Tim Marshall is one of the world’s most successful authors on foreign affairs. He’s the writer who put the ‘geo’ into geopolitics with his multi-million selling books Prisoners of Geography and The Power of Geography.

Marshall’s principal argument is that without geography we cannot understand the world. Geography explains why China would find it highly difficult to invade Taiwan. The Taiwan Strait is about 130 km wide at its narrowest point, which is roughly three times the distance from Dover to Calais. Any invading force would face inhospitable coastlines, unpredictable monsoons and muddy, tidal beaches. Beijing might decide in time that these are risks worth taking. But these basic and immutable facts of natural terrain still matter hugely in international affairs.

Marshall comes to the Intelligence Squared stage at Cadogan Hall, just weeks out from the pivotal election in the United States – and possibly one in the United Kingdom – to discuss how politics and geography intersect on the world stage. He will help us understand what’s at stake for the world in 2024 and how geography will underpin the geopolitical conflicts of the future.

Live-streaming option available from £9.99 from Intelligence Squared.

Recommended age: 14+ (the event may contain adult content – parental guidance advised)