Task – ‘Open-source’ task. Theory – 10 point task – a ‘Open-source’ task. Find/identify main postulates of given great thinker/scholar [from Martin Griffiths

robert kaplan
Robert Kaplan is an American geopolitical analyst and author who has made important contributions to the study of geography and its role in shaping politics and international relations. His main postulates on the theory of place and space in political geography and International Relations (IR) and geopolitics can be summarized as follows:

1. 
   The return of geography: Kaplan argues that geography has re-emerged as a key factor in shaping international relations, as globalization and technological advancements have led to a greater awareness of the geographical dimensions of world events.
   
2. 
   The importance of geography in shaping global events: Kaplan argues that geography, particularly the physical and human geography of a region, is a key factor in shaping the political, economic, and military dynamics of a region and therefore has important implications for global events.
   
3. 
   The significance of the geopolitical periphery: Kaplan argues that the periphery, or the regions located on the outskirts of the developed world, are becoming increasingly important in shaping world events and that understanding the geography of these regions is crucial for understanding the future of global politics.
   

Illustrations of Kaplan's thought in IR include:

1. 
   The return of geography: This can be seen in the increasing recognition of the importance of geography in shaping global events, such as the impact of geography on the spread of infectious diseases like COVID-19.
   
2. 
   The importance of geography in shaping global events: This can be seen in the impact of geographical conditions on the political, economic, and military dynamics of regions, such as the role of the geography of the Middle East in shaping its political and economic systems.
   
3. 
   The significance of the geopolitical periphery: This can be seen in the increasing importance of regions such as Africa, which is located on the periphery of the developed world and is becoming increasingly important in shaping world events, particularly with the growing interest in Africa's resources and its strategic location.