The Owned Continent
In 2025, Europe endured a continental-scale humiliation. The EU and UK gave in to Donald Trump's tariff extortion - accepting lopsided trade deals, tribute-like payments and adjustments to domestic laws. At NATO, European leaders grovelled -- calling the US president "daddy" even as he threatened to invade an EU country's territory. "They call me the president of Europe," Trump bragged. Terrified of losing US protection from Russia, European leaders have accepted terms that echo the coersion once imposed on China during its 'century of humiliation'. Yet citizens accepted it. Why?Journalist Dave Keating says the reason goes far beyond geopolitics. America permeates Europeans' daily lives: television, music, news, technology, commerce and social media all create psychological dependence. Many Europeans feel so culturally intertwined with the US it's almost like they live in it -- making it hard to imagine America as anything other than a friend. That, Keating contends, is why Europeans capitulated while other global powers didn't. And it's why so many can't accept that the threats to Europe don't just come from the East, they also come from the West.The Owned Continent offers a blunt assessment of Europe's dependence and describes how Trump has exploited it. Yet Keating also proposes a way out: six essential steps to reclaim strategic autonomy and escape Washington's control - by using the power of the European Union.About the author: Dave Keating is an American-European journalist in Brussels who has covered EU politics for 20 years. He is a TV correspondent and the author of Gulf Stream Blues on Substack, known for his clear, accessible analysis. A former Nonresident Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council and the editor of EuropeanVoice.com, he was ranked the top EU social media influencer in 2023. Keating draws upon his on-the-ground reporting experience in London, Brussels, Paris, Prague, Berlin, New York, Chicago and Washington to provide context for European political developments.
United States Nuclear Strategy In South Asia
The book The United States Nuclear Strategy in South Asia examines the key challenges facing global and regional nonproliferation policies, with a focus on South Asia. It critiques inconsistent U.S. nonproliferation strategies that have inadvertently encouraged nuclear development in the region. The study explores shifts in U.S. policy toward India, highlighting how American scholars and policymakers reinterpreted their stance, leading to nuclear cooperation driven by U.S. national interests. It also discusses internal and external factors influencing nuclear proliferation in South Asia and analyzes the contradictory nature of U.S. nonproliferation goals, including the impact of the Indo-U.S. nuclear deal on India's nuclear policy.
Islas Filipinas - Administracion De Justicia; Memoria Dedicada ? La Exposicion Colonial De Amsterdam
In the shadow of towering colonial edifices, where justice was both a tool and a weapon, lies a forgotten narrative of the Spanish colonial period in the Philippines. This rare literary gem, once out of print for decades, resurfaces through the dedicated efforts of Alpha Editions, offering a restored glimpse into the colonial justice system that shaped a nation. This edition is not just a reprint-it's a collector's item and a cultural treasure, carefully preserved for today's and future generations. Delve into a profound historical legal analysis that unravels the complexities of justice administration during the 19th century Philippines. The text serves as an indispensable historical legal reference, shedding light on the intricate web of Spanish legal influence and colonial governance studies. For legal scholars and researchers, it offers an unparalleled justice administration study, rich with insights into the colonial era Philippines. The significance of this work goes beyond its pages; it is a bridge to understanding the foundations of modern legal systems within the context of colonial rule. Its revival not only honours the intellectual legacy of its time but also invites readers to reflect on the enduring impact of colonial governance. Whether you are a casual reader with a penchant for history or a collector of classic works, this edition promises to enrich your understanding of the legal history of the Philippines.
Japan And The Pacific, And A Japanese View Of The Eastern Question
In an era when the seas of the Pacific were not just waters but borders of burgeoning empires, a Japanese perspective on the Eastern Question emerges with striking clarity. This historical analysis book, once lost to the sands of time, is now reborn, offering a profound exploration of Japan's foreign policy during the transformative 19th century. As East Asia grappled with the tides of change, this work provides invaluable insights into the complex dance of international relations and pacific geopolitics that shaped the Meiji era. Rediscovered and republished by Alpha Editions after decades out of print, this edition has been meticulously restored for today's and future generations. It is not merely a reprint but a collector's item and a cultural treasure, offering a window into the mind of Manjiro Inagaki, whose observations continue to resonate with historians and researchers alike. The narrative captures the essence of an academic study, delving into the intricacies of the Eastern Question with a depth that appeals to both casual readers and those with a penchant for classic collections. In a world where the echoes of the past inform the present, this book stands as a testament to the enduring relevance of historical discourse. It invites readers to journey through the corridors of time, where the past and present converge in a tapestry woven with the threads of Japanese diplomacy and the ever-evolving landscape of East Asia.
The Land Of The Boxers; Or, China Under The Allies
Imagine a world where the clash of empires echoes through the narrow streets of early 1900s China, a land caught in the throes of the Boxer Rebellion. This historical nonfiction book immerses you in a vivid tableau of international military intervention, where the allied forces in China navigate a turbulent landscape marked by cultural upheaval and fierce resistance. Out of print for decades, this compelling military history account is now republished by Alpha Editions, meticulously restored for today's and future generations. Delve into the intricate tapestry of China under foreign powers, where the ambitions of nations collide with the indomitable spirit of a people fighting for their homeland. This edition is not just a reprint-it's a collector's item and a cultural treasure, offering a window into a pivotal moment that shaped the modern world. History enthusiasts and military history readers alike will find themselves captivated by the detailed narrative that breathes life into the past, illuminating the complexities of international diplomacy and conflict. As part of the esteemed Gordon Casserly works, this book holds a place of significance in historical accounts of China, providing insights that resonate with the challenges of our contemporary global landscape. Whether you're a casual reader or a connoisseur of classic collections, this work invites you to explore the enduring impact of the early 20th century on our shared history.
Towards An Enduring Peace
In the midst of the chaos of the World War I era, a beacon of hope emerged from the shadows of conflict. This peace symposium collection, once out of print for decades and now republished by Alpha Editions, captures the fervent dreams of diplomats and visionaries striving for a world without war. Restored for today's and future generations, this edition is not just a reprint-it's a collector's item and a cultural treasure that resonates with the timeless quest for peace. Delve into the historical peace proposals and international diplomacy efforts that laid the groundwork for modern conflict resolution strategies. As Europe during WWI grappled with unprecedented turmoil, thinkers from across the globe converged to chart a course towards an enduring peace. Their discussions, rich with the seeds of the League of Nations' origins and the early 20th century's burgeoning historical peace movements, offer invaluable insights for students of history and peace studies researchers alike. This work stands as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the relentless pursuit of harmony, echoing the ideals that would later shape Woodrow Wilson's peace efforts. As you turn each page, you become part of a historical dialogue that continues to inspire and challenge, inviting both casual readers and classic-collection buyers to reflect on the enduring power of hope and diplomacy.
