Open Book with Anthony Scaramucci cover image

Open Book with Anthony Scaramucci

The Eurasian Century with Hal Brands

Mar 5, 2025
Hal Brands, a professor at Johns Hopkins University and author of 'The Eurasian Century', delves into the critical role of Eurasia in global affairs. He outlines how U.S. policies have inadvertently strengthened the ties between Russia and China. Brands discusses the intriguing geopolitical dance between these nations and the challenges posed by their autocratic regimes. He also highlights the complexities surrounding the U.S. response to the Ukraine crisis and stresses the need for a strategic American presence in Eurasia to ensure global stability.
32:12

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Eurasia's historical significance defines global power dynamics, making it essential for the U.S. to engage effectively in the region.
  • The partnership between China and Russia strengthens due to mutual autocratic governance and opposition to American influence, reshaping international relations.

Deep dives

Eurasia as the Geopolitical Center

Eurasia is presented as the strategic heart of global power, where most of the world's population, economic resources, and military capabilities reside. Historically, control over this vast landmass has equated to unrivaled global power, a reality emphasized by the technological advancements of the 20th century that facilitated rapid troop movements across the region. This historical context is crucial, as it set the stage for major conflicts like World War I, World War II, and the Cold War, leading to ongoing geopolitical struggles. The current decade is characterized as the fourth phase of this struggle, where understanding Eurasia’s dynamics is essential for any comprehensive approach to international relations.

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