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Great Game On: The contest for Central Asia and Global Supremacy
Exploring the Eurasian power shift
Great Game On is the story of the remaking of the world order. Historically, China has sought its security by building dominant relationships with pliant states that accept its pre-eminence. Its expanding role and influence in Central Asia has been as incremental and piecemeal as it has been deliberate. Without firing a shot, China could potentially end the United States' international primacy to become the most consequential global power. With its emergence as the leading power in Eurasia based on its inexorable economic rise and Putin's folly in Ukraine, China has been released from its past existential anxieties about land-based threats from Eurasia. It now has the chance to project its power globally, as the US did from the early twentieth century when it became the dominant power in the western hemisphere. What threats and risks must China address? And what happens when China becomes the established, stable, dominant power in Eurasia? Australia's former ambassador to China, Geoff Raby, takes the reader on a journey across Eurasia to understand the forces shaping its geopolitics. Raby enriches this analysis by weaving his own travel stories, experiences and adventures into the fabric of his narrative. This book is geopolitics on a grand canvas, written from the ground up.
Great Game On is the story of the remaking of the world order. Historically, China has sought its security by building dominant relationships with pliant states that accept its pre-eminence. Its expanding role and influence in Central Asia has been as incremental and piecemeal as it has been deliberate. Without firing a shot, China could potentially end the United States' international primacy to become the most consequential global power. With its emergence as the leading power in Eurasia based on its inexorable economic rise and Putin's folly in Ukraine, China has been released from its past existential anxieties about land-based threats from Eurasia. It now has the chance to project its power globally, as the US did from the early twentieth century when it became the dominant power in the western hemisphere. What threats and risks must China address? And what happens when China becomes the established, stable, dominant power in Eurasia? Australia's former ambassador to China, Geoff Raby, takes the reader on a journey across Eurasia to understand the forces shaping its geopolitics. Raby enriches this analysis by weaving his own travel stories, experiences and adventures into the fabric of his narrative. This book is geopolitics on a grand canvas, written from the ground up.
284 pages, Paperback
Published November 12, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
October 5, 2025
Presents a great analysis of the past, present, and what it all means for the future. Brilliantly ties in the implications for other actors beyond the central Asian realm. The use of stats and trade figures just enriched the demonstration of how states interacted. Will need to read more of Mr. Raby's work!
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August 19, 2025The most dense, fact-throwing book I've ever read. This was SO DRY it took me SO LONG to get through it. Interesting but don't think I've retained anything.
April 7, 2025
I found this really interesting, particularly discussion of the fragile and historically unusual relationship between Russia and China which is playing out right now. It runs counter to mainstream media slop fed to us, particularly in Australia, about the enmeshed evils of Russia and China- united by their autocratic regimes and anti US/West aspirations, not to say there isn’t truth to this, but clearly the reality is far more complex. I also enjoyed the discussion of the implications for Australia in an increasingly multipolar world. Second Trump term well under way, YIKES. I sure hope we (Australian Government!!!) wises up to the necessities of our geopolitical situation!!!!!
October 14, 2025
by Geoff Raby (np photo)Finish date: 14.10.2025
Genre: Australian non-fiction
Rating: A
#NonFicNov25
Good News: What did I learn? Book core message is a discussion of China and Russia in the past, present and future. Watch out for the broader strategic positioning by China in Central Asia (exchange of ambassadors in 2023 b/t Beijing and Kabul) ! Unlike Russia that insists on invading its neighbours...China creates a greater emphasis on regional connectivity and cooperation with neighbouring countries. Never forget that ...Afghanistan's rich mineral resources are vital for industrial supply chains.
Good News: What did I learn? Geopolitics is complicated...and China a a very "smart cookie"! Despite China's support for Russia ....Ukraine hopes/thinks of the long-term advantages with President Xi: China as a potential peace mediator, China as a major global power and Ukraine’s largest trading partner.
Personal: I never heard of Geoff Raby. He was the former Australian Ambassador to China, serving from 2007 to 2011...and as extra added attraction...he can write and make geopolitics interesting! If you are interested in the actual 'tug and pull' of geopolitics ....this is a great book!
He has a small chance…but this book will speak more to a “niche” history buffs audience.
June 9, 2025
great book moreso the second half, however I understand the importance of explaining the history of the region to set up the contours of central Asian power politics
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews