Nayef R. F. al- Rodhan Books

This book is the result of a Symposium on Potential Global Strategic Catastrophes, which took place in Geneva, Switzerland in 2008. The catastrophes chosen do not include remote and less immediate events. Only those with the potential to produce multiple cascading strategic dilemmas for states and the international system were selected. These dilemmas include balancing the sovereign rights of states with human rights, transnational responsibilities and burden-sharing under occasional geopolitical uncertainties. The book deals with the theoretical foundations of coping with catastrophes and the relevant inter-state and organisational paradigms. Other sections address specific catastrophes and their potential consequences: pandemics, water crises, global warming, nanosecurity, nuclear catastrophes, financial meltdown, cyber crises, demographic imbalances and forced migrations, state failure and war, massive conventional terrorist attacks and threats to energy supply.

SUSTAINABLE HISTORY AND THE DIGNITY OF MAN presents a new philosophy of history, emphasizing that sustainable history is driven by good governance. This governance must balance human nature's emotionality, amorality, and egoism with the dignity needs of reason, security, human rights, accountability, transparency, justice, opportunity, innovation, and inclusiveness. The author establishes minimum criteria for governance that respect local cultures while aligning with common global values to foster moral and political cooperation. Using an ocean model to illustrate a unified human civilization, the text advocates for a shared human narrative encompassing diverse geo-cultural domains and sub-cultures, highlighting their historical interconnections. The author contends that the success of all geo-cultural domains is essential for humanity's overall triumph, which relies on reason and an understanding of knowledge's indeterminate nature, as explored in the new theory of knowledge: "Neuro-rational Physicalism." This work thoroughly examines historical and contemporary methods for achieving a qualitatively adequate social life globally. It stresses the urgent need for intercultural dialogue, supported by substantial empirical evidence. The book serves as a compelling humanist statement on the importance of human interaction, promoting a vision of mutual respect grounded in scientific reasoning and normative aspirations.

This book introduces a comprehensive framework for 21st-century statecraft, termed neo-statecraft, which reconciles power, interests, and justice. It outlines four key components: 1) meta-geopolitics, a new structure encompassing seven interconnected dimensions of state power and identifying a Geostrategic Tripwire Pivotal Corridor (TPC); 2) a sustainable national security paradigm emphasizing justice, symbiotic realism, and transcultural synergy; 3) the concept of just power, asserting that power must be both smart and just, with global justice as a national interest for all states; and 4) reconciliation statecraft addressing eight global interests. Dr. Nayef R. F. Al-Rodhan, a Senior Scholar in Geostrategy at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy, presents a refreshing re-examination of statecraft and geopolitics, offering concepts that can inspire new research and policy initiatives. His work builds on previous ideas to update traditional geopolitical views, contributing significantly to strategic thinking and diplomacy. The book meticulously describes the transformation of the international system and the challenges it poses for contemporary statecraft, utilizing analytical tools to address potential future issues. This intellectually courageous endeavor provides deeper insights into current and future security challenges.