Diplomacy Books

Book SynopsisA landmark history of the alliance that won the war and made the peace by the Sunday Times-bestselling author of Appeasing HitlerAfter the fall of France in June 1940, only Britain stood between Hitler and total victory. Desperate for allies, Winston Churchill did everything he could to bring the United States into the conflict, drive the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany apart and persuade neutral countries to resist German domination. By 1942, after the German invasion of Russia and the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the British-Soviet-American alliance was in place. Yet it was an improbable and incongruous coalition, divided by ideology and politics and riven with mistrust and deceit. Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin were partners in the fight to defeat Hitler, yet they were also rivals who disagreed on strategy, imperialism and the future of liberated Europe. Only by looking at their points of conflict, as well as of co-operation, are we able to understand the course of the war and world that developed in its aftermath. Allies at War is a fast-paced, narrative history, based on material drawn from over a hundred archives. Using vivid, first-hand accounts and unpublished diaries, we enter the rooms where the critical decisions were made while going beyond the confines of the Grand Alliance to examine, among other themes, the doomed Anglo-French alliance, fractious relations with General de Gaulle and the Free French, and interactions with Poland, Greece and Nationalist China. Ambitious and compelling, revealing the political drama behind the military events, Allies at War offers a fresh perspective on the Second World War and the origins of the Cold War.

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Book SynopsisThis biography documents K. Kesavapany’s journey from the Malayan estates in the late 1930s to his move to Singapore when he was headhunted to join the Singapore Civil Service in the 1970s, and from his entry into Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) to his subsequent sojourns abroad, such as in Australia, Turkey, Geneva, Jordan, Indonesia, Russia, United Kingdom and Malaysia. After retiring from his last post with the MFA, he took on the position of Director of the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies at the National University of Singapore. This book also elaborates on the next phase of his journey where he holds several prominent portfolios in Singapore’s social and academic scene, such as at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, Dyslexia Association of Singapore, Singapore Indian Association, Inter-Religious Organization, as well as the Singapore International Foundation.

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Book SynopsisHer highly personal and reflective memoir is a must-read for anyone who cares about our role in a changing world' Barack ObamaTHE INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY:The New York TimesTime The Economist The Washington Post Vanity Fair Times Literary SupplementWhat can one person do?' In this vibrant, galvanizing memoir, human rights advocate and Pulitzer-Prize winning writer Samantha Power offers an urgent response to this question.As she traces her path from Irish immigrant to war correspondent and activist to eventually becoming the youngest-ever US Ambassador to the United Nations,Power writes with a unique blend of suspenseful storytelling, vivid character portraits and disarming honesty.Heraccountilluminates the challenges of navigating the halls of power while trying to put one's ideals into practice (and raise two young children along the way), and it shows how even in the face of daunting challenges each of us can make a difference.NOW WITTrade Review A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER AN IRISH TIMES BESTSELLER AN OBAMA FAVOURITE BOOK OF 2019 NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY:The New York Times • Time • The Economist • The Washington Post • Vanity Fair • Times Literary Supplement ‘Her highly personal and reflective memoir … is a must-read for anyone who cares about our role in a changing world.’Barack Obama ‘Samantha Power's book is honest, personal, revealing. It is about the development of a young woman's inner strength and self-knowledge. But it is also a political book, alert to both the power of political will and its limitations.’Colm Tóibín ‘A beautiful memoir about the times we’re living in and the questions we must ask ourselves … I honestly couldn’t put it down’Cheryl Strayed ‘This is a wonderful book … The interweaving of Power’s personal story, family story, diplomatic history and moral arguments is executed seamlessly and with unblinking honesty’New York Times ‘One of the best-written political memoirs of recent years’ Fareed Zakaria ‘It’s a profound, heart wrenching, uplifting, and emotional journey through her life and what she’s seen’Sophia Bush ‘An unusually engaging political memoir…Power is an excellent storyteller, with a deft touch with anecdotes and a nice sense of humour.’Times Literary Supplement ‘Refreshingly frank and self-deprecating … An energizing reminder that conscience has a place in the process of shaping foreign policy’TIME Magazine ‘Uniquely personal and absorbing … A riveting fly-on-the wall insight.’Irish Times ‘Engaging … Power’s memoir is an insider’s account of foreign-policy-making, and an intensely personal one.’Economist ‘Lively … And strikingly personal …[Power] writes vividly and lucidly here about her turn in the international spotlight.’Vogue

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Book SynopsisWINNER OF THE BRITISH ACADEMY BOOK PRIZE A SPECTATOR, WATERSTONES, BBC HISTORY MAGAZINE, PROSPECT AND HISTORY TODAY BOOK OF THE YEAR A profound and ground-breaking new history of one of the most important encounters in the history of colonialism: the British arrival in India in the early seventeenth century. ‘A triumph of writing and scholarship. It is hard to imagine anyone ever bettering Das's account of this part of the story’ - William Dalrymple, Financial Times ‘A fascinating glimpse of the origins of the British Empire . . . drawn in dazzling technicolour’ - Spectator ‘Beautifully written and masterfully researched, this has the makings of a classic’ - Peter Frankopan SHORTLISTED FOR THE POL ROGER DUFF COOPER PRIZE LONGLISTED FOR THE CUNDILL HISTORY PRIZE SHORTLISTED FOR THE HWA CROWN AWARDS When Thomas Roe arrived in India in 1616 as James I’s first ambassador to the Mughal Empire, the English barely had a toehold in the subcontinent. Their understanding of South Asian trade and India was sketchy at best, and, to the Mughals, they were minor players on a very large stage. Roe was representing a kingdom that was beset by financial woes and deeply conflicted about its identity as a unified ‘Great Britain’ under the Stuart monarchy. Meanwhile, the court he entered in India was wealthy and cultured, its dominion widely considered to be one of the greatest and richest empires of the world. In Nandini Das's fascinating history of Roe's four years in India, she offers an insider's view of a Britain in the making, a country whose imperial seeds were just being sown. It is a story of palace intrigue and scandal, lotteries and wagers that unfolds as global trade begins to stretch from Russia to Virginia, from West Africa to the Spice Islands of Indonesia. A major debut that explores the art, literature, sights and sounds of Jacobean London and Imperial India, Courting India reveals Thomas Roe's time in the Mughal Empire to be a turning point in history – and offers a rich and radical challenge to our understanding of Britain and its early empire.Trade ReviewA triumph of writing and scholarship . . . For Das the Roe mission is the lens through which to give sharp focus to a remarkably wide-ranging study that does much to illuminate the bigger story of the unpromising origins of British power – and initial powerlessness – in India . . . Her style, while nuanced and erudite, is also jaunty and often witty. The book is as full of lovely passages of prose and finely shaded pen portraits as it is of new archival research, of which there is a great deal . . . It is hard to imagine anyone ever bettering Das’s account of this part of the story -- William Dalrymple * Financial Times *A fascinating glimpse of the origins of the British Empire . . . The picture that emerges of the first official encounter between Jacobean England and Mughal India is a vivid one, drawn in dazzling technicolour. Courting India is as much about Britain as India, a glimpse of one of history’s turning points, and the start of a relationship that would change not just England but the world -- Sam Dalrymple * Spectator *The story of the very earliest years of British activity on the Indian subcontinent, Das’s book goes to the heart of the initial, heady meeting of courts and cultures and presents a novel look at the roots of colonialism -- Books to Read in 2023 * Financial Times *Skilfully reconstructs the slights and stand-offs, the escalating tensions . . . Courting India is a scholarly biography with an antiquary’s eye for detail . . . Das’s leisurely diversions into the world of Jacobean fashion, food and curiosities are fascinating -- Pratinav Anil * The Times *An utterly absorbing narrative . . . What makes Das’s account of Roe’s experiences in India so fascinating is the depth of her research. She has mined the East India Company archives . . . as well as Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch and, particularly, Mughal sources, to present Roe’s four years in the round . . . Das has portrayed Roe and the unfamiliar world of the Mughal court in which he found himself with the piercing detail of a miniature painted with the finest squirrel-hair brush -- Lucy Moore * Literary Review *Captivating . . . A truly impressive work of scholarship and an enthralling read . . . Makes a major contribution to our understanding not just of the origins of empire in India, but of the seventeenth-century world -- Andrea Major * History Today *[Das] is the rare scholar who combines a sensitivity to the literature of Jacobean England with a sympathetic and nuanced understanding of the Mughal empire … Das successfully rescues [Roe] from the stilted role of the progenitor of colonial rule and reveals something more interesting: an ambassador too honourable and too inexperienced to achieve anything much for either himself or his country … Das does not flinch from this difficult history of the spread of European dominance. Yet she remains admirably evenhanded in her appraisal, revealing the subtle change of views and blurring of boundaries in this unpropitious moment of intercultural contact * New York Times *A sparkling gem of a book. Beautifully written and masterfully researched, this has the makings of a classic -- Peter FrankopanStretching from the dark waters of the Thames to the blossom-strewn floors of the Jahangiri Palace, Courting India covers a vast canvass with masterful aplomb. Nandini Das's debut is a marvellous piece of detective work -- Amanda ForemanWhat a joy to find the first official Indo-British encounter receiving the scholarly attention and enthralling treatment it deserves . . . A modern masterpiece, delightful, enlightening and faultless -- John KeayThis is a book I wish I had written! It’s a glorious read by a talented historian about an important and rather overlooked journey. Marvellous -- Suzannah LipscombStartlingly eye-opening. . . . If we want to to truly understand the impact and legacy of the British Empire on our modern world, we have to start where it all began -- Pragya Agarwal, author of 'Sway'Jacobean London and Mughal India come face to face through the eyes of Thomas Roe. A figure previously marginalised, in Nandini Das’s layered exploration, Roe finds a new life. And with him, we encounter rich pictures of imperial Britain being formed. A fine achievement and a great read -- Professor Ruby Lal, author of 'Empress: The Astonishing Reign of Nur Jahan'This well researched and written volume is a work of authority and quality. It is essential reading for the understanding of Britain's early encounter with India -- Ian Talbot, Emeritus Professor in the History of Modern South Asia at the University of SouthamptonNandini Das moves seamlessly between the inner worlds of the courts of seventeenth century England and India and with a mastery of both. This important book brings the earliest days of the British empire vividly to life -- Dr Yasmin Khan, University of OxfordThis lucid and imaginatively written book tells us a great deal about the hesitant early days of the first British Empire, as a traditionally inward-looking island nation sought to engage with the wider world. Professor Nandini Das captures the mixture of excitement, prejudice, anxiety, misunderstanding and mutual interest that characterised an encounter that did so much to shape the contours of the modern world -- Professor Andrew Hadfield, University of SussexCourting India is a tour de force of detailed archival research and riveting storytelling. Its main character, King James I's first ambassador to India Thomas Roe, emerges here in all his historical as well as individual complexity – a low-budget, over-dressed herald of the juggernaut that the East India Company would become, and a bit-part actor in a transnational theatre of state he couldn't begin to fathom -- Professor Jonathan Gil Harris, author of 'Masala Shakespeare'Courting India, by Nandini Das, is a brilliant and insightful study of Thomas Roe’s embassy at the Mughal court. It serves as a rich repository of cultural memories from the beginnings of the colonial encounter – memories that have continuing resonance and relevance in our own era as we grapple with the aftermath of empire. Das offers a compelling account in which deft archival research navigates through English intellectual, literary and political worlds as they interconnected with the Mughal empire -- Jyotsna G. Singh, Professor, Department of English, Michigan State UniversityNandini Das's rich, absorbing account of a critical juncture of global history, the Englishman Sir Thomas Roe's embassy to the court of the Mughal emperor Jahangir, charts both a remarkable personal narrative and the prehistory of colonial expansion, told from the perspective of an imperial go-between. This is a fascinating story of early modern political and cultural transactions, brilliantly researched and attractively written. It is destined to become the classic treatment of its subject. -- Professor Supriya Chaudhuri, Department of English, Jadavpur UniversityFascinating . . . India was a huge continental empire, England a minor maritime kingdom on the fringe of Europe; but with their itchy feet the English were pushing to expand global trade. Their paths would cross in ways they could never have dreamed of’ -- Michael Wood * BBC History Magazine, 2023 Books of the Year *Courting India is ostensibly a study of Sir Thomas Roe’s time as the East India Company’s representative to the Mughal court from 1615 to 1619, but it is so much more than that . . . [Nandini’s] book makes us rethink the idea that Britain was always dominant in India -- Hannah Cusworth * BBC History Magazine, 2023 Books of the Year *

