Schooling the Elite: Education as an Unconventional Tool of Political Influence

At Stratfor, we aim to provide impartial geopolitical analysis and forecasts. More often than not, this means withholding our emotions as we focus on the underlying compulsions and constraints with which global actors must grapple. In a sense, the individual performs a reduced role in the much larger game playing out on the world stage. In some affairs of state, however, individuals can drive policy. In such situations, outcomes might depend heavily on the emotional decisions of individuals, particularly when short-term interests motivate these figures. And given that people are emotional creatures who develop affinities and aversions based on their formative years, many powerful governments place great emphasis on ensuring that the ruling elites of other countries study in their countries, fighting silent battles to entice them to come as part of a far-sighted competition for influence....