First published 1998
Paul M. Kennedy presents a strategic framework for American foreign policy in the post-Cold War era. He identifies nine countries that deserve concentrated attention and resources: Brazil, India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Egypt, Algeria, Turkey, South Africa, and Mexico. Kennedy argues these nations represent pivotal points where focused diplomatic and economic engagement can yield outsized returns for American interests. Rather than spreading resources thinly across all regions, he advocates for selective investment in these specific states. The book examines why these particular countries matter more than others and how their internal developments could reshape global politics. Kennedy builds his case by analyzing each nation's demographic trends, economic potential, and strategic location. He contends that success or failure in these pivotal states will determine America's ability to shape international affairs in the coming decades.
Genres: international-relations, political-science, non-fiction, 21st-century, academic, american-history
Vibes: thought-provoking
Tropes: strategic-framework
Setting: Algeria, Brazil, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Pakistan, South Africa, Turkey
Period: Post-Cold War
445 pages · Hardcover · W W Norton & Co Inc