Geopolitics Books

Book SynopsisAn ethical critique of existing approaches to sustainable development and international environmental cooperation, this book detailes the tensions, normative shifts and contradictions that currently characterize it.Table of Contents1. Introduction Part 1: Setting the Scene 2. Environmental Regimes: Medium for International Distributive Justice 3. Ideas of Justice and Global Environmental Sustainability Part 2: Empirical Analysis of Three Regime Texts 4. Managing a Global Commons: The United Nations Law of the Sea 5. The Global Waste Management Regime: The Basel Convention 6. Protecting the Global Atmosphere: The United Nations Framework Convention on the Climate Change (UNFCCC) Part 3: Exposition and Normative Critique of Dominant Approaches 7. Establishing the Core Ideas of Justice in the Three MEAs 8. A Critique of the Dominant Ideas of Justice in Relation to Sustainable Development 9. Global Environmental Justice and Neoliberal Environmental Governance 10. Conclusion

Read more less

Book SynopsisEvan Ratliff is an award-winning journalist and the co-founder and former editor-in-chief of The Atavist Magazine. As a longtime contributor to Wired, The New Yorker, National Geographic, Outside, and other magazines, he has reported from around the globe on transnational crime, science and technology, the environment, terrorism, and corruption. He is a two-time finalist for the National Magazine Awards, and his writing has been selected for numerous Best American collections. His 2009 Wired story Vanish, about his attempt to disappear and the public's effort to find him, was selected by the magazine as one of the twenty best stories in its history. He also cohosts the acclaimed Longform podcast and was a founding editor of Pop-Up Magazine, a live journalism event that tours the United States. He is the co-author of Safe: The Race to Protect Ourselves in a Newly Dangerous World, about innovation and counterterrorism, and the editoTrade ReviewWith his relentless and fearless reporting, Evan Ratliff has pried open a hidden world filled with high-tech gangsters and drug kingpins and double-crossers and stone-cold hitmen. The story is as fascinating as it is terrifying, and one that will hold you in its grip. * David Grann, author of Killers of the Flower Moon and The Lost City of Z *One of the most prodigious criminal masterminds or modern times. Compelling... meticulously researched and written with a feverish intensity. A masterwork of investigative journalism. * Daily Mail *A true crime classic. * Publishers Weekly *This is a riveting, mesmerizing, absolutely bonkers story about a man as brilliant as he is villainous. You'll find yourself sucked in, freaked out, and, ultimately, blown away by Ratliff's storytelling and tireless reporting. The Mastermind is a masterpiece. * Nicholas Thompson, editor in chief, Wired *The best book I read this year. It is the insane story of an internet drug lord and the years it took to bring him down. I read this with my heart in my throat—not just because of the violence and mystery, but because it made me jealous as a journalist (how’d he find that out?) and, though it is a true story, as a novelist. -- Taffy Brodesser-Akner, author of Fleishman Is in Trouble * GQ - Best Books of 2019 *

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Assassins'' Gate recounts how the United States set about changing the history of the Middle East and became ensnared in a guerrilla war in Iraq. The consequences of that policy are shown in the author''s vivid reporting on the ground in Iraq, where he made several tours on assignment for The New Yorker. We see up close the struggles of individual American soldiers and civilians and Iraqis from all backgrounds. Here is the full range of ideas and emotions stirred up by America''s most controversial foreign-policy venture since Vietnam.Trade Review"* probably the most valuable book about the lead-up to the war, and the period before the Iraqi election of January 2005 - The Times * informative and lively... An excellent reporter, Packer emerges as one of the few Western journalists who developed a feel for Iraq. - Mail on Sunday * absorbing... It's a riveting tale of mixed motives, willful connivance, skewed ideology and sheer incompetence... Meanwhile, the invasion of Irq seems to defy analysis, although Pakcer does an excellend job here. He has trodden the dusty ground, talking to countless Iraqis, and he knows how awful Saddam really was. - Guardian * Packer's strengths in telling this story are fastidious research and his parallel career as a novelist... he is drawn to the intimacy of human experience... He is an intellectual too but, unlike most of the Iraq war intellectuals, Packer came to Iraq burdened neither by the rigid certainties of the pro-war camp, not the absolutism of the anti-war camp... Instead, Packer admits he was an ambivalently pro-war liberal. And it is exactly this sense of ambivalence... that allows him to cross-examine so powerfully what unravelled in Iraq. - Observer"

Read more less

Book SynopsisA primer for how to be an anti-capitalist in the 21st centuryTrade Review'David Harvey is an inspiration for me, and for people who desperately want a just world order. One of the most perceptive and intelligent thinkers the progressive movement has' -- Owen Jones'David Harvey provoked a revolution in his field and has inspired a generation of radical intellectuals' -- Naomi KleinTable of ContentsPreface - Jordan T. Camp Editors’ Note - Jordan T. Camp and Chris Caruso Author’s Note - David Harvey Acknowledgements 1. Global Unrest 2. A Brief History of Neoliberalism 3. Contradictions of Neoliberalism 4. The Financialization of Power 5. The Authoritarian Turn 6. Socialism and Freedom 7. The Significance of China in the World Economy 8. The Geopolitics of Capitalism 9. The Growth Syndrome 10. The Erosion of Consumer Choices 11. Primitive or Original Accumulation 12. Accumulation by Dispossession 13. Production and Realization 14. Carbon Dioxide Emissions and Climate Change 15. Rate versus Mass of Surplus Value 16. Alienation 17. Alienation at Work: The Politics of a Plant Closure 18. Anti-Capitalist Politics in the Time of COVID-19 19. The Collective Response to a Collective Dilemma Discussion Questions and Further Readings Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisIdentifying and examining political, socio-psychological and symbolic borders, Language, Borders and Identity encompasses a broad, geographically diverse spectrum of border contexts, taking a multi-disciplinary approach by combining sociolinguistics research with human geography, anthropology and social psychology. The book illustrates a representative range of methodological approaches used by researchers in the field and examines regional and local borders alongside the political borders that divide monoglossic and heteroglossic territories. Using international case studies and examples throughout, this book also looks to symbolic borders, which are often encoded in the semiotic manipulation of the linguistic landscape. It further assesses the linguistic implications of the presence of borders in applied contexts, including language planning and policy (e.g. in multilingual education or for the protection of minority languages) and border control. By casting its net wide, Language, Borders and Identity develops and refines models of how language is used to construct borders, and to indicate on which side of border speakers situate themselves. This book brings into focus the dual reactive and proactive functions that language serves in this respect, exploring the tensions between essentialist and constructionist approaches to identity, and offers a valuable resource for advanced students and researchers in sociolinguistics and the sociology of language.

Read more less

Book Synopsis''I''m a fairly calm fellow; I don''t usually get het up about things. But I was, let''s say, concerned when I tuned into the Moscow Echo radio station and heard that the Kremlin had put a price on my head. The announcement didn''t quite say ''dead or alive''. But it came close...'' Mikhail Khodorkovsky, March 2021 Mikhail Khodorkovsky has seen behind the mask of Vladimir Putin. Once an oil tycoon and the richest man in Russia, Khodorkovsky spoke out against the corruption of Putin''s regime - and was punished by the Kremlin, stripped of his entire wealth and jailed for over ten years. Now freed, working as a pro-democracy campaigner in enforced exile, Khodorkovsky brings us the insider''s battle to save his country''s soul. Offering an urgent analysis of what has gone wrong with Putin, The Russia Conundrum maps the country''s rise and fall against Khodorkovsky''s own journey, from Soviet youth to international oil executive, powerful insi

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis book is a uniquely accessible discussion of the sanctions and international trade measures deployed against Russia following its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The book situates the sanctions response within its historical and economic backgrounds.Trade Review'The US, UK, EU, Japan, and other allies imposed quick and coordinated sanctions on Russia following Putin's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Christine Abely wields her legal expertise to tell the fast-paced story of how, due to a complex and interdependent global economy, even these far-reaching sanctions were nevertheless not enough.' Chad P. Bown, Reginald Jones Senior Fellow, Peterson Institute for International Economics'Christine Abely has pulled off an impressive feat: a comprehensive guide to the 2022 sanctions against Russia. In crisp and clear prose, Abely brings order to the complexity of the most consequential sanctions in modern history. The Russia Sanctions is an invaluable resource for scholars, students, and practitioners alike.' Edward Fishman, Senior Research Scholar, Columbia University Center on Global Energy Policy; former Russia and Europe Sanctions Lead, US Department of StateTable of ContentsIntroduction; 1. Before the invasion; 2. Invasion: the first week; 3. The financial sanctions and impact on the global financial system; 4. Extraterritoriality; 5. The energy problem; 6. Trade as a weapon; 7. Food insecurity; 8. The oligarchs, and others; 9. Escalation; 10. Enforcement; 11. Assessing the sanctions; Conclusion.

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

Book SynopsisHow three key figures in Moscow, Beijing and Tehran built ruthless irregular warfare campaigns that are eroding American powerTrade Review"Three Dangerous Men is a brilliantly conceived exposé of modern conflict through the lives of three warrior-innovators. Seth Jones dug deep into Russian, Iranian, and Chinese sources, and breaks new ground by portraying the evolution of irregular warfare, finally, in its proper cultural and historical context. An invaluable book." -- Thomas Rid, Johns Hopkins University, author of Active Measures"This impeccably researched book explains how Russia, China, and Iran employ new technologies and irregular warfare tactics to avoid US strengths and exploit weaknesses. Three Dangerous Men is important because US leaders tend to mirror adversaries and define future war as they might prefer it to be. Seth Jones provides recommendations that will appeal to policy makers. General readers will appreciate the author’s use of anecdotes that are as entertaining as they are illuminating." -- H. R. McMaster, author of Dereliction of Duty and Battlegrounds"Three Dangerous Men provides an unparalleled look at how Beijing, Moscow, and Tehran are competing with the United States—through their eyes. It is a cogently argued, well-researched, and elegantly written book on one of the US’s most important challenges ahead." -- General Michael Hayden, US Air Force (Ret.) and former director of the Central Intelligence Agency"Seth Jones is one of the world’s sharpest defense theorists. This is an invaluable guide to the coming era of geopolitical competition, which will largely take place off the traditional battlefield, and a timely warning that the United States is not doing" -- Hal Brands, Johns Hopkins University and American Enterprise Institute

