Presentation1

This is the review of book ' Revenge of Geography' written by Robert D. Kaplan. The book is a really good read for those who are interested to know about Geopolitics and role of Geography as a tool for foreign policy. the book has so many historical examples which are connected to the present and provide predictions for the future. The review is short while book is more intricate, explanatory and entertaining.

1. BOOK REVIEW BY : MEHARWAR NAJAM

2. The Revenge of Geography: What the Map Tells Us About Coming Conflicts and the Battle Against Fate (2012) describes how countries' respective political and social histories have been shaped by factors like relationship to the ocean and to terrain features like mountains that act as natural borders. The book also focuses on how demographic shifts in countries will affect them in the future.

3. ABOUT AUTHOR Robert David Kaplan (born June 23, 1952) is an American author. His books are on politics, primarily foreign affairs, and travel. Robert D. Kaplan is a managing director of global macro at Eurasia Group. In 2011, and 2012, Foreign Policy magazine named Kaplan as one of the world's "top 100 global thinkers.“

4. BASIC THEME The basic idea of book is Geography and its impact on history, present and future. For Kaplan geography is prime It is a permanent factor of foreign policy For Kaplan geography mattered, it still matters and will matter in future.

5. DIVISION OF BOOK The book is divided into 3 parts and 15 chapters There are three distinct sections: An overview of several theories of geography Case studies of the most important zones in the current world. A short prophecy of America’s own destiny. Starting from preface the author shares his personal experience of journey to Iraq and Kurdistan. Author discussing the frontiers explains the importance of natural borders like mountains.

6. PART 1 ‘ VISIONARIES’ Morgenthau’s Realism and Geography and Maps Geographical imprints over history Geopolitical thinkers like Mackinder, Spykman and Alfred Thayer Mahan. Nazi concept of lebensraum

7. Mackinder ‘Heartland Theory’ This theory is central to book and states that ‘The "heartland" also referred to as the "pivot area" and as the core of Eurasia, considered all of Europe and Asia as the World Island’ For Mackinder whoever rules the Heartland controls the World Island and whoever control the world island controls the world.

8. Spykman ‘Rimland Theory’ Spykman proposed a theory which countered Mackinder's Heartland Theory. According to his rimland theory, the coastal areas or littorals of Eurasia are key to controlling the World Island, not the Heartland. The Rimland has great importance coming from its demographic weight, natural resources, and industrial development.

9. PART 2 ‘THE EARLY 21 ST CENTURY MAP’ This part is based on individual case studies of regions. These include Europe, Russia, Iran, India, Turkey and other Middle Eastern states. Russian insecurities China rise India’s instability and divisions Iranian Pivot

10. Europe: . According to Kaplan Germany and Greece will play a greater role in Europe since Germany is in heart of Europe which is demographically and economically more developed than France and Italy. Greece is important due to its access to seaboards to Mediterranean. Russia: Its flatness, harsh cold weather, lack of natural borders with sea access which is mainly blocked by arctic ice has created a sense of insecurity in Russian mentality Repeated expansion and collapse over a flat land are a feature of its history. He points out that today Russia's power lies in its huge natural resources, for instance oil and natural gas, which it uses for political as well as economic objectives.

11. China: China is the most favoured country by geography. It is Eurasia largest continental nation and has coastlines in both tropic and temperate zones. Explained China’s dynasties and its development. Today China main concern is to feed its huge population and sustain its economic growth. This drives China to form relations with resource rich countries. India: He points out that India maybe internally vast but the river system divides India. India has lacked political integrity due to invasions for both West and Central Asia further destabilizing it throughout history.

12. Iran: described three main features of it: Arabian Peninsula dominated by Saudi Arabia, Iranian plateau dominated by Iran and Anatolian land bridge. He traces Iranian (Persian) history back to the Medes and then the Achaemenid Empire. Iran's geographic position makes it a real 'pivot' Middle east in terms of location, population and energy resources is fundamental to geopolitics. The region has 70% of the world's oil and 40% of its natural gas reserves.

13. PART 3 ‘ AMERICA’S DESTINY’ Author engage with French historian Fernand Braudel with his work ‘The Mediterranean and The Mediterranean world in age of Phillip’. Braudel emphasises the impact of geography, demography and environment in course of history. He draws attention of US policymakers towards real geopolitical issues and ask to avoid long term land wars in Greater Middle East. He made a comparison of Roman empire to US and points out strategies that Rome adopted in work ‘the grand strategy of Roman empire, from 1st century A.D to 3rd century’ by Edward Luttwak.

14. As Rome fell due to grouping at north, America should also prepare itself for a graceful exit from history as it faced dangers from Southwest. The real threat to US is next door: Mexico. The author argued that infusion from Mexico will change American character. The economic, demographic and social situation of Mexico affects US. Philip Bobbitt argues the world will see North American Union as EU with extension of NAFTA. America need to focus on Mexico more that Middle East.