Status Updates From As Rotas da Seda: Uma Nova ...

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.

Loving this so interesting, rich in material new to me, and apposite

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.