Summaries of books about International Relations:
The Room Where It Happened
A White House Memoir
John R. Bolton
The memoir provides an insider account of the author's tenure as National Security Advisor under President Donald Trump, detailing his observations of the administration's foreign policy decision-making process. It offers a critical perspective on key events and interactions with foreign leaders, as well as the author's concerns about the President's conduct in office.
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Blowout
Corrupted Democracy, Rogue State Russia, and the Richest, Most Destructive Industry on Earth
Rachel Maddow
The book investigates the oil and gas industry's impact on global politics, exposing how energy companies have fostered corruption, hindered democracy, and contributed to climate change. It also delves into Russia's use of its energy resources as a political weapon, influencing foreign governments and undermining democratic institutions.
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Red-Handed
How American Elites Get Rich Helping China Win
Peter Schweizer
The book investigates the complex financial relationships and alleged corruption between American elites, including politicians and business leaders, and Chinese entities. It argues that these connections have led to personal enrichment for the elites while advancing China's strategic interests at the expense of the United States.
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Principles for Dealing with the Changing World Order
Why Nations Succeed and Fail
Ray Dalio
The book examines historical patterns and economic cycles to understand the rise and fall of nations, offering insights into the forces that have shaped global empires and their economies. It provides a framework for understanding the current geopolitical climate and offers strategies for navigating the challenges of a shifting world order.
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Compromised
Counterintelligence and the Threat of Donald J. Trump
Peter Strzok
The book provides an insider account of the FBI's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 US election and explores the author's concerns about President Trump's potential vulnerability to Russian influence. It details the author's career in counterintelligence, the events leading up to his dismissal from the FBI, and his perspective on how Trump's actions may have posed a threat to national security.
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Russian Roulette
The Inside Story of Putin's War on America and the Election of Donald Trump
Michael Isikoff|David Corn
The book delves into the complex web of activities and strategies employed by the Russian government to influence the 2016 U.S. presidential election, including cyber attacks and disinformation campaigns. It also investigates the connections and interactions between Russian operatives and associates of Donald Trump, exploring how these relationships may have impacted the election outcome.
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Prisoners of Geography
Ten Maps That Explain Everything About the World
Tim Marshall
The book explores how geography has shaped the political decisions and international relations of countries around the world. It uses ten maps to illustrate the strategic advantages and limitations that natural landscapes impose on nations, influencing their historical and contemporary choices.
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Black Flags
The Rise of ISIS
Joby Warrick
The book chronicles the origins and expansion of the Islamic State, detailing the roles of key figures in its ascent, including Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. It provides an in-depth look at the strategic mistakes and geopolitical events that facilitated the group's rise to power in the Middle East.
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The End of the World is Just the Beginning
Mapping the Collapse of Globalization
Peter Zeihan
The book explores the potential unraveling of the global economic system due to geopolitical instability, demographic shifts, and resource distribution challenges. It examines how these factors could lead to a breakdown in international trade and cooperation, reshaping the world's political and economic landscapes.
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Poor Economics
A Radical Rethinking of the Way to Fight Global Poverty
Abhijit V. Banerjee|Esther Duflo
The book critically examines the underlying assumptions and effectiveness of traditional poverty alleviation methods, advocating for a precise, evidence-based approach to understanding and solving the economic behaviors and challenges faced by the poor. It presents a collection of field research and randomized control trials to propose targeted interventions that can lead to significant improvements in health, education, and financial well-being for impoverished populations.
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