Geopolitics In Post Cold War

Geopolitics

International relations in the contemporary era, has become increasingly Geopolitical in nature. Wittingly or unwittingly, we discuss politics influenced by geography in our daily lives. For instance, the ethnic and territorial conflict in Israel between the Palestinian and Jewish people; The South China Sea Dispute; The state of Jammu and Kashmir between India and Pakistan or even the so-called 'global commons' like Antarctica. Terms such as the 'Iron-Curtain; or 'Third-World', which are included in daily language, are in fact, essentially Geopolitical. By using these terms, we are talking about world politics in terms of places, in terms of geography. Historical instances of Alexander the Great, conquering lands or Napoleon

The post Cold War period, also known by some as the age of 'American Hegemony' or a unipolar world, has been characterised as a one with rapid globalisation. While trends of global integration were seen earlier on as well, the pace at which globalisation took place post the Cold War is remarkable. With the internet, increased economic dependency, and human movement, the world has indeed become a smaller place. International Organisations such as the United Nations (UN), the World Trade organisation (WTO) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have helped accelerate this integration and dependence. Some political thinkers may be of the idea that this had undermined the importance of geopolitics in the global political sphere. International borders and territories were thought of as less significant. However, is this indeed the end of geopolitical thought in international relations or is it not so? I think not. Lets us explore the relationship between globalisation and geopolitics and understand the crucial role of non-state actors, who have gained importance on the global scene in recent times. The role played by borders and boundaries had been, in fact, highlighted in the age of globalisation. It may be observed that the United

It is indeed imperative to understand this in order to further investigate the geopolitical scenario in existence today. It is ironic that while ideas and concepts of national sovereignty have gained massive importance in intellectual spheres and have been in fact been considered the norm, it has also been subject to great abuse and violation. The UN charter preaches respecting states' sovereignty but the UN has been unable to deter high-profile invasions, the war in Iraq, being the most appropriate example of this paradox. The infamous CIA or Central Intelligence Agency, the spy agency of the United States is another brilliant example of how powerful nations may breach certain security codes of conduct to obtain information to carry out overt tasks. Relatively freer movement within the European Union for economic purposes, especially from east european countries to the more prosperous ones of Western Europe is another example. In some instances, countries may also appeal for economic or humanitarian aid from their more powerful counter parts which may in turn lead to dependence. The drone strikes in Pakistan to counter growing islamic fundamentalism is another popular example of breaching national sovereignty. Powerful States like China and the United States are able to exercise extra-territorial sovereignty control. Early geopolitical thinkers like Halford Mackinder too noted that