Austin D. Kaplan

Robert D. Kaplan is an American author and journalist whose extensive career spans over three decades, focusing on politics, foreign affairs, and travel. His work has been featured in prominent publications such as The Atlantic, The Washington Post, and The New York Times. A seminal piece, "The Coming Anarchy" (1994), explored themes of conflict arising from the struggle between primitivism and civilization, drawing comparisons to Samuel P. Huntington's "Clash of Civilizations." Kaplan's writing often delves into the resurgence of historical and cultural tensions that were suppressed during the Cold War.

Beyond his writing, Kaplan has held significant positions in various think tanks and advisory roles. He has been a Senior Fellow at the Center for a New American Security, chief geopolitical analyst at Stratfor, and served on the Defense Policy Board appointed by the Secretary of Defense. His insights have been recognized by Foreign Policy magazine, which named him among the world's "top 100 global thinkers." Kaplan has also consulted for U.S. military branches and lectured at numerous institutions, including military war colleges and intelligence agencies. His experiences as a foreign correspondent, covering conflicts from the Iran-Iraq War to the Soviet-Afghan War, have shaped his perspective on global affairs.

Robert D. Kaplan is recognized for his profound geopolitical analysis, with "The Coming Anarchy" being one of his most impactful articles. Published in 1994, this piece posited that escalating population growth, urbanization, and resource scarcity were destabilizing governments worldwide and posing a threat to developed nations. Critics have noted its thematic resonance with Samuel P. Huntington's "Clash of Civilizations," as Kaplan examined contemporary conflicts as a clash between primitive forces and established civilizations. A recurring theme in Kaplan's work is the re-emergence of long-dormant cultural and historical conflicts that were temporarily set aside during the Cold War era. His travels and observations across diverse regions, from the Balkans to Central Asia, have informed these analyses, contributing to a worldview that often emphasizes the enduring power of historical and cultural forces in shaping global events.

Kaplan's career as a foreign correspondent began with extensive reporting from conflict zones and overlooked regions. He covered the Iran-Iraq War in 1984 and spent time in Afghanistan documenting the guerrilla war against the Soviet Union, experiences that led to his books "Surrender or Starve: The Wars Behind The Famine" (1988) and "Soldiers of God: With the Mujahidin in Afghanistan" (1990). His early book "Surrender or Starve" challenged the conventional understanding of the Ethiopian famine, attributing it to the policies of the Mengistu regime rather than solely to drought. These early works established Kaplan's reputation for in-depth reporting from volatile parts of the world, often providing a counter-narrative to mainstream perspectives and highlighting the complex historical and political factors driving conflict and humanitarian crises.

Following the September 11, 2001 attacks, Kaplan's analysis gained further traction. His book "Warrior Politics: Why Leadership Demands a Pagan Ethos" suggested that leaders should adopt a more pragmatic, results-oriented morality, drawing parallels to what he termed "pagan" ethics, distinct from traditional Judeo-Christian moral frameworks, in public decision-making. Kaplan has also reflected critically on his past support for the Iraq War, expressing remorse and detailing the personal toll of perceived responsibility for the conflict's outcomes in his book "The Tragic Mind: Fear, Fate, and the Burden of Power." He has also voiced concerns regarding the foreign policy approaches of Donald Trump, criticizing what he termed "American Caesarism" and drawing parallels to the decline of the Roman Empire. His later work often advocates for a more realistic and historically grounded approach to foreign policy, informed by an understanding of tragedy.