You really need to look at history. Grand narratives have their limitations; niche focuses on specific areas can sometimes lack context or discussions of broade

You really need to look at history. Grand narratives have their limitations; niche focuses on specific areas can sometimes lack context or discussions of broader implications; you need to synthesize and compromise between the two approaches to create your own understanding. You can focus on some trends and areas that have implications for modern geopolitics (at least right now). Pick books or articles on them and then follow whatever interests you: - The south China sea and surrounding area, especially the debates around the nine-dash line - The fall of the USSR, complicated because of the number of states but still very important - The conflict between India and Pakistan - Post colonial developments in the Arab world (including north Africa) and Sub Saharan Africa, again difficult due to the number of states but still important (some sectarian and ethnic conflicts which seem hyper recent have long histories, often predating colonialism, that had rocket fuel thrown on them in the post colonial environment) - The rise of Brazil - American naval superiority in the wake of WWII (this goes nicely with discussions on the south China sea) - For a particular institution, the history of the WTO can be very eye-opening As always, read contesting approaches or narratives on a particular topic. Criticism is as important as the original argument.