Continental Power, Maritime Power, and the New World Order (Thursday, October 08, 2026)

Thu, 08 Oct 2026 21:30:00 GMT

Continental Power, Maritime Power, and the New World Order

How does a continental or maritime framework pursued by governments shape outcomes for their countries? Why do some leaders insist on pursing destructive wars, rather than focus on mutually beneficial trade?

Join us for a thought-provoking moderated Q&A with Dr. Sarah C. M. Paine, one of the world’s leading historians on East Asian and naval affairs, as we explore the ways that changing geopolitical mindsets are shaping the world today. Throughout this conversation, participants will have the opportunity to dive deeply into Dr. Paine's insights into how the world's democracies can succeed in the emerging world order.

This timely conversation will move beyond headlines to explore the deeper forces shaping today’s global landscape and how countries can utilize their natural advantages for shared prosperity. The first part of the conversation will focus on how the U.S. and its allies have pursued the maritime order, while China and Russia have viewed the world through a continentalist perspective. Dr. Paine will then review how the efforts of different countries ensured that democracies prevailed at the end of the First Cold War, setting themselves up for astounding economic growth. Finally, she will outline the possible path forward for the United States and how it can best leverage its advantages for future leadership.

Regardless of your level of global engagement or understanding, this discussion will equip you with insightful, well researched, and easily accessible information on how the world works.

A light reception will follow the discussion for in-person participants.

The World Affairs Council of New Hampshire and the Portsmouth Athenaeum present this global conversation to their members for free. Not-yet-members of either organization can purchase a $15 ticket to attend in-person. Everyone can watch the livestream of the event for free.

About the Speaker

Sarah C. M. Paine is William S. Sims University Professor of History and Grand Strategy in the Strategy & Policy Department of the U.S. Naval War College. Nine years of research in Australia, China, Japan, Russia, and Taiwan form the basis for her publications: The Japanese Empire (Cambridge, 2017); Wars for Asia, 1911-1949 (Cambridge, 2012, Gelber prize longlist; Leopold Prize and PROSE award for European & World History), The Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895 (Cambridge, 2003), and Imperial Rivals: China, Russia, and Their Disputed Frontier (M. E. Sharpe, 1996, Jelavich prize).

She has also written: Nation Building, State Building, and Economic Development (edited, M.E. Sharpe, 2010); Modern China: Continuity and Change 1644 to the Present, 2nd ed. (co-author with Bruce A. Elleman, Rowman & Littlefield, 2019); and five naval books: Naval Blockades and Seapower: Strategies and Counter-Strategies 1805-2005, Naval Coalition Warfare: From the Napoleonic War to Operation Iraqi Freedom, Naval Power and Expeditionary Warfare: Peripheral Campaigns and New Theaters of Naval Warfare, Commerce Raiding: Historical Case Studies, 1755-2009, and Navies and Soft Power: Historical Case Studies of Naval Power and the Nonuse of Military Force (all co-edited with Bruce A. Elleman, Routledge, 2006-11; Naval War College Press 2014-15).

Most recently she co-edited with Andrea J. Dew and Marc A. Genest, From Quills to Tweets: How America Communicates about War and Revolution (Georgetown University Press, 2019). Her degrees include: B.A. Latin American Studies, Harvard University; M.I.A. Columbia University School for International and Public Affairs; certificates from both the East Asian and Russian Institutes; M.A. Russian, Middlebury College; and Ph.D. history, Columbia University.

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Continental Power, Maritime Power, and the New World Order (Thursday, October 08, 2026)