, 2012}}</ref> Anonymous said it had leaked the emails to WikiLeaks.<ref>{{cite web|author=Andy Greenberg |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/andygreenberg/2012/02/27/wikileaks-tightens-ties-to-anonymous-in-leak-of-stratfor-emails/ |title=WikiLeaks Tightens Ties To Anonymous In Leak Of Stratfor Emails |work=Forbes |access-date=2012-02-27}}
</ref>  
</ref> George Friedman stated that third parties may have forged or altered the e-mail messages, but that Stratfor would not validate either alterations or authenticity.<ref>
George Friedman stated that third parties may have forged or altered the e-mail messages, but that Stratfor would not validate either alterations or authenticity.<ref>
{{cite news
{{cite news
| url= http://stratfor.com/hacking-news/subscriber-info | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120210084902/http://stratfor.com/hacking-news/subscriber-info | url-status= dead | archive-date= February 10, 2012 | work=Stratfor  
| url= http://stratfor.com/hacking-news/subscriber-info | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120210084902/http://stratfor.com/hacking-news/subscriber-info | url-status= dead | archive-date= February 10, 2012 | work=Stratfor  

Latest revision as of 17:43, 30 December 2025

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Strategic Forecasting Inc.[1] is an American strategic intelligence publishing company founded in 1996.[2] Stratfor's business model is to provide individual and enterprise subscriptions to Stratfor Worldview, its online publication, and to perform intelligence gathering[3] for corporate clients. The focus of Stratfor's content is security issues[4] and analyzing geopolitical risk.[5]

History

The origin of Stratfor can be traced to the Center for Geopolitical Studies (CGPS) at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. There, professors George Friedman and Leonard Hochberg built a team that researched geopolitics, built wargaming simulations, and advised companies on geopolitical risks and opportunities.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

The company was founded in 1996 and named Strategic Forecasting (Stratfor) by lead analyst Matthew S. Baker. It was moved to Austin in August 1997 with seven members of the CGPS team who served as part of the co-founding team along with founder George Friedman.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

George served as the head of analysis for the organization, and the business was led by several CEOs in the late 1990s and early 2000s as it refined its offerings. Chip Harmon[6] was appointed president in February 2018.

Stratfor was acquired by RANE in 2020.[7]

Structure and operations

Stratfor clients have included academic institutions, investment firms, and large corporations such as Lockheed Martin, Goldman Sachs, Bank of America, the Coca-Cola Company, and Dow Chemical Company.[8][9][10] Many of Stratfor's operatives previously worked for the U.S. government.[11]

Media coverage of their ideas about the 1998 bombing of Iraq brought Stratfor into the public eye.[12] At this time, the company had about twenty employees.[13] By 2008 they were up to 40 full-time employees in Austin. 2016 saw the number rise to about 100, three-quarters of whom were based in Austin.[14] Stratfor often hired and trained interns from the nearby University of Texas.[9]

Stratfor analysts pay for information, but also use open source information to predict where global crises will arise. Stratfor also obtains information by way of personal networks. Fred Burton indicated in leaked emails that he maintained contact with his trusted former CIA sources as a source of information, and that he was aware of the sealed indictment against Julian Assange in 2011.[9][8][15] Barron's Jonathan Laing has called Stratfor founder George Friedman "one of our favorite experts on geopolitics," saying, "His judgments tend to be more nuanced and long-term than those of the press or Wall Street."[16] More recently, The Atlantic's James Fallows referenced a Stratfor article on U.S. strategy in Iraq and Ukraine, following outbreaks of turmoil in those regions.[17]

Friedman resigned from the company in 2015 to launch a new company, Geopolitical Futures.[18]

Dun & Bradstreet's estimate of Stratfor's 2021 revenue is $11.61 million.[19]

Funding

In October 2015, Stratfor raised $12 million in funding through a growth equity investment by Dallas-based Teakwood Capital.[20] Stratfor planned to use the funds to expand its reporting networks, improve operational infrastructure, and move into new markets.[14]

Books

Kamran Bokhari, Stratfor's former vice president for Middle East and South Asian affairs, co-wrote Political Islam in the Age of Democratization (2013). Reviewer Amani el Sehrawey called the book "an invaluable tool for those seeking to gain knowledge of the nuances of the political systems of the Muslim world from a historical perspective, as well as to understand the contemporary changes happening in the region."[21]

Hack and publication of emails

Script error: No such module "Labelled list hatnote". On December 24, 2011, Stratfor's website was hacked. Anonymous claimed responsibility, and also posted data they claim was taken from Stratfor, including credit card details, passwords, and addresses of Stratfor clients.[22] Their email system was also compromised.[23] Leaked emails were published by WikiLeaks and revealed Stratfor's surveillance of groups such as Occupy Wall Street and activists fighting for compensation from Dow Chemical for the Bhopal disaster.[24]

In November 2013, computer hacker Jeremy Hammond was sentenced to ten years in federal prison for his role in the Anonymous attack.[25] An FBI informant, Hector Xavier Monsegur (also known as "Sabu"), initially faced 124 years in prison for his role in the attack, but his sentence was reduced to time served plus one year's supervised release in May 2014 in exchange for his cooperation as an FBI informant.[26]

WikiLeaks announced the initial publication of more than five million of Stratfor's e-mail messages on February 26, 2012, under the name Global Intelligence Files.[27] Anonymous said it had leaked the emails to WikiLeaks.[28] George Friedman stated that third parties may have forged or altered the e-mail messages, but that Stratfor would not validate either alterations or authenticity.[29] Stratfor condemned the release.[30]

References

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  1. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  2. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  3. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  4. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  5. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  6. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  7. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  8. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  9. ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  10. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  11. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  12. ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
  13. ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
  14. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  15. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1". (read complete article Template:Webarchive)
  16. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  17. ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
  18. ↑ Pope, Colin (December 3, 2015). "Stratfor Founder George Friedman Starts Media Business," Austin Business Journal.
  19. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  20. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  21. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  22. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  23. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  24. ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
  25. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  26. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  27. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  28. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  29. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  30. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

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Further reading

External links

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