Abstract
The writer Odd Arne Westad is one of the most distinguished historians of international relations and global politics, and is widely recognized for his seminal scholarship on China and the history of great power competition. In his book, ‘The Coming Storm: Power, Conflict, and Warnings from History,’ Westad draws on extensive historical research to address one of the most persistent questions of the contemporary era, i.e., whether the world is moving toward a new era of great power competition. He argues that the emerging international order resonates a striking resemblance to the geopolitical environment that preceded World War I, warning that the failure of policy makers to draw on the lessons of history. It would also allow increasing competition among major powers to end once again in catastrophic consequences.