Read more less

Book SynopsisOffers a systematic account of the resilience of civil society under the pressure of autocratisation.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe astonishing drama of Cold War nuclear poker that divided humanity - reissued with a new preface to commemorate the twentieth anniversary of the fall of the wall.Trade ReviewPRAISE FOR 'DRESDEN' 'In narrative power and persuasion, he has paralleled in Dresden what Antony Beevor achieved in Stalingrad' Independent on Sunday 'Well-researched and unpretentious fascinating Taylor skilfully interweaves various personal accounts of the impact of the raids' Michael Burleigh, Guardian 'Impressive Taylor weaves a chilling narrative from eyewitness accounts and painstaking documentary research, particularly with German sources. He explains the conceptual and strategic background with admirable clarity. His account of the air operation itself is quite superb' The Times

Read more less

Book SynopsisSet on the eve of the financial crash of 2008, Barcelona Dreaming is made up of three stories that are linked by time and place, and also by the moving, unexpected interactions of a rich cast of characters.Trade ReviewElegant and electrifying. Thomson's prose is sparse, yet so highly charged that I couldn't stop reading. I love all his novels - but this one is my new favourite. * Andrea Wulf *I don't know how Rupert Thomson does it. Each novel he writes is a new vision of a new world; he's the least predictable, the most surprising of writers. Barcelona Dreaming is set in that city, and it seems as if Thomson knows every corner of it, and every kind of human being who might live there. My astonishment is only surpassed by my admiration. * Philip Pullman, author of the bestselling His Dark Materials trilogy *The three stories in Barcelona Dreaming are connected by ingeniously created threads, but also by a tone that is ironic, observant, alert to the complexity of the characters' motives and desires. The book is set in the modern city of Barcelona, its atmosphere invoked with intimate knowledge and a matchless sense of place. * Colm Tóibín, New York Times bestselling author of Brooklyn and The Master *I wonder if I've ever sat so intimately alongside characters in a story. Rupert Thomson has so brought this writing to life I can literally feel it on my skin. Save yourself the airfare: your new friends in Barcelona live right here * DBC Pierre *What a haunting book. I didn't want to finish it...The stories have stayed with me as if they are actually memories...Extraordinary * Kitty Aldridge *Thomson is at his full powers in this 13th captivating novel. He reaffirms his gift for writing on place, bringing Barcelona vividly and complexly to life for a travel-starved pandemic audience. His confident , spellbinding prose is jewelled with uncanny details, gliding along in language that strikes, unsettles, and reawakens at every turn. This is a brilliant book. * Maya C. Popa *Barcelona Dreaming is a wonderful book, a phantasmal hymn to a city and a lost way of life * Alex Preston, New York Times *The supremely sensuous rendering of Barcelona itself is superb * Daily Mail *

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Sahara: a dream-like, far away landscape of Lawrence of Arabia and Wilfred Thesiger, The English Patient and Star Wars, and home to nomadic communities whose ways of life stretch back millennia. Today it''s a teeth-janglingly dangerous destination, where the threat of jihadists lurks just over the horizon. Following in the footsteps of 16th century traveller Leo Africanus, Nicholas Jubber went on a turbulent adventure to the forgotten places of North Africa and the legendary Timbuktu.Once the seat of African civilization and home to the richest man who ever lived, this mythic city is now scarred by terrorist occupation and is so remote its own inhabitants hail you with the greeting, ''Welcome to the middle of nowhere''. From the cattle markets of the Atlas, across the Western Sahara and up the Niger river, Nicholas joins the camps of the Tuareg, Fulani, Berbers, and other communities, to learn about their craft, their values and their place iTrade Review[A] passionate paean to the Sahara. - New York Times, Season's Best Travel BooksNick Jubber's The Timbuktu School for Nomads is an abundantly energetic gold-mine of a book. Heaped with history and background information, with ideas, adventures, and poignant postulations, it stares right in the face of current events. This is a book that will remind us all to look with care at what is happening on the great sandscape of North Africa now. A work of inspiration and scholarship, it deserves all the attention it gets. - Tahir Shah, author of The Caliph's House and TimbuctooA well-informed and readable book based on time spent in nomad camps and a thorough survey of the literature. The Sahara and Sahel are complex, dangerous, productive, compelling places. The Timbuktu School for Nomads captures the feel of this in conversations with nomads about their livelihoods, with the constant threat of a drought or an al Qaeda squadron just over the next dune. - Dr Jeremy Swift, author of The SaharaThe Timbuktu School for Nomads takes us on an unforgettable journey through time and space, plenty of it, and gives voice to voiceless communities that inhabit one of the most problematic corners of the globeEngaging. Full of intriguing insights into little-visited countries. - WanderlustEffortless. Uses a light touch to explain complex, esoteric concepts. - GeographicalA writer who can deliver both serious historical research and entertaining escapades with credibility and passion.Impeccably researched and elegantly written. - The Irish Times

Read more less

Book Synopsis2017 marked three important anniversaries for the Palestinian people: 100 years since the Balfour Declaration; 50 years since the Six-day War; and ten years since the Blockade of Gaza. As an act of penance, solidarity and hope, actor and musician Justin Butcher - along with ten other companions for the full route, plus another hundred joining him for various stretches along the way - walked from London to Jerusalem. This book is the record of his journey: a combination of walking journal, travel writing and pilgrim stories. It''s less of a travel guide to walking across Europe and more an exploration of the many strands radiating from the Holy Land and its narrative, weaving paths across place and history, through the lives of Justin''s fellow-walkers - and, of course, his own life. Between the route itinerary and the themes of Balfour and Christian Zionism, Weizmann and cordite, colonialism, Jerusalem Syndrome and Desert spirituality, Justin charts a chronicle of sTrade Review'Wherever you stand on the position of Israel, I recommend reading this book ... this is more than just a campaigning book - it is avery good read.' * Sorted Magazine *

Read more less

Book Synopsis''A lively and learned guide to the politics, personalities and conflicts that are shaping a dynamic group of countries'' FINANCIAL TIMES''A fascinating and many-layered portrait of Southeast Asia'' THANT MYINT-UWhy are the region''s richest countries such as Malaysia riddled with corruption? Why do Myanmar, Thailand and the Philippines harbour unresolved violent insurgencies? How do deepening religious divisions in Indonesia and Malaysia and China''s growing influence affect the region and the rest of the world? Thought-provoking and eye-opening, Blood and Silk is an accessible, personal look at modern Southeast Asia, written by one of the region''s most experienced outside observers. This is a first-hand account of what it''s like to sit at the table with deadly Thai Muslim insurgents, mediate between warring clans in the Southern Philippines and console the victims of political violence in Indonesia - all in an effort to negotiate pTrade ReviewBooks on the rise of Asia tend to concentrate on China and India. Vatikiotis fills a gap by providing a lively and learned guide to the politics, personalities and conflicts that are shaping a dynamic group of countries, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Burma -- Gideon Rachman * FINANCIAL TIMES Summer Reads *Blood and Silk is not a dry socio-political analysis. Vatikiotis has an eye for quirky detail, whether it be the Thai crown prince's pet poodle commissioned as an air force officer and dressed in uniform, or the self-important Muslim separatist from southern Thailand who prayed with Osama bin Laden in Khartoum but found the terrorist mastermind uninspiring and unimpressive. In the end, though, the outlook is menacing. Indonesia risks "the kind of ethnic and religious sectarian strife we see in the Middle East today". Malaysians are dismayed by "the slow disintegration of the multiracial compact". In Thailand, there is "little prospect of the military willingly giving up power". The Philippines remains "a prisoner of oligarchy". Even Aung San Suu Kyi in Myanmar has disappointed her liberal supporters. We can hope that Vatikiotis is wrong, but I fear he is not -- VICTOR MALLET * FINANCIAL TIMES *Vatikiotis's arguments are fluent and convincing, and his writing is suffused with a deep knowledge of and affection for Southeast Asia and its peoples -- Richard Cockett * LITERARY REVIEW *[An] ambitious and timely book * THE ECONOMIST *A fascinating and many-layered portrait of Southeast Asia, brimming with colourful characters, insights and anecdotes, Blood and Silk is a rich palimpsest as can only be written by a longstanding student and scholar of the region like Michael Vatikiotis -- Thant Myint-U, author of THE RIVER OF LOST FOOTSTEPSVatikiotis offers a lucid portrait of this fascinating region by bringing together a student's sense of wonder and curiosity, a journalist's scepticism and diligence in making sense of reality, and a peacemaker's compassion for the vulnerable -- Salil Tripathi * SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST *

Read more less

Book SynopsisA rare insight into how industry practices like regional restrictions have shaped global media culture in the digital era This content is not available in your country. At some point, most media consumers around the world have run into a message like this. Whether trying to watch a DVD purchased during a vacation abroad, play an imported Japanese video game, or listen to a Spotify library while traveling, we are constantly reminded of geography's imprint on digital culture. We are locked out. Despite utopian hopes of a borderless digital society, DVDs, video games, and streaming platforms include digital rights management mechanisms that block media access within certain territories. These technologies of regional lockout are meant first and foremost to keep the entertainment industries' global markets distinct. But they also frustrate consumers and place territories on a hierarchy of global media access. Drawing on extensive research of media-industry strategies,Trade Review‘Lockout’—the region code restrictions in DVDs and videogame consoles and geo-blocking in on-demand services—is at once a more insidious and banal form of control than that envisaged by critics of cultural imperialism. In this wide-ranging book, Evan Elkins has brought us up to date on the textured detail of such technological control, and bequeathed us the theory tools to understand its impact on culture, audiences, and producers. -- Stuart Cunningham, co-author of Social Media EntertainmentLocked Out effectively illustrates the complex cultural, technological, regulatory, and economic reasons why consumers’ access to media content remains so unequal on a global basis. Historically informed, methodologically rich, and fluidly written, Locked Out represents a significant contribution to work on global media flows, distribution cultures, and the cultural history of technology. -- Alisa Perren, author of Indie, Inc.: Miramax and the Transformation of Hollywood in the 1990sElkins quickly puts aside the staid dichotomy of critical-cultural and political economy approaches to the study of media industries, and instead engages both arenas to paint a more nuanced picture of how regional lockout shapes global media culture [...] Highly accessible, Locked Out would be a generative text in both undergraduate and graduate courses on digital media, media industries, transnational and global media, and cultural geography, as well as for scholars in these fields. * Media Industries *

