What do you think?
Rate this book
Statecraft: As featured on The Rest is Politics
'Indispensable – brilliantly grounded in first-hand experience and telling detail. Compelling' – Rory Stewart, bestselling author of Politics on the Edge
From top defence analyst Jack Watling, Statecraft reveals how states collaborate, compete and fight in this era of global turmoil.
Why did Russia struggle in the early months of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine?
Why does Israel ignore international pressure on Gaza?
Why does the UK spend billions on aircraft carriers that it struggles to support at sea?
How do smaller states shape world events when dwarfed by superpowers?
The world today is gripped by conflict. Whether in Ukraine, the Middle East or Taiwan, we are in a period of intense power competition. In Statecraft, Dr Jack Watling takes you behind the scenes to meet the world’s powerbrokers in their wood-panelled offices, and the bunkers from which battles are coordinated.
With a career spent on the ground in conflict zones, and advising generals and political leaders, Watling examines the dilemmas that states face to get ahead, no matter their size. From economic alliances and global trade to sea power and military technology, Statecraft provides a powerful new lens to understand geopolitics in a divided world.
‘Anyone interested in geopolitics should read it’ – Anne Applebaum, bestselling author of Autocracy, Inc
From top defence analyst Jack Watling, Statecraft reveals how states collaborate, compete and fight in this era of global turmoil.
Why did Russia struggle in the early months of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine?
Why does Israel ignore international pressure on Gaza?
Why does the UK spend billions on aircraft carriers that it struggles to support at sea?
How do smaller states shape world events when dwarfed by superpowers?
The world today is gripped by conflict. Whether in Ukraine, the Middle East or Taiwan, we are in a period of intense power competition. In Statecraft, Dr Jack Watling takes you behind the scenes to meet the world’s powerbrokers in their wood-panelled offices, and the bunkers from which battles are coordinated.
With a career spent on the ground in conflict zones, and advising generals and political leaders, Watling examines the dilemmas that states face to get ahead, no matter their size. From economic alliances and global trade to sea power and military technology, Statecraft provides a powerful new lens to understand geopolitics in a divided world.
‘Anyone interested in geopolitics should read it’ – Anne Applebaum, bestselling author of Autocracy, Inc
391 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 19, 2026
259 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 of 1 review
April 1, 2026
Insightful, clearly presented, skilled analysis - a timely book that should be read by everyone, most especially those in positions of power in their countries. Be forewarned if you don't have any power to change world events, as this book will terrify. Read it anyway - it's that informative and that well written.
Displaying 1 of 1 review