Great Strategic Rivalries ─ From the Classical World to the Cold War

From the legendary antagonism between Athens and Sparta to the Napoleonic Wars to the two World Wars in the 20th century, the past is littered with strategic rivalries. History tells us that such enduring rivalries can end in one of three ways: a series of exhausting conflicts in which one side eventually prevails, as in the case of Rome vs. Carthage, a peaceful and hopefully orderly transition, like the rivalry between Great Britain and the US at the turn of the 20th century, or a one-sided collapse, such as the Soviet Union in 1991. However, in spite of a wealth of historical examples, the future of state rivalries remains a matter of ambiguous conjecture.

Great Strategic Rivalries explores the causes and implications of past strategic rivalries, revealing lessons for the current geopolitical landscape. Each chapter offers an accessible narrative of a historically significant rivalry, comprehensively covering the political, diplomatic, economic, and military dimensions of its history. Featuring the contributions of world-class historians, including Barry Strauss, Geoffrey Parker, Williamson Murray, and Geoffrey Wawro, this collection provides an in-depth look at state relations. Much more than an engaging history, Great Strategic Rivalries contains valuable lessons pertinent to current policymakers, demonstrating the ways in which one can determine the pitfalls and opportunities from each rivalry.

James Lacey is Course Director and Professor of both Strategic Studies and Political Economy at the Marine Corps War College. His previous books include The Shaping of Grand Strategy: Policy, Diplomacy, and War Diplomac, The Moment of Battle: Twenty Clashes that Changed the World, and The First Clash: The Miraculous Greek Victory at Marathon and Its Impact on Western Civilization.