There Be Dragons
Farhat A. Hussain
c.7,500 words
Details to follow
Evoking the centuries old English quote ‘Here be Dragons’ whose Latin origin is ‘hic sunt dracones’ used on maps and other documents to indicate actual or possible danger, this paper outlines the landscape of the latter half of the third, fourth and fifth decades. An outline picture is presented of a variety of challenges that require dynamic and robust address that include climate change and its impact and the shifting geopolitical landscape and their intersection. The unsuitability of thinking of the preceding century and start of this century concerning the present and immediate environment are highlighted. More specific attention is thereafter provided to particular space and geography, including a more substantive understanding of specific challenges and a spectrum of effective and precision calibrated solutions in addition to flexibility both of which entail essential and beneficial capacity building. The essential role of greater and more substantive synergies is outlined. This paper reflects on and forges robust linkage of the past, present and future and provides useful insight for two forthcoming and linked papers by the author who draws on his considerable engagement with and understanding of history, including that of physical and other forms of landscape, maritime and naval specialisms.