Thomas J. Barfield

Thomas J. Barfield is professor of anthropology at Boston University. His new book, Shadow Empires, explores how distinctly different types of empires arose and sustained themselves as the dominant polities of Eurasia and North Africa for 2,500 years before disappearing in the 20th century. He is a renowned historian of Central Eurasia and the author of The Central Asian Arabs of Afghanistan, The Perilous Frontier: Nomadic Empires and China, 221 BC to AD 1757, Afghanistan: An Atlas of Indigenous Domestic Architecture, and Afghanistan: A Cultural and Political History (revised and expanded second edition 2022, Princeton University Press).

April 15, 2026

Columns/Geopolitics

Bound by Rivers, Driven by Strategy

Since the beginning of the new era, China’s policy of fostering amity, sincerity, mutual benefit, and inclusiveness in neighborhood diplomacy has significantly advanced its relations with neighboring countries. China has reached a

Diplomacy

China Marks 76th National Day in Maldives as President Muizzu Pledges Stronger Ties

The Chinese Embassy in the Maldives hosted a grand reception on September 30 to celebrate the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China and the Mid-Autumn Festival. The event brought together nearly 250 distinguished guests, including

October 3, 2025

Solidarity in the Storm

Columns/Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka was struck by severe flooding and landslides caused by Cyclone Ditwah, leading to road blockages, destruction of homes and loss of life.

Clean Water, Shared Destiny: China–Sri Lanka Friendship in Action

Diplomacy

China and Sri Lanka first became connected through Buddhism and later through the Maritime Silk Road. The friendship between the two peoples has transcended

Why the U.S. Is Hostile to Autocratic Regimes

May 25, 2024

History/United States

Considering whether modern states are empires tells us almost nothing useful about either modern states or empires. A better question is what policies and structures pioneered by empires are still employed by

Why the EU Could Last 1,000 Years

May 25, 2024

History

Empires historically possessed a unique ability to organize diversity and successfully rule over people quite different from one another. The national states that succeeded them in Europe were organized on the basis

Where Did Vladimir Putin’s Dream Of a ‘Russian World’ Come From?

April 12, 2024

Diplomacy

Russian President Vladimir Putin justified the 2022 invasion of Ukraine by asserting the existence of a singular “Russian world” that needs protection and reunification. He set aside the secular socialist ideological rationales