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe relationship between Germany and Russia is Europe’s most important link with the largest country on the continent. But despite Germany’s unparalleled knowledge and historical experience, its policymakers struggle to accept that Moscow’s efforts to rebalance Europe at the cost of the cohesion of the EU and NATO are an attack on Germany’s core interests. This book explains the scale of the challenge facing Germany in managing relations with a changing Russia. It analyses how successive German governments from 1991 to 2014 misread Russian intentions, until Angela Merkel sharply recalibrated German and EU policy towards Moscow. The book also examines what lies behind efforts to revise Merkel’s bold policy shift, including attitudes inherited from the GDR and the role of Russian influence channels in Germany.Trade Review'I have found John Lough's Germany's Russia Problem an ideal book as we contemplate the source of energy we will draw on for heat and light in the decades ahead.'TLS'Germany’s Russia Problem astutely explores Germany’s many centuries-old traumatic phobias, romantic fixations, rough disillusionments and incapacitating paralyses in its relations with Russia. It is a crisply and fairly written book vital to our understanding of the nature and progression of Germany’s – and, with it, Europe’s – Russia problem.'Andriy Tyushka, LSE Review of Books 'The title of John Lough’s book itself makes clear that this is not another academic sand box exercise. He wants to make things better.'Die Welt 'John Lough has written a stimulating book rich in knowledge.’ Frankfurter Allgemeine'In this trenchant analysis, John Lough traces three decades of what he views as highly consistent but ineffective German policy toward Russia informed by ‘fear, sentimentality, ambivalence, economic complementarity, residual Ostpolitik reasoning and a sense of obligation to Moscow for allowing Germany to reunify.’Survival'Suffused with nostalgia for the glory days of Ostpolitik, Germany’s approach to Russia bogs down in what might more aptly be called Lost-politik. Cliches, wishful thinking and neuroses are its hallmarks. John Lough nails them all. With admirable clarity, fairness and insight, he lays bare the roots and results of Germany’s failure to think strategically about Russia, and the price that everyone else pays as a result.'Edward Lucas, author of The New Cold War ‘Provocative and brilliantly written, this book examines the deep relationship between two mutually indispensable nations and explains how Russia triggers reflexes in Germany that distort its policy thinking and produce contradictory results. With courage, honesty and insight, John Lough navigates one of the most sensitive areas of global politics today and sees a crucial role for Germany in creating a transformative environment around Russia that can facilitate its return to Europe.’Lilia Shevtsova, author of Putin's Russia'John Lough‘s book is nuanced, astute and fair. That makes his account of how hope keeps triumphing over experience in Germany‘s Russia policy all the more devastating.'Constanze Stelzenmüller, Fritz Stern Chair, Brookings Institution -- .Table of ContentsIntroduction1 The weight of history2 The development of German attitudes towards Russia3 The miracle of reunification4 A failure to read Russia correctly5 2014: abandonment of illusions6 An unfulfilled economic relationship7 Russian influence in Germany8 The outlookConclusionIndex

Read more less

Book Synopsis'An intimate portrait ... Critical, generous and heartfelt' Ahdaf Soueif, Guardian 'An intriguing account of an alluring but evasive character’ Daily Telegraph Drawing on extensive archival sources and hundreds of interviews, Timothy Brennan’s Places of Mind is the first comprehensive biography of Said, one of the most controversial and celebrated intellectuals of the 20th century. In Brennan’s masterful work, Said, the pioneer of post-colonial studies, a tireless champion for his native Palestine, and an erudite literary critic, emerges as a self-doubting, tender, and eloquent advocate of literature’s dramatic effects on politics and civic life. Places of Mind charts the intertwined routes of Said’s intellectual development, revealing him as a study in opposites: a cajoler and strategist, a New York intellectual with a foot in Beirut, an orchestra impresario in Weimar and Ramallah, a raconteur on national television, a Palestinian negotiator at the State Department, and an actor in films in which he played himself. Brennan traces the Arab influences of Said’s thinking along with his tutelage under Lebanese statesmen, off-beat modernist auteurs, and New York literati, as Said grew into a scholar whose influential writings changed the face of university life forever. With both intimidating brilliance and charm, Said turned these resources into a groundbreaking counter-tradition of radical humanism, set against the backdrop of techno-scientific dominance and religious war. With unparalleled clarity, Said gave the humanities a new authority in the age of Reaganism that continues today. Drawing on the testimonies of family, friends, students, and antagonists alike, and aided by FBI files, unpublished writing, and Said’s drafts of novels and personal letters, Places of Mind captures Said’s intellectual breadth and influence in an unprecedented, intimate, and compelling portrait of one of the great minds of the twentieth century.Trade ReviewA patient and thorough biography … An intriguing account of an alluring but evasive character * Daily Telegraph *A powerful book which is at times as difficult and demanding as its subject … Here was a superstar who blazed a rich cultural and literary legacy * Spectator *Brennan draws on an imposing array of material to write the first comprehensive portrait of one of America’s most distinguished postwar intellectuals * New York Times Book Review, Editor’s Choice *An exceptionally fluent intellectual biography that synthesises the complex influences on his work while outlining the details of his life -- Patrick French * Sunday Times *The life of the author of Orientalism * Sunday Times, The Books of 2021 *Critical, generous and heartfelt ... An intimate portrait … Brennan’s achievement is to do justice to the many things Said was and to articulate the synapses that connected his different worlds ... He has provided us with what you might call a manual of Said; a map of his thoughts and his positions, which, change as they did, could always be traced to a core set of ideas and drives and to do this without ever blunting Said’s subtlety or smudging the clarity of his ideas -- Ahdaf Soueif * Guardian *Brennan – a former student of Said who is now a professor of comparative literature at the University of Minnesota – was given unprecedented access by Said’s family to the unpublished manuscripts … Places of Mind: a Life of Edward Said, which is published by Bloomsbury, sheds new light on how, after a lifetime of teaching literature, Said came to reject the novel in 1992 as a literary form * Observer *An impressive and rigorous study * Irish Times *A remarkably unhindered and often incisive intellectual portrait of its subject * New Statesman *In the first comprehensive biography of Said, Brennan, a former student, highlights the Palestinian scholar’s complexity, delivering a portrait of a thinker, activist and musician endowed with an unusually restless and protean intellect * New York Times, Books of the Week *Almost 20 years after his death, one of Said’s former students, Timothy Brennan, has written an expansive new biography of Said’s life and ideas ... Brennan presents the scholarly Said as a dazzling processing power operating at warp speed, a mind capable of metabolizing, reorienting and rendering theory with technological precision * Washington Post *[An] intense and rewarding book * Wall Street Journal *Masterful and accomplished … Impressively researched and powerfully written, it charts Said’s many triumphs * New Republic *Steeped in Western culture, the great critic of Western narratives came to his post-colonialist convictions gradually but with growing intensity -- Pankaj Mishra * New Yorker *A comprehensive biography of the celebrated intellectual and pioneer of postcolonial studies, authorised by his estate and drawing on extensive archival sources and interviews * Irish Independent, Books to Look Out for in 2021 *

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe 21st century has been characterized by great turbulence, climate change, a global pandemic, and democratic decay. Drawing on post-structural political theory, this book explores two dominant concepts used to make sense of our disturbed reality: the state and the network. The book explains how they are inextricably interwoven, while showing why they complicate the way we interpret our present. In seeking a better understanding of today’s world, this book argues that we need to pull apart the familiar lines of our maps. By looking beneath and across these lines, an ‘unmapping’ presents new insights and opportunities for a better future.Trade Review"Michelsen and Bolt’s argument casts a new light on our perception of politics and world order through time and space, and the book certainly deserves close attention." Aleksandra Spalińska, University of Warsaw, Poland for International AffairsTable of ContentsChapter 1: Taking the Lines off the Map Chapter 2: A Great Unmapping Chapter 3: Capitalism and Imperialism Chapter 4: Thinking Like a State Chapter 5: Bureaucracy and Power Chapter 6: The Battle Swarm Chapter 7: Information and the State Chapter 8: Romance of Networks Chapter 9: Borders and Impermanence Conclusion

Read more less

Book SynopsisA Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist's revelatory look inside the sinister world of private spies.A spy story like no other.Private spies are the invisible force that shapes our modern world: they influence our elections, effect government policies and shape the fortunes of companies. More deviously, they are also peering into our personal lives as never before.Spooked takes us on a journey into a secret billion-dollar industry in which information is currency and loyalties are for sale. An industry so tentacular it reaches from the Steele dossier written by a British ex-spy to Russian oligarchs in Mayfair mansions, from the devious tactics of Harvey Weinstein to the growing role of corporate spies in politics and the threat to future elections.Spooked reads like the best kind of spy story: a gripping tale packed with twists and turns, uncovering a secret side of our modern world.Trade ReviewMeier sets out to investigate the investigations industry . . . a revealing read -- Brendan Daly * Business Post *A gobsmacking book detailing the rise of wannabe James Bonds . . . an enjoyable romp through the stranger-than-fiction world of private intelligence agencies... Meier is a Pulitzer-winning former New York Times reporter, and he stirs an incredible amount of well-researched material into this book . . . a mad whirl of double-cross, Machiavellian machinations and, of course, money. -- Darragh McManus * Irish Independent *

Read more less

Book SynopsisMark Galeotti (Author) Professor Mark Galeotti is one of the foremost Russia-watchers today, who travels there regularly to teach, lecture, talk to his contacts, and generally watch the unfolding story of the Putin era. Based in London, he is Senior Non-Resident Fellow at the Institute of International Relations Prague, having previously headed its Centre for European Security, and was before then Professor of Global Affairs at NYU. A prolific author on Russia and security affairs, he frequently acts as consultant to various government, commercial and law-enforcement agencies.Anna Arutunyan (Author) Anna Arutunyan is a Russia-American journalist, analyst and author. Born in Moscow, she was raised and educated in the United States before returning to Russia as a journalist. She covered two decades of Russian politics, first as reporter and editor at The Moscow News, then as a correspondent and analyst. She has served as Russia's senior analyst for

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe twenty-first century's great geopolitical contest has begun. A major trade war has broken out. American and Chinese naval vessels are having close encounters in the South China Sea. American congressmen and businessmen are cheering their government's public attacks on China. China is standing firm and resolute. Who will win this contest? What is at stake? And who will judge the winner?In this book, Kishore Mahbubani evaluates the two sides, and shows how China has been thinking on a global scale, launching ambitious initiatives under some of the world's most pragmatic and competent leaders. Most critically, the Chinese people have regained their cultural confidence. Chinese society is now infused with innovation and dynamism. Meanwhile, America has seen the power of its economic model badly damaged by the 2008 financial crisis. To many it is no longer the indispensable nation but an awkward interloper.The global rise of China and the relative strategic decline of the US presents a political challenge that the US has never faced before. American policymakers must shake off their complacency and launch a major strategic reboot of both domestic and foreign policies that have weakened the nation's social foundations and global standing. Otherwise, the start-up nation, barely two hundred and fifty years old, with only a quarter of China's population, cannot expect to defeat the world's oldest continuous civilization. With his trademark candor, Mahbubani delivers impartial and incisive insights on the strategic stakes and mistakes in this new great game.

