[[Geopolitics]], [[Intelligence Analysis]], [[Analysis]], [[History]] # The World - A Brief Introduction Author: [[Richard Haass]] ## Overview The book provides an introductory overview of the major historical events, regional issues, and global geopolitical issues that are impacting the world today. It is broadly divided into four sections: 1. A brief history of the major historical, and geopolitical developments that have shaped our world 2. A brief outline of the state of major regions, the actors and interactions. 3. The major geopolitical threats, issues or talking points of today's world 4. The authors framework of thinking around world orders, balance of power and where he thinks we might be headed. ### Global History The author divides history into four chunks that are relevant to understanding the current geopolitical landscape. - **From the end of the 30 Years War to before world war 1**: - **The two world wars**: - **The cold war era**: - **The post cold war era**: ### Regions He divides the world into 6 different regions: - **Europe**: - **East Asia and the Pacific**: - **South Asia**: - **The Middle East and North Africa**: - **Africa**: - **The Americas**: ### Geopolitical Issues He identified 10 core issues that will effect the world in the coming years. I will elaborate more on those areas that I think are interesting: - **Globalization**: - **Terrorism and Counterterrorism**: - **Nuclear Proliferation**: - **Climate Change**: - **Migration**: - **Cyberspace and Cybersecurity**: - **Global Health** - **Trade and Investment**: - **Currency and Monetary Policy**: - **Development**: ### Global Balance of Power ## Criticism - Personally the focus on climate change projected into the future is annoying. Although discussions relating to the effect of past climate changes on society are interesting, he was more focused on how the predicted changes in climate will dramatically shape the world. He was also repeatedly dire about our inability to collectively do anything. - He does not discuss any theoretical frameworks for examining the world or how it works. To me the book was intended as an overview so I wouldn't exactly expect it but it would have been nice to hear about the different ways people think about geopolitics. - He advocates for American involvement and seemed to be implying that the withdrawal of America from world affairs was a bad thing, because it is causing or letting the world order change. I would argue that this is natural and even positive. ## My Takeaway - The US has really been incredibly powerful and has effectively enforced global stability over the past few decades, in particular since the end of the Cold War. Could it be that these were some of the most peaceful years in history? It would be well worth the effort to spend some time thinking about how a more disorderly world affects markets and the investing landscape. Understanding geopolitics and the various interests of powerful countries could yield some alpha. - After reading the section on nuclear weapon proliferation and the relationship between Iran, Isreal and the US, I made a note to myself that the next few years is the perfect time for a preventative strike on Iranian nuclear missile interests. Two days later there was a large explosion, presumed to be caused by Isreal, near the Iranian missile production site. The interests of the different actors and the constraints posed on them do allow some things to be predictable.