Paul Michael Kennedy CBE FBA was born on the 17th June 1945 in Wallsend, Newcastle upon

Tyne, and is a British historian atYale University specialising in the history of international
relations, economic power and grand strategy. He has published prominent books on the history
of British foreign policy and Great Power struggles. He emphasises the changing economic
power base that undergirds military and naval strength, noting how declining economic power
leads to reduced military and diplomatic weight.