Read more less

Book SynopsisA bold call for the American Left to extend their politics to the issues of Israel-Palestine, from a New York Times bestselling author and an expert on U.S. policy in the region In this major work of daring criticism and analysis, scholar and political commentator Marc Lamont Hill and Israel-Palestine expert Mitchell Plitnick spotlight how holding fast to one-sided and unwaveringly pro-Israel policies reflects the truth-bending grip of authoritarianism on both Israel and the United States. Except for Palestine deftly argues that progressives and liberals who oppose regressive policies on immigration, racial justice, gender equality, LGBTQ rights, and other issues must extend these core principles to the oppression of Palestinians. In doing so, the authors take seriously the political concerns and well-being of both Israelis and Palestinians, demonstrating the extent to which U.S. policy has made peace harder to attain. They also unravel the conflation of advocacy for Palestinian rights with anti-Semitism and hatred of Israel. Hill and Plitnick provide a timely and essential intervention by examining multiple dimensions of the Israeli-Palestinian conversation, including Israel's growing disdain for democracy, the effects of occupation on Palestine, the siege of Gaza, diminishing American funding for Palestinian relief, and the campaign to stigmatize any critique of Israeli occupation. Except for Palestine is a searing polemic and a cri de coeur for elected officials, activists, and everyday citizens alike to align their beliefs and politics with their values.Trade ReviewPraise for Except for Palestine:Winner of the Palestine Book Awards” Counter Current Award“A remarkable little book. . . . Except for Palestine should be read by anyone interested in events in Israel/Palestine—and obviously in particular, anyone claiming to be progressive and liberal.”—Palestine Chronicle “[A] principled cri de coeur to progressives everywhere. . . . Except for Palestine is a crucial and ultimately hopeful tool that better equips progressives to combat injustices within their own political circles.”—Mondoweiss“For too long, many have championed the rights and liberties of oppressed peoples here and abroad, but remained silent on Palestinian freedom, or even worse, supported U.S. policies that render Palestinian humanity and suffering invisible. This clear and courageous book is a clarion call for moral integrity and political consistency.”—Cornel West, Union Theological Seminary“Hill and Plitnick deliver a thoughtful and incisive analysis of how progressive commitments to racial and social justice are undermined by the ‘Palestinian exception.’ Building the civil rights movement for the twenty-first century in America requires an international intersectionality that necessarily includes advocating for the rights and dignity of Palestinians and Israelis alike. Except for Palestine is timely and vital.”—Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, Michigan’s 13th Congressional District“Except for Palestine calls on progressives to apply the same principles to Israel-Palestine that they apply to the U.S. It’s a simple, radical, and deeply important argument, which anyone who cherishes justice should not ignore.”—Peter Beinart, author of The Crisis of Zionism “Hill and Plitnick have produced a timely and powerful indictment of decades of U.S. policy exceptionalizing Israel at the expense of progressive values. Their thorough examination of American progressives’ intellectual and moral hypocrisy when it comes to defending Palestinians’ human rights, civil rights, and right to challenge Israeli occupation is a valuable resource.”—Lara Friedman, president of the Foundation for Middle East Peace“This book explores some of the most fundamental contradictions confronting liberal spaces in the U.S. and makes a powerful case for the progressive core values of humanity, justice, and dignity to finally include the Palestinian people.”—Ahmad Abuznaid, executive director of the U.S. Campaign for Palestinian Rights“Except for Palestine cogently explores the reasons for the silence of so many progressives and liberals when it comes to the unceasing violations of the rights of the Palestinian people. Hill and Plitnick dismantle one by one the arguments used to justify this shameful silence, and in doing so provide an eloquent, balanced, and hard-hitting analysis of why ending an egregious exception to accepted norms of justice and equality is so imperative.”—Rashid Khalidi, author of Brokers of Deceit: How the U.S. Has Undermined Peace in the Middle East“A timely and compelling treatise on the moral failings of U.S. policy and American politics in relation to Israel/Palestine.”—Khaled Elgindy, Responsible Statecraft “An accessible, in-depth analysis that takes U.S. politics to task for normalising both Israel’s colonial violence and, as a result, the oppression of the Palestinian people.”—Middle East Monitor

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn a characteristically explosive barrage, Ljubljana’s most famous philosopher takes a passionate stance on the war in Ukraine, surveys the latest Hollywood blockbusters, and delivers detonations into a range of contemporary issues, from sexual politics in India to the prospects for a new Cold War. Ever attentive to moments where the bizarre and the epic join forces, among the questions Žižek considers here are: Is the giant orgy, planned to take place in Ukraine in the event of a Russian nuclear attack, really all that morbid? And what should society do, whether on the big screen or the battlefield, in preparation for the end of the world?Agree with him or not, Žižek rarely fails to provoke in a productive fashion. By examining matters through a lens that is bold and original, and often joyfully outlandish, Žižek helps us to better grasp a world in which, increasingly, the dominant motif is one of madness.Trade Review“[The] master of the counterintuitive observation.”—The New Yorker “The most dangerous philosopher in the West.”—The New Republic “Few thinkers illustrate the contradictions of contemporary capitalism better than Slavoj Žižek.”—New York Review of Books

Read more less

Book Synopsis'one of the year’s most exciting releases' - The Herald China is building the world’s first digital totalitarian state, a system of hitherto unimaginable social and political control. Internet freedom has been eliminated and ubiquitous surveillance cameras employ the latest facial recognition technology. Through flagrant cyber espionage, it has plundered Western technology on a massive scale, bullied Western tech companies and academics (though many have been willing accomplices) and intimidated critics worldwide. In doing so, it has become a model for aspiring dictators everywhere. Ian Williams examines the extraordinary rise of the Chinese surveillance state, showing how it has been driven by the enigmatic Xi Jinping, now effectively president for life, and how it impacts the daily lives of Chinese citizens, particularly dissidents and those from ethnic minorities. Supporting interviews and first-hand accounts from those whose lives have been turned upside down or worse highlight the chilling and ruthless efficiency with which the government can now act. The book also considers the wider implications for the rest of the world. How to deal with an increasingly strident, aggressive Beijing is one of the biggest challenges facing the West in what has become a technological Cold War.Trade Review'Ian Williams has written a superb and deeply informed study on containing a technological totalitarian state. It is a chilling reminder to all who believe in the rule of law and an open society of China's present threats to our way of life' -- Chris Patten (Lord Patten of Barnes), last governor of Hong Kong and current Chancellor of Oxford University'Forget Soviet Russia, Xi’s China now echoes 1930s Germany' * Sunday Times *'Fascinating… a really interesting book. China has no private companies… you are always dealing with the Chinese Communist State whenever you deal with them. An unarguable fact' -- Stig Abell * Times Radio *'Williams knows his stuff, as an award-winning foreign correspondent reporting for a quarter of a century from Asia with a special interest in China. This is an accessible, valuable, troubling, timely book' -- Ian Martin * Reaction Life *'one of the year's most exciting releases' * The Herald *'I have been reading a superb new book by the journalist Ian Williams called Every Breath You Take: China's New Tyranny. The title comes from the 1982 hit song by the band known as The Police, written by its frontman Sting, who later described it as "a nasty little song. Rather evil. It's about jealousy and surveillance and ownership." It refers to "every move you make … I’ll be watching you." A stalker, not a lover; an oppressor, not a partner. In every sense, the CCP regime. Yet not only watching you. Now, in Hong Kong, lecturing you every day' -- Benedict Rogers * HK Apple Daily *'A devastating exposé' -- Dominic Sandbrook * Daily Mail *'A persuasive, alarming wake-up call' -- Brian Maye * Irish Times *

Read more less

Book Synopsis**Pre-order INVASION: RUSSIA'S BLOODY WAR AND UKRAINE'S FIGHT FOR SURVIVAL now**FROM THE AWARD-WINNING JOURNALIST and #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF COLLUSION A gripping investigative account of how Russia's spies helped elect Donald Trump, backed Brexit, murdered enemies and threatened the very basis of western democracy.NEW AND UPDATED EDITION'Luke Harding is one of the best reporters in the world . . . [they are] an oustanding writer, stuck in the beating heart of political and criminal power, sinking their teeth in and never letting go.'ROBERT SAVIANO'Shadow State raises fresh questions about the way the UK government has handled claims of Kremlin interference in Britain's democratic processes.' FINANCIAL TIMES'If you doubt that hostile foreign powers were happy to assist Britain into decline, I recommend Shadow State . . . dazzling and meticulous.'OBSERVER'Excellent.' THE SCOTSMAN'Reads like a thriller.' IRISH TIMES'Detailed and compelling.' GUARDIAN***No terrorist group has deployed a nerve agent in a civilian area or used a radioactive mini-bomb in London. The Kremlin has done both.Shadow State is a riveting and alarming investigation into the methods Russia has used to wage an increasingly bold war in the UK and beyond. In this updated edition, featuring a new afterword, award-winning journalist and bestselling author Luke Harding uncovers fake news, cyber intrusions, dirty money and ruthless spies in disguise, showing how Vladimir Putin helped elect Donald Trump, backed Brexit, and now threatens the very basis of Western democracy itself.'A superb piece of work . . . essential reading for anyone who cares for his country.'JOHN LE CARRÉ, on Collusion

