A Crucible of Nations: The Geopolitics of the Caucasus

by Lauren Goodrich, Peter Zeihan

The Caucasus region historically has served as a battleground between the empires of old, with a dense population of nationalities constantly vying for leverage over one another and their imperial would-be rulers. In the modern day, three major powers — post-Soviet Russia, Islamic Iran and Republican Turkey — are all rising to prominence at the same time, and regardless of their wishes, all are drawn to the border zone between them.

Genres: Politics, History, Nonfiction, International Relations, Economics

136 pages, Paperback

First published April 27, 2011

Reviews

[George Siehl · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an in-depth geostrategic review of the region of the Caucasus Mountains, lying between the Black and Caspian Seas. The region consists of three countries forming the intra Caucasus: Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. They are bounded by three major countries, Iran, Russia, and Turkey. Also involved are a number of republics left over from the Soviet years. The latter are primarily in Russia, but have sentiments, ethnicities, and aspirations that are not fully Russian. Together these entities form a complex geographic mix harboring many, many lingering grievances and conflicts.

The work is a product of Stratfor, a former geostrategic consulting firm. Two authors, Lauren Goodrich and Peter Zeihan produced the several chapters, while George Friedman, founder of Stratfor, adds a Conclusion. The result is an informative, if uneven, treatment of the topic. This reader has previously reviewed several books by Zeihan and Friedman here on Goodreads.

The chapters provide detail on the geography of the region and the history of the interactions among the nations. The Conclusion examines the meaning of the region to the United States. This meaning, Friedman writes, is filtered through the US relationship with each of the three major nations surrounding the region. He stresses the potential importance of Azerbaijan as a "linchpin" for American interests in the region. Friedman notes that, for the US, "Abandoning the region is not an existential loss." He goes on to state, however, "The costs of a Turkey-Azerbaijan-Georgia bloc are relatively low financially and politically, and the advantage that could be gained against Iran and/or Russia substantial." The book was published in 2011. The new links of history that have been forged since then, primarily the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and more recently the Hamas slaughter in Israel and the subsequent reaction. Both are presenting the US with increasing "financial and political" costs, so costs that may have been low in 2011 are likely to be perceived as much higher today.

Reading the book now can only raise more obvious overlays of reality--such as the war in Ukraine--upon the detailed information base the three authors provide.

[Sarah Skeen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew virtually nothing about the Caucasus before reading this book. Peter Zeihan is one of my favorite authors, and while it was not as entertaining as his subsequent books, it was just as informative. It may seem like 122 pages would be a quick read, but this read like my junior year high school AP history book with impressive amounts of information packed into each page.

[Robert Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good survey.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished this. Seemed to be quite accurate and took into account thousands of years of history. Great read!