"Welcome to the fascinating world of how countries interact, where what happens is driven by power, being your own boss, and working together. My aim in this book is to make hard ideas easy so everyone can get them. Join me as we explore how countries deal with each other, why wars start, and how we strive for peace globally—whether you're deep into research or just curious about our world. Let's dive into the complex world of international relations, how global connections impact us, and the good and bad that come from living in a world where everything is linked. Let's make understanding how countries relate something everyone can talk about, not just something for experts."