Read more less

Book SynopsisChina is transforming Africa's information space. It is assisting African broadcasters with extensive loans, training and exchange programmes and has set up its own media operations on the continent in the form of CCTV Africa. In the telecommunications sector, China is helping African governments to expand access to the internet and mobile phones, with rapid and large-scale success. While Western countries have ambiguously linked the need to fight security threats with restrictions of the information space, China has been vocal in asserting the need to control communication to ensure stability and development. Featuring a wealth of interviews with a variety of actors – from Chinese and African journalists in Chinese media to Chinese workers for major telecommunication companies – this highly original book demonstrates how China is both contributing to the 'Africa rising' narrative while exploiting the weaknesses of Western approaches to Africa, which remain trapped between an emphasis on stability and service delivery, on the one hand, and the desire to advocate human rights and freedom of expression on the other. Arguing no state can be understood without attention to its information structure, the book provides the first assessment of China’s new model for the media strategies of developing states, and the consequences of policing Africa’s information space for geopolitics, security and citizenship.Trade ReviewA very original, rigorous and well-cited contribution to the wider field of China-Africa studies and the current global conversation on internet governance. China, Africa and the Future of the Internet provides a useful counter-perspective to the dominant discourse around internet governance which tends to focus on the global north, excluding the notable developments in internet governance taking place in the global south. * Cobus van Staden, Co-host of the China in Africa Podcast *Impressive and rigorous, China, Africa and the Future of the Internet respects different schools of thought regarding the internet and development, whilst providing a critique that is schooled and convincing. Gagliardone takes an issue of great importance and brings fresh and penetrating analysis to it. * Monroe E. Price, Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania *Table of Contents1. China and the Shaping of Africa’s Information Societies 2. China as Partner: Financing Africa’s Information Societies 3. Innovative Democrats and Developmental States 4. China as a Model? The Multiple Faces of the Chinese Internet 5. Is it really About China? The Securitization of Development and It’s Influence on Africa’s Information societies 6. The Future of the Global Internet

Read more less

Book SynopsisFrom the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Black Flags, the harrowing true story of the mission to find and destroy Syria's chemical weapons and defeat ISIS - only to lose control of both.'Presents [the story] sharply and compellingly' Washington Post'Excellent' IndependentIn August 2012, Syrian president Bashar al-Assad was clinging to power in a vicious civil war. Concerned that Assad might resort to chemical weapons, the international community warned that any such use would cross "a red line", warranting a military response. When a year later Assad bombed the Damascus suburb of Ghouta with sarin gas, killing hundreds, global leaders were torn between living up to their word and becoming mired in another unpopular Middle Eastern war. So when Russia offered to store Syria's chemical weapons, the world leaped at the solution.So begins a race to find, remove, and destroy 1,300 tons of chemical weapons in the middle of Syria's civil war. Told in harrowing detail, the initial effort is a tactical triumph for the West, but soon Russia's long game becomes clear: it has UN cover to assist Assad's regime. Meanwhile, the territory gains of ISIS further destabilise the country, and the terrorist organisation seeks to secure Syria's chemical arsenals for itself, with horrifying consequences.Red Line is a classic Joby Warrick true-life thriller: a character-driven narrative with a cast of heroes and villains, including weapons hunters, politicians, commandos, diplomats, and spies. Through original reporting and eyewitness accounts from direct participants, Joby Warrick reveals how a well-intentioned effort to save Syrian lives became swept up in a calamitous chain of events that would spawn a terrorist movement, unleash torrents of refugees, frustrate two U.S. presidents and empower the Western alliance's most dangerous foes.Trade ReviewExcellent. * The Independent *Highly readable and well-sourced - a real-life thriller. Engrossing. -- Ian Black * Observer *Presents [the story] sharply and compellingly. * Washington Post *Shines a light on just how extraordinary the international operation to rid Syria of 1,300 tonnes of some of the most dangerous materials on the planet was. Powerful. * The New Arab *'Combines the novelist's gift for storytelling with the journalist's gift for hard research...essential and compelling reading for anyone seeking to understand the unimaginable tragedy of the Syrian civil war' * The Tablet *

Read more less

Book SynopsisOn the 25th January 2015 the Greek people voted in an election of historic importance-not just for Greece but potentially all of Europe. The radical party Syriza was elected and austerity and the neoliberal agenda is being challenged. Suddenly it seems as if there is an alternative. But what? The Eurozone is in a deep and prolonged crisis. It is now clear that monetary union is a historic failure, beyond repair-and certainly not in the interests of Europe's working people. Building on the economic analysis of two of Europe's leading thinkers, Heiner Flassbeck and Costas Lapavitsas (a candidate standing for election on Syriza's list), Against the Troika is the first book to propose a strategic left-wing plan for how peripheral countries could exit the euro. With a change in government in Greece, and looming political transformations in countries such as Spain, this major intervention lays out a radical, anti-capitalist programme at a critical juncture for Europe. The final three chapters offer a detailed postmortem of the Greek catastrophe, explain what can be learned from it-and provide a possible alternative. Against the Troika is a practical blueprint for real change in a continent wracked by crisis and austerity.Trade ReviewLapavitsas is fascinating and thoughtful. * Financial Times *Costas Lapavitsas is part of the cadre of academics-turned-politicians forging Syriza's economic thinking. * Wall Street Journal *Highly readable . A fresh and imaginative look at the crisis, it contributes greatly to the relevant debate, and is especially useful in detailing the theoretical foundations of economic programmes advocated by the radical Left parties that have begun to gain strength across Europe, and in particular Syriza. * Times Higher Education *This little book takes up the question of what a left government can do in the face of powerful elites who have savaged the country's infrastructure in the failed pursuit of budget surpluses. Crucially it charts a path for those who want a clearer view of the way out of the euro. * Socialist Review *Demonstrate[s] with clarity that the mercantilist and deflationary policies pursued by Germany since the beginning of EMU must carry the blame for the great rupture that is currently threatening Europe. -- Oskar Lafontaine, Former president of the Social Democratic Party and the Die Linke Party in GermanyFor those who . still believe Europe can be reformed to deliver social justice, growth and high-welfare societies, the authors do the valuable service of spelling out what that would take: the defeat not only of the mainstream conservative parties but also of their right-wing, nationalist challengers, and the total transformation of European social democracy in the direction of heterodox, fiscally expansionist economic policy, and the triumph of the as yet untested new left parties. -- Paul Mason (from the Preface)

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhen Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine on 24 February 2022, many in the West were left stunned at his act of brutal imperialism. To those who had been paying attention, however, the warning signs of the bloodshed and slaughter to come had been there for years. Tracing the relationship between the two countries from the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991 to Putin's invasion in 2022, what emerges from this gripping and accessible book is a portrait of a nation caught in a geopolitical tug of war between Russia and the West. While Russia is identified as the sole aggressor, we see how Western bodies such as the EU and NATO unrealistically raised Ukraine's expectations of membership before dashing them, leaving Ukraine without formal allies and fatally exposed to Russian aggression. As a former international observer, Samir Puri was present for several of the major events covered in this book. He uses this experience to ask honestly: how did we get here? Why does Vladimir Putin view Ukraine as the natural property of Russia? Did the West handle its dealings with these countries prudently? Or did it inflame the tensions left amidst the ruins of the Soviet Union? Were there any missed opportunities to avert the war? And how might this conflict end?

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhy is the Middle East a crisis factory, and how can it be fixed? What does the future look like for its 500 million people? And what role should the West play? Iyad El-Baghdadi and Ahmed Gatnash tell the story of the modern Middle East as a series of broken promises. They chart the entrenchment of tyranny, terrorism and foreign intervention, showing how these systems of oppression simultaneously feed off and battle each other. Exploring demographic, economic and social trends, the authors paint a picture of the region’s prospects that is alarming yet hopeful. Finally, they present ambitious and thoughtful ideas that reject both aggressive military intervention and cynical deals with dictators. This book, written by two children of the region, is about the failures of history, and the reasons for hope. The Middle East Crisis Factory offers a bold vision for those seeking peace and democracy in the Middle East.Trade Review‘[The Middle East Crisis Factory] is not a statement of despair, but one of defiance from the generation of the 2011 uprisings [and] offers many insights.’ -- Middle East Eye'Part guide, part manifesto, [The Middle East Crisis Factory] is a succinct, accessible, and even-handed introduction to the Middle East that emphasises how the problems of the region have global repercussions.' -- Business Post

Read more less

Book SynopsisChina’s Belt and Road strategy is acknowledged to be the most ambitious geopolitical initiative of the age. Covering almost seventy countries by land and sea, it will affect every element of global society, from shipping to agriculture, digital economy to tourism, politics to culture. Most importantly, it symbolises a new phase in China’s ambitions as a superpower: to remake the world economy and crown Beijing as the new centre of capitalism and globalisation. Bruno Maçães traces this extraordinary initiative’s history, highlighting its achievements to date, and its staggering complexity. He asks whether Belt and Road is about more than power projection and profit. Might it herald a new set of universal political values, to rival those of the West? Is it, in fact, the story of the century?Trade Review'China’s emerging mastery of the Eurasian trade zone is described in visionary, granular detail.'‘Maçães . . . is one of our chaotic times’ most fertile brains . . . across Asia things are on the move, in large part because of Chinese ambition, and he is right to be excited about it.’'Stimulating.'‘A masterful overview of China’s Belt and Road project . . . it’s a fascinating, intriguing and terrifying story, and Maçães tells it superbly.’‘The author has an engaging, animated writing style . . . recommended reading for those who are curious about who will rule the world when the US empire recedes.’'This is a remarkably insightful and comprehensive review of China's Belt and Road Initiative, with all its implications for economic development as well as for the reshaping of the global order. America and Europe: take note! This is essential reading for us all.' -- Stephen Green, former chairman of HSBC'This book shows the impressive and ambitious planning of a project that would redraw the map of the global economy to put China at the centre with a transnational industrial strategy of value chain dominance.''Bruno Macaes writes with great felicity on the expansive Chinese effort to transform the global order. His insights capture a critical moment in the evolution of world politics.'‘Bruno Macaes describes a changing world order with great verve and clarity. 'Belt and Road' is a vital compass for this change, describing how the formation of 'Eurasia' and the creation of world changing trading routes reset the allocation of economic and political influence.’'In Belt and Road, Bruno Maçāes sees the reach and influence of the West diminishing over the next thirty years.' -- The Financial Times'A timely output … It will be helpful to China scholars as well as students who are keen to understand and undertake research in this area.’ -- Asian Affairs Journal

