Parts 1 and 2

Date and Time: 5/13, 21:30

Online

Participants: kdg, JAYU, mori, Bench Press, Born to Run, Rudino, Tiberius

Book Title: Eurasian Geopolitics

Author: Hal Brands

Publication Year: 2026

Publisher: 21st Century Books

Assigned Reading: Chapters 1 and 2

1. Rediscovering Classical Geopolitical Theory

Participants noted that the theories of classical geopolitical thinkers such as Mackinder, Mahan, and Spykman are still deeply reflected in modern U.S. national strategy.

Maritime hegemony: As in Mahan’s theory, they reaffirmed that securing maritime trade and command of the seas remains central to global influence.

Heartland and Rimland: They analyzed Mackinder’s warning that whoever controls the Eurasian continent can dominate the world, as well as U.S. strategic efforts to prevent the rise of a hegemonic power on the outer rim of Eurasia.

2. Parallels Between World War I and the Current Situation (Déjà Vu)

The discussion drew parallels between the period just before World War I, when Germany’s rise threatened British hegemony, and the current U.S.-China relationship.

The return of ideological conflict: Just as World War I was seen as a confrontation between “liberalism (UK-France-U.S.) vs. authoritarianism (Germany),” participants suggested that today’s world is also taking shape as “liberalism (U.S.-Japan-Europe) vs. authoritarianism (China-Russia-Iran-North Korea).”

The impatience of dictators: Just as Germany’s leadership at the time chose war based on the judgment that “time is not on our side,” concerns were raised that Putin or Xi Jinping might also make extreme choices—such as invading Ukraine or Taiwan—to overcome internal crises involving regime survival and demographic change.

3. America’s Strategy: Isolationism vs. Internationalism

A lively debate followed on the isolationist tendencies in the United States that have become more visible since the Trump administration.

Concern: Some argued that just as the United States’ return to isolationism after World War I and its refusal to join the League of Nations ultimately helped set the stage for World War II, America’s current isolationist moves could also bring disorder to the international order.

Counterargument: Others argued that this shift is not a simple change of heart, but a reaction against “free-rider states (such as China)” that benefit from the free trade system without bearing its costs, and that it also stems from the practical constraint of the collapse of the American middle class.

4. China’s Prospects for Hegemony and the Eurasian Situation

Participants exchanged differing views on whether China can truly become a hegemonic power.

Skeptical view: Some criticized China by arguing that “hegemony” requires consent to a set of values, whereas China relies on coercion and violence. An interesting prediction was also raised that if China tries to seize hegemony over Eurasia, it will first face a check—or betrayal—from Russia.

Threat assessment: Nevertheless, it was also noted that China is already shaking the existing order through tariffs and control of resources, and that in the process of trying to contain it, the United States could unintentionally—or through provocation—heighten the risk of World War III.

5. The Significance of the Ukraine War and the Korean War

The group evaluated the importance of both wars in terms of solidarity within the free world.

Lesson: To avoid repeating the mistake of the free world’s delayed unity during World War II, they assessed that the swift response during the Korean War became a major foundation for defending the free market economy.

Sense of indebtedness: Participants also expressed the view that Ukraine, by holding back Russia and buying time, is placing the entire free world deeply in its debt, including by helping deter an invasion of Taiwan. The need for more active support was also discussed.

[Closing of the Meeting]

Participants found it interesting that the ways of thinking of past geopolitical theorists still remain relevant to today’s political leaders, and they concluded the meeting by agreeing to continue the discussion next week and examine international affairs in greater depth.

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Original title: <유라시아 지정학> 1,2부

Author: Jayujuui Ipmun Dokseotoronmoim

Date: 2026-05-19

Source: https://www.cfe.org/bbs/bbsDetail.php?cid=reading01&pn=1&idx=28934