Eastward to Tartary

In "Eastward to Tartary," acclaimed geopolitical analyst Robert D. Kaplan embarks on a captivating and prescient journey through a volatile, often overlooked region stretching from Hungary and Romania across to the oil-rich shores of the Caspian Sea. Following his bestselling "Balkan Ghosts," Kaplan once again demonstrates his unique ability to blend immersive travelogue with profound historical and political analysis. He navigates a complex tapestry of cultures, conflicts, and emerging powers, introducing readers to a landscape he astutely describes as the "new fault line between East and West." Through vivid anecdotes and encounters with unforgettable characters, Kaplan illuminates the tragic histories and simmering tensions that define this unstable arc, encompassing Turkey, Syria, Israel, the turbulent Caucasus, the burgeoning city of Baku, the deserts of Turkmenistan, and the historically scarred fields of Armenia. The book serves as a vital guide to understanding the intricate dynamics of a region whose future, as Kaplan compellingly argues, holds significant implications for global stability in the decades to come.