The Chessboard and the Web: Strategies of Connection in a Networked World

Anne-Marie Slaughter, a foreign-policy expert and former director of the State Department Office of Policy Planning, presents a new strategic framework for the twenty-first century. Building on Thomas Schelling's 1961 work The Strategy of Conflict, which used game theory to reshape Cold War thinking, Slaughter applies network theory to address contemporary challenges. While some international relationships remain competitive in nature—such as U.S.-Iranian relations—many modern situations require examining connections between entities rather than treating them in isolation. The book argues for understanding, shaping, and building on these networks. Drawing on network science, real-world examples, and a systematic taxonomy of strategies, this work offers practical approaches to strategic thinking in politics and business.