The Pentagon’s New Map, published in 2005, outlines Thomas Barnett’s theory on the U. S. approach to terrorism and the rest of the world. It is, understandably, not a book without controversey but to critically evaluate it here would be beyond the scope of this blog. Rather, it is enough to point out the centrepiece of the book, namely the map.

The map comes in a couple of downloadable versions and formats (low-res pdf, hi-res pdf and jpeg). Writes Barnett: “The maps on these pages show all United States military responses to global crises from 1990 to 2002. Notice that a pattern emerges. Any time American troops show up - be it combat, a battle group pulling up off the coast as a reminder, or a peacekeeping mission- it tends to be in a place that is relatively disconnected from the world, where globalization hasn’t taken root because of a repressive regime, abject poverty, or the lack of a robust legal system, it’s these places that incubate global terrorism. Draw a line around these military engagements and you’ve got what I call the Non-integrating Gap. Everything else is the Functioning Core. The goal of the new strategy is simple: Shrink the Gap. Don't contain it, shrink it.” Surprisingly North Korea does not fall within the “Non-integrating Gap.”

Read more of Barnett’s thoughts on his extensive self-promoting website.