William Prince Of Orange 1650-1673
In an era where thrones were as fragile as the alliances that supported them, the life of William III unfolds with all the drama and intrigue of a gripping historical biography. As the seventeenth century brimmed with political upheaval, William navigated the treacherous waters of European royal history, leaving an indelible mark on the house of Orange. This narrative, long out of print and now meticulously republished by Alpha Editions, has been restored for today's and future generations, offering both history enthusiasts and academic researchers a window into the monarchical power struggles that shaped the Netherlands and beyond. This edition is not just a reprint - it's a collector's item and a cultural treasure, breathing new life into Marjorie Bowen's vivid portrayal of a pivotal era. Readers will find themselves immersed in the intricate dance of seventeenth century politics, where every decision could tilt the balance of power. As a resource for those passionate about European political history, and a delight for historical fiction readers, this book captures the essence of a time when personal ambition and national destiny were inextricably linked. Rediscover the timeless relevance of William's journey and the enduring legacy of the house of Orange, as this restored classic reclaims its place in the pantheon of great historical narratives.
North Korea, Nuclear Brinkmanship, and the Oval Office
Only nine countries have possessed nuclear weapons in the roughly eighty years since the US first introduced the atomic bomb to the world. Since then, a dangerous game of "will they, won't they?" has been played between these nations. The most infamous standoff is the Cold War between the US and USSR, but the emergence of North Korea's nuclear program in the 1950s--with the support of the USSR--is often overlooked. While repeatedly downplayed in media over the decades, public consciousness is beginning to recognize North Korea's nuclear ability. In North Korea, Nuclear Brinkmanship, and the Oval Office, Frederick H. Fleitz, who has more than twenty-five years of experience working in US national security agencies, reveals the advanced state of Pyongyang's nuclear weapons program. Fleitz examines the history of US policy toward North Korea from the Eisenhower administration to the end of the Biden administration and offers a history and an analysis of the development of nuclear infrastructure in North Korea despite US efforts to impede the development. He attributes this state of affairs, in part, to mistakes and inconsistencies in US policy from administrations of both political parties. Further, Fleitz covers the strategies employed by North Korea to delay, defuse, and otherwise work around various sanctions and agreements that both nations view as obstacles to their nuclear aims.Offering the work as a "resource for US officials, experts, media, and allies," Fleitz stresses the urgency of a coherent and effective US policy that recognizes both the seriousness of nuclear threats and the global, political, and military realities that have given rise to them.
For Blood and Soil
Canada is no stranger to hate. From Ku Klux Klan rallies in the 1920s and fascist sympathizers of the 1930s to the so-called Freedom Convoy's occupation of Ottawa a century later, far-right extremism is a homegrown phenomenon, deeply woven into the nation's political and cultural fabric. Through firsthand interviews with former extremists, policymakers, and experts, alongside historical context, For Blood and Soil shows how hate movements - far from an imported problem - have evolved and rebranded, with extremist ideas moving seamlessly between virtual spaces and real-world violence. Over the past decade, online far-right activity in Canada has surged, connecting with networks of incels, QAnon followers, anti-government groups, and other conspiracy-driven communities. Public attention has often focused on religiously motivated violence, overlooking the threat from adherents to secular ideologies, even as violent attacks have risen. Moving beyond frameworks that focus on the United States and Europe, Amarnath Amarasingam and Stephanie Carvin offer targeted recommendations to address this serious threat to Canada's institutions and social cohesion. By tracing the experiences of individuals who have joined and left extremist groups, this accessible and authoritative work uncovers how extremist ideologies are financed and facilitated and how personal and political forces sustain hate across generations.
The Taiwan Tinderbox
Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 shocked the world and overturned assumptions that large-scale conventional war was inconceivable in the twenty-first century. On the other side of the planet, democratic Taiwan faces the rising threat of a military takeover by China a conflict whose impact on the international community would be catastrophic. Renowned Taiwan expert and former intelligence officer J. Michael Cole explains how this Pacific nation has become a tinderbox that could ignite a full-scale global conflict. Drawing on unparalleled access to Taiwanese government sources and two decades of on-the-ground observation, he explores the root causes of the conflict between Taiwan and China - from the identity politics that make "peaceful unification" inconceivable, to the rise of Xi Jinping, the most powerful and authoritarian Chinese leader since Mao Zedong. With in-depth analysis of how the war in Europe is influencing preparations by Beijing, Taipei, and Washington for a potential cross-Strait confrontation, The Taiwan Tinderbox is an impassioned plea for the defense of Taiwan as a priority for the international community and the future of democracy.
If Russia Wins
A New Statesman Book of the YearA #1 international bestseller from a NATO expert, this deeply researched and chillingly plausible scenario imagines what might happen should Putin defeat Ukraine and not stop thereMarch 2028. Russian troops capture the small Estonian town of Narva and the island of Hiiumaa in the Baltic Sea. After a victorious peace deal in Ukraine, Putin's long-mooted encroachment into the Baltic states has begun. What if Ukraine was only the beginning? What will the NATO alliance decide? Will they risk nuclear war?Day by day and hour by hour, renowned political scientist Carlo Masala plays out what might happen when the President of the United States is called on to uphold NATO's commitment to mutual defense, just as China's maneuvers in Asia provide Russia with the perfect cover.A timely, gripping, and thought-provoking scenario, If Russia Wins shows how our world order is poised on a knife-edge. In the United States, we are accustomed to everything working out in our favor, in the end. But what if it doesn't?
Concerto
From International Bestselling Author Dennis Jones comes a espionage political thriller with a breakneck tale of remarkable realism and suspense of the highest order.In the chill hours of dawn, a TV mobile unit enters the high-security compound of the Soviet consulate outside New York City. Within minutes, nine men lie dead, and the Soviet Union's most powerful and respected leader-Mikhail Gorbachev-is missing.From the think-tanks of Washington to the alleyways of Paris and beneath the streets of Warsaw, the chase is on...into a labyrinth of murder, terrorism and conspiracy that threatens to swallow the political power-brokers from Capitol Hill to the Kremlin...unless they join the forces each has sworn to bury...
Modern China
Very Short Introductions: Brilliant, Sharp, Inspiring China is a country of huge economic influence, with ambitions to alter the balance of power between East and West. At the same time, many of its citizens live in poverty, while others occupy futuristic cities with advanced surveillance systems. Modern China: A Very Short Introduction by Rana Mitter offers an integrated picture of Chinese society, culture, economics, politics, and art. The author addresses China's current international status, examining the country's growth in political and financial significance in the 21st century. Professor Mitter also investigates China's changing foreign policy, the events and legacy of COVID era on the country, and the remarkable growth in China's technological innovation and its implications for the world. Modern China: A Very Short Introduction is a study of both the growing influence of Xi Jinping and of the society and structures that have lead to this position. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.
