Geopolitical issues (AQA A-Level Geography): Revision Notes
Geopolitical issues
Understanding geopolitics
Energy resources don't just power our homes and industries - they shape international relationships and global power dynamics. The way countries interact over energy creates complex political tensions and partnerships.
Geopolitics is the study of international relations, as influenced by geographical factors.
Geopolitics examines how nations (or groups of nations) relate to the wider world. Each country has a sphere of influence - this means they can exert power over other nations through:
- Trade agreements
- Economic assistance
- Military involvement
When it comes to energy, geographical factors like resource location, transportation routes, and proximity to consumers create natural advantages and dependencies that shape global politics.
Energy alliances and political divisions
Since the 1990s, old political alliances from the Cold War era have started to break down. However, some divisions between East and West remain influential today.
Energy geopolitics has created its own alliances:
- OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) represents an economic alliance
- Countries with surplus oil can export to developing nations that need it
- OPEC controls approximately 50% of global crude oil exports, giving it significant influence over oil trade
Trade and management: cooperation and conflict
Strong political relationships between nations lead to co-operation in securing future energy supplies. Countries work together to establish reliable energy partnerships.
However, there are also numerous potential threats and conflicts that could threaten future energy security.
Saudi Arabia: shifting relationships
Saudi Arabia maintains strong connections with the USA and other Western nations. However, several factors could change this relationship:
- Future leadership transitions may alter political direction
- Economic reforms within Saudi Arabia
- The perceived threat of terrorism
These uncertainties mean that Western countries cannot guarantee continued stable energy supplies from Saudi Arabia.
Arab Spring: regional instability
The Arab Spring uprisings began in 2010 across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. These political movements have created different outcomes for various oil-producing states.
Case Study: Libya
Libya serves as a key example of how regional instability affects energy security:
- Previously a stable oil producer
- Experienced significant political upheaval during Arab Spring
- This instability is likely to affect future oil supplies from the country
- Creates uncertainty for countries depending on Libyan oil
Iran: sanctions and nuclear tensions
Iran represents a major oil and gas supplier, but its relationship with Western nations, particularly the USA, has been extremely difficult for many years.
Timeline of tensions:
- 2006: International sanctions imposed on Iran due to concerns about military nuclear capability development
- Impact: Iran's economy severely damaged despite continued trade with China and Russia
- 2015: International agreement signed, lifting sanctions and allowing Iran to trade oil with Europe and North America
- 2019: President Trump re-imposed sanctions on trade between the US and Iran
Current situation: Iran's growing military influence, especially against US allies in the region, has created fresh tensions and ongoing uncertainty about energy supplies.
Russia and Europe: the Ukraine crisis
Trade relations between Russia and Europe face serious threats due to Russia's actions in Eastern Europe and the Middle East.
Key developments:
- Russia supports separatist movements in eastern Ukraine
- Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine
- Ukraine's government has allied with Europe, escalating the conflict
- Russia's involvement in the Syrian conflict has increased tensions
Energy implications:
The European Union has placed additional sanctions on Russia in response to these actions. However, this creates a significant risk - Europe's gas supply depends heavily on Russia.
This situation demonstrates the complex challenge of geopolitics: taking action against a country that controls your energy supply.
Remember!
Key Points to Remember:
- Geopolitics studies how geographical factors influence international relations, particularly regarding trade, economics and military power
- Energy creates both cooperation (when countries work together) and conflict (when political tensions threaten supplies)
- OPEC controls about 50% of crude oil exports, giving it major influence over global oil trade
- Key geopolitical flashpoints include Saudi Arabia (terrorism concerns), the Arab Spring (regional instability), Iran (sanctions and nuclear development), and Russia-Europe relations (Ukraine conflict)
- Countries often face difficult choices when energy suppliers engage in actions they oppose - sanctions can backfire when you depend on that country for energy