The Great Game: The Struggle for Empire in Central Asia by Peter Hopkirk | Geopolitics

📖 The Great Game: The Struggle for Empire in Central Asia by Peter Hopkirk (1992)
👉 See Book on Amazon | https://amzn.to/4eVzZ01

Unveiling the Great Game: A History of Empire and Espionage in Central Asia

In this episode, we delve into Peter Hopkirk's book 'The Great Game: the Struggle for Empire in Central Asia,' exploring the epic 19th-century geopolitical conflict between the British and Russian Empires over control of Central Asia. We uncover key strategies, historical motivations, and the human stories of explorers, spies, and soldiers. From the deep-seated fears stemming from the Mongol invasions to the disastrous Afghan campaigns and dramatic espionage missions, we piece together how this long and intense rivalry shaped the fate of nations. Join us as we trace the echoes of this historical struggle and consider its legacy in today's geopolitical landscape.

00:00 Introduction to the Great Game
01:14 Historical Roots: Mongol Invasions and Russian Expansion
02:56 Napoleon's Ambitious Plans and British Reactions
04:47 Espionage and Exploration: Christie and Pottinger
06:18 The Napoleonic Threat Recedes
06:50 Rising Tensions: Muraviev's Mission and Moorcroft's Paranoia
08:50 The Great Game Gets Dirtier: Conolly and Burnes
10:34 The Catastrophe in Afghanistan
11:57 Masterly Inactivity and Russian Advances
15:34 The Railway Race and Near War at Panjdeh
18:31 The Final Acts: Diplomacy and the Russo-Japanese War
20:18 Reflections on the Great Game's Legacy

#geopolitics #history #education