A Time for Bravery
We are living at a critical point in history with the stubborn problems of rising inequality, rising fossil fuel production, and declining faith in democracy. This is a time for individuals, organisations, communities and our elected representatives to find the bravery we need to not just acknowledge, but address, the challenges we face.There is bravery out there right now, in Australia and around the world. And Australian history is full of acts of individual and collective bravery ranging from the campaign to end apartheid in South Africa to the campaign for equal rights for same sex couples: from the green bans in Sydney's Rocks to South Australia's commitment to 100 per cent renewable energy. We have changed ourselves and the world before; if we are brave, we can do so again.This book brings together advocates, politicians, campaigners, medical doctors, academics and a firefighter each with their answer to the question: what does bravery look like in Australia and how might it reshape our future for the better.
Afghanistan Under the Soviets 1979-87
Afghanistan Under the Soviets 1979-87." focusses on the Soviet intervention in Afghanistan during the specified time frame.The book explores the historical, political, and social aspects of Afghanistan's experience during the Soviet occupation from 1979 to 1987. It provides a detailed account of the events, challenges, and repercussions of the Soviet military presence in Afghanistan, the resistance by Afghan Mujahideen forces, the impact on Afghan society and culture, the role of external actors in the conflict, and the eventual withdrawal of Soviet forces.
The Stolen Billions
The Untold Story of Gaza's Billion-Dollar SecretIn the turbulent waters off Gaza's coast lies a secret worth billions-massive natural gas reserves that have remained largely untapped while conflict rages above. The Stolen Billions by the GEW Social Sciences Group exposes this hidden dimension of one of the world's most enduring conflicts, revealing how energy resources have become both prize and weapon in a struggle that extends far beyond traditional narratives.With a thought-provoking preface by Dr Hichem Karoui, this meticulously researched investigation uncovers the economic warfare that operates beneath the surface of political rhetoric. The authors demonstrate how the veiled conflict over natural resources shapes every aspect of the Israeli-Palestinian dynamic, from blockade policies to peace negotiations.This groundbreaking work examines: The discovery and promise of Gaza Marine-the region's most significant energy find How maritime rights have become contested battlegrounds The calculated economics of denial and systematic resource suppression Trump's peace initiatives and their connection to energy extraction The broader Mediterranean energy bonanza and its geopolitical ramificationsThe Stolen Billions reveals how control of offshore gas fields, based on exclusive interviews with former EU officials and a comprehensive analysis of policy documents, has influenced decades of decision-making at the highest levels. The book exposes the systematic tools of obstruction that have prevented the development of these resources and examines the true cost of blockade policies beyond their humanitarian impact.This isn't merely another political analysis-it's an economic detective story that follows the money trail behind major geopolitical decisions. The authors trace how Netanyahu's strategic calculations, Trump's Middle East vision, and international maritime law intersect around the question of Gaza's energy wealth.Essential reading for: University courses in international relations and Middle Eastern studiesPolicy researchers and diplomatic professionalsEnergy sector analysts and investorsLibraries are building comprehensive geopolitics collections.Readers of investigative non-fiction and political expos矇sThe Stolen Billions combines academic rigour with investigative journalism, making complex geopolitical realities accessible without sacrificing depth or nuance.
The Stolen Billions
The Untold Story of Gaza's Billion-Dollar SecretIn the turbulent waters off Gaza's coast lies a secret worth billions-massive natural gas reserves that have remained largely untapped while conflict rages above. The Stolen Billions by the GEW Social Sciences Group exposes this hidden dimension of one of the world's most enduring conflicts, revealing how energy resources have become both prize and weapon in a struggle that extends far beyond traditional narratives.With a thought-provoking preface by Dr Hichem Karoui, this meticulously researched investigation uncovers the economic warfare that operates beneath the surface of political rhetoric. The authors demonstrate how the veiled conflict over natural resources shapes every aspect of the Israeli-Palestinian dynamic, from blockade policies to peace negotiations.This groundbreaking work examines: The discovery and promise of Gaza Marine-the region's most significant energy find How maritime rights have become contested battlegrounds The calculated economics of denial and systematic resource suppression Trump's peace initiatives and their connection to energy extraction The broader Mediterranean energy bonanza and its geopolitical ramificationsThe Stolen Billions reveals how control of offshore gas fields, based on exclusive interviews with former EU officials and a comprehensive analysis of policy documents, has influenced decades of decision-making at the highest levels. The book exposes the systematic tools of obstruction that have prevented the development of these resources and examines the true cost of blockade policies beyond their humanitarian impact.This isn't merely another political analysis-it's an economic detective story that follows the money trail behind major geopolitical decisions. The authors trace how Netanyahu's strategic calculations, Trump's Middle East vision, and international maritime law intersect around the question of Gaza's energy wealth.Essential reading for: University courses in international relations and Middle Eastern studiesPolicy researchers and diplomatic professionalsEnergy sector analysts and investorsLibraries are building comprehensive geopolitics collections.Readers of investigative non-fiction and political expos矇sThe Stolen Billions combines academic rigour with investigative journalism, making complex geopolitical realities accessible without sacrificing depth or nuance.
Open Marxism vs. Sectarian Dogma
A Revolutionary Reassessment of Marx's Living LegacyErnest Mandel stands as one of the 20th century's most important Marxist theorists, yet his work remains systematically misrepresented by sectarian critics more interested in polemic scoring than genuine revolutionary dialogue. This collection exposes how the Alliance for Workers' Liberty fabricated false positions, distorted Mandel's economic analysis, and weaponized sectarian dishonesty against one of the Fourth International's greatest thinkers.WHY THIS BOOK MATTERS NOWIn an era where the international left faces unprecedented fragmentation and sectarian warfare, this book retrieves a crucial lesson: revolutionary unity requires intellectual honesty and genuine engagement with sophisticated Marxist analysis. Mandel's evolving approach to theory-his willingness to revise positions in light of new evidence, his integration of dialectical method with concrete analysis, his insistence that Marxism is a "living science" rather than dogma-offers today's activists an alternative to both bureaucratic conservatism and sectarian rigidity.WHAT YOU'LL DISCOVERPart One traces Mandel's intellectual evolution across the major political questions of the post-war period. From his early analysis of Maoism through his engagement with Yugoslavia's market socialism and his debates with Che Guevara over Cuban economic strategy, this section reveals how a genuine revolutionary theorist develops positions through rigorous engagement with historical realities rather than abstract formulas.Part Two directly confronts the AWL's systematic distortions: false crisis theory accusations, invented positions on China, fabricated claims about Mandel's views on the USSR's collapse, and outright falsification of historical records. This detailed demolition of sectarian polemic demonstrates how misrepresentation operates within the left and why intellectual standards matter for revolutionary politics.Part Three examines the 1953 East Berlin uprising, where sectarian dishonesty about Fourth International positions reveals how organizational memory gets destroyed and revolutionary history gets rewritten to serve narrow factional interests.WHY READ THIS NOW?Mandel died 30 years ago, but the questions he grappled with define our moment: Can isolated revolutions survive capitalist encirclement? How do revolutionary movements avoid bureaucratic degeneration? What role should democracy play in socialist construction? How do revolutionaries analyze hybrid systems that combine elements of workers' control with market mechanisms? What does internationalism actually require?Contemporary debates about Ukraine, Gaza, US imperialism, and Chinese developments cannot be adequately addressed without understanding how Mandel approached similar questions. His framework for analyzing deformed workers' states, his emphasis on democratic workers' control as the ultimate safeguard against bureaucracy, and his refusal to accept simplified nationalist apologies for Stalinist regimes offer essential political tools for today's activists.This book recovers Mandel's actual positions-not simplified caricatures-and demonstrates why open Marxism, rooted in rigorous theory and honest debate, remains the revolutionary alternative to both reformism and sectarianism.ESSENTIAL READING FOR: - Activists seeking rigorous analysis beyond sectarian dogma- People engaging with contemporary debates- Marxist theorists understanding post-war socialist developments- Revolutionaries committed to genuine left unity based on honest intellectual standards
The Great Heist
A definitive, headline-making expos矇 of how the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has carried out the largest-scale theft of intellectual property, technology, and data in history--reshaping the global balance of power and redrawing the geopolitical map for decades to comeThe Great Heist exposes China's unprecedented state-orchestrated espionage campaign to strip the United States and its allies of their economic, technological, and military edge. Through a coordinated "whole-of-society" strategy, the Chinese Communist Party has dramatically expanded its covert operations to acquire America's most valuable innovations--stealing defense secrets and proprietary technology from companies like Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Google, T-Mobile, and Tesla. By exploiting both human and cyber vulnerabilities, China has quietly looted the crown jewels of Western technology, saving itself trillions in R&D costs since the 1990s--with an ongoing brazenness fueled by decades of Western inaction.Drawing on exclusive investigations and interviews with intelligence officers, corporate security teams, senior policymakers, and espionage victims, David R. Shedd and Andrew Badger reveal how industrial theft has fueled China's meteoric rise from Third World backwater to global superpower--and present a bold strategic playbook to turn the tide in the greatest economic contest of our time.
