Escaping the Deadly Embrace: How Encirclement Causes Major Wars

Encirclement is a key trigger of major war, as demonstrated by historical case studies such as the Italian Wars, the Thirty Years War, and World War I. Andrea Bartoletti's book "Escaping the Deadly Embrace" examines how great powers try to escape the two-front war problem and seek to preserve their security, and argues that the most concerning strategic scenario is the encirclement of China by India and Russia.

Format: Hardback
Length: 252 pages
Publication date: 25 October 2022
Publisher: Cornell University Press

Encirclement, as argued by Andrea Bartoletti, holds significant strategic potential within the international system and serves as a primary catalyst for major conflicts. In his book, "Escaping the Deadly Embrace," Bartoletti delves into the strategies employed by great powers to navigate the challenges posed by a two-front war and safeguard their security.

Encirclement refers to a geographical scenario where one or two great powers occupy two distinct borders of a surrounded great power. While the surrounding great powers may not possess the capability to launch a joint invasion, their mere presence instills a dual security dilemma within the encircled great power. This dilemma necessitates the dispersal of its army to secure its borders. However, when the surrounding great powers develop the ability to launch a two-front attack, the encircled great power is compelled to initiate war. This situation, already catastrophic in nature, can further escalate into war contagion when other great powers intervene in the new conflict, driven by their rival-based alliance networks.

To substantiate his claims, Bartoletti employs a combination of archival research and historiographical analysis. Through a comprehensive assessment of three major wars: the Italian Wars, the Thirty Years' War, and World War I, he demonstrates the efficacy of encirclement as a strategic tool. His findings have profound implications for future major conflicts. By challenging the prevailing focus on the US-China rivalry, Bartoletti emphasizes the most concerning strategic scenario: the potential encirclement of China by India and Russia.

In conclusion, "Escaping the Deadly Embrace" offers a valuable exploration of the dynamics of encirclement and its profound implications for global security. Bartoletti's insights challenge the conventional understanding of warfare and shed light on the strategies employed by great powers to navigate the complex terrain of a two-front war. By examining historical case studies and assessing the potential risks associated with encirclement, the book provides valuable insights for policymakers and scholars alike.

Weight: 28g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781501765919