Phil Kelly’s writings, collected in the volume ” Selected Essays in Classical Geopolitics: From the New Heartlands to the Water Wars ,” edited by Tiberio Graziani and Emanuel Pietrobon for Callive Media & Books, present an examination of  classical geopolitics , distinguishing it from  realism  and arguing that the former focuses on the impact of  geographic features  on foreign policy, while the latter emphasizes the  management of power . The author, Phil Kelly, Professor Emeritus of Geopolitics at Emporia State University, redefines  Mackinder’s  concept of the  Heartland , suggesting that North America , particularly the Mississippi River basin, is the current global geopolitical pivot due to its abundant water resources and strategic location, which allow the United States to balance Eurasian powers. The  geopolitics of scarcity is also explored , predicting future conflicts related to dwindling global resources and inequality, with an emphasis on water challenges. Overall, the texts highlight how  geography  and the  availability of resources , particularly water, are determining factors for the security and prosperity of states.

read more…