Tactical Nuclear Weapons
For three decades, arms control treaties have provided a legal basis for limiting and reducing long-range nuclear weapons. However, thousands of sub-strategic, or tactical, nuclear weapons (TNWs) are not monitored or controlled by any existing treaties or formal agreements, even though they can pose security risks equal to or exceeding those of strategic nuclear weapons. As the world has seen, the rise of international terrorism highlights the potential dangers of tactical nuclear weapons. Because they can be relatively small and portable--particularly but not exclusively in the case of so-called "suitcase" bombs - tactical nuclear weapons are easier to transport and more vulnerable to theft than other nuclear weapons. In terrorists' hands, they would wreak havoc far surpassing the devastation of September 11. According to the Department of Defense, terrorists would most likely use a nuclear weapon against either a military installation or a political target (a seat of government, large population center, or commercial port city). This possibility raises the stakes in the international effort to control and reduce TNWs. Despite the critical need for a more informed debate on the issues involving tactical nuclear weapons, little has been published previously on this subject. To bring more attention to this long-ignored danger, Brian Alexander and Alistair Millar have assembled a cadre of ten experts who frame the debate on a multitude of issues ranging from terrorism and arms control to the weapons programs of Russia, India, Pakistan, and China.
The New Silk Roads
Power is moving from parliaments to ports-and most people are not looking. This book reveals how concrete, code and contracts decide who prospers, who pays and who must ask permission. If you care about Belt and Road Initiative debates, supply chains, or the next map of commerce, this is your field guide.You will learn a simple method to read any corridor. It shows how financing, standards and the fine print turn engineering into leverage. It explains the arguments around the so-called China debt trap debate without slogans, and maps the choices facing Europe, America and India. For investors, policy teams and serious readers of world affairs, it offers practical clarity on global trade routes and the politics of infrastructure diplomacy.Decode how ports, rails and fibre shift bargaining powerSee how contracts, not headlines, create dependence or autonomyUnderstand the real options behind US China rivalry trade and India corridor strategyApply a portable checklist to test projects before they test youWritten in clean, accessible prose, it replaces noise with judgment. Whether you follow geoeconomics of infrastructure, ask what the BRI book crowd is missing, or want a grounded take on the new silk road book, you will finish with a durable mental model. The next decade will be decided by routes. Learn to read them-and act before the map hardens.
Currency Wars
Money is no longer just a measure of value-it is the frontline of global power. From frozen reserves to blocked payment networks, nations today fight wars through banks and balance sheets rather than battlefields. This book exposes how currency wars are reshaping the twenty-first century, showing why the struggle over the world's money matters to governments, corporations, and individuals alike.Readers are taken inside the hidden architecture of dollar dominance, from the Bretton Woods legacy to the petrodollar pact, and shown why every attempt at dedollarisation faces resistance. The narrative uncovers how financial sanctions cripple economies, why Europe's euro remains constrained, and how China's digital yuan is quietly building new rails of influence. Along the way, it explores the rise of central bank digital currencies, the fragile experiments of cryptocurrencies, and the political drama inside institutions like the IMF and World Bank.This book is for business leaders, policymakers, and curious citizens who want to understand how finance has become a weapon-and what that means for their own future. By the end, readers will gain a mental map for interpreting headlines, decoding crises, and anticipating shifts in global monetary power.- Learn why the dollar still dominates and what signals reveal real change- Understand how sanctions, debt, and digital money shape geopolitics- Discover how institutions like the IMF turn lending into politicsUrgent, precise, and deeply researched, it offers clarity in a world where money is no longer neutral but a battlefield-and where knowing the rules can mean the difference between security and vulnerability.
The Invisible Wars
Power today is exercised in quiet rooms and cached files, not on battlefields. If you want to understand why a headline moves markets, why a lawsuit reroutes a supply chain, or why a rumour becomes policy, this is your field guide to the grey zone conflict that shapes your life.This book exposes how states win with economic sanctions, information warfare, lawfare and geopolitics, currency warfare, and cyber operations-then gives you clear tools to read the signals and resist being played.-Learn how narratives are engineered and how to verify before you share-See how payment rails, ratings, and standards become weapons without warning labels-Build practical defences at home, at work, and in your cityWritten for policy professionals, executives, journalists, and curious citizens, it makes the invisible visible with case studies, causal maps, and a no-drama vocabulary for complex systems. You will finish with a dashboard for cyber operations strategy, a checklist for sanctions that punish architects rather than populations, and a civic ethic for non-kinetic deterrence that preserves legitimacy. If you're seeking information warfare explained without hype-and a sober path from alarm to agency-start here.
