NEWS & EVENTS

To Rule Eurasia’s Waves: The New Great Power Competition at Sea

On Wednesday, November 18th, the Reischauer Center hosted a virtual roundtable seminar with Dr. Geoffrey Gresh, Professor of International Security Studies at the College of International Security Affairs (CISA), National Defense University in Washington, D.C. His presentation on his recently published book, To Rule Eurasia’s Waves: The New Great Power Competition at Sea, assessed the emerging Eurasian powers of India, China, and Russia and their role in driving maritime great power competition.

Dr. Gresh argued that maritime geoeconomics, securing Eurasia’s sea lanes of communication (SLOCS), and a desire to alter a U.S.-led world order and great power status, are key motivating factors behind such competition. Furthermore, Dr. Gresh argued that the melting of the Arctic ice cap and subsequent creation of new sealanes will exacerbate the push for maritime dominance and acquisition of natural resources. This book makes a case for the ways in which climate change is orienting Eurasia towards a maritime posture, the competitive global scramble to adapt to such geographic shifts, and the creation of a new world order.

Following his presentation, Dr. Gresh answered questions from Reischauer Director Dr. Calder, Ambassador David Shear, and Johns Hopkins affiliated students