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Book SynopsisWhy and how America’s defense strategy must change in light of China’s power and ambition—A Wall Street Journal best book of 2021Trade Review“Colby, the lead architect of the 2018 National Defense Strategy, here lays out—realistically, concretely and in plain-spoken American English—how Washington must act decisively to check Beijing’s growing power and ambition.”—Wall Street Journal, “Ten Best Books of 2021”“Rigorously argued and compelling. . . . This book will define the basis for future debate about U.S. defense strategy in Asia. . . . Mr. Colby earns a place as an intellectual heir to the Cold War strategists who thought seriously about how to thwart Soviet designs. . . . [He] is courageous in forcing readers to think concretely about the unthinkable. . . . The task of deterring Chinese aggression is urgent, and Mr. Colby’s book presents a needed path forward.”—Dan Blumenthal, Wall Street Journal “What to do about China’s rising might and territorial ambition? Brilliant strategist Elbridge Colby takes on this vexing and increasingly urgent challenge with a clear-eyed, forceful but carefully thought-out approach. Cogently, lucidly, he uses the lessons of history to show that the best way to avoid war is to prepare for war.”—Evan Thomas, coauthor of The Wise Men: Six Friends and the World They Made “Colby’s well-crafted and insightful Strategy of Denial provides a superb and, one suspects, essential departure point for an urgent and much-needed debate over U.S. defense strategy.“—Andrew F. Krepinevich, Jr., Foreign Affairs “An exceptional book. Elbridge Colby has written a book on defense strategy that reaches a level of theoretical mastery akin to Hans Morgenthau’s Politics Among Nations. There is no better guidebook to how we should think about war and peace in this new age of great power competition.”—Robert D. Kaplan, author of Asia’s Cauldron “This is a realist’s book, laser-focused on China’s bid for mastery in Asia as the 21st century’s most important threat.”—Ross Douthat, New York Times “Anyone interested in US strategy should read this tour de force from the primary author of the celebrated 2018 U.S. National Defense Strategy. This well-written, masterfully constructed, logically compelling book conveys the essence of strategy from one of the best current practitioners of the trade. Highly recommended!”—Robert O. Work, former Deputy Secretary of Defense “Elbridge Colby has written an outstanding book. For anyone interested in understanding what a possible war between China and the United States might look like, The Strategy of Denial is the place to start. It is analytically rigorous, well-informed, and filled with interesting and smart insights.”—John Mearsheimer, author of The Great Delusion: Liberal Dreams and International Realities“Succeeds brilliantly in the task of building a broad strategic framework—one that is actually new—for how to think about America’s defense in the face of a rising China. . . . The Chinese military are going to translate and classify this book—if they haven’t already.”—Michael Pillsbury, senior fellow and director for Chinese Strategy, Hudson Institute “This is an incredibly important book. . . . The definitive work on U.S. defense strategy that should guide our strategic competition with China for the years to come.”—Christian Brose, author of The Kill Chain: Defending America in the Future of High-Tech Warfare “There are many ways to lose wars or win them, but only one way to avoid them: to envision closely enough the dangers to be averted by deterrence or defense. This book brings together pure intellect, wide knowledge, and practical experience to show how U.S. defense strategy must change—and fast.”—Edward Luttwak, author of The Rise of China vs. the Logic of Strategy “As experts continue to warn of a potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan within the decade, denying such an invasion must be our top defense-planning priority. Mr. Colby spells out what we need to do in order to deter—and if necessary, win—a war over Taiwan. . . . An essential read.”—Mike Gallagher, U.S. House of Representatives, Wisconsin, “Who Read What: Political Figures Share Their Favorite Books of 2021” “[A] brilliant . . . book on how to deal with the geopolitical and military threat from China. Will be much discussed and constantly referred to as we grapple with this challenge.”—Rich Lowry, editor of National Review (via Twitter) “The Strategy of Denial is an excellent book and a very important one. Fundamentally, it’s not an argument about ‘global stability’ . . . but rather that we need to think about defense strategy in terms of regions in order to achieve political objectives.”—Nadia Schadlow, senior fellow, Hudson Institute “Colby gives us an original and provocative approach to containing adversaries, especially China. . . . [D]istinguished by its moving seamlessly from international relations theory to detailed questions of diplomacy and force deployment.”—Robert Jervis, author of How Statesmen Think“The book is just a marvel of analytic clarity and of ruthless logic . . . a true pleasure to read . . . [and] a marvel of clear argumentation and deductive reasoning. . . . [It] cuts through a lot of politics and uncertainty in a really helpful way.”—Jennifer Lind, Dartmouth College “I suppose there are others who could have written such a book, but they didn’t, at least not with such mastery of analysis. I think I’ve read most [of the] worthwhile books on U.S. defense strategy that have appeared in the last two decades, but I’ve rarely come across one that has the intellectual rigor, the systematicity of analysis, and the sheer ruthlessness of logical reasoning—not to mention the erudition—found in The Strategy of Denial.”—Ashley J. Tellis, senior fellow, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace “An engaging, vigorously argued and refreshingly readable case for a U.S. strategy focused on deterring China to reduce the danger of war.”—Doyle McManus, Washington columnist, Los Angeles Times “Thoughtful and rigorous. . . . Makes an extended case for curtailing other commitments to focus on China. . . . The book’s fundamental strength . . . is Colby’s willingness to test all sides of complicated debates. . . . Required reading for lawmakers, national security hands, and 2024 presidential hopefuls.”—Adam O’Neal, Washington Examiner “Exceptionally well-thought out. . . . A well-argued . . . case for why the United States should care about Beijing’s aggression in the Indo-Pacific region. . . . Its arguments are both self-evident and well explained [and] it is thoroughly enjoyable to read.”—Joshua Huminski, Diplomatic Courier “This is a book well worth reading, packed with fresh paradigm-cracking ideas, breaking all the china in thinking how to handle China.”—James Jay Carafano, National Interest

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Book SynopsisAfter Germany''s defeat in World War II, Europe lay in tatters. Millions of refugees were dispersed across the continent. Food and fuel were scarce. Britain was bankrupt, while Germany had been reduced to rubble. In July of 1945, Harry Truman, Winston Churchill, and Joseph Stalin gathered in a quiet suburb of Berlin to negotiate a lasting peace: a peace that would finally put an end to the conflagration that had started in 1914, a peace under which Europe could be rebuilt.The award-winning historian Michael Neiberg brings the turbulent Potsdam conference to life, vividly capturing the delegates'' personalities: Truman, trying to escape from the shadow of Franklin Roosevelt, who had died only months before Churchill, bombastic and seemingly out of touch Stalin, cunning and meticulous. For the first week, negotiations progressed relatively smoothly. But when the delegates took a recess for the British elections, Churchill was replaced,both as prime minster and as Britain''s representativTrade Review2016 Harry S. Truman Book Award Wall Street Journal "An easily digestible page-turner." Financial Times "[A] crisp, elegantly organized account of Potsdam... [An] excellent book." Weekly Standard "[Neiberg is] a skilled storyteller." America in World War II "[A] well-researched, perceptive history." Library Journal "An intriguing and readable book about a conference that has been relegated to footnotes for much too long. A must-have account for everyone..." Publishers Weekly "[A] thoughtful, mildly controversial account... Neiberg's insightful history makes a case that Potsdam worked much better than Versailles had in 1919." Kirkus "This is a solid account of the conference, concisely summarizing its results and significance without excessive indulgence in entertaining personal anecdotes. Fills a hitherto surprisingly empty niche in the World War II library." Geoffrey Wawro, author of A Mad Catastrophe: The Outbreak of World War I and the Collapse of the Habsburg Empire "Michael Neiberg has given us a taut, masterful account of Potsdam, revealing that the Big Three operated more from fear--of each other, of their peoples, of their rivals, and of fast-moving events on the ground--than from any degree of confidence or certainty. The Cold War was born at Potsdam, and Neiberg seats us at the conference table, to feel the tension and acrimony." Jeremi Suri, author of Liberty's Surest Guardian: American Nation-Building from the Founders to Obama "The Potsdam Conference defined international relations in the second half of the twentieth century, and it continues to influence contemporary events in Europe and East Asia. This book offers a compelling account of the events that led to the conference, the personalities who dominated the conference, and the consequences of their decisions. Neiberg explains why Potsdam was more successful than the Versailles Conference at the end of the First World War, and he analyzes how Potsdam contributed to postwar peace. This is a powerful book with high drama--a must-read for anyone interested in global affairs." Norman Stone, author of World War Two: A Short History "Michael Neiberg's Potsdam is a masterpiece of much needed compression on the Potsdam Conference of 1945, and the contrast with peacemaking in 1919 is excellently brought out." Dennis Showalter, Professor History at Colorado College "Ghosts and hopes informed the 1945 Potsdam Conference, which began a new era in European and world history. Michael Neiberg's comprehensively researched, smoothly presented analysis demonstrates that the statesmen who met at Potsdam were as much concerned with ending the era of total war that began in 1914 as with addressing the question of how best to go forward in securing peace and stability. Potsdam describes the processes and consequences in a perceptive work confirming the author's status as a leading scholar of the twentieth century experience." Jonathan Schneer, author of Ministers at War: Winston Churchill and His War Cabinet "With the end of war in Europe in May 1945, Truman, Stalin, Churchill, and their advisors met at Potsdam to solve the 'German problem' once and for all. They agreed upon the main task, but on little else. Shrewdly and economically, Michael Neiberg delineates the conflicting motives and interests that separated the leaders of 'the Big Three.' Mr. Neiberg provides deft pen portraits of the principals as well. He has taken an enormously complicated subject and made it comprehensible for the general reader." Andrew Roberts, author of The Storm of War: A New History of the Second World War "Although the Potsdam Conference isn't as famous as those held at Casablanca, Quebec, or Yalta, Michael Neiberg brilliantly shows how the decisions made at Potsdam color today's world far more than its counterparts. With compelling prose and first-class scholarship, Neiberg superbly captures its spirit of misplaced optimism, as the world teetered on the brink of a totally unnecessary Cold War." Jeremy Black, author of Rethinking World War Two "A first rate account of a meeting that played a key role in defining the postwar world. Scholarly, thoughtful, and well written."Table of Contents1. "Jesus Christ and General Jackson" 2. "The Most Terrible Responsibility Any Man Ever Faced" 3. May Days 4. "Our Troubles Might Not Yet Be Over" 5. "A Vast Undertaking": Coming to Potsdam 6. "What a Scene of Destruction" 7. "In Seventeen Days You Can Decide Anything" 8. "I Dreamed That My Life Was Over" 9. " Dismemberment as a Permanent Fate"? Solving the Problem of Germany 10. "The Bastard of Versailles" 11. Dr. Grove's Son and the Fate of East Asia

