ABSTRACT

This book argues that in the twenty-first century Eastern Eurasia will replace Europe as the theatre of decision in international affairs, and that this new geographic and cultural context will have a strong influence on the future of world affairs.

For half a millennium, the great powers have practised what might be called ‘world politics’, yet during that time Europe, and small portions of the Near East and North Africa strategically vital to Europe, were the ‘centres of gravity’ in international politics. This book argues that the ‘unipolar moment’ of the post-Cold War era will not be replaced by a US-China ‘Cold War’, but rather by a long period of multipolarity in the twenty-first century. Examining the policy goals and possible military-political strategies of several powers, this study explains how Washington may play a key role in eastern Eurasian affairs if it can learn to operate in a very different political context. Dale Walton also considers the rapid pace of technological change and how it will impact on great power politics. Considering India, China, the US, Russia, Japan, and other countries as part of a multipolar system, he addresses the central questions that will drive US policy in the coming decades.

Geopolitics and the Great Powers in the 21st Century will be of interest to students of international security, military history, geopolitics, and international relations.

chapter 1|12 pages

Geopolitics in an uncertain world

The case for classical geopolitics

chapter 2|13 pages

The geography of universal empire

The geopolitics of the Columbian Epoch

chapter 3|11 pages

The Grand Casino reopens

Multipolarity and international politics

chapter 4|22 pages

Leviathan slimming

Guarding American interests in a multipolar environment

chapter 5|16 pages

Strategizing without a license

The non-state challenge to world order

chapter 6|13 pages

Strategy 2.0

Great power competition in an era of technological revolution

chapter |7 pages

Conclusion