Read more less

Book SynopsisSelected as one of ‘Five books that help explain what is happening in Afghanistan’ (Financial Times) So-called Islamic State began to appear in what it calls Khorasan (Afghanistan, Pakistan, Central Asia, Iran and India) in 2014. Reports of its presence were at first dismissed as propaganda, but during 2015 it became clear that IS had a serious presence in Afghanistan and Pakistan at least. This book, by one of the leading experts on Islamist insurgency in the region, explores the nature of IS in Khorasan, its aim and strategies, and its evolution in an environment already populated by many jihadist organisations. Based on first-hand research and numerous interviews with members of IS in Khorasan, as well as with other participants and observers, the book addresses highly contentious issues such as funding, IS’s relationship with the region’s authorities, and its interactions with other insurgent groups. Giustozzi argues that the central leadership of IS invested significant financial resources in establishing its own branch in Khorasan, and as such it is more than a local movement which adopted the IS brand for its own aims. Though the central leadership has been struggling in implementing its project, it is now turning towards a more realistic approach. This is the first book on a new frontier in Islamic State’s international jihad. Trade Review‘An important and extensively detailed account.’Excellent . . . the book brings clarity to the subject of terrorism and its nature in Afghanistan and Khorasan. It is a brilliant mix of journalistic account and academic research.’‘The book has a number of vital implications for peace in the region … Giustozzi is an astute observer of the conflict in Afghanistan and its many participants.’ -- Texas National Security Review'Drawing on incredible field research, and full of unique insight, this book explains how the Islamic State unexpectedly took root in Afghanistan and Pakistan. It reveals in detail the complex and mostly troubled relations between IS-K and the Taliban in both countries. This is yet another "must-read" study by Giustozzi, the great chronicler of the ongoing Afghan conflict.' -- Theo Farrell, Executive Dean of Law, Humanities and the Arts at the University of Wollongong, Australia, author of 'Unwinnable: Britain’s War in Afghanistan, 2001-2014''This is the first book on the Islamic State’s Khorasan branch and will be a go-to-guide for many years to come. Giustozzi has pulled together primary sources, original materials and first hand journalistic accounts to describe the emergence, composition and structure of the Islamic State group in the Afghanistan-Pakistan region. A highly important scholarly contribution, it is essential reading for all those who want to understand the complexities of violent extremism in South and Central Asia.' -- Dawood Azami, PhD, Multi-Media Editor, BBC World Service

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn January 2020, US President Donald Trump announced his 'deal of the century'. Supposedly intended to 'resolve' the Palestine-Israel conflict, it accepted Israeli occupation as a fait accompli. Azmi Bishara places this normalisation of occupation in its historical context, examining Palestine as an unresolved case of settler colonialism, now evolved into an apartheid regime. Drawing on extensive research and rich theoretical analysis, Bishara examines the overlap between the long-discussed 'Jewish Question' and what he calls the 'Arab Question', complicating the issue of Palestinian nationhood. He addresses the Palestinian Liberation Movement's failure to achieve self-determination, and the emergence of a 'Palestinian Authority' under occupation. He contends that no solution to problems of nationality or settler colonialism is possible without recognising the historic injustices inflicted on Palestinians since the Nakba. This book compellingly argues that Palestine is not simply a dilemma awaiting creative policy solutions, but a problem requiring the application of justice. Attempts by regional governments to marginalise the Palestinian cause and normalise relations with Israel have emphasised this aspect of the struggle, and boosted Palestinian interactions with justice movements internationally. Bishara provides a sober perspective on the current political situation in Palestine, and a fresh outlook for its future.Trade Review'[A] bold and important work on the history of modern Palestine and the Palestinian struggle over the past century. However, unlike other histories of Palestine and Israel, the author's insistence is that Palestine is a matter of justice. Alongside the historical examination of major events, Bishara analyzes key issues central to the question of Palestine and rebukes some common tropes and misconceptions.' -- Washington Report on Middle East Affairs'A searing and perceptive analysis by a foremost Palestinian intellectual and political figure. Drawing on a deep understanding of Zionism and Israel, and a knowledgeable assessment of Palestinian, Arab and global politics, Bishara concludes with original, acute and empathetic reflections on how to resolve this century-old struggle.' -- Rashid Khalidi, Edward Said Professor of Modern Arab Studies, Columbia University'Bishara draws upon his unparalleled knowledge to demonstrate how the framing of this conflict has shifted from "settler colonialism" to "border dispute." Most importantly, he lays out a possible solution which respects rather than minimises Palestinian national aspirations. A crucial text for all concerned with the ongoing injustice inflicted on the Palestinian people.' -- Dana El Kurd, Assistant Professor of Political Science, University of Richmond, and author of 'Polarized and Demobilized: Legacies of Authoritarianism in Palestine'‘A major contribution of this book is the way it alerts us to the fact that the world’s last remaining unresolved instance of settler colonialism can neither nativise nor become indigenous – unlike other settler colonial projects – as Israel maintains an apartheid regime.’ -- Race & Class'A sharp analysis of "the question of Palestine", objective but not neutral, and rooted in the history of the Nakba and the reality of settler colonialism. It offers illuminating views on an exit game based on an ethical approach and the recognition of a common future embracing two distinct national identities and aspirations.' -- Alain Gresh, former editor of 'Le Monde diplomatique', and author of 'Israel, Palestine: Truths of a Conflict''No-one writes on Palestine in its historical, regional, and global contexts with the same unflinching precision, intimate knowledge and scholarly command as Azmi Bishara. This book brings his commanding insights to the global attention he richly deserves, and we badly need.' -- Hamid Dabashi, Hagop Kevorkian Professor of Iranian Studies and Comparative Literature, Columbia University, and editor of 'Dreams of a Nation: On Palestinian Cinema''An unparalleled study that brings together intellectual authority, political acumen and academic rigor. Bishara offers a trenchant analysis of how a settler-colonial project was transformed into a border dispute, and delineates his inclusive vision of a decolonised future anchored in dignity and justice.' -- Nadim Rouhana, Professor of International Affairs and Conflict Studies, Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University

Read more less

Book SynopsisHow does the Taliban wage war? How has its war changed over time? Firstly, the movement’s extraordinary military operation relies on financial backing. This volume analyses such funding. The Taliban’s external sources of support include foreign governments and non-state groups, both of which have affected the Taliban's military campaigns and internal politics. Secondly, this is the first full-length study of the Taliban to acknowledge and discuss in detail the movement’s polycentric character. Here not only the Quetta Shura, but also the Haqqani Network and the Taliban’s other centres of power, are afforded the attention they deserve. The Taliban at War is based on extensive field research, including hundreds of interviews with Taliban members at all levels of the organisation, community elders in Taliban-controlled areas, and other sources. It covers the Taliban insurgency from its first manifestations in 2002 up to the end of 2015. The five-month Battle of Kunduz epitomised the ongoing transition of the Taliban from an insurgent group to a more conventional military force, intent on fighting a protracted civil war. In this latest book, renowned Afghanistan expert Antonio Giustozzi rounds off his twenty years of studying the Taliban with an authoritative study detailing the evolution of its formidable military machine.Trade Review‘['The Taliban at War' is] highly informed and detailed … [It is] based on extensive field work in Afghanistan by the author (a renowned expert on the region) and his Afghan researchers’. -- Washington Times‘Giustozzi provides a detailed and dense account of the Taliban’s resilience. [This book] is an important contribution to the history of the American-led war in Afghanistan.’ -- Foreign AffairsA detailed description of the changing nature of the war in Afghanistan over the past two decades, and how the Taliban and its leaders have responded over time.’ -- CHOICE‘Giustozzi’s narrative skill, analytical authority, and long-standing reputation as an expert on the Taliban and events in Afghanistan after 2001 are advanced in The Taliban at War.‘ -- Terrorism and Political Violence'Documents in great detail the history and evolution of theAfghan Taliban’s military strategy and capabilities as well as its internal divisions and partial fragmentation. … provides a wealth of detail for academics, students, and policymakers to consider with regard to the trajectory and future of the Afghan conflict and state-building experiment.' * Muslim World Book Review *'A fine-meshed and carefully documented analysis of how the Taliban's military organisation and strategy have evolved since the movement's defeat in 2001. Uniquely sourced from over 400 interviews, this book will clearly be a standard reference on the subject.' -- Astri Suhrke, Senior Researcher, Chr. Michelsen Institute, Bergen and author of 'When More is Less: The International Project in Afghanistan''Based primarily on first-hand interviews, Giustozzi's expansive new book presents a treasure trove of new and important information on the Afghan Taliban, and might well be the work to which all future scholarly explorations of the Taliban will be compared.' -- Thomas H. Johnson, Research Professor of National Security Affairs, Naval Postgraduate School and author of 'Taliban Narratives'

Read more less

Book SynopsisAfter the 1994 Oslo Accords, Palestinians were hopeful that an end to the Israeli occupation was within reach, and that a state would be theirs by 1999. With this promise, international powers became increasingly involved in Palestinian politics, and many shadows of statehood arose in the territories. Today, however, no state has emerged, and the occupation has become more entrenched. Concurrently, the Palestinian Authority has become increasingly authoritarian, and Palestinians ever more polarised and demobilised. Palestine is not unique in this: international involvement, and its disruptive effects, have been a constant across the contemporary Arab world. This book argues that internationally backed authoritarianism has an effect on society itself, not just on regime-level dynamics. It explains how the Oslo paradigm has demobilised Palestinians in a way that direct Israeli occupation, for many years, failed to do. Using a multi-method approach including interviews, historical analysis, and cutting-edge experimental data, Dana El Kurd reveals how international involvement has insulated Palestinian elites from the public, and strengthened their ability to engage in authoritarian practices. In turn, those practices have had profound effects on society, including crippling levels of polarisation and a weakened capacity for collective action.Trade Review‘A rigorous and impressively researched work, and a valuable and thought-provoking read for students of authoritarianism and Arab politics.’ -- CHOICE'A well-researched analysis of the disempowering legacy of the Oslo Accords... ['Polarized and Demobilized'] is also an engaging read that sheds light on the past, present and future of popular (non-PA sponsored) resistance to the occupation.' -- Morning Star‘Polarized and Demobilized provides such a sophisticated account that any sort of summary or short review would fail to do it justice. … Over and above, it is a truly enjoyable read: one of the very few academic works that combines theoretical sophistication with a smooth, seamless and beautifully articulated narrative.’ -- LSE Review of Books'Addresses an important question in a systematic and innovative way.''A strong and compelling book. El Kurd demonstrates how international involvement in Palestine has led to deeper polarization between the PA and its people, with serious implications for Palestinian society, the peace process and the future Palestinian state.' -- Amaney A. Jamal, Edwards S. Sanford Professor of Politics, Princeton University'This critical volume explains the transnational origins behind political polarization and institutional weakness in post-Oslo Palestine. El Kurd's work is theoretically sophisticated and empirically innovative--a must-read for any observer of the region.' -- Sean Yom, Associate Professor of Political Science, Temple University'How did the PA manage to demobilize Palestinian society, when years of direct Israeli occupation failed to do so? El Kurd brings novel data to bear on this provocative question, highlighting how internationally backed, "indigenous" authoritarian regimes can be particularly detrimental for political cooperation and resistance.' -- Diana B. Greenwald, Assistant Professor of Political Science, The City College of New York, CUNY'Palestinians have complained over the last generation about increasing authoritarianism and declining solidarity and activism, even as international donors spoke of democratic institution-building. El Kurd's rigorous empirical research shows not only that such complaints are valid but also how and why.' -- Nathan Brown, Professor of Political Science, George Washington University'A major contribution to understanding the dialectic between politically driven foreign aid and authoritarianism. El Kurd's rigorous and illuminating research shows a causal link between this process and social polarization, demobilization and the decline of collective action under the PA.' -- Azmi Bishara, General Director of the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies