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Book SynopsisThe brilliant untold story of three daughters of diplomacy: Anna Roosevelt, Sarah Churchill, and Kathleen Harriman, glamorous, fascinating young women who accompanied their famous fathers to the Yalta Conference with Stalin in the waning days of World War II.With victory close at hand, the Yalta conference was held across a tense week in February 1945 as Franklin Roosevelt, Winston Churchill and Joseph Stalin attempted to agree on an end to the war, and to broker post-war peace.In Daughters of Yalta, Catherine Katz uncovers the dramatic story of the three young women who travelled with their fathers to the Yalta conference, each bound by fierce ambition and intertwined romances that powerfully coloured these crucial days. Kathleen Harriman, twenty-seven, was a champion skier, war correspondent, and daughter to US Ambassador to Russia Averell Harriman. She acted as his translator and arranged much of the conference's fine detail. Sarah Churchill, an actress-turned-RAF officer, was devotTrade Review‘A vivid portrait of one of history’s great international summits through the eyes of three young women, each a daughter of a key participant. We get the inside story, and learn the compelling details that bring history to life’Erik Larson ‘A stirring account of one momentous week that would unleash fifty years of tyranny for half of Europe and plunge the world into the Cold War … A marvellous and extraordinary work that reveals the human experience of the conference, with all its tragedy, love, betrayal, and even humour’Julian Fellowes ‘A revelation. It’s a story of World War II, the origins of the Cold War, a key moment in diplomatic history, but above all a coming-of-age tale about three fascinating women in an extraordinary time.’Jeffrey Toobin ‘Both intimate and sweeping … vividly captures a little known story against the backdrop of a very big one. Meticulously researched and emotionally gripping.’Amy Pascal ‘Yet more proof that behind every great man is an army of exceptional women. We need their stories told; so three cheers for Catherine Katz’Amanda Foreman ‘Making superb use of unpublished diaries and letters, Katz demonstrates how illness, clandestine romance and fraying political relationships ran alongside the tortured negotiations that would shape the post-conflict world … The women’s keyhole perspective of these momentous negotiations humanises the Yalta summit as never before, shedding new insight on the minute-by-minute tensions of international diplomacy at a time when the future of millions depended on the outcome’Spectator ‘This entertaining history is packed with vivid personalities, jockeying aides and insider observations about a pivotal moment in history’New York Times Book Review ‘The research is impressive … It is a riveting read and the detail is fascinating … Oh, to have been a fly on the wall’Anne de Courcy, Daily Telegraph

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Book SynopsisIn this lucid and timely new book, Jeremy Pressman demonstrates that the default use of military force on both sides of the Arab-Israeli conflict has prevented its peaceful resolution.Whether called deterrence or war, armed struggle or terrorism, the history of the conflict reveals that violence has been counterproductive. Drawing on historical evidence from the 1950s to the present, The sword is not enough pushes back against the dominant belief that military force leads to triumph while negotiations and concessions lead to defeat and further unwelcome challenges. Violence weakens the security situation, bolsters adversaries, and, especially in the case of Palestine, has sabotaged political aims.Studiously impartial and accessibly written, this book shows us that diplomacy is the only answer.Trade Review'This book utterly demolishes the argument that force alone can achieve a political solution to a conflict; and it argues cogently that the reliance on force alone can increase the chances of more “violence, unintended escalation, war, and greater insecurity.” How much better off would we be if these critical lessons were applied by our leaders.'Daniel Kurtzer, S. Daniel Abraham Professor of Middle East Policy Studies, Princeton University and former U.S. Ambassador to Egypt and Israel'Well-argued and convincing, Pressman shows the crucial limitations of war and the reliance on military power. Pressman brilliantly shows that the use of force often leads to counter-reactions, and consequently, is often counter-productive.'Hilde Henriksen Waage, Professor of History, University of Oslo‘A respected expert on the Arab-Israeli conflict, Pressman thoughtfully drives his conclusion home through rich analysis of multiple episodes in the history of the conflict. Illuminating and worth reading.'Shibley Telhami, Anwar Sadat Professor for Peace and Development, University of Maryland'Clear, balanced and informative: a must-read for anyone who cares about the region.'Mira Sucharov, Professor of Political Science, Carleton University, Canada'The book skillfully draws on scholarly research, statements made by Israeli, Palestinian, and other Arab leaders, news reports, and additional primary and secondary sources. Written in a clear and accessible style, The Sword Is Not Enough is a smooth read for those well-versed in the political history of the region, and it is also appropriate for students with basic, but limited, background knowledge of the conflict.'Diana B. Greenwald, Department of Political Science, City College of New York for the International Journal of Middle East Studies (2022), 1–3 -- .Table of Contents1 The Arab-Israeli fight2 Force as the dominant policy3 Peace cannot be forced4 Force, insecurity, and failure5 Missed diplomatic opportunities6 Changing the dominant ideaConclusion NotesReferencesIndex

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Book SynopsisThe beloved Sunday Times bestseller - a touching, hilarious, often outrageous memoir of home-making and family adventures in the world's furthest outposts 'Hilarious, and utterly beguiling - it’s a complete treat to be in Keenan’s witty and open-hearted company' Esther Freud 'Deliciously effervescent' Sunday Times 'Brigid writes like a dream ... fabulous' Joanna Lumley 'Irresistible' Mail on Sunday When Sunday Times fashion journalist Brigid Keenan married the love of her life in the late Sixties, she had little idea of the rollercoaster journey they would make around the world together. For he was a diplomat - and Brigid found herself the smiling face of the European Union in locales ranging from Kazakhstan to Trinidad, and asking herself questions she never thought she'd have to ask. How do you throw a buffet dinner during a public mourning period in Syria? Where do you track down dog fat in Almaty? And how do you entertain guests in a Nepalese chicken shed? Negotiating diplomatic protocol, difficult teenagers, homesickness, frustrated career aspirations, witch doctors, and giant jumping spiders, Brigid muddles determinedly through - with no shortage of mishaps on the way. 'There are not many books that have actually made me cry from laughing, but this is one of them' Sunday TimesTrade ReviewPerfect ... surprising, astute, brilliantly observed and very human -- Ahdaf Soueif * Guardian *Thirty years of far-flung postings later, she has acquired enough farcical experiences to make this memoir irresistible * Mail on Sunday *A wonderful picaresque take on the travails of expat life, and an absolutely delicious read ... There are not many books that have actually made me cry from laughing, but this is one of them -- Katie Hickman * Sunday Times *Wonderfully funny and mischievous ... It really did make me laugh out loud. Brigid Keenan is quite as hilarious a comic invention as Bridget Jones, only she's REAL -- Julie ChristieLife is what you make of it - you can't just sit there and let it happen to you - you've got to grab opportunities with both hands, or you risk boredom at least, depression and deathbed regrets at worst. Women have not been raised to understand the importance of this. Brigid Keenan rams the message home with hilarity. This is an important book, written by a very funny writer -- Shirley ConranI found myself laughing out loud three or four times a page. Quite unlike anything else I have read: sad, touching, honest and observant -- William DalrympleShe is consistently herself, an observant journalist with a beady eye for local eccentricities ... Life with Brigid Keenan could never be boring * Country Life *With a glorious sense of the ridiculous, she depicts herself as a hyperventilating hysteric, who sobs her doom-ridden fantasies into reality * Spectator *Very few books these days make me laugh out loud - this one provoked loud hoots at the rate of three per page. It's the funniest thing I've read since Jilly Cooper stopped writing properly and turned to sex and four-letter words. If this isn't a runaway best-seller I'll run away myself and live in Kazakhstan -- Mary S Lovell, author of The Mitford GirlsBrigid Keenan vividly evokes both the oddities and loneliness, even today, of being the "other half" of a diplomat. Immediate and intimate, poignant and very funny; it is as if she is talking to the reader. Her eagle-eyed observation of human behaviour and far flung experiences made me laugh out loud -- Josceline DimblebyThe story sparkles, flies, delights. You love Keenan, the weepy, flighty, funny bit of diplomatic baggage but a part of your heart goes out to AW, her partner, who puts up and shuts up. But what makes this book special is how with a light touch Keenan exposes the dark corners, the frustrations, the dilemmas of those who go forth to represent their country. The grand houses and lifestyles hide so much, silence so many. But not Bridget Keenan -- Yasmin Alibhai-BrownVogue loves ... Diplomatic Baggage * Vogue *

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Book SynopsisThe definitive applied theory textbook that helps you make sense of global issues through theoretical concepts. Not presupposing any prior knowledge, this introduction equips you with the skills to use theories as adaptable tools to tackle complex global issues. Adopting a critical and questioning approach, you will be equipped in theory as a series of tools to be used, adapted, combined, and applied when grappling with some of the most contested issues in global politics. Theoretical perspectives are brought alive as a vital tool to understand concrete historical and contemporary examples. This indispensable text starts by examining key theories spanning constructivism and postcolonialism to realism and liberalism with a real-world perspective which prioritises empirical purchase. From here, chapters take a critical, questioning approach to tackle core problems of international politics from armed conflict and financial markets to the climate crisis, global inequality, gen

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Book SynopsisThe last five years saw a significant return of epidemic infectious disease, culminating in COVID-19. In our new postCOVID-19 world, how do we prevent future illnesses by expanding scientific and vaccine diplomacy and cooperation, especially to combat the problems that humans have brought on ourselves?Modern diseases and viruses have been spurred anew by war and conflict as well as shifting poverty, urbanization, climate change, and a new troubling anti-science/anti-vaccination outlook. From such twenty-first-century forces, we have seen declines in previous global health gains, with sharp increases in vaccine-preventable and neglected diseases on the Arabian Peninsula, in Venezuela, in parts of Africa, and even on the Gulf Coast of the United States. In Preventing the Next Pandemic, international vaccine scientist and tropical disease and coronavirus expert Peter J. Hotez, MD, PhD, argues that we canand mustrely on vaccine diplomacy to address this new world order in disease and globaTrade Review[Preventing the Next Pandemic] takes the reader through the worlds of global health, diseases of the impoverished, and their diverse country contexts, into science diplomacy and a towards a vision for a healthier future.—The LancetPreventing the Next Pandemic: Vaccine Diplomacy in a Time of Anti-science is a bold call to promote vaccine diplomacy to prevent diseases and to promote peace and cooperation among countries.—The Wire Science[Preventing the Next Pandemic is] an authoritative and convincing overview of how current global conditions are driving the emergence and reappearance of infectious diseases.—British Society for the History of MedicineHotez is perhaps uniquely positioned to expound a broad vision that marries science with geopolitics . . . he passionately insists that we cannot prevent pandemics in isolation from wider global currents. —The New YorkerAn important read!—Joe Scarborough, co-host of MSNBC's Morning JoeWith so many factors causing infectious and tropical diseases to emerge or return, Preventing The Next Pandemic: Vaccine Diplomacy in a Time of Anti-Science by Dr Peter J. Hotez is a fascinating and timely read about the importance of vaccine diplomacy to address these urgent challenges.—Elinore Court, Gavi, The Vaccine AllianceTable of ContentsPrefaceChapter 1. A New Post-2015 UrgencyChapter 2. A Cold War LegacyChapter 3. Vaccine Science EnvoyChapter 4. Battling Diseases of the AnthropoceneChapter 5. The Middle East Killing FieldsChapter 6. Africa's "Un-Wars"Chapter 7. The Northern Triangle and Collapse of VenezuelaChapter 8. Sorting It Out: Attributable RisksChapter 9. Global Health Security and the Rise in Anti-scienceChapter 10. Implementing Vaccine Diplomacy and the Rise of COVID-19Chapter 11. The Broken ObeliskLiterature CitedAbout the AuthorIndex

