From the division of empires to contemporary geopolitical crises

Written for Kosovo Online by Zeljko Sajn

The beginning of the twentieth century was marked by the collapse of major empires and the emergence of a new international order. Decisions made during the First World War permanently shaped the political map of Europe and the Middle East. Many of the borders established at that time were the result of diplomatic agreements among the great powers rather than solely an expression of the will of the peoples living in those regions.

One such example is the London Pact of 1915, through which Great Britain, France, and the Russian Empire sought to persuade Italy to enter the war on the side of the Entente. At the same time, discussions were taking place regarding the division of the territories of the Ottoman Empire, whose political power was gradually weakening during that period.

This process was concretized through the Sykes–Picot Agreement of 1916, under which Britain and France divided spheres of influence in the Middle East. According to this plan, France was to control the areas of present-day Syria and Lebanon, while British influence was directed toward the territories of present-day Iraq, Jordan, and parts of Palestine. The borders created during that period often did not follow the ethnic and religious divisions of the population, which later became a source of numerous political and security tensions.

At the Versailles Peace Conference in 1919, efforts were made to establish a new international order. Scholars and intellectuals also took part in discussions about borders and national questions. Serbian-American scientist Mihajlo Pupin, in his memoranda addressed to President Woodrow Wilson, pointed to the ethnic structure of the Balkans and the importance of determining borders in a more just manner.

During the twentieth century, the Middle East became one of the most important regions in world politics. In addition to its historical legacy, the significance of the region stems from its vast natural resources. Countries such as Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Iraq possess significant reserves of oil and gas, giving the region considerable economic and strategic importance. At the same time, the Middle East is crossed by major trade routes linking Europe, Asia, and Africa, including the Suez Canal and the Strait of Hormuz.

Because of this strategic position, the region has become an area where the interests of great powers intersect. In contemporary international relations, the United States, Russia, and China play a significant role, each seeking to secure political and economic influence in the region. In this context, the State of Israel represents an important ally of the United States, while regional powers such as Iran seek to expand their own influence.

In geopolitical debates, strategic analyses of the region’s future are sometimes mentioned. One frequently cited example is the text by Israeli analyst Oded Yinon, published in 1982 in the journal Kivunim, in which he argued that the stability of the region might depend on the weakening of large regional states and the emergence of smaller political entities based on ethnic and religious divisions. However, most historians and political scientists emphasize that this was an individual analytical study rather than an official policy of the State of Israel.

Contemporary conflicts show that the world is currently in a period of significant geopolitical transformation. The war in Ukraine and tensions in the Middle East indicate that local crises are increasingly becoming part of broader rivalries among major powers. Chinese historian of ideas Jiang Xueqin points out that the space linking Europe, the Middle East, and Asia represents an important civilizational belt where cultures, trade, and political interests have intertwined throughout history.

Similar processes can also be observed in other parts of the world. The issue of Kosovo and Metohija demonstrates that regional conflicts in the Balkans also carry broader international significance, as they reflect the interests of various actors. Although historical circumstances differ, these examples indicate that local disputes often become part of wider geopolitical processes.

For this reason, contemporary conflicts cannot be viewed as isolated crises. They are part of a broader process in which a new balance of power in the world is gradually taking shape. Regions such as the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and the Balkans remain important geopolitical focal points where deeper changes in the international order and in relations among major powers are reflected.