Read more less

Book SynopsisFor much of recorded history, China was a leading science and technology power. But just as the West rose, China turned in on itself, and missed the Industrial Revolution. The result was the ‘Hundred Years of Humiliation’, and a long struggle for a modern, yet distinctly Chinese, civilisational identity. Today, technological innovation has returned to the core of national pride and ambition. Since the 1980s, reforms have transformed China into the world’s second largest economy and a major global power. Cyber space and other advanced technologies have become a battleground for international dominance; but today’s world relies on global supply chains and interstate collaboration—at least, for now. Growing tension between the USA and China could result in the two superpowers decoupling their technology—with significant consequences for humanity’s future. The Great Decoupling shows that this technology contest, and how it plays out, will shape the geopolitics of the twenty-first century.Trade Review'[Inkster] reinforces a sense that the US-led west and China are locked in a desperate struggle not only for technological supremacy but also -- in the case of the west -- to preserve its liberal system. ... [he] does not appear at all certain that the west will prevail in the contest that he describes.' -- Financial Times‘The [book’s] central message – that [China,] this profoundly regimented and authoritarian country, is about to achieve global economic and military hegemony – is sound, well-documented and a disturbing challenge to the West as it emerges, battered, from the Covid nightmare.’ -- The Herald'Technology is at the heart of the contest between the United States and China for global supremacy. This book is notable for combining a sharp understanding of the technological question with the knowledge of its historical and political context. If the contest ends up creating a world divided into two separate spheres, our most cherished beliefs about progress and globalisation will be shattered. Is this inevitable? Nigel Inkster will guide you through this essential question.' -- Bruno Macaes, formerly Portugal’s Europe minister (2013-15) and author of 'Belt and Road: A Chinese World Order' and 'History Has Begun''A lucid, pragmatic and succinct overview of where the world's second largest economy currently stands, and what it might look like as it moves towards number one status. Inkster draws on his long experience, both in dealing with China, and as a diplomatic practitioner, to give authoritative judgements of what this world where China plays an increasingly dominant role might look like, and what the key challenges for the outside will be.' -- Kerry Brown, Professor of Chinese Studies and Director of the Lau China Institute, King's College London'This is a superbly written, cogently argued, and insightful discussion of China's digital rise by a British intelligence insider. It needs to be read by all concerned about the deepening rivalry between China and the USA.' -- Hans van de Ven, Professor of Modern Chinese History, University of Cambridge'Nigel Inkster has written a timely, sane and compelling account of the techno-strategic contest that will shape the world of the 2020s and beyond. Beyond its insightful analysis, The Great Decoupling also traces the policy contours of great-power coexistence as the alternative to a 21st century Great War.' -- Professor Rory Medcalf, head of the National Security College, Australian National University, and author of Indo-Pacific Empire'Linking his knowledge of China past and present to fascinating detail of China's achievements and aspirations in advanced technology, Nigel Inkster provides a powerful and compelling narrative of the decoupling of China and the United States. You will learn much of importance from this book.' -- Lord Mervyn King, former Governor of the Bank of England'Former senior official and Mandarin speaker Nigel Inkster proves a sure-footed guide to the consequences of the collision between the US as global superpower with a re-emergent and emboldened China His book provides a compelling account of how the Chinese now think about themselves and their rediscovery of their technological tradition, and what it is about the Chinese state-directed internet and its use to control their vast population that leaves Western liberal democracy at serious risk from "the great decoupling". Highly recommended.' -- Professor Sir David Omand, GCB, Visiting Professor, Department of War Studies, King's College London

Read more less

Book SynopsisDuring four decades of fast-paced economic growth, China’s ascent has reverberated across the full social spectrum, from international relations to technology, from trade to global health, from academia to climate change. Despite disrupting the long-established cultural and political constructs of the postwar liberal international order, Beijing’s power remains uneven and limited internationally, whereas the rise of China has been the object of much frenzied reaction within Western civil society. The hostility and new cold war with the United States is a major factor in fuelling debate and speculation. This book explores the uncertainties and dilemmas China’s rise has fuelled for both the US-sponsored liberal order and the Chinese communist elites that are responsible. It provides the tools to understand the contemporary political and media turmoil about China, its causes and its trajectories. It interprets the rise of China through the lenses of global politics and the uneven and combined development of capitalism and its encounter with the authoritarian, one-party system of the Chinese polity.Trade ReviewTo most westerners, China is like quantum mechanics: the few who really understand it are often not good at explaining it to the rest of us. So this up-to-the-minute, scholarly but accessible guide to thinking through the number one geopolitical issue of the next decade is greatly to be welcomed. -- Stephen Bradley, former British Minister in Beijing and Consul General to Hong KongThe US–China relationship is highly significant yet fast-changing. Zeno Leoni's analysis of it is brilliantly clear and full of insights: drawing on history and geopolitics, he shows that the two countries are locked in a complex combination of dependency and confrontation. Stimulating and thoughtful. -- Rana Mitter, Professor of the History and Politics of Modern China, University of OxfordTable of ContentsIntroduction 1. China’s rise and state capitalism: an uneven world order 2. "Best of friends, worst enemies": China’s rise and the "blowback" of American grand strategy 3. Successes and limits of China’s engagement with the world economy 4. The dilemmas of China’s engagement with the world 5. Sino-western relations in the post-Trump era Conclusion

Read more less

Book SynopsisToday's main threat to the democratic world...

Read more less

Book SynopsisBrought to you by Penguin.Aiden Aslin joined the Ukrainian marines in 2018, compelled to defend his adopted homeland from the growing threat of Russian invasion. In February 2022, as Russia mounted a full-scale offensive, Aiden and his unit were stationed at the frontline at Mariupol.Pinned down at a Mariupol steelworks, after a month-long siege and running out of supplies, Aiden was part of the mass surrender of over a thousand Ukrainian troops, in April 2022. Then his real ordeal began.Singled out for his British passport, Aiden was interrogated, tortured, stabbed, turned into a propaganda zombie, tried by a kangaroo court and then sentenced to death. A victim of a catalogue of abuses of international law, Aiden struggled to cling on to any hope of survival. Certain that he was going to be executed, he was eventually freed in a prisoner exchange and permitted to return home.In Putin's Prisoner, Aiden will tell the full, harrowing story of his time fighting in Putin's war, of his six months in Russian captivity, and of his hardened resolve to defend the freedoms of the people of Ukraine.©2023 Aiden Aslin & John Sweeney (P)2023 Penguin AudioTrade ReviewA great read. An amazing story. * Jeremy Vine *Engaging and horrifying in equal measure. A powerful story and insight into modern war. * Soldier *Horrifying, heart-rending, inspiring. Five stars. * Army Rumour Service *Both a warning and a message of hope. Aslin survived to tell his story - and we should listen. * Irish Independent *An absolutely incredible book. * Rig Biz Podcast *

Read more less

Book SynopsisHow a revolution in Ukraine precipitated an international economic conflict affecting us all.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisSHORTLISTED FOR THE PARLIAMENTARY BOOK AWARDS'Thought-provoking and well worth reading' Times Literary SupplementAfter decades of peace and prosperity, the international order put in place after World War II is rapidly coming to an end. Disastrous foreign wars, global recession, the meteoric rise of China and India and the COVID pandemic have undermined the power of the West's international institutions and unleashed the forces of nationalism and protectionism.In this lucid and groundbreaking analysis, one of Britain's most experienced senior diplomats highlights the key dilemmas Britain faces, from trade to security, arguing that international co-operation and solidarity are the surest ways to prosper in a world more dangerous than ever.Trade ReviewA bracing, stimulating, utterly timely call for the UK to take a very hard look at its place in the world post-Brexit and after Covid. Peter Ricketts tells us we have nothing to lose but our illusions. He's right. * Peter Hennessy, author of Winds of Change *Thought-provoking and well worth reading * Times Literary Supplement *As one of Britain's top diplomats, Ricketts had a close-up view of some of the most dramatic events of recent decades... he takes a tough-minded look at the country's post-Brexit options - making the case for realistic internationalism and renewed engagement with Europe. * Gideon Rachman, Financial Times *Peter Ricketts has put all of his experience and authority into this clear, accessible and unvarnished account of Britain's place in the world. If you want to understand the big choices ahead, read this book. * David Miliband, President of the International Rescue Committee and former Foreign Secretary *Bursting with anecdotes and new perspectives... a perfect introduction for those engaging in the crucial-and newly wide open-debate about where Britain sits in the world, and where it goes next. * Prospect *Searing... The hardest choice for the UK is "to accept reality", Ricketts argues. * Financial Times *Where others deal in soundbites and slogans, Peter Ricketts brings his deep expertise and wisdom to bear on the great issues facing Britain as it rethinks its role in the world. He offers a riveting analysis of what our interests really are at a time of severe strain on the liberal democratic order, and a wealth of insights into how best we should pursue them. * Ivan Rogers *A clarion call for a post-Brexit national conversation and a new national strategy. Written with grace and clarity, Hard Choices is a book for every informed citizen concerned for Britain's future in a dangerous and unpredictable world. * Vernon Bogdanor, CBE FBA, Professor of Government, King's College, London *As Britain defines its post-Brexit role against the backdrop of a more fragmented, complex and uncertain world, Peter Ricketts offers sage advice about next steps, including the need for a focused strategy and international cooperation. Hard Choices is a must-read for anyone who cares about the future of this country. * Karin von Hippel, Director-General of the Royal United Services Institute *Incisive, stimulating and highly-readable. Peter Ricketts turns forty years' experience of British foreign policymaking into a road map of where Britain should be going in the post-Brexit, post-Covid world. * David Reynolds, author of Island Stories: An Unconventional History of Britain *Peter Ricketts has used his experience as one of the best diplomats of his generation to produce a book that is magisterial in its scope and analysis -- and in its recommendations for how the UK can use the realities of the post-Brexit era to its advantage. Essential reading for all who care about Britain's position in the world. * Jack Straw, former Foreign Secretary *A sharp and salutary reality check from one of Britain's wisest and most experienced diplomats. Peter Ricketts has a simple message: despite Brexit, Britain remains a European power and must reject isolationist and imperial delusions. * Andrew Adonis *A clearer analysis of Britain in the 2020s will not be found: read this brilliant book. * Sir Anthony Seldon *With a combination of behind-the-scenes anecdotes and sharp analysis, Peter Ricketts uses his extensive diplomatic and national security experience to consider the importance of thinking strategically about the future role of Britain in the world. * Rt Hon Baroness Catherine Ashton GCMG PC *No one is more able than Peter Ricketts by experience and wisdom, to set out clearly and sensibly the broad parameters of Britain's strategy in the age of Brexit, pandemic, climate change and the threats to liberal democracies from China. A sensible Government would implement these proposals with enthusiasm straight away. * Chris Patten, Chancellor of the University of Oxford and former Governor of Hong Kong *A candid and sometimes brutal sizing up of past mistakes, of chances missed and of opportunities still open. This dissection of British strategic choices by the UK's first National Security Adviser and one of our most experienced diplomats reveals not just the inside story of how we got here but what it will feel like to be in the room when the hard choices have to be made. * Professor Sir David Omand, former director of GCHQ *Sharp and engaging... All of us who care about Britain remaining a major force in shaping the international order should pay careful attention to both the analysis and policy recommendations of Hard Choices. * Kori Schake, Director of Foreign and Defense Policy at the American Enterprise Institute *Table of Contents0: Introduction 1: Imagining the Post-War Order 2: Managing an Alliance of Unequals 3: Rethinking the Use of Force 4: Picking the Right Threats 5: Reviving the Lost Art of Strategy 6: Finding the Power to Influence 7: Triangle of Tension: Britain, America and China 8: The International System and the Lure of the New 9: Trade, Values and the Mercantilist Trap 10: How Far Offshore? Britain, Europe and the Indo-Pacific Tilt 11: Conclusion

