List of Illustrations

Atlantic Europe 20

The Soviet Empire 25

Yugoslavia and the Balkans 33

Earthquake Zone 35

Islamic World—Modern 36

U.S. River System 41

South America: Impassable Terrain 43

Pacific Trade Routes 67

Successor States to the Soviet Union 71

Ukraine’s Strategic Significance 72

Four Europes 75

Turkey in 2008 81

Ottoman Empire 82

Mexico Prior to Texas Rebellion 85

China: Impassable Terrain 89

China’s Population Density 90

Silk Road 91

The Caucasus 108

Central Asia 110

Poacher’s Paradise 137