Statecraft: The New Rules of Power in a Divided World

From top defence analyst Jack Watling, Statecraft reveals how states collaborate, compete and fight in this era of global turmoil. For readers of Prisoners of Geography or Material World

Why did Russia struggle in the early months of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine? Why does Israel ignore international pressure on Gaza? Why does the UK spend billions on aircraft carriers that it struggles to support at sea? How do smaller states shape world events when dwarfed by superpowers?

The world today is gripped by conflict. Whether in Ukraine, the Middle East or Taiwan, we are in a period of intense power competition. In Statecraft, Dr Jack Watling takes you behind the scenes to meet the world’s powerbrokers in their wood-panelled offices, and the bunkers from which battles are coordinated.

With a career spent on the ground in conflict zones, and advising generals and political leaders, Watling examines the dilemmas that states face to get ahead, no matter their size. From economic alliances and global trade to sea power and military technology, Statecraft provides a powerful new lens to understand geopolitics in a divided world.

© 2026 Macmillan (Audiobook): 9781035059102

Release date

Audiobook: 19 March 2026