Global politics, economics, trade, and defense are increasingly complex fields, with all the elements irrevocably intertwined. The public is fed whatever the media sees fit, and few citizens can comprehend the dynamics of the forces at play or evaluate the implications. To remedy this, Assessing Global Change: Strategic Perspectives of Dr. Harald Malmgren is a comprehensive analysis of the forces that have driven change during recent decades. This is a series of essays that illustrate the ebb and flow of US foreign policy at a time of global realignments. Edited by Robbin F. Laird, the commentary skillfully examines the role of the United States and its frequently troubled relationships with the rival superpowers of Russia and China, from Cold War uncertainty and the space race to the COVID pandemic and simmering political tensions. The evolution of a more inward-looking stance in the USA is highlighted, where domestic issues such as the economy have overshadowed global events. The perspectives are wide-ranging, covering the domestic and worldwide economies, foreign trade, taxation and tariff policies, the nuclear threat, and the recession that followed the 2008 economic meltdown to the rise of rogue states such as Iran and North Korea, unrest in the Middle East, and the threat of international terrorism. A spate of elections occurred in 2024 that saw polarization between left and right-wing factions. Deep divisions have emerged in the USA and abroad. This raises the question as to whether America will ultimately abdicate its role as the leading global power, leaving a vacuum for others to fill.

Editor Robbin F. Laird has followed Dr. Harald Malmgren’s illustrious career as an influential academic, political advisor, defense analyst, and consultant that stretches back to the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962. Malmgren’s in-depth analysis spans the period from the Cold War era to the re-election of Donald Trump and his impending second term in office. The steady decline in some economies is spotlighted, in parallel with decreasing defense spending at a time when both Russia and China are anxious to stamp their authority on the global stage. The Russian conflict in Ukraine and China’s territorial ambitions toward Taiwan and parts of the Pacific Ocean are red-flagged, as is the Middle East. The section concerning defense policy, with its emphasis on Europe, is particularly interesting. Another theme concerns the vacillation involving policy formulation and lack of political will within the USA. Readers will be left wondering whether all major decisions are made behind closed doors with little input from the electorate. Assessing Global Change is an outstanding summary of the world events that have brought us to a crossroads in 2025. What the future holds remains to be seen. The book forms part of a series and is essential reading for those with an interest in politics, economics, and global strategy.

Assessing Global Change: Strategic Perspectives of Dr. Harald Malmgren, edited by Robbin F. Laird, offers a comprehensive examination of global dynamics through the perspective of one of the most respected strategists in the field. This book assembles Dr. Malmgren’s insights, interviews, and articles, reflecting on decades of geopolitical and economic transformations. Structured around various global dynamics, including those of the United States, China, Russia, and Europe, it examines the strategic shifts that have shaped our world from the Cold War era to the present day.

The book’s core strength lies in its detailed analysis of geopolitical shifts, presented through a lens that combines economic theory with real-world political pragmatism. Given the current global challenges, Malmgren’s discussions of the U.S.-China trade dynamics, Russia's evolving geopolitical landscape, and the persistent crises in the Eurozone are insightful and prophetic. Including perspectives from other notable figures, such as Air Vice-Marshal John Blackburn and Lt. General (Retired) Preziosa, enriches the narrative and offers a well-rounded view of the implications of strategic decisions for global security and economic stability. The strategic foresight demonstrated through past predictions about global economic trends and political upheavals is particularly compelling, emphasizing the importance of experienced analytical perspectives in understanding our increasingly interconnected world. Assessing Global Change by Robbin F. Laird is an essential read for policymakers, scholars, and anyone interested in the forces shaping our global environment. It honors Dr. Malmgren’s influential career and is a crucial resource for understanding the long-term effects of strategic decisions in an unpredictable and interconnected world. I highly recommend it.

Assessing Global Change: Perspectives of Dr. Harald Malmgren by Robbin Laird details the life and career of Dr. Harald Malmgren, a pivotal figure in U.S. defense and economic policy. His extensive background includes advising Presidents Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, and Ford, particularly on trade and defense issues. Malmgren’s work spanned major global events, including the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Tokyo Round trade talks, and the formation of the Trade Act of 1974. After leaving government, he became a consultant to corporations and governments worldwide. Laird includes Malmgren's involvement with global powers like China, Russia, and Japan, speaking on their economic and geopolitical shifts. Malmgren's outlook extends to U.S. fiscal policies, international trade, and the U.S.-China relationship. His predictions on future hurdles, including rising debt and the global power shift away from U.S.-EU dominance, provide a comprehensive view of the changing world order.

Robbin Laird's compilation of Dr. Harald Malmgren’s work in Assessing Global Change is a complex and academic work that examines the past and contemporary global political and economic landscape. This work is exhaustively researched and the compiling of Malmgren's ideas is a testament to the esteem in which he is held. There are no hints of oversimplifying and, on the whole, this is a highly academic, authoritative work. Laird does the heavy lifting, and it is very, very heavy. I found Malmgren's analyses of the shifting geopolitical environment in Europe and the Middle East to be the most fascinating. Laird not only presents a series of facts but provides a lens through which readers can interpret Malmgren’s work. Overall, this book is best suited for those in advanced studies or careers in political science and economics, with a perspective that is timely and invaluable for those interested in the forces shaping our world today. Recommended.

Assessing Global Change: Perspectives of Dr. Harald Malmgren by Robbin Laird shares the important ideas of Dr. Harald Malmgren, who advised several U.S. Presidents and major companies around the world. Malmgren studies how economics, international relations, and government policies work together to shape how countries trade with each other. This book collects his writings from the past 15 years, showing what he thinks about how countries interact, how money moves around the world, and what makes the world safe or dangerous. Like a chess player who thinks many moves ahead, Malmgren sees how different events and decisions connect in ways others might miss. He explains these connections clearly, using his experience as someone who helped make important decisions and someone who studies how those decisions work. His careful way of looking at how the world is changing helps people understand the shifts in global power that are happening today.

Author Robbin Laird has done an excellent job of organizing Malmgren's ideas in a way that makes complicated global issues easier to understand. I was impressed by how Malmgren connects events that seem unrelated at first, showing patterns that most people wouldn't notice. Because he worked at high levels in both government and business for many years, he can explain how important decisions are really made around the world. He looks at how money, politics, and international relations work together, giving readers a complete picture that goes deeper than usual explanations. By looking at events over many years, he helps readers see patterns that keep happening in world affairs. Laird arranges all this information in a way that makes even difficult ideas clear to readers who want to learn. The book looks deeply at how global trade has changed and what makes countries feel secure or threatened, which helps explain what's happening in the world today. He writes about complex subjects in a way that shows both the big picture and the important details, helping readers understand how the world works. Overall, I strongly recommend Assessing Global Change: Perspectives of Dr. Harald Malmgren to anyone who wants to better understand the complicated forces that are shaping our world's future.