Peter Henry Zeihan (/ˈzaɪ.ən/; born January 18, 1973) is an American researcher and writer with a decade-long background as a geopolitical intelligence analyst with Stratfor,[1][2][3] whose books and other content focus on geopolitics and globalism.[4][5] He is the author of The Absent Superpower (2017), Disunited Nations (2020), and The End of the World Is Just the Beginning (2022).
After completing his education, Zeihan worked for the American embassy in Australia and at Susan Eisenhower's think tank, the Center for Political and Strategic Studies; he said he found his experiences discouraging.[citation needed]
Stratfor
In 2000, he began working as an analyst for Austin, Texas-based geopolitical intelligence firm Stratfor.[1][2][3] Zeihan spent 12 years at Stratfor, eventually rising to vice-president.[3]
He left Stratfor in 2012, founding a consulting firm Zeihan on Geopolitics that same year. His client list reportedly grew to include energy companies, financial institutions, business associations, agricultural interests, universities, and governmental bodies.[8]
Writings
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While still at Stratfor, Zeihan co-authored his first book, A Crucible of Nations, with Lauren Goodrich in 2011.[citation needed]
In 2014 he released The Accidental Superpower, which focuses on the advantages topographical and geographical features (rivers, oceans, mountains, etc.) provide in a state's ability to compete with other countries economically, industrially, and militarily. Using maps, Zeihan discusses the critical importance of navigable rivers, access to oceans, and reliable road and rail networks.[2]The Accidental Superpower also uses demographic calculations of national populations to forecast how different countries will maintain an edge in the geopolitical future.[9] The book was reviewed by The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, and Kirkus Reviews.[2][10][11]
Zeihan subsequently published three more books: The Absent Superpower (2017), Disunited Nations (2020), and The End of the World Is Just the Beginning (2022). Writing for The Independent Review, Robert Gmeiner of Methodist University praised The End of the World Is Just the Beginning saying "Realism and competence are hallmarks of Zeihan's book."[12]
The Accidental Superpower: The Next Generation of American Preeminence and the Coming Global Disaster. Twelve. February 23, 2016 [2014]. ISBN9781455583683.
The Absent Superpower: The Shale Revolution and a World without America. January 1, 2017. ISBN9780998505206.
Disunited Nations: The Scramble for Power in an Ungoverned World. Harper Business. March 3, 2020. ISBN9780062913685.