“Under the Skin of the World”: A new book by Dario Fabbri deconstructs the struggle for international hegemony and presents “human geopolitics” as a tool for understanding the secrets of the new world order
The new geopolitical and strategic book titled “Sotto la pelle del mondo” (Under the Skin of the World) has sparked a wide wave of interest and serious analysis in international and local political and media circles since its publication. The newly published work by the prestigious Italian publishing house “Giangiacomo Feltrinelli” in the “Economic Books” series"Universal Rights" is located in two hundred and twenty-four medium-sized pages. This author comes to provide a deep dissection of the features of the contemporary international system that is going through a critical transitional phase characterized by an intense struggle over global hegemony. The writer completely moves away from the superficial husks of current events to delve deeply into the deep roots and invisible engines that move the major and emerging powers on the global chessboard, stressing in his thesis that history has never stopped, even for a single beat.This book derives its exceptional importance and great credibility from the distinguished intellectual standing of its author, Dario Fabbri, who is classified as one of the most prominent strategic experts and specialists in contemporary geopolitics in his country. Fabbri holds the position of editor-in-chief of the famous “Domino” strategic magazine, and director of its scientific and research school, and has a prominent media and analytical presence in major channels and leading newspapers in the analysis of international relations. In his new book, Fabbri adopts an innovative and distinct intellectual approachHe calls it “human geopolitics” (Geopolitica Umana), an analytical tool that moves away from dry mathematical and economic calculations to place humans and societies at the center of political analysis, using anthropology, history, group psychology, and languages to understand the behavior of states.The structure of analysis in the book stems from a careful observation of the current international reality, which Fabbri describes as going through a phase of “contested hegemony” or “turbulent polarity.” The author explains that our contemporary world is witnessing the rise of international and regional opponents and competitors who are openly and with unprecedented boldness challenging traditional American superiority and sovereignty, without showing any fear or retreat in the face of the possibility of being subjected to reactions, sanctions, or retaliation from Washington. The book reviews the features of this stark challenge across several hot fronts. Starting fromThe Russian attack on Ukraine, which restored the atmosphere of all-out wars to the European continent, leading to the Iranian strikes and its regional allies such as Hezbollah in the Middle East, and the open and intelligent Chinese support for both Moscow and Tehran to weaken the Western camp.In his analysis, Fabbri does not neglect anticipating the most dangerous future hotspots of conflict. He sheds light on the issue of the island of Taiwan, noting that the repeated and intense Chinese military maneuvers and exercises are nothing more than continuous and firm reminders to the international community that the island will return to Beijing’s full sovereignty sooner or later, whether that happens by peaceful diplomatic means or through the use of rough force. This geopolitical survey extends to examining the ambitious rise of Turkish influence that seeks to expandHis strategic papers cover large areas of the African continent while at the same time directing his attention towards the Central Asian region, in addition to monitoring the German internal confusion resulting from deep structural divisions and crises, and the confused Mexican position in determining its geographical and political positioning between its northern neighbor and the rising powers.The fundamental value of the book “Under the Skin of the World” lies in that it provides a guide and political manifesto to understand the radical difference between what appears on the surface of accelerating daily events and what is happening in the depths and the true essence of our era. Fabbri believes that international laws and diplomatic agreements are only a thin outer veneer; While the actual driver of events lies "under the skin", in the cultural identities of peoples, in their national ambitions, and in their inherited historical fears. Hence, the writer calls on decision makersAnalysts call for the necessity of adopting the outlook of other peoples and understanding the world through their eyes and their own psychological and anthropological backgrounds, considering that this approach is the only way to anticipate the future and formulate strategies capable of dealing with the complexities of this explosive century full of profound transformations.
