Recent Developments in Global Geopolitics

In recent years, global geopolitical developments have experienced significant dynamics, affecting the balance of world power. The Russo-Ukrainian war, which began in late 2021, shook the geopolitical landscape, creating new tensions between Western countries and Russia. The impact of this conflict was widespread, triggering a spike in energy and food prices that affected the global economy. European countries are taking steps to reduce dependence on Russian energy, accelerating the transition to renewable energy sources. Meanwhile, in the Asian region, tensions between China and the United States are increasing, especially regarding trade and military issues. China’s actions in the South China Sea and ambitions for reunification with Taiwan are hot spots that must be paid attention to. The US responded by strengthening alliances in the Indo-Pacific region through agreements such as AUKUS and the Quad, which includes Australia, India and Japan. In the Middle East, the geopolitical situation is also undergoing transformation. The normalization of relations between several Arab countries and Israel through the Abraham Accords had a significant impact on the regional political map. However, tensions between Iran and the Gulf countries are still a focus of attention. The potential for new conflict continues to exist, especially regarding Iran’s nuclear program and its support for militant groups in the region. The climate crisis is also one of the main issues in global geopolitics. Global warming threatens social and economic stability in many countries. The most vulnerable countries, such as those in Africa and Southeast Asia, are struggling to cope with the impacts of climate change. In this context, international collaboration becomes very important, with various global meetings such as COP26 seeking to find joint solutions. On the other hand, technological and cyber developments play an important role in shaping geopolitics. Information warfare and cyber attacks are becoming new tools in competition between countries. Countries are seeking to improve their cyber defense capabilities, considering this to be an increasingly relaxed contemporary battlefield. Following this development, human rights issues have also received attention. Western countries’ support for social change in certain countries, such as in Iran and Belarus, creates diplomatic tensions. In a multilateral context, international organizations such as the UN and NATO play an important role in addressing these challenges. Meanwhile, the challenge of reaching agreement between countries is often hampered by differences in national interests. As time goes by, these changes show that global geopolitics will continue to adapt and shift. Long-term stability remains questionable in the face of multiple interrelated challenges.