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Book Synopsis''A compelling warning ... It is hard to disagree with this advice from such a well-informed friend of the west'' Martin Wolf, Financial TimesThe West''s two-century epoch as global powerhouse is at an end. A new world order, with China and India as the strongest economies, dawns. How will the West react to its new status of superpower in decline? In Kishore Mahbubani''s timely polemic, he argues passionately that the West can no longer presume to impose its ideology on the world, and crucially, that it must stop seeking to intervene, politically and militarily, in the affairs of other nations. He examines the West''s greatest follies of recent times: the humiliation of Russia at the end of the Cold War, which led to the rise of Putin, and the invasion of Iraq after 9/11, which destabilised the Middle East. Yet, he argues, essential to future world peace are the Western constructs of democracy and reason, which it must continue to promote, Trade ReviewA compelling warning ... It is hard to disagree with this advice from such a well-informed friend of the west -- Martin Wolf * Financial Times *Sometimes you need a shock to wake you up. Has the West Lost it? (2018) is such a shock. The sheer concentrated force of this 91-page essay [...] is as unrelenting as it is astonishing . . . It's time we listened to Mahbubani. -- Richard Horton * The Lancet *We should all think of it as the cold shower that is urgently needed to revive the West -- Fareed Zakaria, author of 'The Post-American World'It's a powerful, disputatious book . . . It's not comfortable reading, and it wasn't meant to be -- Paul Kennedy, Director of International Security Studies and Professor of History at Yale UniversityKishore Mahbubani brings unrivaled experience and insight into strategizing where the West goes from here. A book that truly speaks to our tumultuous times -- Ian Bremmer, President of Eurasia GroupIn the longer view, America's - and before that Europe's - dominance may come to be seen as a short aberration and the rise of China and other Asian nations as simply a reversion to the natural order of things. That at least is the key point of a provocatively titled book, Has the West Lost It?, by Kishore Mahbubani, a Singaporean academic and former diplomat. As many in America and Europe contemplate the dramatic changes to their world in the past few years, it's been getting a lot of attention. -- Gerard Baker * The Times *

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Book SynopsisIntegrating theory and case studies, this cogent text explores the processes and factors that shape foreign policy. In her thoroughly revised and updated edition, Laura Neack considers both old and new lessons, drawing on a rich array of real foreign policy choices and outcomes. In new cases, Neack explores decision making in the Eurozone crisis, increasing nationalism in Germany and Japan and what seems to be growing bellicosity among Canadians, Obama's grand strategy and the responses of rising powers Brazil and India, and the Egyptian youth revolution. Following a levels-of-analysis organization, the author considers all elements that influence foreign policy, including the role of leaders, bargaining, national image, political culture, public opinion, the media, and nonstate actors.Table of ContentsChapter 1: Introduction: The New Foreign Policy Chapter 2: Rational Actors and National Interests Chapter 3: Cognitive Misers and Distrusting Leaders Chapter 4: Decision Units, Small Groups, and Autonomous Groups Chapter 5: National Self-Image, Culture, and Domestic Institutions Chapter 6: Domestic Politics Chapter 7: Public Opinion and Media Chapter 8: Great Powers in General, the United States Specifically Chapter 9: Competitors, Rising Powers, and Allies Chapter 10: Conclusion: A Nested Game with Many Players

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Book Synopsis''It will change the way you remember the 20th century and read the news in the 21st'' Steven Pinker''A clarion call to preserve law and order across our planet'' Philippe Sands''A fascinating and important book ... given the state of the world, The Internationalists has come along at the right moment'' Margaret MacMillan, Financial TimesSince the end of the Second World War, we have moved from an international system in which war was legal, and accepted as the ultimate arbiter of disputes between nations, to one in which it was not. Nations that wage aggressive war have become outcasts and have almost always had to give up their territorial gains. How did this epochal transformation come about? This remarkable book, which combines political, legal, and intellectual history, traces the origins and course of one of the great shifts in the modern world.''Sweeping and yet personable at the same time, The Internationalists<Trade ReviewGenuine originality is unusual in political history. The Internationalists is an original book. -- Louis Menand * New Yorker *An impassioned history of how the liberal international order came into being and why it must be defended as never before * Economist *The Internationalists is a fascinating and challenging book, which raises gravely important issues for the present. -- Margaret MacMillan * Financial Times *An extraordinary high-wire act ... this book is a lively firecracker that illuminates not only the past, but also the present -- Adam Roberts * Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisFrom Margaret of Anjou to Katherine Parr, All the Queen's Jewels examines the jewellery collections of the ten queen consorts of England between 14451548 and investigates the collections of jewels a queen had access to, as well as the varying contexts in which queens used and wore jewels.The jewellery worn by queens reflected both their gender and their status as the first lady of the realm. Jewels were more than decorative adornments; they were an explicit display of wealth, majesty and authority. They were often given to queens by those who wished to seek her favour or influence and were also associated with key moments in their lifecycle. These included courtship and marriage, successfully negotiating childbirth (and thus providing dynastic continuity), and their elevation to queenly status or coronation. This book explores the way that queens acquired jewels, whether via their predecessor, their own commission or through gift giving. It underscores thTrade Review‘This study offers a fresh interpretation of queenship and the ways in which queens wielded power in late Medieval and early modern society. Jewellery is often dismissed as a trivial topic when in fact it is at the heart of politics. Tallis remarkably reveals its true importance in defining and challenging power--especially when it came to queens. Thoroughly researched and with an accessible prose, this book is undeniably a significant contribution to the field and is going to be a great resource for students, scholars, and members of the public alike who have an interest in queens and power.’Estelle Paranque, New College of the Humanities, UK‘This exciting new work is an excellent example of innovative new work in queenship studies, tracing the evolution of the queen’s jewel collection during a particularly turbulent period from the Wars of the Roses to the last of Henry VIII’s six wives. This engaging read demonstrates the importance of the queen’s jewels in underpinning her role by projecting majesty as well as enhancing her networks through gift exchange.’Elena Woodacre, University of Winchester, UK‘This study of the jewel collections of the queens consort of England between 1445 and 1548 offers a fluent, engaging, and very informative account of an important aspect of female royalty. Nicola Tallis’s book contributes original research to a generation of scholarship into the material history of late-medieval European queenship, drawing on evidence from inventories, wills, portraiture, commissions to artisans, and correspondence. The book presents a comprehensive account of the production, acquisition and care of the queens’ jewels and their use as personal adornment and gifts in a wide range of contexts. It ably demonstrates how the deployment of the queens’ jewels was an integral part of the magnificence of Plantagenet and Tudor monarchy.’Glenn Richardson, St Mary's University, UK"Nicola Tallis has justifiably established herself as an expert not just on the English queens’ jewellery collection but how these pieces advertised power, augmented influence, and shaped reputations in the early modern era. An important, groundbreaking, and fascinating book." Gareth Russell, Historian and Broadcaster.Table of ContentsIntroduction 1. An Introduction to Jewellery and the Queenly Use of Jewels 2. The Wills of the Queens of England, 1445-1548 3. The Jewel Inventories of Jane Seymour, Katherine Howard and Kateryn Parr 4. Portraiture 5. Goldsmiths and Commissioning Jewels 6. Gifts of Jewels 7. The Crown Jewels 8.Conclusion

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Book SynopsisHistory does not run in straight lines. Instead of inevitable progress, what we get is more often false starts, blind alleys, random events, good intentions that go wrong. Robert Cooper's incisive and elegant book is therefore not a continuous diplomatic history. Richelieu and Mazarin inhabited a 16th-century world we can hardly imagine today, but it is from their time that we can begin to see the outline of today's Europe.The Ambassadors includes a brilliant analysis of the people who built the Western side of the Cold War. Henry Kissinger is a pivotal figure in the post-war world, and his story is in some ways typical: he failed in his most important aims and succeeded in ways he never expected. Robert Cooper's pieces together history and considers the illuminating fragments it leaves behind.Trade ReviewRobert Cooper has a lifelong experience of diplomacy in the British Foreign Office and the European Union. His newbook is based on wide reading and meticulous attention to detail. It is fluently written in a limpid and comfortable prose...a subtle analysis of the nature of international relations and the creative way brilliant people have used a combination of diplomacy and force to manage the convoluted problems which relations between countries always throw up... A vivid and penetrating account of the major international crises of the past 70 years and the people who handled them -- Rodric Braithwaite * THE SPECTATOR *Told with erudition and con molto brio ... The author's reflections on the nature and uses of power as on the art of negotiation deserve full attention -- François Heisbourg * FINANCIAL TIMES *This book's often critical analysis is as good a primer on Kissinger as there is to be found * Irish Times *

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"A Project Syndicate Best Reads in 2023""[Brands] gathers a college of 45 such experts. All are wise after the facts of their field, and each attempts the historian’s equivalent of the owl’s neck rotation—a sweep that, taking in past and present, looks to the future . . . the scholarship on strategy has become internationalized, and Mr. Brands broadens his sights beyond the familiar theorists and practitioners—and beyond the battlefield."---Dominic Green, Wall Street Journal

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Book SynopsisMuch bigger and more ambitious than a first-person rise and fall Great vignettes and classy analysis from the man who until a year ago sat at the top of the diplomatic tree There is nothing dusty or dry in his account of dealing with the twin forces of Boris and Donald, and how they've shaped politics and his life' Guardian@realDonaldTrump: The wacky ambassador that the UK foisted on the United States is not someone we are thrilled with, a very stupid guy We will no longer deal with him'Kim Darroch was British Ambassador to the US as the age of Trump dawned and Brexit unfolded. One of the UK's most experienced and respected diplomats, to Darroch was given the task of explaining Trump to the British and Brexit to the Americans. Choosing to resign after his confidential cables criticising the Trump administration were leaked to the press, Darroch's unvarnished, behind-the-scenes account reveals for the first time the inside story of this tumultuous time and reflects more broadly on BTrade Review‘Rude about Theresa May, assertive on Brexit and refreshingly free of self pity … Darroch recounts the events which led to his resignation as UK ambassador in Washington in droll style … It is a highly readable and entertaining account of his diplomatic life and times … He is honest about the “factors” that made Brexit possible. … Rich in insight’Luke Harding, Guardian ‘A sharply written book, full of dry and wry observations … But this book is much bigger and more ambitious than a first-person “rise and fall”. What gives it its narrative force is that the two central characters in the book – Trump and Johnson – are also the emblems of the surge in populism, and the two history-shaping events in US/UK politics: the EU referendum on 23 June 2016, and the US general election a few months later in November … Filled with great vignettes and classy analysis from the man who until just over a year ago sat at the top of the diplomatic tree. And there is nothing dusty or dry in his account of dealing with the twin forces of Boris and Donald, and how they’ve shaped politics – and his life.’Jon Sopel, Guardian ‘Bleakly comic detail … [Darroch] was obliged to serve in a shark tank at feeding time’Max Hastings, Sunday Times ‘In his telling, he reveals a lot about the way Britain has changed over the past few decades, about how it works now, about a relationship with our closest ally that we like to call “special”, and about at least a slice of life in the United States … Anger still burns on the book’s pages … He delivers sharp insights about others; crisply critical about their decisions, while fair-minded and even kind about them as people. Readers will get the feeling that he prefers to pack a punch than make a splash. Now he has done both’Edward Lucas, The Times, Book of the Week

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Book SynopsisDiplomatic history is the critical study of the management of relations between nation-states. Based on significant historical case studies - the American Revolution, the origins of the Great War and its aftermath, Versailles, the Iraq War, and diplomacy in the age of globalization - this book locates the universal role of diplomatic negotiation.Trade ReviewIf the practice of diplomacy has always baffled you, this book is the key to unlock its mysteries. Professor Siracusa takes readers on an engaging journey into key historical moments, skillfully analyzing complex diplomatic decisions in user-friendly terms. * Alica Kizekova, Head of Asia Pacific Unit and Senior Researcher, Institute of International Relations Prague *Joseph Siracusa's vast range and depth of knowledge of international history are on notable display in this valuable and accessible work. He utilizes incisive case studies of diplomacy from the American Revolution through to the age of globalization to provide a truly impressive introduction to the vital field of diplomatic history. * Wilson D. Miscamble, C.S.C., Professor of History, University of Notre Dame *Table of ContentsPreface 1: Evolution of diplomacy 2: Diplomacy of the American Revolution 3: Diplomatic origins of the Great War and Versailles 4: The night Stalin and Churchill divided Europe 5: George W. Bush and the Iraq War 6: Diplomacy in the age of globalization References and further reading Index

