The Importance of Geopolitical Thinking in American Military History

Aaron O’Connell, Associate Professor of History at the University of Texas at Austin, joins the show to talk about the “founding fathers” of 20th century geopolitical thought: Mahan, Mackinder, and Spykman. 

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Times 

  •    01:46 Introduction 

    •    02:20 From Marine to scholar to the NSC

    •    06:24 Alfred T. Mahan

    •    12:27 Choke points, decisive battle, and battleships

    •   15:45 Security through imperialism  

    •    18:08 Chinese Mahanians

    •    20:33 China’s crowded neighborhood

    •    21:27 Halford Mackinder

    •   28:56 Heartland rising  

    •    31:36 Inner and outer crescent

    •    33:01 Nicholas Spykman 

    •    37:55 The nature of power

    •    39:03 Containment

    •   42:11 The American role

    •    46:22 The path of partnerships

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