Throughout history, upsurges of disease have compelled significant geopolitical shifts, as well as economic and social changes. Only in the last century have humans appeared to prevail over diseases such as smallpox, malaria, and polio…but new ones keep attacking us! We will review some of the geopolitical consequences of past epidemics from the Roman Empire to the British Empire. The second half of the session will include the instructor's speculations regarding the current coronavirus and potential international political effects related to how President Trump and President Xi are managing it. Time for class discussion will be provided.