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"[Maisky's] vast diary is a fascinating and invaluable source on wartime relations between Moscow and London. . . . A triumph of meticulous scholarship and enlightened publishing."—David Reynolds, Times Literary Supplement"Its candid depictions of the British political and social scene . . . are a find of historic importance and fascination."—Nicholas Shakespeare, The Daily Telegraph"Maisky’s wonderful diary offers refreshing insights into the turbulent 1930s. . . . Sparkled amid his fascinating observations of momentous developments is some delightful gossip, to which Maisky was addicted. . . . Maisky’s painful reflections on the British character remind one of Samuel Pepys or Dr. Johnson."—Gerard DeGroot, The Times"Maisky was . . . clever, cultured, an exceptionally shrewd observer of Britain during his 11 years as ambassador in London from 1932. . . . Maisky’s diaries make a significant new contribution to the historiography of his time, for which their editor deserves congratulations."—Max Hastings, Sunday Times"Deftly edited by Gabriel Gorodetsky. . . . This is a must-read for aficionados of diplomatic history and especially of interwar British high society."—Stephen Kotkin, The Wall Street Journal"A gripping mixture of scholarship and gossip, filled with uncensored sketches of Churchill, Eden, Chamberlain and Lloyd George."—Nicholas Shakespeare, Daily Telegraph"These diaries throw new light from a fresh angle on the lead-up to 1939 and the subsequent course of the war . . . this is an exceptionally readable, as well as important, story."—John Joliffe, Spectator". . . an extraordinary document left by an extraordinary man."—Andy McSmith, The Independent". . . easily the most important diary of the Second World War period since Fringes of Power, Jack Colville’s records of working for Churchill, were published more than 30 years ago. Like Colville, Maisky had genuine literary talent as well as the ability constantly to be at the right place at the right time . . . All new accounts of the period will have to quote them in future . . . intensely readable, highly revelatory and well edited."—Andrew Roberts, Evening Standard". . . may turn out to be the most important contribution of 21st-century historical scholarship to our understanding of the causes, courses and consequences of the Second World War. . . . It will be read—it will be metaphorically devoured—by anyone remotely interested in understanding the history of humanity’s darkest century."—S.J.D Green, Standpoint"Gorodetsky’s clear and precise commentary reminds us that Stalinist terror discouraged Soviet diplomats from writing too much, especially from keeping a diary, in the 1930s. This makes Maisky’s diaries, on which Gorodetsky has worked for the last 15 years, all the more precious – in fact a unique document."—La Monde diplomatique"This chronicle of his embassy before and during the Second World War abounds in interest. It not only sheds fresh light on Anglo-Soviet relations but also contains fascinating accounts of prominent British figures . . . [Gorodetsky] deserves all credit for a masterly feat of original research and scholarly exposition."— Piers Brendon, Literary Review"With their dramatized accounts of British policies and society in the pre-war world and later, his diaries are a feast . . ."—George Walden, New Statesman"A marvellous find."—Marcus Tanner, The Independent"Anyone interested in this country’s attempts to appease then defeat Nazi Germany now has a treasure trove in the secret diaries of Ivan Maisky, Stalin’s ambassador to London. . . . Maisky was brilliantly effective in forming relationships with leading British politicians, such as Winston Churchill and David Lloyd George, so the diaries are full of unforgettable personal insights into these giants."—Dominic Lawson, Daily MailReceived a special mention as an outstanding contribution for the Pushkin House Russian Book Prize"A fascinating, rich volume, brimming over with insights into two radically different worlds. It only whets the reader's appetite for the full three-volume edition . . . which will surely stand as one of the great achievements of twenty-first century historical scholarship."—Niall Ferguson"Maisky’s diary, impeccably edited by Gabriel Gorodetsky, is not only a work of major historical importance. It also provides an utterly fascinating view of Anglo-Soviet relations and British politics during the critical period of 1932 to 1943."—Antony Beevor"Astonishing! Really remarkable. . . . Perhaps the greatest political diary of the twentieth century."—Paul Kennedy"It is a book that makes us understand the period of appeasement afresh, tells the human story of an un-Bolshevik character teetering on the edge of Stalinist disaster, and reminds us just how important great diplomats have been in dangerous times."—Andrew Marr, New Statesman -- Andrew Marr * New Statesman *"These diaries throw new light from a fresh angle on the lead-up to 1939 and the subsequent course of the war . . . this is an exceptionally readable, as well as important, story."—John Joliffe, Spectator -- John Joliffe * The Spectator *‘Recently discovered diaries by the Soviet ambassador to the UK from 1932 give fascinating insights into Britain before and during the war.’ - The Sunday Times * The Sunday Times *

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Book SynopsisFrom Russia’s tampering with the US election to the WannaCry hack that temporarily crippled the NHS, cyber has become the weapon of choice for democracies, dictators, and terrorists. Cheap to acquire, easily deniable, and used for a variety of malicious purposes — from crippling infrastructure to sowing discord and doubt — cyberweapons are re-writing the rules of warfare. In less than a decade, they have displaced terrorism and nuclear missiles as the biggest immediate threat to international security and to democracy. Here, New York Times correspondent David E. Sanger takes us from the White House Situation Room to the dens of Chinese government hackers and the boardrooms of Silicon Valley, piecing together a remarkable picture of a world now coming face-to-face with the most sophisticated — and arguably most dangerous — weapon ever invented. The Perfect Weapon is the dramatic story of a new era of constant sabotage, misinformation, and fear, in which everyone is a target. Trade Review‘This encyclopedic account by a Times correspondent traces the rapid rise of cyberwarfare capabilities and warns that ideas about how to control them are only beginning to emerge.’ * The New York Times Book Review (Editor’s Choice) *‘[Sanger] writes with persuasiveness and authority.’ * The Telegraph *‘In a chilling new book, The Perfect Weapon, David Sanger details how more than 30 nations have developed effective cyber forces.’ * Financial Times *‘An encyclopedic account of policy-relevant happenings in the cyberworld … the most comprehensive, readable source of information and insight about the policy quandaries that modern information technology and its destructive potential have spawned.’ -- Paul R. Pillar * The New York Times *‘[The Perfect Weapon is] an important – and deeply sobering – new book about cyberwarfare.’ -- Nicholas Kristof * The New York Times *‘A reader finishes this book fully understanding why cyberwar has moved rapidly to the top of America’s official list of national security threats.’ -- David von Drehle * The Washington Post *‘In his new book, The Perfect Weapon, Sanger offers a panoramic view of the rapidly evolving world of cyber-conflict. He covers incidents from the covert U.S. cyber-campaign to sabotage Iran’s nuclear program (a story we know about largely because of Sanger’s diligent reporting) to Edward Snowden’s epic heist of National Security Agency data. And yes, there’s also plenty of background on Russia’s active measures during the 2016 campaign. But there’s also a wealth of gripping material on stories that have probably been missed by the broader public … It all adds up to a persuasive argument for the truth of the book’s title.’ -- Christian Caryl * The Washington Post *‘Anyone who doubts cyber’s unintended consequences should read David Sanger’s new book The Perfect Weapon. Sanger, a reporter for The New York Times, has been a dogged and diligent observer of cybersecurity issues for years. His book is a readable account of what went wrong.’ -- Robert Samuelson * The Washington Post *‘Computer and cyber warfare is a burgeoning mode of conflict that poses serious threats to the United States, Pulitzer-winning New York Times correspondent Sanger (Confront and Conceal) argues in this perhaps overly worried investigation. Sanger gives a lucid account of national programs for digital espionage and warfare, but it’s not always clear that the various technologies described hold much danger; for example, he doesn’t make a strong case that Russian spoofing of social media accounts really undermines American democracy. Readers could use a more thorough exploration of the limitations of supposedly perfect digital weapons.’ * Publishers Weekly *‘You may not have realised it but we are at war. A world war. And it’s not clear who’s winning or who will ultimately win, but the battleground is vast — cyberspace … David E. Sanger sums up where we are and where we could be heading.’ -- Jon Wise * Weekend Sport *‘[A] sobering new book.’ -- John Naughton * The Guardian *‘The book’s greatest strength is in how Sanger captures the complexities of cyber weapons and cyber operations to illustrate the internal dynamics of the Obama administration as it grappled with these emerging capabilities … Where he falls a bit short is on the other side of the equation, where those principles fell somewhat short. Apple for all of its stances on privacy and protecting consumer information bent over backwards to accommodate the Chinese government … It is well reported, well sourced, and his access provides insights into what many of the key players were thinking at the time and in the years since their tenure ended … For lay readers, The Perfect Weapon is a great one-volume precis on recent cyber war.’ * Joshua Huminski, The Diplomatic Courier *‘The Perfect Weapon may be one of the most important, if chilling, books you’ll read this year.’ * The Saturday Age *‘Sanger, The New York Times’ security correspondent, has catalogued the recent history of cyber warfare, how it needs to be confronted and the intensely complex policy issues that arise. This is the last word in the modern world of cyber warfare – until artificial intelligence takes over.’ * Mercury *‘Sanger, The New York Times’ security correspondent, has catalogued the recent history of how cyber warfare has developed, how it needs to be confronted, and the intensely complex policy issues that arise.’ * Courier Mail *‘The greatest virtue of Sanger’s writing is that it is clear-headed and morally grounded, not in any way breathless or apocalyptic.’ -- Paul Monk * Weekend Australian *‘For the rest of the lay public, this very accessible book by New York Times journalist David Sanger is an outstanding volume to fill in the gaps.’ -- Anthony Smith * NZ International Review *Praise for The Inheritance:‘[Sanger is] a shrewd and insightful strategic thinker.’ -- Gary J. Bass * The New York Times *

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Book SynopsisWhat should the future of British foreign policy look like? For too long successive governments have shied away from acknowledging uncomfortable truths about the decline of Britain's military capabilities. As we approach the middle years of the twenty-first century a new set of urgent and daunting challenges - including climate change, technological development and the rise of AI, and a growing threat from China - lie ahead, making the need for us to reconcile ourselves with our position in the world more acute. In this persuasively argued book, Simon McDonald shows how the UK's significant soft-power strengths can be harnessed to expand our international influence. Such a shift will only be possible, he says, if we first acknowledge the challenges of Brexit and the need to reduce our unrealistic hard-power ambitions. Excellence in areas that other countries care about will keep the UK internationally relevant in the second half of the century in a way that nostalgia for a lost pre-eminence will not.

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Book SynopsisIf you ever wondered who becomes an American ambassador and why, this is the book for you. It describes how Foreign Service officers become ambassadors by rising up through the ranks, and why they typically make up about 70 percent of the total number of ambassadors. It also covers where the other 30 percent come from—the political appointees who get the job because they helped elect the president by supporting him as a campaign contributor, a political ally, or a personal friend. It explains why, despite being illegal and a threat to national security, selling the title of ambassador remains a common practice that is also unique to the United States. It considers why some suggestions for reform are misguided, what might be done, and why who the president is matters so much in determining how well the United States will be represented abroad. This updated and revised edition of Jett's classic book not only provides a timely overview of American ambassadorship for Foreign Service Officers, aspiring diplomats, and interested citizens, but also calls for much-needed reform, describing the dire implications of failing to change our ambassadorial appointments process for the future of American diplomatic practice and foreign policy.Table of ContentsFOREWORDINTRODUCTIONA BRIEF HISTORY OF THE TITLEWHO GETS TO BE AN AMBASSADOR: THE TRADITIONAL ROUTEWHO GETS TO BE AN AMBASSADOR: THE NONTRADITIONAL ROUTETHE LAST STEPS: CLEARANCE AND CONFIRMATIONWHAT AN AMBASSADOR DOESWHERE AN AMBASSADOR GOESWHY IT MATTERS AND HOW IT MIGHT BE CHANGED

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Book SynopsisAmerica has an empire that it wants to keep, Russia lost an empire that it wants to recover and China doesn't have an empire and wants one - with India the wildcard.

