In The Revenge of Geography: What the Map Tells Us About Coming Conflicts and the Battle Against Fate, Robert Kaplan analyzes the history and nature of the world’s hot spots by examining their climates, topographies, and proximities to other troubled lands. He then applies the lessons learned to the present crises in Europe, Russia, China, the Indian subcontinent, Turkey, Iran, and the Arab Middle East. The result, according to Goodreads, is a holistic interpretation of the next cycle of conflict throughout Eurasia. Kaplan’s argument is that the future can be understood in the context of temperature, land allotment, and other physical certainties.

Our discussion leaders have some supplemental material for us to consider.  First is an utterly fascinating article from the Washington Post entitled, “Six maps that will make you rethink the world.”

Second is this TED talk about building better cities which was aired on NPR’s TED Radio Hour. The link isn’t as direct as I’d like, but the episode is #19 and is highlighted for you.  The talk takes about an hour.