A New U.S. Grand Strategy: The Eurasia Challenge, With Hal Brands
Jan 21, 2025
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Hal Brands, a distinguished professor of Global Affairs at Johns Hopkins and author of The Eurasian Century, joins James M. Lindsay to dissect the critical U.S. interests in Eurasia. They explore the historical struggle for power in the region and the implications for national security. Brands highlights China's ambitions and the risks posed by rising autocracies. The conversation emphasizes the importance of military readiness and allies in maintaining global stability, arguing against neo-isolationism in favor of active U.S. engagement.
Hal Brands emphasizes that control of Eurasia has historically been crucial for global power dynamics and U.S. national security.
The podcast highlights the need for proactive U.S. foreign policy and military investment to counter rising authoritarian influences in Eurasia.
Deep dives
The Eurasian Century Defined
The concept of the Eurasian century emphasizes that the Eurasian landmass has historically been the center of global power struggles due to its population density and wealth of resources. Since the early 20th century, this region has witnessed major conflicts shaped by the intersection of technological advancement and ideological conflict. The development of transportation networks, such as the Trans-Siberian Railway, enabled more rapid military mobilization, while the industrial revolution heightened the intensity and duration of wars. This tumultuous backdrop illustrates how aggressive powers within Eurasia have pursued expansionist agendas while offshore powers, like the United States and Britain, have worked to contain their influence.
Historical Powers and Their Ambitions
Over the past century, various authoritarian regimes have aimed to dominate Eurasia, each impacting global dynamics. In World War I, Germany sought to expand its empire into Eastern Europe, while during World War II, Axis powers like Japan and Italy pursued their imperialistic ambitions across vast territories. The Cold War saw the Soviet Union trying to expand its influence from Eastern Europe to Asia, establishing a significant communist bloc. Today, a new coalition of authoritarian states, including China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea, strive for regional dominance, further complicating the balance of power and posing challenges for U.S. interests.
The Role of Geopolitical Thinkers
Several key geopolitical thinkers, notably Halford Mackinder and Alfred Thayer Mahan, have profoundly influenced the understanding of Eurasia's strategic significance. Mackinder argued that control over Eurasia equates to global power, with the completion of the Trans-Siberian Railway marking a pivotal moment in the potential for land power projection. Meanwhile, Mahan highlighted the importance of naval power and alliances in combating land powers threatening maritime trade routes. The interplay of their ideas reflects a continuing concern that instability in Eurasia can spill over into broader global conflicts, necessitating U.S. engagement to maintain the balance of power.
The U.S. and Global Engagement
The pursuit of a proactive U.S. foreign policy is framed as essential for maintaining global stability and preventing the emergence of hostile powers in Eurasia. Historical experiences from both World Wars demonstrated that American military involvement was crucial in tipping the balance towards victory, underscoring that absence can lead to greater risks for U.S. security. Critics advocating for retrenchment often overlook the dangers of allowing regional powers to grow unchallenged, which could eventually affect the U.S. directly. Thus, the necessity of allied cooperation and increased military expenditure is highlighted as vital for effectively countering rising authoritarian threats, with attention to the lessons learned from past intervention mistakes.
Hal Brands, Henry A. Kissinger distinguished professor of Global Affairs at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and author of The Eurasian Century: Hot Wars, Cold Wars, and the Making of the Modern World, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss how and why control of Eurasia affects U.S. national security. This episode is the fifth in a continuing TPI series on U.S. grand strategy.