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Book SynopsisWinner of the Pushkin House Book Prize 2023*A Telegraph Book of the Year* A Times Best Book of Summer 2023*Shortlisted for the Parliamentary Book Awards*An astonishing investigation into the start of the Russo-Ukrainian war from the corridors of the Kremlin to the trenches of Mariupol.The Russo-Ukrainian War is the most serious geopolitical crisis since the Second World War and yet at the heart of the conflict is a mystery. Vladimir Putin apparently lurched from a calculating, subtle master of opportunity to a reckless gambler, putting his regime and Russia itself at risk of destruction. Why?Drawing on over 25 years' experience as a correspondent in Moscow, as well as his own family ties to Russia and Ukraine, journalist Owen Matthews takes us through the poisoned historical roots of the conflict, into the Covid bubble where Putin conceived his invasion plans in a fog of paranoia about Western threats, and finally into the inner circle around Ukrainian president and unexpected war Trade Review‘Not merely the first full account of the war in Ukraine, but may set the standard for some time to come … a remarkable achievement, with Matthews’s expert eye like an all-seeing drone, buzzing from one side of the conflict to the other’ 5* Telegraph ‘A vivid and revealing first draft of history … The strength of his account lies in his ability to tell the story from many angles, weaving them into a single, fast-paced narrative … fascinating’ Financial Times ‘The best current analysis of the countdown to war’ Serhii Plokhy, TLS ‘There will be many more books on Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, but Owen Matthews’ extraordinary perspective has produced an interim account of special value.’ Daily Mail ‘A wave of hurriedly written books about the Russo-Ukrainian war is about to crash over our bookshops and overburdened shelves, but it is hard not to feel sorry for most of their authors. Owen Matthews has already come out with what is not only one of the fastest, but also likely to be the best, setting a painfully high benchmark for those who follow.’ Times ‘The best new book on Russia … a classic as enduring as Orwell’s Homage to Catalonia’ Literary Review ‘Superb … a true page-turner’ Andrew Roberts, BBC History

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Book Synopsis''Stunningly good'' Michael Burleigh, Evening Standard, Books of the Year 2017 A Financial Times Best Book of 2017''A shrewd and knowing book.'' Robert D. Kaplan, The Wall Street Journal''A compelling and impressive read.'' The Economist''Skillfully crafted and well-argued.'' Jeffrey Wasserstrom, Financial Times''An excellent modern history. . . . provides the context needed to make sense of the region''s present and future.'' Joyce Lau, South China Morning PostThe dramatic story of the relationship between the world''s three largest economies, one that is shaping the future of us all, by one of the foremost experts on east AsiaFor more than half a century, American power in the Pacific has successfully kept the peace. But it has also cemented the tensions in the toxic rivalry between China and Japan, consumed with endless history wars and entrenched political dynasTrade ReviewA shrewd and knowing book -- Robert D. Kaplan * Wall Street Journal *A compelling and impressive read * Economist *Skillfully crafted and well-argued -- Jeffrey Wasserstrom * Financial Times *An excellent modern history. . . . provides the context needed to make sense of the region's present and future. -- Joyce Lau * South China Morning Post *[A] wide-ranging study of China's re-emergence as a regional power in Asia after a long hiatus, thwarting the designs of other powers, including the United States and Russia. . . . The U.S. [finds itself] firmly ensnared in the so-called Thucydides trap, 'the principle that it is dangerous to build an empire but even more dangerous to let it go.' So it is, and the current leadership appears to be at a loss about what to do or to formulate other aspects of any coherent policy in and toward Asia. . . . Geopolitics wonks will want to give attention to this urgent but nonsensationalized argument. * Kirkus Reviews *The United States, China, and Japan form the power triangle that will shape much of the international politics in the 21st century. Richard McGregor's masterful The Party illuminated one corner of that triangle-China. In this important book he describes how the other two corners have interacted with China since World War II. Lucid, insightful and ominous, as the author describes big trouble ahead -- Eliot Cohen, author of SUPREME COMMANDRichard McGregor's new book is essential reading for anyone worried about the most fraught relationship in Asia-between China and Japan. With extensive experience in and knowledge of both China, Japan, and the United States, McGregor is in a unique position to unpack the relationship and sort through the extensive propaganda and myth-making on all sides. A great read! -- John Pomfret, author of The Beautiful Country and the Middle KingdomMcGregor distills years of meetings with high officials in China and Japan to give a vivid nuanced picture of their relations in the 21st century -- Ezra Vogel, author of Deng Xiaoping and the Transformation of ChinaAn in-depth depiction of radical changes and challenges in Japan-China relations in the post-war period, thoroughly researched and rich in storytelling. In the course of tumultuous relations with China, Japan has had to trail blaze in the face of the rise of China. Japan's naked exposure to the unfolding Realpolitik with China at its core is for the first time comprehensively reviewed. -- Yoichi Funabashi, former Editor-in-Chief, Asahi ShimbunA must read for anyone who wants to understand our future. Asia's Reckoning provides a detailed picture of the slow military, diplomatic and economic waltz between China, Japan and the United States that determined the shape of the past half-century. -- Nicholas Stuart * Brisbane Times *A compelling account of the post-war relationship between China, Japan and America, brings to life one of the world's most complicated love-hate triangles. -- Clifford Coonan * Irish Times *McGregor's brilliant book is packed with insights on the complex Sino-Japanese relationship, the gist of that being that past history should be our teacher rather than master. Will a more powerful China learn magnanimity, one wonders. -- David Sexton * Evening Standard, Book of the Year *For journalists taking up new posts in China, the first book I always suggest is Richard McGregor's The Party. I will now add McGregor's new book, Asia's Reckoning, to my list for those headed to the Far East. -- Melissa Chan * Los Angeles Review of Books *In Asia's Reckoning, Richard McGregor provides a cogent and superbly researched guide to the deep forces that undergird China's geopolitical strategy and the attempts of two other great powers in the region, the United States and Japan, to deal with it. -- Peter Tasker * The Mekong Review *McGregor's fascinating narrative of the three countries' relations over 50 years is filled with fresh anecdotes drawn from interviews and newly released archival documents. McGregor has a sharp eye for personalities and policy factions, as well as a firm grasp of geopolitics. -- Andrew Nathan * Foreign Affairs *Richard McGregor has followed up his masterful 2010 book on The Party by focusing on the collisions and the less frequent collusions between the three Pacific powers: China, Japan and the US. Most regional strategic writing is focused on one of the three countries, but McGregor has done immense research in each of them and sets up the story beautifully. -- Rowan Callick * The Australian *McGregor offers a masterful account of the complex fifty-year dance between China, Japan and the United States. -- Graeme Dobell * The Strategist *McGregor has written a magisterial book that combines old-fashioned shoe leather reporting and extensive archival research to hart seven decades of history between the three countries. -- Anna Fifield * Australian Foreign Affairs *

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Book SynopsisThoroughly revised and updated, a new edition of the most popular guide to the UN for students and interested readersTrade Review “An Insider’s Guide is my UN bible. Linda Fasulo knows all the right questions and brings back all the answers readers need to know to navigate the UN.”—Olivia Ward, Toronto Star “With highly readable and journalistic clarity, the author leads readers through the complex organizational structure of the United Nations. Her concise and entertaining narrative sheds light on its mission, evolution, and controversies.”—Jackie Gropman and Susan Woodcock, School Library Journal“This book is a must read for anyone interested in international affairs.”—Tom Brokaw, NBC News “I can attest that this work reflects real-ground truth about what happens at the United Nations, with timely insights and examples."―John D. Negroponte, former US Ambassador to the UN “Linda Fasulo’s book about the United Nations is the perfect guide to the global work on peace, development and human rights. It is ‘hands on’ and practical as well as pointing to principles and values crucial to international cooperation.”―Jan Eliasson, former UN Deputy Secretary-General “Linda Fasulo’s book will become the indispensable source on the United Nations for everyone from students to diplomats.”―Joseph S. Nye, Harvard University Kennedy School of Government “Fasulo has produced a living primer for those interested in finding their way around the UN. It is an excellent book—full of solid fact and juicy opinion—just the kind of thing everyone wants to read.”—Shashi Tharoor, former UN Under‑Secretary‑General for Communications

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Book SynopsisMatthew Parris''s Parting Shots is a treasure trove of wit, venom and serious analysis.Up till 2006 a British Ambassador leaving his post was encouraged to write what was known as a valedictory despatch, to be circulated to a small number of influential people in government. This was the parting shot, an opportunity to offer a personal and frank view of the host country, the manners and morals of its people, their institutions, the state of their cooking and their drains. But it was also a chance to let rip at the Foreign Office itself and to look back on a career spent in the service of a sometimes ungrateful nation.Combining gems from the archives with more recent despatches obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, Parting Shots sheds light on Britain''s place in the world, revealing the curious cocktail of privilege and privation that makes up the life of an ambassador.''Wonderful ... a glimpse of that lost world of private eloquence and erudite candour'' Matthew d''Ancona, Evening Standard''Unbuttoned, indiscreet and very funny'' Yorkshire PostMatthew Parris had a short career in the Foreign Office where one of his tasks was to distribute incoming valedictory despatches. He was a Conservative MP from 1979 to 1986, since when he has worked as a journalist. He is the author of A Castle in Spain, Parting Shots, and A Spanish Ambassador''s Suitcase. He divides his time between Derbyshire (where his old constituency was situated) and east London.

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Book SynopsisA Vanishing West in the Middle East covers the history of Western cooperation in the Middle East and North Africa since the end of the Cold War. Based on more than fifty interviews with diplomats and experts as well as consultations of the academic literature, it describes the operational and political frameworks through which the United States and European countries have intervened in the Arab world, and how their relations with the region have changed. Practitioner testimonies and detailed case studies illuminate U.S. successes and failures in enlisting allies for campaigns in Iraq, Syria, and Libya.This analysis goes to the heart of the American debate on endless wars but also questions the very concept of Western intervention in a region where the Arab Spring and subsequent uprisings have profoundly changed the geopolitical landscape. Today, whereas the United States wishes to pull back from the region, Europe understands it must become more involved. Whatever theTrade ReviewAfter a decade over which the Middle East was profoundly shaken and transformed, over which US foreign policy toward this region went through various revisions, and over which the transatlantic bond risked serious erosion, this book offers serious answers to questions with a bearing on the future: Is there still one ‘West,’ at least in relation to an ‘East’? What remains of the strategic interest the Middle East represents for both America and Europe? Charles Thépaut’s unique position, as a French diplomat working on the Middle East from Washington DC, gives this work irreplaceable value. -- Joseph Bahout, director of the Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs and associate professor of politics, American University of BeirutCharles Thépaut’s A New West in the Middle East is a timely read that follows US-Europe relations from the 1990s to today. Thépaut reminds readers that regardless of the US president, the future relationship will require fairer burden-sharing, humbler aspirations, and honest conversations about what constitute actual priorities. Thépaut’s deep knowledge of the Middle East’s most complex conflicts, his accurate assessment of Great Power interests, and his diplomatic experience informing how to nurture a healthier US-Europe relationship make him an ideal author. The book is a must-read for those looking to employ the best of Europe and the best of the United States to solve the globe’s most pressing dilemmas. -- Jomana Qaddour, nonresident senior fellow with the Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East, Atlantic Council, member of the UN-facilitated Syrian Constitutional Committee, and cofounder of Syria Relief & Development'Does the ‘West’ exist in the Middle East and North Africa? Only on rare occasions. Should we leave things as they are? Given the trend in the United States to reduce its footprint in the region, the necessity for Europe to deal with new threats in its neighborhood, the revival of Russian influence, and the rise of China, the answer is no. Thepaut, a well-traveled diplomat and clear-sighted think tanker, provides a trove of fact-based analyses in his book. It offers an essential basis for policymakers to rethink an issue that should become central in an updated transatlantic dialogue.' -- Michel Duclos, special advisor at the Montaigne Institute and former French ambassador to Syria and SwitzerlandTable of ContentsPart I. U.S.-European Cooperation During the Unipolar Moment, 1990–2011 Ch. 1. Imbalances, Capability Gaps, and the History of Burden Sharing Ch. 2. Transatlantic Policymaking in the Middle East, and the Lack of Space for Cooperation Ch. 3. The Frustrating Search for Shared Platforms to Advance Common Interests Part II. The Arab Uprisings, U.S. Fatigue, and the Vanishing West, 2011–20 Ch. 4. Obama-Era Rhetoric vs. Reality Ch. 5. The Libya Quandary Ch. 6. Unfinished Defeat of the Islamic State Ch. 7. The JCPOA and Missed Opportunities to Pressure Iran Part III. The Effects of a Fragmented Middle East on Transatlantic Cooperation Ch. 8. State Collapse, Resilience, and the Quest for Dignity Ch. 9. The Missing New Regional Order Ch. 10. Potential Impacts of the Pandemic Ch. 11. Regional Perceptions of the United States and Europe Part IV. Widening Gaps in the U.S.-European Approach Ch. 12. European Weakness, European Autonomy—and the European South Ch. 13. The 2020 U.S. Vote and the Prospect of Recalibration Ch. 14. The State of Great Power Competition Part V. Reset: A New Chapter for the West in the Middle East Ch. 15. Transatlantic Partnership at a Crossroads Ch. 16. Avoiding the Temptation to Simply Restore Old Dynamics Ch. 17. Europe as an Asset in Great Power Politics Ch. 18. Priorities and Division of Labor Ch. 19. Capabilities and Burden Sharing Ch. 20. Institutions and Coalitions Ch. 21. Toward a Greater Emphasis on Soft Power

