By Tim Marshall
This is an excellent summary of today's world geopolitics, and the way geography influences them. Of course our politics and economies are driven by the activities of people. Geography is the playing field. It helps or hinders what a country can do.
Examples...
A large portion of China's fresh water comes from rivers that originate in Tibet. It would be a crises if Tibet ever restricted access to those waters. Of course China wants to control Tibet.
While India and China are right next to each other, they have had very few conflicts, or deep trading relationships. This is because they are separated by the Himalayas.
Russia only has one warm water port-- in the Crimea. Their other ports freeze over for three or four months of the year. The route from Crimea to the Atlantic takes them through waters controlled by the Ukraine and Turkey. Of course they don't want the Ukraine or Turkey to become NATO allies.
Random situation I want to remember...
When pressing a Chinese official about human rights. The official responded "Why do you think your values will work in a culture that you don't understand?"
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