Joshua Kurlantzick

Joshua Kurlantzick is a senior fellow for Southeast Asia at the Council on Foreign Relations and a noted expert on Southeast Asian politics, economics, and security affairs. He has written extensively about the rise of authoritarianism, democracy's global retreat, and China's growing influence in developing nations. As a journalist and foreign correspondent, Kurlantzick has contributed to publications including The New York Times, The Washington Post, The New Yorker, and The Atlantic. His work has focused particularly on Thailand, Myanmar, China, and broader regional developments across Asia. His books include "Charm Offensive: How China's Soft Power Is Transforming the World" (2007), "Democracy in Retreat" (2013), and "A Great Place to Have a War: America in Laos and the Birth of a Military CIA" (2017). These works have established him as a leading voice on Asian geopolitics and American foreign policy in the region. Kurlantzick previously served as a visiting scholar at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and as a fellow at the University of Southern California Center on Public Diplomacy. His analysis regularly informs policymakers and appears in major media outlets worldwide.

Readers value Kurlantzick's detailed research and ability to explain complex geopolitical issues. His book "A Great Place to Have a War" received particular attention for exposing lesser-known aspects of CIA operations in Laos. What readers liked: - Clear writing style that makes dense topics accessible - Deep historical context and extensive source material - Balanced perspective on sensitive political issues - "Eye-opening accounts" of covert operations (Amazon reviewer) What readers disliked: - Some find the writing dry and academic - Occasional repetition of points - Limited personal narratives and first-hand accounts - "Could use more human interest stories" (Goodreads review) Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: - A Great Place to Have a War: 4.1/5 (500+ ratings) - Democracy in Retreat: 3.7/5 (100+ ratings) - Charm Offensive: 3.8/5 (200+ ratings) Amazon: - Average 4.3/5 across all books - 80% of reviews 4 stars or higher

Democracy in Retreat: The Revolt of the Middle Class and the Worldwide Decline of Representative Government (2013) Analysis of democratic backsliding in developing nations and the role of middle-class citizens in this trend.

State Capitalism: How the Return of Statism is Transforming the World (2016) Examination of state capitalism's rise across multiple countries and its impact on global economics and politics.

A Great Place to Have a War: America in Laos and the Birth of a Military CIA (2017) Historical account of the CIA's covert operations in Laos during the 1960s and their lasting impact on U.S. military policy.

The Ideal Man: The Tragedy of Jim Thompson and the American Way of War (2011) Biography of Jim Thompson, focusing on his OSS service, silk business in Thailand, and mysterious disappearance.

Charm Offensive: How China's Soft Power Is Transforming the World (2007) Study of China's growing global influence through cultural diplomacy and economic partnerships.

The Clean Energy Revolution (2019) Overview of renewable energy development and its effects on global politics, economics, and environmental policy.

Special Operations: The CIA's War in Laos (2022) Detailed history of CIA paramilitary operations in Laos during the Vietnam War era.

Sebastian Strangio writes about Southeast Asian politics and China's regional influence, focusing on Cambodia, Thailand, and regional power dynamics. His work shares Kurlantzick's emphasis on how authoritarianism shapes modern Asia.

Bill Hayton covers Vietnamese politics and South China Sea territorial disputes through detailed reporting and analysis. His research examines how Southeast Asian nations navigate relationships with China, similar to themes in Kurlantzick's work.

Elizabeth Economy focuses on Chinese domestic politics and foreign policy, particularly environmental issues and governance. Her analysis of China's global influence parallels Kurlantzick's examination of Chinese soft power.

Duncan McCargo studies Thai politics and chronicles political transitions across Southeast Asia. His research on democracy and authoritarianism in Thailand connects with Kurlantzick's work on democratic backsliding.

Evan Osnos reports on China's political system and its impact on Chinese society and international relations. His exploration of China's rise and its effects on the world order aligns with Kurlantzick's analysis of changing global power dynamics.