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Chokepoints

How the Global Economy Became a Weapon of War

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Chokepoints

By: Edward Fishman
Narrated by: Robert Petkoff
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Summary
 Featured in THE REST IS POLITICS newsletter – Rory Stewart’s Book Recommendations

SHORTLISTED FOR THE FINANCIAL TIMES BUSINESS BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD

THE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

AN ECONOMIST and FINANCIAL TIMES ‘BEST BOOK OF 2025’

‘Chokepoints is a masterful narrative of US economic warfare in the 21st century.’ Financial Times

‘A timely, riveting world tour … absorbing’ The Economist

‘Compelling and dramatic’ Wall Street Journal

’A gripping, firsthand account. Unparalleled.’ Chris Miller, author of Chip War

If you want to understand what’s happening to the world economy, start right here.

It used to take blockades and sieges to ravage a rival’s economy. Now, a single statement posted online by the US government can bring a nation to its knees.

Chokepoints is a gripping behind-the-scenes account of one of the most pivotal geopolitical shifts of our time. Drawing on extensive research, personal experience and interviews with key players, Edward Fishman, a former top US State Department official, takes us deep into the back rooms of power around the world. He reveals how sanctions, tariffs and control over modern-day chokepoints – such as the US dollar, advanced microchip technology and critical energy supply chains – have become the primary weapons of twenty-first-century geopolitics.

This is the epic story of how America turned economics into a weapon – and how China, Europe and Britain are now doing the same. Urgent and brimming with rare insight, Chokepoints is the definitive guide to the Age of Economic Warfare.

In this new geopolitical era of blockades and oil price shocks, find out how the global economy became a weapon of war:
  • Explains how sanctions, tariffs and price controls became part of America's economic arsenal.
  • Authoritative analysis of US economic warfare against Iran, Russia and China.
  • Unique behind-the-scenes insights based on previously unpublished sources.
  • Short chapters tell the story in breathtaking clarity and detail.
  • A gripping page-turner for fans of Material World by Ed Conway and The World for Sale by Javier Blas & Jack Farchy.
 Economics International Macroeconomics Politics & Government United States World War Russia China Middle East Wall Street Iran Military Taxation Socialism Capitalism Imperial Japan Cyber Warfare American Foreign Policy Soviet Union
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All stars
Most relevant
This was quite a good book reviewing how the United States and its allies have used economic sanctions since 9-11 and how they have learnt. A lot was made about how sanctions bought Iran to the negotiation table and got it to pause its nuclear program. But as I write this in March 2026 the United States is bombing Iran in a Special Military Operation so this book must set a record for because out of date.

Omg this book must set a record for becoming outdated.

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Fascinating account of modern economic warfare, drawing on inside experience and first hand accounts. Also a great narrator. Highly recommend this book.

Brilliant

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This is a very thourough an well structured exploration of the development of economic weapons for global diplomacy and warfare.
Unfortunately, it is painfully detailed. A serious edit is desperately needed to cut away the superfluous detail on every single page and uncover the fascinating book that is hidden under the mountains of minutiae.

Great but needs an edit

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Do not miss this - riveting . Seemed very well researched and coherent. Particularly relevant to the current situation in the Middle East

Outstanding

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