Part II, The Early-Twenty-First-Century Map, Chapters IX-X, The Geography of European Divisions, Russian and the Independent Heartland Summary and Analysis

Despite the fact that most geopoliticians focus on Afro-Asia, Europe remains incredibly important, aside from just its financial properties. Many of Kaplan's favored intellectuals were focused on Europe and thought it would remain primary in world events. Europe has always been shaped by its relationship with Asia and Asian threats like Russia. Strong Eastern European states will protect Europe from Russia. But its own internal divides, such as the present tension between Germany and Greece, will still affect it. Europe cannot escape its divided geography any time soon.

Geographically, Europe would have always had the capacity to dominate the world given its rich natural resources and wide access to...