Contemporary art as geopolitical leverage, as shown through case studies across 25 different established and emerging global powers Contrary to the familiar mantras, contemporary art has no special ability to ease conflicts or encourage brotherhood among peoples--especially in a time when it has become a major factor of geopolitical leverage and in an era of renewed nationalism. Declaring the category of soft power obsolete, curator and author Enrico Mascelloni unpacks the relationship of contemporary art within various spheres, then examines growing centrality in 25 countries through monographic chapters: from the major imperial powers of the US, China and Russia to emerging powers such as Turkey, India and South Africa; from the cultural powers of old Europe to the brief existence of the Islamic Caliphate between Iraq and Syria.