Editing Geopolitics (section)

=== Alfred Thayer Mahan and sea power ===

[[Alfred Thayer Mahan]] (1840–1914) was a frequent commentator on world naval strategic and diplomatic affairs. Mahan believed that national greatness was inextricably associated with the sea—and particularly with its commercial use in peace and its control in war. Mahan's theoretical framework came from [[Antoine-Henri Jomini]], and emphasized that strategic locations (such as [[choke point]]s, canals, and coaling stations), as well as quantifiable levels of fighting power in a fleet, were conducive to control over the sea. He proposed six conditions required for a nation to have [[sea power]]:

#Advantageous geographical position;
#Serviceable coastlines, abundant natural resources, and favorable climate;
#Extent of territory
#Population large enough to defend its territory;
#Society with an aptitude for the sea and commercial enterprise; and
#Government with the influence and inclination to dominate the sea.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Navy Basic Military Requirements (Navedtra 14325) – Nonresident Training Course|date=2013|isbn=978-1-304-18585-3|language=en|chapter=20|publisher=Lulu.com |oclc=986982257}}</ref>

Mahan distinguished a key region of the world in the Eurasian context, namely, the Central Zone of Asia lying between 30° and 40° north and stretching from Asia Minor to Japan.<ref>Alfred Thayer Mahan, ''The Problem of Asia and the Effects upon International Politics'', (Washington and London: Kennikat Press, 1920, p 26–27).</ref> In this zone independent countries still survived – Turkey, Persia, Afghanistan, China, and Japan. Mahan regarded those countries, located between Britain and Russia, as if between "Scylla and Charybdis". Of the two monsters – Britain and Russia – it was the latter that Mahan considered more threatening to the fate of [[Central Asia]]. Mahan was impressed by Russia's transcontinental size and strategically favorable position for southward expansion. Therefore, he found it necessary for the Anglo-Saxon "sea power" to resist Russia.<ref>Alfred Thayer Mahan, ''The Problem of Asia and the Effects upon International Politics'', (Washington and London: Kennikat Press, 1920, p 25–27, 167–8, 172).</ref>