Upcoming Nonfiction Titles Shaping International Affairs

30 Must-Read Books on Foreign Policy for 2025

As the year draws to a close, we eagerly anticipate the thought-provoking and insightful books that will shape our understanding of international relations in the coming years. From sprawling histories of the global order to poignant accounts of life under Xi Jinping's China, here are 30 essential nonfiction titles for your reading list that will resonate throughout 2025.

"These books will offer a kaleidoscope of perspectives on the world we live in and challenge our assumptions about how it works." —Dr. Hal Brands, Professor of International Relations, Johns Hopkins University

January

• The Eurasian Century: A compelling exploration of the strategic significance of Eurasia and its impact on global politics.
• Land Power: An analysis of how land ownership has shaped modern history, highlighting its profound implications for societies worldwide.
• House of Huawei: An investigative exposé into the rise and influence of the Chinese technology giant, Huawei.
• Dark Laboratory: A provocative examination of the Caribbean as a testing ground for Western colonialism and its lasting legacy.
• Waste Land: A World in Permanent Crisis: A thought-provoking meditation on the historical and philosophical roots of perpetual global crises.
• Being Jewish After the Destruction of Gaza: A personal and philosophical reflection on the role of Judaism in the aftermath of the devastating conflict.

February

• Summer of Fire and Blood: A comprehensive history of the German Peasants' War, shedding light on its transformative impact on European history.
• The World After Gaza: A History: A nuanced exploration of the competing narratives surrounding Israel's war in Gaza and its global implications.
• Talk to Me: Lessons from a Family Forged by History: A touching memoir that intertwines personal experiences with the tumultuous history of Haiti.
• The Folly of Realism: A critical assessment of U.S. foreign policy towards Russia, advocating for a new paradigm to address Russian expansionism.
• Chokepoints: American Power in the Age of Economic Warfare: An insider's perspective on how economic warfare has become a defining strategy in modern geopolitics.
• Righting Wrongs: Three Decades on the Front Lines Battling Abusive Governments: A firsthand account of the challenges and triumphs of fighting for human rights in the global arena.
• One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This: A heartfelt and provocative critique of Western values and policies, arguing for a fundamental reckoning with the past.

March

• Erased: A History of International Thought Without Men: An eye-opening revelation of the marginalized contributions of women to国际关系理论.
• How to Feed the World: The History and Future of Food: A comprehensive and solution-oriented analysis of the global food system, addressing hunger and sustainability.
• Let Only Red Flowers Bloom: Identity and Belonging in Xi Jinping's China: A poignant exploration of the experiences of individuals resisting conformity in modern China.
• Abundance: A thought-provoking call for a paradigm shift from scarcity to abundance, envisioning a future where societal problems can be effectively resolved.

April

• The Once and Future World Order: Why Global Civilization Will Survive the Decline of the West: An optimistic vision of arules-based global orderpersisting amidst the West's waning influence.
• To Save and to Destroy: Writing as an Other: A literary and political analysis of the role of outsiders in writing and the fostering of global solidarity.
• Searches: Selfhood in the Digital Age: A technology-centric examination of how digital technologies are reshaping our sense of self and the implications for humanity.
• More Everything Forever: AI Overlords, Space Empires, and Silicon Valley's Crusade to Control the Fate of Humanity: A critical evaluation of the technological utopian visions of Silicon Valley billionaires, highlighting their potential risks.
• Strangers in the Land: Exclusion, Belonging, and the Epic Story of the Chinese in America: A comprehensive history of Chinese immigration to the United States, exploring the struggles and triumphs of belonging.
• America, Amér