Recent events have reminded us how geography shapes the rise, projection, and limitations of national power. We examine the enduring influence of geography, natural resources, demographics, transportation networks, and strategic locations on state behavior and international competition. We use historical and contemporary case studies, to analyze how geography affects military strategy, economic development, political stability, and foreign policy decision-making.

• Week 1: Empires, neo-empires, and the geography of power projection from Rome to Russia and China
• Week 2: Buffer states, geopolitical origins of the Russia-Ukraine war
• Week 3: Iran, Israel, and the geopolitics of the Middle East: energy, security, and regional power competition
• Week 4: Energy security, Iran energy crisis, geopolitics of oil and natural gas
• Week 5: The post-Soviet space: Russian influence, frozen conflicts, Eurasian security
• Week 6: China’s rise, the Belt and Road Initiative, geography of Eurasian power
• Week 7: South America in global geopolitics, the influence of China, Russia, and the U.S.
• Week 8: Maritime power, strategic chokepoints, critical infrastructure, and the role of geography between and among the super-powers