The Multipolar World
The ground has shifted under your feet - not with a single earthquake, but with thousands of small tremors. Power no longer looks like a flag on a map; it looks like multipolar world logistics, geopolitics of supply chains, and compute capacity booked months in advance. If you have wondered why headlines promise control while prices, delays, and rules say otherwise, this book gives you the missing lens.It is a field guide to global power shifts that actually matter: access to chips and cables, leverage in alliances and minilaterals, and the quiet arithmetic behind dollar dominance and sanctions. You will learn how "systems competition" works - who sets standards, who owns chokepoints, and who pays when rules change mid-voyage. Written for founders, policy professionals, investors, and curious citizens, it translates abstractions into decisions you can make on Monday morning.- See how the rise of China creates scale and friction at once- Understand why Europe strategic autonomy is a constraint and an opportunity- Read India swing state choices as market signals, not mysteries- Spot where Africa demographics growth becomes real bargaining powerBy the final chapter you will think more clearly, plan with fewer blind spots, and act with practical resilience. You will know where to add redundancy, when to hedge, and how to read the world as a stack of systems instead of a tug-of-war between empires. In a century with many centres, clarity is the rarest advantage.
Cyber Empires
When power no longer needs boots to cross a border, it arrives through updates, outages, and the quiet recalibration of your daily choices. This book takes you inside the global contest where nations and their proxies fight for control of digital sovereignty, where state hackers explain becomes the language of geopolitics, and where hospitals, schools, and small firms are collateral in a struggle for AI in conflict and influence. It shows how data colonisation works in practice-who extracts value, who bears risk-and why the rise of the surveillance state critique concerns every voter, parent, and owner.You will see how ransomware became foreign policy, how platforms shape elections, and how the coming shift to post-quantum security might break what we trust today. Along the way, you get a clear playbook for protecting citizens online and cybersecurity for small businesses: realistic baselines, smarter procurement, and habits that reduce everyday harm. If you have sensed that the world is moving under your feet but lacked the map, this is it.- Understand the five-layer stack that decides who holds power- Read incidents like an analyst-and policies like a citizen- Act with confidence, without surrendering libertyFor readers who want more than fear or hype, this is a guide to the real battlefield of cyber warfare book stakes: code, clouds, and the choices that protect what matters.
The Great Resource Race
When the world runs hot, power flows to whoever controls the tap. This book shows how governments and companies are quietly competing to command resource geopolitics-the flows of water, food, minerals, and energy that keep societies alive. It explains why headlines about petrostate politics or resource nationalism are really stories about chokepoints, substitutability, and time-to-switch-and how those forces will touch your bills, your job, and your community.Designed for readers who want clarity without complacency, it maps the systems behind water wars, rare earths supply chain shocks, and the fragile routes that feed cities. You will see why energy transition minerals are the new leverage, how semiconductor water use turns permits into power, and why food insecurity and grain corridors now shape elections as much as harvests. More importantly, you'll gain a practical method to assess exposure and build resilient supply chains-at home, at work, and in public life.-Learn to read risk like a strategist, not a spectator-Spot which dependencies matter, and which headlines don't-Use simple tools to reduce vulnerability without panicIf you care about security, prices, or fairness in an age of stress-and if you prefer competence over noise-this is your field guide to the politics of flow, from resource geopolitics to climate migration security.
Shadow Diplomacy
You are not meant to know how history bends-only to feel the jolt when it does. This book opens the door to the rooms where adversaries speak plainly, where secret diplomacy keeps leaders from cornering themselves in public and gives wars an off-ramp before they ignite. If you have ever wondered why official statements and outcomes rarely match, you will find the answer in the choreography of backchannel negotiations.Across gripping narratives-from Cuban Missile Crisis diplomacy to the audacious Nixon China opening, from a kitchen table behind the Oslo Accords secrets to the Muscat line that shaped the Iran nuclear deal backchannel-you will meet spy diplomats, unlikely mediators, and Track II veterans who practise the risky art of trust. Along the way, you will learn how signals are sent without being said, how ambiguity is engineered, and why the role of mediators in peace is both fragile and decisive.- For readers of serious nonfiction who want clarity over myth and method over slogans- For professionals who need a field guide to Track II diplomacy and accountable secrecy- For citizens who wish to judge when hidden talks serve the public good-and when they do notBy the end, you will read crises differently: parsing signals, timing, and leverage with a cool eye-an analyst's lens on international relations realpolitik that is accessible, humane, and immediately useful. If public diplomacy is theatre, this is the backstage map.
Private Armies
A war can be fought without a declaration, a uniform, or a vote. It only needs a contract. This book exposes how hired force moves decisions from parliaments to procurement desks, turning sovereignty into something you can rent and responsibility into something you can evade. If you want to understand today's private military companies, the Wagner headlines, and the legacy of Blackwater, start here.Across gripping case studies and clear models, you'll see how mercenaries in modern war operate as businesses, how accountability in private security breaks on purpose, and why the laws of war contractors navigate are built with loopholes. You'll follow the money through "security for resources" deals, track the rise of drone and cyber mercenaries, and learn how markets manufacture deniable warfare. This is for readers who care about democracy, human rights, and hard policy design as much as frontline stories.- What governments really buy when they outsource force- How oversight fails and what a fix with teeth looks like- Where Wagner Group in Africa fits within a global pattern- How to recognise a security for resources deals script before it unfoldsBy the end, you'll carry a practical lens for spotting marketised violence, a language to interrogate it, and a policy playbook to demand change. If you are searching for regulating PMCs that actually works, this book trades buzzwords for tools and gives you a way to read the next conflict before it hits the news.
Private Armies
A war can be fought without a declaration, a uniform, or a vote. It only needs a contract. This book exposes how hired force moves decisions from parliaments to procurement desks, turning sovereignty into something you can rent and responsibility into something you can evade. If you want to understand today's private military companies, the Wagner headlines, and the legacy of Blackwater, start here.Across gripping case studies and clear models, you'll see how mercenaries in modern war operate as businesses, how accountability in private security breaks on purpose, and why the laws of war contractors navigate are built with loopholes. You'll follow the money through "security for resources" deals, track the rise of drone and cyber mercenaries, and learn how markets manufacture deniable warfare. This is for readers who care about democracy, human rights, and hard policy design as much as frontline stories.- What governments really buy when they outsource force- How oversight fails and what a fix with teeth looks like- Where Wagner Group in Africa fits within a global pattern- How to recognise a security for resources deals script before it unfoldsBy the end, you'll carry a practical lens for spotting marketised violence, a language to interrogate it, and a policy playbook to demand change. If you are searching for regulating PMCs that actually works, this book trades buzzwords for tools and gives you a way to read the next conflict before it hits the news.
Shadow Diplomacy
You are not meant to know how history bends-only to feel the jolt when it does. This book opens the door to the rooms where adversaries speak plainly, where secret diplomacy keeps leaders from cornering themselves in public and gives wars an off-ramp before they ignite. If you have ever wondered why official statements and outcomes rarely match, you will find the answer in the choreography of backchannel negotiations.Across gripping narratives-from Cuban Missile Crisis diplomacy to the audacious Nixon China opening, from a kitchen table behind the Oslo Accords secrets to the Muscat line that shaped the Iran nuclear deal backchannel-you will meet spy diplomats, unlikely mediators, and Track II veterans who practise the risky art of trust. Along the way, you will learn how signals are sent without being said, how ambiguity is engineered, and why the role of mediators in peace is both fragile and decisive.- For readers of serious nonfiction who want clarity over myth and method over slogans- For professionals who need a field guide to Track II diplomacy and accountable secrecy- For citizens who wish to judge when hidden talks serve the public good-and when they do notBy the end, you will read crises differently: parsing signals, timing, and leverage with a cool eye-an analyst's lens on international relations realpolitik that is accessible, humane, and immediately useful. If public diplomacy is theatre, this is the backstage map.
