Energy Realism and the Return of classical geopolitics in the 21st century
Energy Realism and the Return of classical geopolitics in the 21st century

Summary/Abstract: The Year 2022 could be considered epochal in the annals of energy geopolitics. The energy prices have been a signifier of conflict in Europe over Ukraine. There has never been such intense geopolitical sparring among countries on energy supplies. And, also Heartland geopolitics seems to have come up in a new avatar in this era. The present paper examines the possible directions of energy geopolitics and the adjustments among big powers. Energy geopolitics shapes the Heartland geopolitics and vice versa. This paper argues that Heartland geopolitics has acquired a fundamental transition reinforced by energy geopolitics in the post-Cold War period. The Heartland geopolitics currently pivoting on carbon energy has all the resources to shift towards nuclear energy geopolitics. The Russia- Ukraine war exposed the weakness of international institutions and the absence of shared interest in a rule-based international order. Mackinder’s observation of democracy and geopolitical realities provide sufficient leads to wading through the current quagmire.

• Details
• Contents