Global Tensions

Thesis: The shifting geopolitical climate caused by things such as overpopulation, the Rich-poor gap, climate change, and cultural divides, is likely to drastically influence how states deal with conflict as it shifts to being internal as opposed to external.

x- Geostrategic conflicts have continued to some extent post Cold War and may continue to have a strong significance in international conflict- military competition will revive efforts to gain territorial power

x- Most fights will be between civilizations, not necessarily nations, as fault lines are created between cultures

x- Many of the biggest threats to global stability are not definable in geographic terms, spreading discord creates great stresses on many (things such as economic woes, the Rich-Poor gap, religious competition, etc.)

x- Ric-poor gaps are creating fissures among societies as poor masses are becoming increasingly resentful of the wealthy and being attracted to violent gang activities or ethnic strife

x- The erosion of state authority and rise of group identity is creating a new form of ethnic strife that easily sparks conflict- this is only made worse by advances in communication which certain political groups use to their advantage.

x- Rapid population growth is threating world food supplies and creating international tension as states seek to curb immigration and protect their own remaining assets

x- Greenhouse warming is leading to resources scarcity that greatly affects poor countries that cannot handle the damage- additionally, it raises the risk of ethnic conflict as resource scarcity causes groups to fight one another

x- The new forms of international security are likely to shape conflict in a way that makes military power almost obsolete as states shift to dealing with internal, as opposed to international, wars