[stu]

Decided to get this book after seeing it quoted by other authors such as Michael Klare, Michael Ruppert and Richard Heinberg.

Written in 1997 before the "War on Terror" had even started this book was seen as being the key work in geopolitical circles regarding Americas current position in the world at that time. Brzezinski sets out a plan as to how America should take advantage of it's current position in the world as the sole superpower and set out to dominate the world for the long-term future.

The key area for doing this is Eurasia. Brzezinski explains how he believes that this area, especially the oil producing areas of Central Asia, have to come under American influence in order for America to halt the growth in power of China and expand it's influence globally.

He explains how America should use it's good relations with the European Union on the west side of Eurasia and with Japan on the east side to influence nations and gain power.

Some people have pointed to this book as being like a blueprint for the war on terror or something more sinister. Current events seem to show that this is either wrong or George W.Bush is not taking the advice. For example it emphasises that Russia should be coaxed into co-operating with the EU more because this would benefit them financially. Quite the opposite seems to be happening.

There is not an emphasis on energy being the key motive but I suspect that this is a major underlying theme. Brzezinski names an area from the Middle East through to the Central Asian states as "The Eurasian Balkans". He believes that this area is very volatile due to the major ethnic races that are mixed into all these separate countries. Co-incidentally this area is also the major oil producing area of the globe.

If you want a geopolitical understanding of this region and also of options facing Russia, China and the United States then I recommend this thoroughly. It's a lot to take in but well worth the read.

Rating=*****

[Aaron]

He's was one Face the Nation this morning and pretty much said the US should have 500,000 troops in Iraq to be successful in fostering a new government.

[Bandidoz]

I have found this book very difficult to read indeed, and have not yet reached the end. The most interesting aspect so far has been the idea of Russia applying the "divide and conquer" principle to the Baltic states.

Rating = **