The World

March 1, 2020
The president of the Council on Foreign Relations presents "the basics of what you need to know about the world, to make you more globally literate." In a follow-up to A World in Disarray (2017), Haass, a former diplomat and adviser for both George H.W. Bush and Colin Powell, examines "the ideas, issues, and institutions essential for a basic understanding of the world." Though he focuses primarily on the era beginning with the Thirty Years' War, the author references ancient history when it sheds light on contemporary circumstances. Haass takes a rather middle-of-the-road approach, trying to describe the mechanics of political science and global affairs in a way that provides context and perspective in writing that moves at a lively clip, both compact and inviting. Although he covers all the regions of the world, the lion's share of the attention goes to, in descending order, Europe, North America, Asia, and everywhere else. The author explores the way things work, or don't, in the political sphere: How do various state actors contend with terrorism? Did nuclear proliferation ever serve a positive role? Will cybercrime turn the internet on its head? Where are global health and trade headed? Will alliances and coalitions ever be enough to ensure global order? How do we best navigate the increasing effects of climate change? Throughout, Haass tries to track certain historical trajectories, with mixed success. During a discussion of the post-Cold War era, he writes, "no one would have the ability--and few would have the desire--to challenge the primacy of the United States given its tradition, with some exceptions, of not seeking to impose its will on others." A strong case can be made for the primacy of "exceptions." In covering so much territory in so little space, Haass can't help but do a lot of skimming, though the lacunae are beguiling enough to make readers seek out deeper investigations into certain topics--and the author's "Where To Go For More" section is a good start. A valiant attempt, with many fruitful insights, to help fashion citizens capable of sound independent judgments.

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March 9, 2020
The planet is in a state both promising and perilous and needs America to stay involved in international relations, argues this superficial primer on world affairs. Haass (A World in Disarray), president of the Council on Foreign Relations and a former U. S. State Department official and Middle East policy adviser to George H.W. Bush, pitches his overview at generalists trying to understand developments abroad and their implications for America. After a whirlwind montage of world history since the 17th century, he focuses on the post-WWII period and looks at present-day conditions in various regional powers and hot spots. He then offers quick, chapter-long briefings on geopolitical issues, including climate change, nuclear proliferation, migration, trade, pandemics, development strategies for impoverished countries, war, and the rise of China. Haass’s rehash of these topics is cautious, evenhanded, and centrist—he advocates for a prudent but engaged American foreign policy that steers between adventurism and isolationism. (He notes his opposition to the invasion of Iraq, for example, but castigates the Obama administration for not punishing the Syrian government for using chemical weapons against insurgents.) Haas’s broad survey may make a useful introduction for neophytes, but it’s too shallow and conventional to hold much interest for readers who closely follow the news.