The World Island: Eurasian Geopolitics and the Fate of the West (Praeger Security International)
Petersen has vast knowledge of Eurasia and displays his almost  encyclopedic knowledge effectively to advance his case... A lively,  diverse book about a lesser-known area of the world, it offers a  challenging set of policy recommendations with the backup of the work of  earlier realist thinkers. –ChoiceA sweeping, succinct and convincing argument for Transatlantic unity.  With Europe's energy needs increasing, the emergence of China, the  uncertainty of Russia's future, and NATO's involvement in Afghanistan  Petersen makes clear that we ignore Eurasia at our peril. For those who  want to understand the vital importance of Eurasia Petersen's strategy  could not have come at a better time. -Dr. Liam Fox, British Secretary  of State for Defence (2010- )The control of the Eurasian landmass and especially America's role in  that formula will determine much of the shape of geopolitics for the  next century. This book enlightens us to the nature of that challenge. -Dr. John Hillen, former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for  Political-Military AffairsInsightful and disconcerting analysis: essential reading for anyone  concerned with Western security. -Edward Lucas, International Editor,  The Economist; bestselling author of The New Cold WarAlexandros Petersen has clearly captured the 'new world order' that is  evolving in the early years of the 21st Century.  Alexandros' vivid  description of the rise of the East in the global geo-strategic  landscape offers Western policy makers a prescriptive for what must be  addressed if Western powers intend to remain influential in a  multi-polar world. -General Charles "Chuck" F. Wald, former Deputy  Commander, United States European CommandWith scholarly verve and a clear analytical eye, Alexandros Petersen  revisits some of the great geopolitical theorists of the past two  centuries. He shows why grand strategy and geography still matter in  Europe and Eurasia and argues convincingly that the political tectonics  of this part of the world continue to shape foreign policymaking. The  World Island will be of interest to anyone who cares about the peoples  and fractured polities of the former Soviet space. -Charles King,  Professor and Chairman of the Faculty, School of Foreign Service,  Georgetown University and author of The Ghost of Freedom: A History of  the CaucasusRecalling--and analyzing--the ideas of such great geopolitical thinkers  as Mackinder, Mahan and Kennan, Alexandros Petersen demonstrates that  current developments in Central Asia will have strategic consequences  for global order. It is a controversial, but extremely well-argued,  conclusion. - Ambassador Richard Burt - Chairman, Global Zero, USAIn his riveting review of grandmasters from Mackinder and Mahan to  Kennan, and by analyzing the Eurasian chessboard from the Baltic Sea to  the Pacific, Alexandros Petersen has crafted a formidable case for why  the United States and its allies must study and practice the fine art of  Eurasian geopolitics. -Dr. Ariel Cohen - Senior Research Fellow in  Russian and Eurasian Studies and International Energy Policy, The  Heritage FoundationWith this book, Alexandros Petersen firmly establishes himself as a  leading scholar of Eurasia.  While one can disagree with his  conclusions, one cannot but agree that the rare combination of deep  historical understanding, fluency in contemporary regional dynamics, and  sharp policy analysis on display in The World Island make it a must  read. -Dr. Samuel Charap - Fellow, Center for American Progress