The “Grand Chessboard” of the 21st Century

Geopolitical Strategies of the Multipolar World

Abstract

Following the March, 2014 annexation of the Crimean Peninsula, international political analysts began speaking of the rebirth of orthodox geopolitics. The event also signified the beginning of a multi-polar period. While US foreign policy is retreating and becoming more insular, large growing markets are returning through the use of military strength, i.e., by using “hard power”. Using its Eurasian geopolitical principle, Russia - which is clearly standing opposed to the USA - is increasingly becoming a land power. But given its natural geography it is doubtful it can become a sea power: only its Sevastopol harbour gives its flotilla access to warm-water seas. As such, Ukraine’s role as a buffer state will increase. The sharp opposition between West and East will make it impossible for Ukraine to become a bridging state in the future, i.e., to be a liaison state, a bridge state between West and East.