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Book SynopsisBrings together Lester D. Langley's personal and professional link to the long American Revolution in a narrative that spans more than 150 years and places the Revolution in multiple contexts - from the local to the transatlantic and hemispheric and from racial and gendered to political, social, economic, and cultural perspectives.Trade ReviewThe Long American Revolution and Its Legacy is an ambitious, thoroughly researched book by a respected scholar of the Atlantic world. Both scholars and lay readers will appreciate this volume, and even specialists in the field will find thoughtful new observations to ponder. Langley writes elegantly and clearly. Smart, fresh, and persuasive.

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Book SynopsisEnvisioning the Empress illuminates dynamic and powerful empresses who impacted not only women in their own time but whose influence extended to later generations of royalty, creating a greater role for imperial women and elevating the status of womenâs roles at a crucial juncture in Japanese history. The central focus of this book is visual monarchy, exploring how the empressâ biographies were primarily expressed in visual culture and how their images worked in support of Japanâs imperial policies in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The book begins with a brief overview of premodern and modern imperial women to orient the reader. In each chapter, different media, audiences, and distribution channels for constructing the narrative of feminine imperial power in Japan are addressed alongside biographical information. It is argued that the ultimate purpose of all of these images was to elevate the empress and promote her image as a conventional role model for m

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Book SynopsisCovering the development of the Cold War from the mid-twentieth century to the present day, The Cold War 19492016 explores the struggle for world domination that took place between the United States and the Soviet Union following the Second World War. The conflict between these two superpowers shaped global history for decades, and this book examines how this conflict developed into a nuclear arms race, spurred much of the wider world towards war and eventually resulted in the collapse of the Soviet empire. In this accessible yet comprehensive volume, Martin McCauley examines not only the actions of the United States and the Soviet Union but also the effects upon and involvement of other regions such as Africa, Central America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. Key themes include the Sino-Soviet relationship and the global ambitions of the newly formed People's Republic of China, the rise and fall of communism in countries such as Cuba, Angola and Ethiopia, the US defeTrade Review"The Cold War 1949–2016 is the most readable, comprehensive, knowledgeable narrative of the Cold War. No one can read this book without learning something new, unusual and thought-provoking."Christopher Read, University of Warwick, UKTable of ContentsList of Maps List of Illustrations Foreword 1. ORIGINS OF THE COLD WAR 2. COLD WAR: 1949–53 3. TO THE BRINK AND BACK: 1953–62 4. THE US AND THE SOVIET UNION IN THE THIRD WORLD 5. THE SINO-SOVIET SCHISM 6. CUBA, VIETNAM AND INDONESIA 7. THE WAR OF CULTURES 8. THE PRAGUE SPRING 9. DÉTENTE: 1969–79 10. THE ISLAMIC CHALLENGE TO GDÁNSK: IRAN AND AFGHANISTAN 11. CAMBODIA-KAMPUCHEA 12. POST-DÉTENTE: 1979–85 13. GORBACHEV AND THE END OF THE COLD WAR 14. THE JUDGEMENT 15. THE POST–COLD WAR WORLD Further Reading References

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Book SynopsisThis book examines the careers of Liao Chengzhi and Takasaki Tatsunosuke, who were not only the architects of Sino-Japanese economic relations, but also pioneers of contemporary Sino-Japanese relations. Their visions and initiatives offer many insights into the current contentious relations among China, Japan, Russia, and the United States.Trade Review"For a decade the two most powerful states in East Asia, Japan and the People's Republic of China, carried on trade without recognizing each other diplomatically and this beginning only a short time after the conclusion of the bloodiest war between them in all history, and while Japan had diplomatic ties with China's archrival regime on Taiwan. This marvelous new book tells the story of how such an arrangement came into being and the two men who made it possible, Liao Chengzhi and Takasaki Tatsunosuke (known together as 'LT' for short). Surprisingly little has been written in English about these two men and their accomplishments, and Mayumi Itoh's new work now admirably fills the void." Joshua A. Fogel, Canada Research Chair, York University "In her meticulous and far-reaching analysis of the 1962 LT Accord, Itoh has constructed a compelling narrative of Sino-Japanese normalization by showing how the significant actors in this process, on both sides, were conscious of their responsibility to overcome the tragic legacy of the war." Stephen Roddy, associate professor of Asian Studies, University of San FranciscoTable of ContentsEarly Career of Takasaki Early Career of Liao Mid Career of Takasaki Mid Career of Liao Origin of LT Trade Agreement Late Career of Takasaki Late Career of Liao Conclusion

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Book SynopsisThis volume is timely in that it explores key issues which are currently at the forefront of the EU’s relations with its eastern neighbours. It considers the impact of a more assertive Russia, the significance of Turkey, the limitations of the Eastern Partnership with Belarus and Moldova, the position of a Ukraine in crisis and pulled between Russia and the EU, security and democracy in the South Caucasus. It looks at the contested nature of European identity in areas such as the Balkans. In addition it looks at ways in which the EU’s interests and values can be tested in sectors such as trade and migration. The interplay between values, identity and interests and their effect on the interpretation of europeanisation between the EU and its neighbours is a core theme of the volume.Table of ContentsIntroduction – Paul Flenley and Michael ManninPart I: Concepts and Frameworks1 Europeanisation as a past and present narrative – Mike Mannin2 Defining contemporary European identity/ies – Nora Siklodi3 The Limitations of the EU’s strategies for Europeanisation of the neighbours – Paul FlenleyPart II: Country/Area Studies4 Europeanisation and Russia – Tatiana Romanova5 ‘Bounded Europeanisation’: the case of Ukraine – Nadiia Bureiko and Teodor Lucian Moga6 Belarus: Does Europeanisation require a geopolitical choice? – Kiryl Kascian7 Relations between Moldova and the European Union – Kamil Calus and Marcin Kosienkowski8 Value-oriented aspects of EU-isation: The case of the Balkans – Monika Eriksen9 Turkey: Identity politics and reticent Europeanisation – Dimitris TsarouhasPart III: Issues and Sectors10 New Member States’ economic relations with Russia: ‘Europeanisation’ or Bilateral Preferences? – Martin Dangerfield11 EU Energy Security Policy in the Eastern Neighbourhood: Towards Europeanisation? – Edward Stoddard12 The EU and the European Other: The Janus face of EU migration and visa policies in the neighbourhood – Igor Merheim-Eyre13 ‘Neighbour languages’: Europeanisation and language borders – Maria Stoicheva14 Security and Democratisation: the case of the South Caucasus – Kevork Oskanian and Derek AverreConclusion – Paul Flenley and Michael ManninBibliographyIndex

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Book SynopsisThis volume explores the role of soft power in US foreign policy past, present and future. It addresses vital issue areas – including terrorism threats, foreign economic policy and cultural diplomacy – as well as crucial bilateral relations – including Sino-American, Russian-American and transatlantic. In so doing, it offers an assessment of Joe Biden’s first year in office as well as future perspectives and recommendations regarding the role of soft power in US foreign policy. The book is an essential and unique resource for understanding how soft power informs US foreign policy and diplomatic practice today and how it will continue to do so in the years to come.Trade Review‘An insightful and comprehensive volume offering a timely analysis of current and future challenges of the soft power in shaping US foreign policy at a critical geopolitical juncture. A must-read for anyone interested in gaining a deeper understanding of US foreign policy and its global implications.’Corneliu Bjola, University of Oxford‘Soft power is one of the most valuable strategic assets any nation can possess – a particular, but now eroding, feature of the United States. Restoring that power won’t be easy, but it’s essential, especially when global challenges demand collective solutions. This timely and compelling book of essential readings, introduced by Joseph Nye and edited by Hendrik Ohnesorge, lays out a comprehensive roadmap to do just that.’Ian Bremmer, President and Founder of Eurasia Group‘Americans expect their nation and their government to express leadership in the world. The detailed and lucid essays in this volume explain why, in spite of all its travails, the US retains its No. 1 position in any serious ranking of the soft power of nations.’David W. Ellwood, Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, Europe campus, Bologna, Italy‘Bringing together leading voices from around the world, this important and timely book provides keen insights into the role of soft power in US foreign policy across a wide range of topics and crucial bilateral relations. It constitutes an essential compendium for all those eager to understand the importance and impact of soft power and different forms of diplomacy in an age of global power shifts.’Wolfgang Ischinger, Ambassador (ret.), President of the Foundation Council of the Munich Security Conference Foundation‘Ever since Joseph Nye introduced his pioneering concept of soft vs. hard power it has been used worldwide by scholars and practitioners. This volume provides new insights into the erosion and revival of American soft power from the Trump to the Biden presidencies, into useful adaptations of the concept and its application to a number of specific issue areas of America’s external relations. The book is a most valuable contribution to International Relations theory and to the analysis of contemporary American foreign policy.’Karl Kaiser, Harvard University‘Can the US recover from the body blow to its soft power dealt by Trump’s “America First” approach and COVID policy failings? This timely volume offers a conditional “yes”, with astute analyses of US foreign policy, as well as useful contributions on specific topics including cybersecurity, counterterrorism, city diplomacy and cultural diplomacy.’Cynthia P. Schneider, Ambassador (ret.), Georgetown University‘A timely, vital volume on soft power and US foreign policy at a critical time in a world that is struggling with transformational challenges. The authors provide historical analysis and a future roadmap for utilizing soft power to bring about positive change.’Tara D. Sonenshine, former US Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs'The book’s most interesting debates focus on soft power as a facet of the U.S.-Chinese rivalry, which will increasingly hinge on both countries’ capacities to attract allies and partners.'Foreign Affairs -- .Table of ContentsForeword – Joseph S. Nye, Jr1 Soft power and the future of US foreign policy: America’s abiding advantage – Hendrik W. OhnesorgePart I: US soft power in theory and practice: a macro perspective2 Hard times ahead for US soft power – Michael F. Oppenheimer3 Soft power, US foreign policy, and George Washington’s warning of ‘Alternate Domination’ – Naren Chitty and Chenjun Wang4 The United States' identity crisis: emotions, image, and US foreign policy under Trump and Biden – Taryn Shepperd5 Repairing the United States' reputation? The US strategic narrative and the Biden administration – Alister Miskimmon, Ben O’Loughlin, Laura Roselle, and Faith Leslie6 From soft power to Reputational Security: rethinking the machinery of US public diplomacy for the post-COVID-19 era – Nicholas J. CullPart II: US soft power in select issue areas: a close-up view7 Soft power for an age of shifting terrorism threats – Farah Pandith and Jacob Ware8 Soft power and US foreign economic policy: the Trump years and after – Giulio M. Gallarotti9 Soft power and cyber security: the evolution of US cyber diplomacy – Eugenio Lilli and Christopher Painter10 The hard facts about soft power: lessons learned from US cultural diplomacy – Carla Dirlikov CanalesPart III: US soft power in select relationships11 Balancing soft and hard power: China, Russia, and the United States – John M. Owen12 The Sino-US soft power games: beyond aggressive competition to mutual accommodation – Nancy Snow and Liwen Zhang13 A new urban agenda? US cities, soft power, and transatlantic relations – Giles Scott-SmithIndex

