2024 Geopolitical Reading List
The year 2023 brought about significant geopolitical shifts, with global instability continuing to escalate. The invasion of Ukraine by Russia, along with ongoing conflicts between Azerbaijan and Armenia, Israel and Palestine, and a series of coups across Africa, have had far-reaching consequences. These events have unfolded against a backdrop of energy and economic crises, resulting in a negative feedback loop of instability. The upcoming year, 2024, promises to be equally tumultuous, with BRICS striving to challenge US hegemony and a closely contested US election that will have a profound impact on global politics.
To better understand the driving forces behind geopolitical developments and their future implications, we have compiled a list of the best books for analysts, students, and global affairs-watchers. This list includes both team favorites and thematic reading recommendations. It features books from previous years as well as the best works from 2023.
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Team Favorites:
– “Spies: The Epic Intelligence War Between East and West” by Calder Walton: This book delves into the covert struggle between Russia and Western allies throughout history, shedding light on the current war with hostile powers that the West hasn’t fully realized it is fighting.
– “Decision Advantage: Intelligence in International Politics from the Spanish Armada to Cyberwar” by Jennifer E. Sims: Sims explores how better intelligence provides governments with competitive advantages in decision-making processes, an important factor in understanding recent geopolitical events.
– “Rise and Kill First: The Secret History of Israel’s Targeted Assassinations” by Ronen Bergman: This book offers insights into Israel’s targeted assassination program, providing crucial context for understanding the region’s trajectory in 2024.
– “The Weaponization of Everything” by Mark Galeotti: Galeotti examines how conflict is evolving to incorporate non-military means such as disinformation and criminality, challenging traditional security systems.
– “Bloc by Bloc” by Steven Weber: This book explores the challenges posed by globalization and the rise of regional geopolitical-economic power blocs, an important consideration in navigating the changing global economy.
– “The Shield of Achilles” by Philip Bobbitt: Bobbitt redefines recent history as an epic struggle between communism, fascism, and parliamentarianism, providing a lens to better understand global events and the evolution of the nation-state.
– “Precision: A History of American Warfare” by James Patton Rogers: Rogers traces the pursuit of precision in war throughout the 20th century, highlighting its significance in contemporary conflicts.
– “Black Wave: Saudi Arabia, Iran, and the Rivalry that Unraveled the Middle East” by Kim Ghattas: This book chronicles the bitter contest between Saudi Arabia and Iran, providing a comprehensive understanding of the region’s dynamics.
– “The Russo-Ukrainian War” by Serhii Plokhy: Plokhy offers insights into the roots of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, shedding light on one of the largest armed conflicts in Europe since World War II.
Thematic Reading List:
– Battle for Technology: “Chip War: The Fight for the World’s Most Critical Technology” by Chris Miller explores the high-stakes competition for semiconductors, an essential resource in today’s world.
– Future Geopolitics: “The Future of Geography” by Tim Marshall delves into the impact of space on geopolitics, highlighting the growing importance of the astropolitical battleground.
– Climate Change and Energy: “International Relations in the Anthropocene: New Agendas, New Agencies and New Approaches” offers fresh perspectives on climate change and its impact on global affairs.
– Informational Warfare: “How to Lose the Information War” by Nina Jankowicz examines the weaponization of social media and explores the risks posed by disinformation.
– General Geopolitics and Warfare: “Understanding Urban Warfare” by Liam Collins and John Spencer provides insights into the complexities of modern urban warfare, an area of increasing strategic importance.
These books offer valuable insights into the geopolitical landscape and the forces shaping global affairs. As 2024 unfolds, understanding these dynamics will be crucial for navigating the ever-changing world stage.
Conclusion:
Encyclopedia Geopolitica extends its gratitude to readers and contributors for their continued support. The publication aims to provide thoughtful insights on world affairs through the collaborative efforts of military officers, geopolitical intelligence analysts, government officials, academics, and journalists. The second season of the “How to get on a Watchlist” podcast has been a success, and the team looks forward to continuing to bring informative articles and podcasts to its audience.
As geopolitical shifts continue to unfold, Encyclopedia Geopolitica remains committed to providing valuable perspectives on critical global developments. The books listed above offer valuable insights into various aspects of geopolitics, helping readers gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
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