Focused on the emerging threats posed by state actors termed as "near-peers," including topics germane to near-peer competitors, most notably China, Russia, and Iran, but will cover other state actors as necessary. The course also investigates the past, present, and future of the most powerful states in the international system, the great powers, and how they compete, and cooperate in international relations. By examining the various aspects of the great powers and near-peer competitors, students will learn how geography, politics, economics, technology, and ideology play a role in global competition.