The Great Resource Race
When the world runs hot, power flows to whoever controls the tap. This book shows how governments and companies are quietly competing to command resource geopolitics-the flows of water, food, minerals, and energy that keep societies alive. It explains why headlines about petrostate politics or resource nationalism are really stories about chokepoints, substitutability, and time-to-switch-and how those forces will touch your bills, your job, and your community.Designed for readers who want clarity without complacency, it maps the systems behind water wars, rare earths supply chain shocks, and the fragile routes that feed cities. You will see why energy transition minerals are the new leverage, how semiconductor water use turns permits into power, and why food insecurity and grain corridors now shape elections as much as harvests. More importantly, you'll gain a practical method to assess exposure and build resilient supply chains-at home, at work, and in public life.-Learn to read risk like a strategist, not a spectator-Spot which dependencies matter, and which headlines don't-Use simple tools to reduce vulnerability without panicIf you care about security, prices, or fairness in an age of stress-and if you prefer competence over noise-this is your field guide to the politics of flow, from resource geopolitics to climate migration security.
The New Silk Roads
Power is moving from parliaments to ports-and most people are not looking. This book reveals how concrete, code and contracts decide who prospers, who pays and who must ask permission. If you care about Belt and Road Initiative debates, supply chains, or the next map of commerce, this is your field guide.You will learn a simple method to read any corridor. It shows how financing, standards and the fine print turn engineering into leverage. It explains the arguments around the so-called China debt trap debate without slogans, and maps the choices facing Europe, America and India. For investors, policy teams and serious readers of world affairs, it offers practical clarity on global trade routes and the politics of infrastructure diplomacy.Decode how ports, rails and fibre shift bargaining powerSee how contracts, not headlines, create dependence or autonomyUnderstand the real options behind US China rivalry trade and India corridor strategyApply a portable checklist to test projects before they test youWritten in clean, accessible prose, it replaces noise with judgment. Whether you follow geoeconomics of infrastructure, ask what the BRI book crowd is missing, or want a grounded take on the new silk road book, you will finish with a durable mental model. The next decade will be decided by routes. Learn to read them-and act before the map hardens.
Cyber Empires
When power no longer needs boots to cross a border, it arrives through updates, outages, and the quiet recalibration of your daily choices. This book takes you inside the global contest where nations and their proxies fight for control of digital sovereignty, where state hackers explain becomes the language of geopolitics, and where hospitals, schools, and small firms are collateral in a struggle for AI in conflict and influence. It shows how data colonisation works in practice-who extracts value, who bears risk-and why the rise of the surveillance state critique concerns every voter, parent, and owner.You will see how ransomware became foreign policy, how platforms shape elections, and how the coming shift to post-quantum security might break what we trust today. Along the way, you get a clear playbook for protecting citizens online and cybersecurity for small businesses: realistic baselines, smarter procurement, and habits that reduce everyday harm. If you have sensed that the world is moving under your feet but lacked the map, this is it.- Understand the five-layer stack that decides who holds power- Read incidents like an analyst-and policies like a citizen- Act with confidence, without surrendering libertyFor readers who want more than fear or hype, this is a guide to the real battlefield of cyber warfare book stakes: code, clouds, and the choices that protect what matters.
Democratic Drain
Democratic Drain links two of the most compelling topics of our time: immigration and democracy. With a blend of in-depth interviews and data analysis across 149 countries, Justin Gest explores how global migration filters people with liberal democratic values out of authoritarian spaces, enabling democratic backsliding around the world. At a global scale, the correlation between migratory choices and political values introduces a new reason why authoritarian countries may have struggled to democratize in the decades since the end of the Cold War - a period when flows of international migrants have grown so significantly, populism has spread, and authoritarians' resolve has steadily hardened. At a time when the world is increasingly sorting into democratic and undemocratic spaces, Gest's timely and innovative analysis raises important political and policy questions about how democracies might compensate for the inadvertent effects of global human mobility.
The Spiritual Power of Russian Imperial Statehood
The population of every more or less large and successful state has a certain spiritual core around which its social activity is built. For Russia, in our opinion, the basic values of such a spiritual core were commitment to the conservative Orthodox tradition and collectivism, supplemented by a third constantly developing value the imperial-Eurasian worldview. The chronological framework of the monograph covers the period from Kievan-Novgorod Rus to the present day. The book will be useful not only for researchers and university teachers, but also for students studying in programs for training lawyers, political scientists, and historians.
Silk Mirage
Silk Mirage is a compelling portrait of Uzbekistan, a country at the heart of the ancient Silk Road and now the centre of a power struggle between reformers and reactionaries for the soul of this strategic land in Central Asia. In 2016, the long-ruling dictator Islam Karimov - one of the last Soviet-era strongmen - died, sparking a period of transformation under his successor, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, which became known as the 'Uzbek Spring'. But, as investigative journalist Joanna Lillis shows, spring has struggled to break through in one of the world's most repressive and totalitarian states. As one of the few western journalists with access to Uzbekistan and with over two decades of experience covering the country, Lillis travels deep into the heart of the Karimov regime, portraying all the excesses and atrocities that made it such a brutal dictatorship. She also penetrates the system that replaced it, exploring how life has changed for Uzbeks under Mirziyoyev's rule - and how it has not. A tale of both reform and repression, this book illustrates the challenges of dragging a country out of dictatorship. Lillis explores Uzbekistan's politics, economics, history, arts and culture - and asks where the country stands nearly a decade after the death of its dictator, and 600 years since its ancient capital Samarkand was the centre of the world's trade network. Lillis weaves in the extraordinary stories of ordinary people: from politicians to former political prisoners, from journalists to human rights crusaders, from entrepreneurs to environmentalists, from artists to architects, from silk makers to carpet weavers. Conjuring up Uzbekistan as a place full of life and loss, Silk Mirage tells the stories of courageous people who probe to find the cracks in an authoritarian regime through which the light gets in.
