"History and geography together help substantially to mould the attitudes and policies of nations, even though these may be subject too to sudden and unpredictable changes." — W. Gordon East. The Geography Behind History (1965) Geopolitical analysis is rooted in the flow of history — in understanding how the past shapes the present and future and how the past is interpreted to shape ideas and policies. These two dynamics do not always align, as interpretation of the past comes through many different lenses. Thus, on the one hand, it is tempting to talk of 2024 as a momentous year, one of unprecedented change, disruption and uncertainty.