What IR lenses and trusted sources help a layperson filter information about geopoli

[AdamBJ]

As someone who tries to follow global geopolitics through mainstream news outlets, I find myself struggling to understand the underlying strategic interests and historical contexts behind current events, like the shifting alliances in the Indo-Pacific or the economic strategies playing out in Africa. The analysis often feels reactive and fragmented, leaving me without a coherent framework to connect the dots between regional conflicts, trade agreements, and energy politics. For those with a deeper academic or professional background in international relations, what are the most useful lenses or theories for a layperson to adopt to make better sense of these complex interactions? Are there specific authors, think tanks, or resources you'd recommend that provide more nuanced, long-term perspective beyond the daily headlines, and how do you personally filter the overwhelming amount of information to identify truly significant trends?