War is Interested in You
The Breakdown of International Order and the Threat of World War Three
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Vintage Publishing
Published:22nd Oct '26
Should be back in stock very soon

Peace and stability between the world’s most powerful nations is coming to an end. How did we get here – and what happens next?
‘Simply brilliant’ SERHII PLOKHY
‘Urgent, beautifully written … terrifying’ AMOL RAJAN
‘Rachman is one of the wisest observers of our strange times. Listen to him’ ANNE APPLEBAUM
Wars have broken out in Europe and the Middle East, tensions are rising in East Asia, world leaders speak about the possibility of World War Three, and intelligence agencies have never seen the world in a more precarious state.
After the Cold War, the US dominated the global economy and international political system. But a weakening in Western power has opened the door for countries that want to challenge this global power structure; Russia, China, Iran and North Korea are all seeking to overturn the current order. And with Donald Trump in the White House, international politics is becoming ever more unpredictable and volatile.
As the FT’s chief foreign affairs commentator, Gideon Rachman had a ringside seat as these events developed. With unparalleled access to political and intelligence leaders, and full of sharp and insightful analysis, War is Interested in You explores how we got to this point in global affairs – and, crucially, what happens next.
As Trotsky once put it: ‘You may not be interested in war. But war is interested in you’.
‘A geopolitical masterclass and a warning … Extraordinary’ EDWARD FISHMAN
‘An important and fascinating book’ CAROLINE MOORHEAD
‘A must read’ IAN BREMMER
If there is one person you absolutely need to read on where the world is going, it is Gideon Rachman. War is Interested in You is an urgent, beautifully written and rather terrifying book which makes clear that war is ever with us, ineradicable, and about to turn nastier than ever. I could not recommend it more strongly -- Amol Rajan
Gideon Rachman is one the wisest, best-informed observers of our strange times. If he believes global order is breaking down, then listen to his warning -- Anne Applebaum, author of Autocracy Inc
Simply brilliant. A masterful blend of contemporary history, incisive analysis, and insightful conceptualization -- Serhii Plokhy, author of The Nuclear Age
Brilliant … Rachman’s deep historical knowledge, flair for analysis and keen eye for detail, as well as his encounters with key players at critical moments, create an absorbing narrative that could not be more important or timely -- Fiona Hill, author of There is Nothing for You Here
Full of insight from a journalist with superb access, Gideon Rachman is the best possible guide to today's unstable world -- Gordon Corera, author of The Spy in the Archive
War is Interested in You is both a geopolitical masterclass and a warning … Drawing on decades of reporting and extraordinary access, this is a clear-eyed guide to a world ever closer to the brink -- Edward Fishman, author of Chokepoints
Few have better access to the people who start wars – and those who try to stop them – than Gideon Rachman. War is Interested in You is a must read -- Ian Bremmer, author of The Power of Crisis
With his clear and informative style, Rachman paints a grim picture of a world controlled by all-powerful leaders operating with utter contempt for rules-based order. An important and fascinating book -- Caroline Moorehead, author of A Sicilian Man
Remarkable. A fast-paced, readable reminder that peace is not the natural condition of mankind -- Graham T. Allison, author of Destined for War
Richly reported ... lays bare quite how seriously leading policymakers rate the risk of a third world war * Jonathan Freedland *
ISBN: 9781847928986
Dimensions: 242mm x 165mm x 32mm
Weight: 543g
336 pages