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Book SynopsisConvention on the definition of aggression signed on 3 July 1933, established the borders of modern Romania.As in the case of its neighbours, Czechoslovakia and Poland, revisionist currents in Europe during the interwar period threatened Romania's newly established frontiers, one of the most serious threats being posed by the Soviet Union which sought to regain possession of Bessarabia, a Romanian territory that had been occupied by Russia from 1812-1918.This is a comprehensive account of the efforts of Romanian diplomacy during the interwar period to protect Bessarabia from the Soviet threat and the diplomatic and military events that led to the forcible occupation of the Romanian territories of Bessarabia and Northern Bucovina by the Soviet Union in the summer of 1940.The author not only provides an important account of Romanian diplomacy during this period, but also sheds light on the foreign policies of the Western powers, the Soviet Union, and Nazi Germany in this area of Europe. It is a key work on Romanian foreign policy during the interwar period and a necessary addition to any research library.

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Book SynopsisWith a historian’s eye and a theorist’s ingenuity, Michael Doyle, whose writings on liberal peace have revolutionised modern statesmanship, cogently assesses the tectonic shifts threatening a global order that has held for more than seventy years. As tensions among China, Russia and the US escalate perilously towards a new Cold War, Doyle introduces a radical paradigm that will facilitate the international cooperation necessary to avert the global threats of our time. Combining dramatic history with trenchant analysis and landmark theory, Doyle explores the impacts of cyberwarfare, foreign election meddling and the unprecedented schism of modern politics on American foreign policy. He demonstrates that there can be no success in addressing climate change without China’s cooperation, nor any hope of averting nuclear catastrophe without Russia’s. In the tradition of Gaddis’ The Cold War and Clark’s The Sleepwalkers, Cold Peace provides one of the most necessary analyses of global power in decades.Trade Review"A thought-provoking contribution at a moment when compromise is unfashionable and tensions are rising dangerously. " -- Gideon Rachman - Financial Times

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Book SynopsisWritten from the perspective of an insider of the most prominent events in the Middle East over the last fifty years, this book examines Egypt’s diplomacy in transformative times of war, peace and transition. The author offers unique insights, first-hand information, singular documents, critical and candid analysis, as well as case studies, richly sharing his experiences as the country’s Foreign Minister and ambassador. This project covers a wide range of issues including the Arab-Israeli peace process, the liberation of Kuwait, the invasion of Iraq, nuclear weapons proliferation in the region, relations with the United States, Russia and other major international and regional players. Most importantly, it offers a series of potential trajectories on the future of Egypt and its relations within the region and the world. This is an essential work for a number of audiences, including scholars, graduate students, researchers, as well as policy makers, and is strongly appealing for anyone who is interested in international relations and Middle Eastern politics. Trade Review Table of ContentsPart I Uncharted Destinies Chapter 1 Personal and Professional Alignments Part II Foreign Policy Challenges and Opportunities Chapter 2 Geopolitical Upheaval in the Middle East Chapter 3 No War Chapter 4 Yet No Peace Chapter 5 Efforts to Quell Nuclear Weapons Proliferation in the Middle East Chapter 6 New Engagement of Sensitive Neighbors and Longstanding Relations Chapter 7 An Indispensable but Uncomfortable Relationship Part III Egypt’s Continuous Transitions Chapter 8 After three decades a public awakening fueling two revolutions Chapter 9 A nexus of foreign and domestic policy throughout the Interim period Part IV Looking Forward Chapter 10 Towards a Better Middle East

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Book SynopsisPreventive diplomacy constitutes an important part of international conflict resolution mechanisms. The countries in the Asia Pacific region have the political will to use preventive diplomacy to address the needs for sustaining peace and security. The challenge is to find approaches compatible with the consensual norms, and operational for tackling conflicts in the regional context. Structured on this thematic challenge, this book aims to present new approaches and practices of preventative diplomacy, inspired by diplomatic innovation of Asia-Pacific countries and around the world, such as adaptive peace approach, continental approach, dominant coalition, and new leadership in peacebuilding, etc., and takes account recent literature on normative issues relating to preventative diplomacy, such as international rule of law, normative entanglements and evolution, the international, impartial and independent mechanism, the evolution of the norm against child soldiers, the implementation of the woman peace and security agenda, and the role of Jus Post Bellum in the UN peace operations. It also examines how geopolitical competition and the recent covid-19 crisis impact the security of the region, and explores the connection between the Belt and Road Initiative and sustaining peace of the region.This book is a valuable reading on the recent development of approaches and norms of preventative diplomacy and how they can contribute to sustaining peace of the Asia Pacific. It can be used as a text for college students, researchers, and practitioners in the disciplines of international relations, political science, security studies, policy studies, diplomacy, and social issues.

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Book SynopsisIn 2016, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly and the UN Security Council respectively adopted resolutions on the review of the UN peacebuilding architecture, and the concept of 'sustaining peace' was formally presented. Since then, the 'sustaining peace' agenda has gradually become the core strategy of the peace cause of the UN. The agenda for sustaining peace emphasizes capacity-building for conflict prevention at the regional level.Faced with the escalation of the international security challenge, regional organizations are increasingly playing a prominent role. They have become important participants in the international peace and security agenda by enhancing cooperation with the UN. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), as the centre of regional cooperation processes in the Asia-Pacific, established a series of norms and instruments related to conflict prevention. This book intends to promote discussions on linking conflict prevention and/or preventive diplomacy activities in the region with the sustaining peace agenda promoted by both the ASEAN on a regional scale and the UN on a global scale.In a collaboration between the ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation (ASEAN-IPR) and China Foreign Affairs University (CFAU), the book provides discussions from the perspective of both Chinese as well as ASEAN scholars on traditional, as well as emerging, topics on sustaining peace, as well as conflict prevention, conflict management, and conflict resolution.

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Book SynopsisThe fall of France in 1940 panicked US leaders, leading to their fateful decision to recognize the pro-Nazi Vichy government. Michael Neiberg takes readers back to the fraught early years of World War II, when America’s misguided policy on Vichy alienated its British ally and ensured tensions with Charles de Gaulle and the postwar French Republic.Trade ReviewDeeply researched and forcefully written…shed[s] light on an embarrassing period in American diplomacy…Neiberg offers a mesmerizing account of how the U.S., as it anticipated another European war, stumbled through attempts to neutralize Vichy France…Neiberg deftly explains the confused politics and diplomacy that bedeviled the war against the Nazis. -- Ronald C. Rosbottom * Wall Street Journal *Meticulously researched but extremely readable…[An] excellent book. -- Julian Jackson * Washington Post *Michael Neiberg is one of the very best historians on wartime France, and his approach to the fall of France and its consequences is truly original and perceptive as well as superbly written. -- Antony Beevor, author of The Second World WarIt is difficult to find WWII material that is both interesting and fresh, but this book qualifies. -- Tyler Cowen * Marginal Revolution *The fall of France shattered the illusion that the United States could stay on the sidelines while Nazi Germany carved up Europe. Writing with clarity and verve, deep knowledge of French sources, and a keen eye for human foibles, Neiberg explains how the defeat of June 1940 transformed America’s relationship with France and compelled a rethinking of America’s world role. A smart and fresh analysis of Franco–American relations in the darkest hour of our long friendship. -- William I. Hitchcock, author of The Age of Eisenhower: America and the World in the 1950sNeiberg has rescued an important episode in the history of the Second World War from relative obscurity and done so in great style. His book, with its terrific cast of characters and fast-paced story, reads like a novel and is at the same time an outstanding piece of historical research and analysis. -- Margaret MacMillan, author of War: How Conflict Shaped UsAn utterly gripping account, the best to date, of relations within the turbulent triumvirate of France, Britain, and America in the Second World War. Neiberg vividly brings to life the extraordinary military, domestic, personal, and political pressures on giants such as Franklin Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, and Charles de Gaulle, while also showing the immediate practical effect their interactions had on ordinary people in the struggle against the Nazis. -- Andrew Roberts, author of Churchill: Walking with DestinyAn excellent book, the product of deep research, clear thought, and gripping writing. Neiberg restores France and the French Empire to its rightful place in the history of the strategy of the Atlantic powers in the Second World War. In so doing, he allows us to understand anew how shocking the French defeat in 1940 was for American policymakers, and the profound consequences that reverberated from that shock for the subsequent course of the war. -- Daniel Todman, author of Britain’s War: A New World, 1942–1947Expertly researched and a pleasure to read, When France Fell fills an important gap in the history of World War II by analyzing American relations with Vichy and Free French forces, how the geopolitical position of France’s colonial holdings steered US policy, and how those decisions deeply strained Anglo–American relations. The story Neiberg tells is one of misguided calculations and ultimately tremendous luck that Americans’ ‘Vichy gamble’ did not cause more political and military turmoil. -- Brooke L. Blower, author of Becoming Americans in Paris: Transatlantic Politics and Culture between the World WarsNeiberg’s fascinating and compelling study places France back at the heart of the story of the Second World War. He crafts a vivid narrative of the extraordinary and radical transformations that accompanied the catastrophe in France. The consequences of defeat were profound for a divided Gallic nation, but they were also defining for Britain and America; the defeat of Europe’s premier land power put a nail in the coffin of one superpower and sparked the rise of another. Highly recommended! -- Jonathan Fennell, author of Fighting the People’s War: The British and Commonwealth Armies and the Second World WarAn important and fascinating book that examines U.S. policy towards Vichy—a policy which not only put the United States at odds with its wartime ally, Great Britain, but also was destined to fail…While numerous books have been written on the fall of France, U.S. policy toward Vichy has been curiously overlooked in recent years. Neiberg remedies this…Highly readable [and] filled with interesting, larger-than-life characters. -- Sean Durns * National Interest *This is an extremely well researched and readable book. And it is a reminder that in wartime, fighting the enemy can often be less complicated than dealing with your allies. -- Calum Henderson * Military History Matters *A superbly crafted synthesis of military, diplomatic, and political history…Neiberg concludes that America’s flirtation with Vichy did not go disastrously wrong, but cautions that this had little to do with wise decision-making in Washington…[An] excellent book. -- Carl Cavanagh Hodge * Michigan War Studies Review *Punctures the myths of the conventional American story of the Second World War…Important, well argued, deeply researched, and a pleasure to read, written by one of the most productive and accomplished American historians of both world wars. -- Richard Fogarty * H-Net Reviews *Neiberg’s important new book, When France Fell, chronicles the often-bungled attempts of the United States to redefine its strategy and navigate its relationship with Vichy France. It is one of the first, if not the first, work in English to address the strategic relationship between the United States and France during the Second World War…A timely reminder of the importance of statecraft in an age where international incivility runs rampant. -- Cameron Zinsou * H-Diplo *

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