The New Silk Roads audiobook cover - The Present and Future of the World

The New Silk Roads

The Present and Future of the World

Peter Frankopan

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EconomicsHistoryTechnology & the Future

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The New Silk Roads
Shift of Global Power+
Eastern Economic Expansion+
Contrasting Trade Strategies+
China's Belt and Road Initiative+
Western Backlash and Confusion+
Geopolitical Complications+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 7
According to the text, how has the nature of international 'trophy hunting' changed in the twenty-first century?
  • A. Western elites are now focusing on acquiring Eastern tech companies rather than traditional art.
  • B. Wealthy citizens from countries like China and Russia are now the ones acquiring iconic Western brands, sports events, and cultural institutions.
  • C. European countries are reclaiming historical artifacts that were previously bought by Asian investors.
  • D. The United States has monopolized the acquisition of global sports tournaments and luxury European brands.
Question 2 of 7
While Western nations like the US and Britain have increasingly leaned toward nationalism and isolationism, what trend is occurring in the East?
  • A. Eastern nations are building physical walls to prevent cross-border migration.
  • B. Eastern nations are exclusively focusing on domestic production and rejecting foreign imports.
  • C. Eastern nations are consolidating ties, embracing free trade, and building collaborative multilateral institutions.
  • D. Eastern nations are dissolving their historical trade agreements to focus on military expansion.
Question 3 of 7
Beyond simply boosting trade and infrastructure, what is a primary geopolitical goal of China's Belt and Road Initiative?
  • A. To establish military dominance over the Middle East and Eastern Europe.
  • B. To step into the leadership vacuum left by the West and demonstrate positive global cooperation.
  • C. To monopolize the global technology sector and restrict Western access to the internet.
  • D. To force Central Asian countries to adopt China's domestic political system.
Question 4 of 7
According to retail CEOs, what is the likely outcome of the United States imposing heavy trade tariffs on Chinese products?
  • A. It will successfully force China to sell back iconic American brands.
  • B. It will revitalize the American manufacturing sector within a few years.
  • C. It will cause the immediate collapse of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.
  • D. It will punish ordinary American consumers by driving up the prices of household essentials.
Question 5 of 7
What regional conflict in the Middle East is complicating the United States' strategy of selling weapons to its allies?
  • A. The escalating hostilities and blockade between Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
  • B. The territorial disputes between the United Arab Emirates and Oman.
  • C. The economic competition between Israel and Egypt over the Suez Canal.
  • D. The refusal of Middle Eastern countries to purchase American-made weapons.
Question 6 of 7
How did China manage to avoid robust sanctions from the European Union regarding its actions in the South China Sea?
  • A. By threatening to cut off all manufacturing exports to Western Europe.
  • B. By offering to fund the Brexit campaign in exchange for British veto power.
  • C. By leveraging its relationships with eurosceptic EU members to prevent a unified agreement on firm action.
  • D. By dismantling its military bases in the region before the sanctions could be applied.
Question 7 of 7
Why are many Eastern and Central European nations highly receptive to China's '16 + 1 Initiative'?
  • A. They want to replace their democratic governments with a system modeled after China.
  • B. They feel neglected by Western Europe and welcome China's regional development investments.
  • C. They are seeking military protection from the United States.
  • D. They are hoping to export their domestic luxury brands to the Chinese market.

The New Silk Roads — Full Chapter Overview

The New Silk Roads Summary & Overview

The New Silk Roads (2018) explores current affairs and political trends from an Eastern perspective. Using up-to-date examples and staggering statistics, the blinks explain the complicated global relationships and alliances at play in international relations today.

Who Should Listen to The New Silk Roads?

  • Current affairs enthusiasts looking for fresh insights
  • History buffs wanting a new perspective
  • Business leaders wanting to prepare for the world of tomorrow

About the Author: Peter Frankopan

Peter Frankopan is Professor of Global History at Oxford University and director of the Oxford Centre for Byzantine Research. He is also the international bestselling author of The Silk Roads: A New History of the World (2015).

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