I realize this is the Holiday Season, but we mustn’t forget that global strategy never takes a holiday. Robert D. Kaplan’s eye-opening study of geo-political changes, Monsoon: The Indian Ocean and the Future of American Power is a sobering look at a region that’s under most people’s radar. Yet, 90% of global commerce and 66% of all oil supplies travel by sea and much of it travels the Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean. Part historical survey, part political analysis, part future forecast Monsoon makes sense out of a region that will grow in importance as China’s energy needs continue to grow. If you want to understand the power shifts fast approaching, you’ll find enlightenment in reading Monsoon. GRADE: A
Phil wants to know if you sleep.
Tell Phil I need more sleep, Patti! I’m giving FINAL EXAMS today so by the end of the week I’ll be on WINTER BREAK. Then I can catch up on my sleep and my reading!
yes, but what about grading those finals?
Back when I was a college student, finals came just AFTER Christmas vacation (as we called it in those simpler, less PC days), which meant they hung over the festivities like an anvil. Some students even used the time to study!
Acreage and body count has always been an important factor in world power, so it’s not surprising that China is making it’s move and India is getting more tech and influential. Sometimes I think we (as in the U>S>) should pull back a little and just try to solve our own internal problems instead of continuing to play the defender of justice and right for the world role.
The College has scheduled FINAL EXAMS before Christmas for the 32 years I’ve been teaching here, Rick. MONSOON made me realize how important that part of the world is in geo-politics. It also explains why the U.S. Navy has a couple battle groups assigned to that region with more on the way.