The Case for American Power
A provocative case for why a better world is only possible with American power by Washington Post columnist Shadi Hamid. From acclaimed author Shadi Hamid comes an urgent and deeply personal argument for why American dominance, despite its many flaws, remains the world's best hope. Hamid traces his journey from opposing America's role in the world to reluctantly embracing it--while grappling with how recent events, from Russia's invasion of Ukraine to Israel's devastating war in Gaza, have challenged his convictions. Drawing on his unique perspective as both an American and a Muslim who came of age in the shadow of the September 11 attacks, Hamid contends with the contradictions of American power: how a nation founded on moral purpose so often fails to live up to its ideals. Hamid confronts head-on America's failures, from the war in Iraq to support for authoritarian regimes across the Middle East. Yet, he argues that in a world where power is a fact and someone must wield it, the alternative to American leadership isn't a morally perfect superpower--it's the brutal authoritarianism of countries like China and Russia. At once idealistic and pragmatic, this is a book about embracing our power as the only moral option in a world beset by tragedy. Because America is a democracy, it retains the potential to correct past mistakes and change for the better. That part is up to us. Bracing and timely, The Case for American Power is an ambitious work on what may be the most fundamental question facing America today: How should we think about the power we have--while we still have it?
Alexandre Koj癡ve
Unravelling the mystery of Alexandre Koj癡ve In this intellectual biography, critic and philosopher Boris Groys turns to the Arthur Rimbaud of modern bureaucracy, Alexandre Koj癡ve, a philosopher of little-known writings and profound influence. Koj癡ve was fascinated with Hegel's dialectics and with communism and envisioned a universal empire as the end of history. Koj癡ve drew on Buddhism and also proclaimed himself a Stalinist. At the same time, he was one of the creators of a nascent European Union. His concept of the human as something defined by negation and unique among animals in being separated from nature is highly political. It explains why humans can never be fully satisfied by a political system based on their allegedly 'natural' rights. Groys reveals a Koj癡ve with a unique perspective on our political capacities and human condition.
Issues in Contemporary Diplomacy (III)
Track II Diplomacy: Informal Paths To Peace concludes the authoritative trilogy "Issues in Contemporary Diplomacy" with an in-depth exploration of diplomacy's most discreet yet effective approach. This scholarly work illuminates a diplomatic methodology that deliberately shuns publicity, considering anonymity one of its fundamental conditions for success.The volume offers a comprehensive and detailed analysis of Track II diplomacy's historical development, systematically comparing it with traditional first-track approaches whilst highlighting essential differences, benefits, operational roles, and action mechanisms. Through meticulous research, the book traces Track II's evolution from classical diplomatic traditions through to contemporary digital-age applications, emphasising both distinctions and synergies between formal and informal diplomatic tracks.Readers will discover practical models, real-world examples, and sophisticated analysis of strategies, methodologies, and the political and social contexts that define successful Track II operations. The work extensively reviews elements contributing to second-track diplomacy's effectiveness, particularly examining scenarios where conventional diplomatic efforts have reached an impasse.Drawing from extensive case studies and practical lessons, the analysis provides evidence-based insights into what makes Track II diplomacy successful. The book concludes with actionable recommendations for addressing contemporary global challenges through informal diplomatic channels.Published under the auspices of the Diplomatic Institute of Qatar, this work represents a significant contribution to diplomatic literature. Designed to support professional diplomatic training and international relations education, it serves practitioners, academics, and policymakers seeking to understand and implement the informal mechanisms that often prove decisive when formal diplomacy fails.
Issues in Contemporary Diplomacy (III)
Track II Diplomacy: Informal Paths To Peace concludes the authoritative trilogy "Issues in Contemporary Diplomacy" with an in-depth exploration of diplomacy's most discreet yet effective approach. This scholarly work illuminates a diplomatic methodology that deliberately shuns publicity, considering anonymity one of its fundamental conditions for success.The volume offers a comprehensive and detailed analysis of Track II diplomacy's historical development, systematically comparing it with traditional first-track approaches whilst highlighting essential differences, benefits, operational roles, and action mechanisms. Through meticulous research, the book traces Track II's evolution from classical diplomatic traditions through to contemporary digital-age applications, emphasising both distinctions and synergies between formal and informal diplomatic tracks.Readers will discover practical models, real-world examples, and sophisticated analysis of strategies, methodologies, and the political and social contexts that define successful Track II operations. The work extensively reviews elements contributing to second-track diplomacy's effectiveness, particularly examining scenarios where conventional diplomatic efforts have reached an impasse.Drawing from extensive case studies and practical lessons, the analysis provides evidence-based insights into what makes Track II diplomacy successful. The book concludes with actionable recommendations for addressing contemporary global challenges through informal diplomatic channels.Published under the auspices of the Diplomatic Institute of Qatar, this work represents a significant contribution to diplomatic literature. Designed to support professional diplomatic training and international relations education, it serves practitioners, academics, and policymakers seeking to understand and implement the informal mechanisms that often prove decisive when formal diplomacy fails.
What Are Nuclear Weapons For?
Peacekeepers, effective deterrent or potential cause of ultimate disaster? Understanding what nuclear weapons are for has never been more essential. This book traces the history of nuclear weapons from their first use in 1945 when they brought the Second World War to an end, through the Cold War when they gave rise to peace movements and disarmament efforts to the ominous nuclear landscape today. Shamai shows how nuclear weapons have, to date, been a deterrent by raising the stakes of war and thereby reducing the chances of certain kinds of conflict. But, she warns, this is not a permanent situation - its continuation depends on the world's reaction to this threat and ongoing vigilance.
Islamophobia and Free Speech
Tackling prejudice, hatred, and discrimination, whatever the substance or source, is both laudable and necessary. Yet in many places, this noble cause has spawned a much less worthy corollary - the widely-held assumption that little, if any, criticism of Muslims or Islam should be permitted. In recent years, dozens of high-profile cases have rested upon this false premise. Several of those wrongly accused have been murdered or maimed. Others have been forced into hiding. Vilification, cancellation, ostracism, and the shredding of careers and reputations have been the experience of others. And rather than leaping to their defense, too often public institutions have instead censured the victims. A blanket of intimidated self-censorship has further stifled lawful and legitimate debate. In Islamophobia and Free Speech, cancel culture survivor and internationally renowned human rights scholar Steven Greer surveys the current trend in a trailblazing study which also considers the historical debate about the Islamic faith, the essentials of its mainstream interpretation, and the principal dissenting Muslim perspectives. Greer also examines relevant legal and human rights frameworks and the British government's latest proposals about how to address "anti-Muslim hostility". Presenting a devastating critique of the campaign against "Islamophobic expression", Islamophobia and Free Speech should be required reading for everyone concerned about increasing intolerance and preventing the erosion of lawful expression in Britain and elsewhere.
