Essential Books on Global Politics

Spies: The Epic Intelligence War Between East and West

Calder Walton’s exploration of the covert struggle between Russia and Western allies, emphasizing the current relevance of espionage in global conflicts.[1]


Decision Advantage: Intelligence in International Politics from the Spanish Armada to Cyberwar

Jennifer E. Sims argues that superior intelligence can lead to quicker and better decision-making in international affairs, making it crucial for understanding current geopolitical dynamics.[1]


Rise and Kill First: The Secret History of Israel’s Targeted Assassinations

Ronen Bergman’s account of Israel’s covert assassination operations, contextualizing Israel's ongoing conflicts with its neighbors in modern geopolitics.[1]


The Weaponisation of Everything

Mark Galeotti discusses how modern conflicts increasingly involve non-military means, providing insight into the evolving nature of warfare and security practices.[1]


Bloc by Bloc: How the Global Economy is Reshaping

This book examines the changes in globalization and how nations and organizations need to adapt to new regional power dynamics.[1]


The Shield of Achilles

Philip Bobbitt redefines the nature of the state and its capacity to protect citizens in the context of modern threats, relevant to understanding political changes like Brexit and the wars in Ukraine.[1]


Black Wave: Saudi Arabia, Iran, and the Rivalry That Unraveled the Middle East

Kim Ghattas’ detailed account of the historical and ongoing rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran affecting regional politics.[1]


Russia’s War Against Ukraine: The Whole Story

Dr. Mark Edele outlines the historical context and implications of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.[1]


The Future of Geography

Tim Marshall explores the growing significance of space in geopolitics, framing it as a critical arena for future power struggles.[1]


Invisible China

Scott Rozelle and Natalie Hell analyze the rural developmental challenges in China, linking them to broader economic implications for global markets.[6]


Chip War: The Fight for the World’s Most Critical Technology

Chris Miller’s analysis of the semiconductor industry, highlighting its critical role in global technology and economic competition, especially between the US and China.[6]


The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order

Samuel P. Huntington argues that future conflicts will predominantly be cultural and religious in nature, reshaping our understanding of international relations.[6][9]


The Great Delusion: Liberal Dreams and International Realities

John J. Mearsheimer challenges the liberal international order’s assumptions, arguing that efforts to spread democracy often lead to conflict.[6][9]


The Accidental Superpower

Peter Zeihan reveals how geography shapes global economic and political power dynamics, explaining the rise and fall of nations throughout history.[6][9]


The End of History and the Last Man

Francis Fukuyama discusses the evolution of political systems, claiming the end of ideological competition with the rise of liberal democracy.[6][9]


The New Asian Hemisphere

Kishore Mahbubani presents the rise of Asia as a central theme in global politics, challenging traditional Western dominance.[6][9]


The State of Africa

Meredith outlines post-colonial challenges and successes of African nations, necessary for understanding future political dynamics on the continent.[1]


Cover of “Oceans Rise Empires Fall: Why Geopolitics Hastens Climate Catastrophe” by Gerard Toal
Oceans Rise Empires Fall

Gerard Toal discusses how geopolitics affects climate change action, linking territorial disputes and resource competition with global warming.[8]


A Map of Future Ruins: On Borders and Belonging

Lauren Markham provides a narrative on the refugee crisis, linking personal stories to broader geopolitical narratives in Europe.[8]


The Road to Unfreedom

Timothy Snyder examines the resurgence of authoritarianism through the lens of Russian politics, providing critical insights into contemporary global trends.[7]


What Really Went Wrong

Fawaz A. Gerges critiques U.S. foreign policy and its ramifications in the Middle East, offering historical context for current conflicts.[9]


On Tyranny

Timothy Snyder’s urgent call to defend democracy through historical lessons about authoritarianism and civic responsibility.[7]


How Democracies Die

Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt analyze the gradual erosion of democratic norms, illustrating the growing threat of authoritarianism.[7]


The Last Testament

A gripping thriller that combines contemporary geopolitics with ancient mythology, exploring the intersections of beliefs and modern conflicts.[5]


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