Read more less

Book SynopsisIf race is increasingly understood to be socially constructed, why does it continue to seem like a physiological reality? The trickery of race, Sita Balani argues, comes down to how it is embedded in everyday life through the domain we take to be most intimate and essential: sexuality. Modernity inaugurates a new political subject made legible as an individual through the nuclear family, sexual adventure and the pursuit of romantic love. By examining the regulation of sexual life at Britain's borders, in colonial India, and through the functioning of the welfare state, marriage laws, education, and counterterrorism, Balani reveals that sexuality has become fatally intertwined with the making of race.Trade ReviewThrough an astounding display of Sita Balani's skill and care with the craft of writing, Deadly and Slick collapses the binary categories of race, gender and sexuality to show how they are co-constitutive of each other. Read this book if you want to break through the myopia of more shallow discussions about how identity interacts with politics and follow Balani into deeper analytical realms. -- Kojo Koram, author of Uncommon WealthSmart, lucid and funny - an urgently needed account of the colonial histories and troubling presents that shape the politics of racism and sexuality. How can we understand how the powerful mobilise our desires and affinities in ways that deplete all our lives? Reading Balani will help you understand why we want the things we want, and also how we can start to see what we really need. -- Gargi Bhattacharya, author of Rethinking Racial CapitalismA fascinating, well-researched read. Balani not only throws a retrospective spotlight on the mercurial fluidity of race, gender, class, sexuality and culture in the colonial project, she digs into the crevices to expose every lethal outcome. -- Stella Dadzie, author of A Kick in the BellyAn essential and lucid analysis of the long-standing but changing relationship between sexuality and race. A must read. -- Maya Goodfellow, author of Hostile EnvironmentDeadly and Slick is a coruscating history of marriage, empire, racecraft, the capitalist family, and the rise of 'affective individualism,' distilling the very best of contemporary anti-colonial, queer and marxist theorizing, while weaving together stories about 'inchoate fascists' ranging from Lord Kitchener to Priti Patel, and from Raj-era memsahibs to QAnon. Sita Balani has distilled complex ideas about the Möbius strip of race and sex into clear and pleasurable prose that takes the reader on a grim tour of the taxonomical imagination in colonial societies, all the way from Carl Linnaeus to Jordan Peterson, with important albeit discomfiting conclusions for contemporary feminist politics. -- Sophie Lewis, author of Abolish the Family and Full Surrogacy NowDeadly and Slick is admirably nimble in navigating social and historical moving parts, all the while unfolding a compelling and coherent view of how racialisation has clung to the 'common sense' in contemporary Britain. Balani does the difficult and sometimes unglamorous intellectual work of wading through the rubble of the everyday and is rewarded with an original explosion and synthesis of high concepts. The book's excavation of subjectivity shuns pat psychologisation; its structural analysis moves beyond the stale and inert. Exciting reading for anyone who has been seeking new tools for understanding some of of the enduring ugliness of 'sexual modernity'. -- Amber Husain, author of Replace Me and Meat Love: An Ideology of the Flesh Table of ContentsI1 Sexual Modernity2 Sexual Science3 Racial Hygiene4 National FamilyII5 Divide and Assimilate6 Identity Crisis7 Dangerous Brown Women8 Think of the ChildrenCoda: The Promise that Would Never Be Kept

Read more less

Book SynopsisFully updated from the original edition. As the retreat from Kabul shows, America goes to war not to bring democracy, or glory, but in the pursuit of profit. In The Spoils of War, leading Washington reporter, Andrew Cockburn, reveals the extent of the rot that stretches from the Pentagon and the White House, to Wall St and Silicon Valley.The American war machine can only be understood in terms of the "private passions" and "interests" of those who control it - principally a passionate interest in money. Thus, as he witheringly reports, Washington expanded NATO to satisfy an arms manufacturer's urgent financial requirements; the U.S. Navy's Pacific fleet deployments were for years dictated by a corrupt contractor who bribed high-ranking officers with cash and prostitutes; senior marine commanders agreed to a troop surge in Afghanistan in 2017 "because it will do us good at budget time."Based on years of wide-ranging research, Cockburn lays bare the ugly reality of the largest military machine in history: squalid, and at the same time terrifyingly dangerous.Trade ReviewCockburn is ... an assiduous investigator and skillful narrator. -- Foreign AffairsCorruption is the recurring theme that runs through the US journalist Andrew Cockburn's brilliant journalism collected in The Spoils of War: Power, Profit and the American War Machine. -- Richard Norton-Taylor * Declassified UK *An accessible yet forensic account of not only why runaway military spending is wrong, but how. -- Ed O'Loughlin * Irish Times *A devastatingly convincing account of the runaway nature of a powerful grouping of interests - the defence, intelligence and financial sectors in the US. -- Mary Kaldor * openDemocracy *This is robust, old-fashioned progressive, polemical journalism . Cockburn describes some shocking practices, and provides valuable critiques - for example, of the over-reliance on sanctions as a coercive instrument. -- Lawrence Freedman * New Statesman *He possesses a uniquely detailed knowledge of the arcane, lucrative machinations of this world, as well as a deep historical understanding of the forces that built it. And while the specifics change, the stories he tells all have the same shocking moral. "People say the Pentagon does not have a strategy," he quotes a former Air Force colonel as saying. "They are wrong. The Pentagon does have a strategy. It is: 'Don't interrupt the money flow.'" -- Jon Schwarz * The Intercept *A withering exposé reveals the insatiable and squalid profit motive that drives the US military apparatus - the largest in modern history * Morning Star *Informative and entertaining. -- Mike Phipps * Labour Hub *Nothing I have read for years has so reoriented, even revolutionized, my thinking about the corporate/political forces that underly our constructing and "modernizing" a doomsday machine, the subject of my own life's work I am urging everyone to read this book. -- Daniel Ellsberg, author of The Doomsday Machine, Confessions of a Nuclear War PlannerCockburn presents a damning account of America's military-industrial complex, culled from his best work over a decade on the paradoxical nature of American military power...Spoils of War is a meticulously researched book that presents a critical perspective on the 'American War Machine.' -- Marc Martorell Junyent * Responsible Statecraft *

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe European Union is a political order of peculiar stamp and continental scope, its polity of 446 million the third largest on the planet, though with famously little purchase on the conduct of its representatives. Sixty years after the founding treaty, what sort of structure has crystallised, and does the promise of ever closer union still obtain?Against the self-image of the bloc, Perry Anderson poses the historical record of its assembly. He traces the wider arc of European history, from First World War to Eurozone crisis, the hegemony of Versailles to that of Maastricht, and casts the work of the EU's leading contemporary analysts - both independent critics and court philosophers - in older traditions of political thought. Are there likenesses to the age of Metternich, lessons in statecraft from that of Machiavelli? An excursus on the UK's jarring departure from the Union considers the responses it has met with inside the country's intelligentsia, from the contrite to the incandescent. How do Brussels and Westminster compare as constitutional forms? Differently put, which could be said to be worse?Trade ReviewPerry Anderson's Ever Closer Union? provides an elegantly savage critique of the European Union. Many of the arguments and themes may be familiar - years of rowing over Brexit will do that to an audience - but few deliver the lines with the poise of Anderson. What ultimately emerges from the pages of Ever Closer Union? is the EU not as its defenders imagine it to be, but as it really is: an oligarchic institution, built over and against the peoples of Europe. -- Tim Black * Spiked *Anderson's latest book draws on his characteristic method of meticulous and staggering range of reference...His style, with its combative strain, can never be accused of being 'dull, technical, infested with jargon' - faults he ascribes to much literature on the European Union. -- Gordon Parsons * Morning Star *Picking up where his previous study of the European Union, The New Old World (2009), ended, Ever Closer Union? is one of the most serious and intelligent challenges to the EU available. -- Hugo Drochon * Times Literary Supplement *Perry Anderson's critical analysis of the European Union is a devastating indictment of liberal complacency. -- David Jamieson * Jacobin *An incisive and challenging critique of the European integration process. The book could be read for one eye-opening section alone. Witty, aphoristic and cogent * European Political Science *

Read more less