The Good Fight
The 100th issue of Australia's leading agenda-setting journal of politics, culture and debateIn Quarterly Essay 100, Sean Kelly considers the enigma of the Albanese government. With wide yet shallow support, will it change the country? Does it have big ideas, or is it content just to become "the natural party of government"?Kelly gives a definitive account of Albanese's political style and asks what lies behind it. In speaking to a fragmented, disengaged electorate, the Prime Minister places a high value on moderation. Often that means ducking fights with entrenched interests. But this runs the risk of embedding an ever more unequal nation, led by a government that can seem gutless.In this subtle and brilliant essay, Kelly explores whether Labor is still up for the good fight."Labor has cast itself as a version of what the conservatives once were: the defender of the way things are. This may well appeal to large numbers of Australians, as it did in this last election. [But] Labor's task, historically, has been to change things on behalf of those who desperately need them to change." -Sean Kelly, The Good Fight
The EU's Limited Leverage
The EU's Limited Leverage: Normative Power vs. Gulf Realpolitik offers a rigorous and timely analysis of one of the most significant challenges in contemporary international relations. The European Union has long defined its global role through the lens of "normative power", seeking to promote democracy, human rights, and the rule of law as universal standards. This ambition, however, faces a formidable test in its relationship with the energy-rich Gulf states, whose policies are driven by a pragmatic and often contradictory realpolitik.Edited by Hichem Karoui, this scholarly volume systematically unpacks the inherent tensions in EU foreign policy. It starts by explaining the basic ideas of normative and soft power, then looks at the power relationships in the Gulf region and the complicated history between the EU and the Gulf states. The book exposes the frequent disconnect between the Union's ideals and the on-the-ground demands of geopolitics, where the need for energy security often compels compromises that challenge the EU's moral credibility.Featuring in-depth case studies and a critical examination of the "paradox of dependence," the book explores how the strategic and economic interests of key member states can fragment the EU's collective foreign policy. More than just a diagnosis of the problem, the book concludes by offering "Practical Strategies for the EU to Enhance Normative Leverage" and a forward-looking perspective on the future of this critical relationship. This is an indispensable resource for students, academics, and policymakers in the fields of European studies, international relations, Middle Eastern politics, and foreign policy analysis.
The EU's Limited Leverage
The EU's Limited Leverage: Normative Power vs. Gulf Realpolitik offers a rigorous and timely analysis of one of the most significant challenges in contemporary international relations. The European Union has long defined its global role through the lens of "normative power", seeking to promote democracy, human rights, and the rule of law as universal standards. This ambition, however, faces a formidable test in its relationship with the energy-rich Gulf states, whose policies are driven by a pragmatic and often contradictory realpolitik.Edited by Hichem Karoui, this scholarly volume systematically unpacks the inherent tensions in EU foreign policy. It starts by explaining the basic ideas of normative and soft power, then looks at the power relationships in the Gulf region and the complicated history between the EU and the Gulf states. The book exposes the frequent disconnect between the Union's ideals and the on-the-ground demands of geopolitics, where the need for energy security often compels compromises that challenge the EU's moral credibility.Featuring in-depth case studies and a critical examination of the "paradox of dependence," the book explores how the strategic and economic interests of key member states can fragment the EU's collective foreign policy. More than just a diagnosis of the problem, the book concludes by offering "Practical Strategies for the EU to Enhance Normative Leverage" and a forward-looking perspective on the future of this critical relationship. This is an indispensable resource for students, academics, and policymakers in the fields of European studies, international relations, Middle Eastern politics, and foreign policy analysis.
Issues in Contemporary Diplomacy (I)
Issues in Contemporary Diplomacy (I): The Art of Diplomacy - Its Development and Modern Forms represents a scholarly examination of diplomatic evolution, published by Global East-West London in collaboration with The Diplomatic Institute, Doha. Author Hichem Karoui delivers a meticulously researched analysis of how diplomatic practices have developed from ancient times through contemporary digital transformation. This authoritative text traces diplomacy's journey through pivotal historical periods, examining how the Middle Ages, European Renaissance, Industrial Revolution, and 20th-century conflicts have shaped modern diplomatic methodology. The volume systematically explores diverse diplomatic forms: traditional protocols, public diplomacy's role in shaping global opinion, economic negotiations between major powers, cultural diplomacy's impact on international relations, and the revolutionary effects of digital technology on diplomatic communication.Particularly valuable for academic institutions and professional development programmes, the book addresses emerging diplomatic players, including NGOs and multinational corporations, whilst examining multilateral diplomacy within international organisations. Each chapter concludes with comprehensive notes and references, ensuring scholarly rigour.Ambassador Dr Abdulaziz Al-Hurr's foreword emphasises the work's significance for diplomatic training, specifically designed to support Ministry of Foreign Affairs personnel and international relations students. The Diplomatic Institute's commitment to building specialised diplomatic literature makes this volume essential for professional libraries and academic collections.From environmental diplomacy addressing contemporary challenges to crisis management strategies, the book provides practical insights into diplomatic successes and failures. This comprehensive resource bridges historical understanding with modern application, making complex diplomatic concepts accessible to both practitioners and scholars. As the first volume in a trilogy, it establishes the foundation for understanding contemporary diplomatic challenges and opportunities in our interconnected world.
The Art of Diplomacy
Issues in Contemporary Diplomacy (I): The Art of Diplomacy - Its Development and Modern Forms represents a scholarly examination of diplomatic evolution, published by Global East-West London in collaboration with The Diplomatic Institute, Doha. Author Hichem Karoui delivers a meticulously researched analysis of how diplomatic practices have developed from ancient times through contemporary digital transformation. This authoritative text traces diplomacy's journey through pivotal historical periods, examining how the Middle Ages, European Renaissance, Industrial Revolution, and 20th-century conflicts have shaped modern diplomatic methodology. The volume systematically explores diverse diplomatic forms: traditional protocols, public diplomacy's role in shaping global opinion, economic negotiations between major powers, cultural diplomacy's impact on international relations, and the revolutionary effects of digital technology on diplomatic communication.Particularly valuable for academic institutions and professional development programmes, the book addresses emerging diplomatic players, including NGOs and multinational corporations, whilst examining multilateral diplomacy within international organisations. Each chapter concludes with comprehensive notes and references, ensuring scholarly rigour.Ambassador Dr Abdulaziz Al-Hurr's foreword emphasises the work's significance for diplomatic training, specifically designed to support Ministry of Foreign Affairs personnel and international relations students. The Diplomatic Institute's commitment to building specialised diplomatic literature makes this volume essential for professional libraries and academic collections.From environmental diplomacy addressing contemporary challenges to crisis management strategies, the book provides practical insights into diplomatic successes and failures. This comprehensive resource bridges historical understanding with modern application, making complex diplomatic concepts accessible to both practitioners and scholars. As the first volume in a trilogy, it establishes the foundation for understanding contemporary diplomatic challenges and opportunities in our interconnected world.
Killing Machines
What causes a Western democratic leader to stop even feigning to value the law of war? Unlike past US presidents, who at least paid lip service to the law of armed conflict, Donald Trump has openly flouted it: pardoning war criminals; denigrating the Geneva Conventions; praising torture; and discarding military norms of restraint. This gripping account depicts how Trump has upended assumptions about America's outward commitment to the law of war, exposing the conditions that make such defiance possible. Drawing on in-depth case studies and original survey analysis, Thomas Gift explains how Trump has relied on right-wing media and allies in Congress to attack the law of war - not in the shadows, but in broad daylight. Killing Machines cautions that Trump's approach is not an aberration - it's a playbook other leaders could follow. This title is also available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.
