Books & ideas

Geographers in Battalions

Cédric Tellenne — 2025-09-18T07:00:00Z

At the beginning of World War II, Americans were convinced that German geopolitical thinking was behind the stunning military successes of the Nazis. They sought to turn this thinking against their enemies, before using it as a weapon against the USSR during the Cold War.

Africas in the World

Ayrton Aubry — 2024-02-13T13:41:55Z

At a time when simplistic representations of Africa's role in international relations are being perpetuated, Sonia Le Gouriellec's book provides a review of the main studies on the place of the continent in the global arena from past to present.

Capitalist Pandemonium

Éric Monnet — 2023-02-09T06:00:00Z

In a new book, Robert Boyer offers an analysis of the economic and political consequences of the pandemic that counter to irenic claims about the advent of a new world. His geopolitics of capitalisms takes a worried view of the conflicts between states and multinational corporations.

A New Conflict Era

Floriano Filho — 2020-07-13T07:17:46Z

Japan and the Korean peninsula share a troubled history, and the already tense relationships of these areas have been deteriorating over the past few years. Floriano Filho maps out these tensions as well as their symptoms—which include an arms race—while bringing light to their historical roots.

What is a Realist?

Florian Louis — 2016-10-27T07:00:00Z

Political leaders are often accused of cynicism in their handling of international relations. Others see such behavior as no more than “realism.” But what exactly does this term mean? Two recent works reconsider the origins of the concepts of Realpolitik and geopolitics and challenge the dichotomy between values and interests.

Behind the Scenes at the COP21

Jean Foyer — 2016-05-26T07:20:18Z

The climate has become a major stake in international cooperation. The sociologist Jean Foyer, who observed the COP21 at Le Bourget (France) in December 2015, considers the major trends and defining moments of the latest round of climate negotiations.

Best of Books & Ideas, Part 4: Geopolitics & Conflict

Ophélie Siméon — 2015-08-10T05:30:00Z

Books & Ideas is going on holiday for the summer, and will resume its publication schedule in September. In the meantime, we present you with a weekly roundup of our most recent essays and reviews.

With the rise of ISIS and ongoing warfare in the Middle East, the year 2015 has been fraught with geopolitical debates. What constitutes a state? In an era of redefined national allegiances, how can we define borders, sovereignty, state power and state legitimacy? Focused mainly on the Middle East and the Russian Federation, the articles featured in our fourth summer selection develop threads of analysis going beyond these often blurred national and regional boundaries.