Geopolitical

In a world where technology is the new currency of power, we must be vigilant in ensuring it serves humanity’s best interests rather than becoming a tool for unchecked dominance. The greatest dilemma of the 21st century lies not in the creation of powerful technologies, but in managing their profound impact on society, politics, and individual lives.”

Central Subject Matter: “The Coming Wave: Technology, Power, and the Twenty-first Century’s Greatest Dilemma” by Mustafa Suleyman and Michael Bhaskar delves into the profound ways technology is reshaping global power dynamics. The book analyzes the interplay between technological advancements and geopolitical shifts, focusing on how emerging technologies like AI, biotech, and digital platforms are redefining power structures and creating new ethical, social, and political challenges.

Key Insight: The central insight of the book is the urgent need for a deeper understanding and proactive management of the relationship between technology and power. It underscores the dual nature of technology as both a tool for empowerment and a potential source of unprecedented challenges, especially as nations and corporations wield these advancements to gain influence and control.

The books “A War Made in Russia” by Sergei Medvedev and “Memory Makers: The Politics of the Past in Putin’s Russia” by Jade McGlynn offer penetrating insights into the Russian state and society post-Ukraine invasion. Medvedev criticizes Russia’s imperialistic tendencies and internal decay, while McGlynn focuses on the state-controlled manipulation of history. Both authors agree that Russia’s imperial mindset, inherited from its Tsarist and Soviet past, continues to influence its actions, both domestically and internationally. These works serve as a stark reminder of the dark path that Russia has taken under Putin’s regime, emphasizing the urgent need for change.

The Loom of Time: Between Empire and Anarchy, from the Medi­ter­ranean to China  by Robert D. Kaplan explores the shifting geopolitical landscape in the Middle East. Kaplan argues that the absence of world empires to maintain order has led to instability in the region. He discusses the rise of disordered, multipolar dynamics, highlighting shifts driven by outside powers. The author emphasizes the importance of understanding the region’s historical complexities and geopolitical influences. He touches on the concept of empire, suggesting that historical imperial rule sometimes brought stability. However, Kaplan’s proposal for a neo-imperial role for the US is met with skepticism, considering the destructive outcomes of recent interventions. Ultimately, he contends that the Greater Middle East will remain a zone of contention between various global powers, maintaining its political instability.

“Even people who take no particular steps to be well informed are routinely exposed to media reports of man-made and natural dangers and the risks of diets, diseases, and quotidian activities. The first category ranges from dreaded terrorist attacks to many manifestations of chemophobia (from pesticide residues in food to carcinogens in toys or carpets), and from asbestos hidden in walls and in baby powder to the planet being ruined by anthropogenic global warming.Media reports do not miss any news of natural catastrophes—including hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, droughts, and locusts—and in the background there are lasting worries about incurable cancers and unpredictable viruses, with recent concerns about SARS-CoV-1 and Ebola just mild previews of the anguish brought by the COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic.”

Excerpt From: Vaclav Smil. “How the World Really Works.”