Gripping . . . packed with fascinating detail' – Financial Times‘Indispensable – brilliantly grounded in first-hand experience. Compelling’ – Rory Stewart, author of Politics on the Edge‘Anyone interested in geopolitics should read it’ – Anne Applebaum, author of Autocracy, IncHow do states actually exercise power in an age of chao? rom top defense analyst Dr. Jack Watling, Statecraft reveals the hidden mechanics of global influence. While we watch the headlines, Watling takes us inside the bunkers and wood-paneled offices where the real decisions are made. In this urgent analysis, you will discover:The Iran Paradox: How a sanctioned nation controls global energy prices despite US military might. The Russia-Ukraine Lesson: Why a superpower struggled against a smaller neighbor in the opening months of the invasion. The Aircraft Carrier Dilemma: Why the UK spends billions on hardware it can barely support at sea. The Future of Taiwan: What the shifting ‘rules of power’ mean for the next great flashpoint. Middle Powers: How do smaller countries build leverage and stay off the men? hether it’s economic alliances, sea power, or the latest military technology, Watling provides a powerful new lens to understand a world that feels increasingly out of control.