Madelyne Rossmann’s Reviews > The Silk Roads: A New History of the World > Status Update

Conclusion was a great wrap-up, providing a quick summary of global current (circa 2015) state of affairs and focusing on the rise of Asia once more as an economically important region. This author did an INCREDIBLE job wrapping up this book. I truly don't think I have ever read something so ambitious and impactful to my worldview. This is truly a must-read for people who want to understand today's geopolitics.

Made it to my lifetime. It's so bleak. A quote that is staying with me: "We are all directly affected by the power politics going on thousands of miles away. It is easy to forget that, in the developing world, cents can make the difference between life and death; the enforcement of embargoes can mean silent suffocation for those whose voices cannot be heard ..." Damn. This book is certainly a must-read.

Late-1970s to the 1990 Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. All about America's meddling in the Middle East, and its sorry attempts to thwart the USSR. A particularly impactful quote: "Across the globe, human rights came a distant second behind U.S. interests". Good to know nothing has changed, I guess. Also, I didn't realize Carter was responsible for escalation tensions with Iran.

Progressing to the late-1970s, with the focus entirely on how America has meddled in the Middle East. The citizens (and governments) are getting fed up. The countries are amassing weapons and beginning to dabble in nuclear technology. Western influence is being rejected. Tensions rise.

More of America's involvement in the Middle East! I didn't realize it was Eisenhower that brought us in to the Middle East. Super interesting to get more specific information about how the U.S. is the bad guy beyond just general sentiment. Again, it is very timely to be learning about Iran and the Ayatollah gaining political power. Also, I had no clue Venezuela was a founding member of OPEC.

America's road to nefarious involvement in the Middle East, coupled with Britain's hasty and reckless retreat. Incredibly timely read! This chapter spent much time discussing 1940s and 50s Iran, focusing on the CIA-backed coup to protect the West's oil access. It all comes back to oil. Anyway, power to the protestors in Iran. Incredible and scary scenes there - but powerful to see.

World War II. Wheat shortages in captured Soviet territory force Hitler's hand. Also... Zionists bargaining with Hitler for Palestinian land in 1940. Insane, though not surprising considering that Israel still shrugs off ACTUAL anti-Semitism as long as it's to their benefit. Fuck Israel and free Palestine. Anyway, I'm disappointed the author didn't mention other groups targeted in the Holocaust. Still a good chapter.

Germany and the USSR aligning themselves led to Germany invading Poland and launching Europe into WWII. Germany continued to feel economic pressure as Stalin tightly controlled the oil and agricultural imports into Germany. Hitler devises Operation Barbarossa so that Germany may gain control of Ukraine and its agricultural assets. He's also sweet-talking Persia and other Islamic leaders on the side. So many threads.

Britain grapples to keep control of its oil monopoly in Persia, creating a puppet state that is doomed to fail in Iraq. As outside pressure grows, Britain begins to make concessions - though it gains some valuable territory near the Suez Canal in the process. A piece of land they can send unwanted immigrants to, and still maintain control over sea lanes and proximity to oil fields. Hmmmmm...

Crash course in oil and how it was a driving force in politics right before, during, and in the aftermath of WWI. Britain's, and to a lesser extent France's, involvement in the Middle East really paved the way for the world we live in today. Although infuriating, it was interesting to learn the history of oil and its commodification. Makes you wonder about current U.S. involvement in Venezuela...