‘Geopolitics’ is a complex global practice, which is scripted by every nation-state to serve its very own national interests. Through the course of its enactment, the countries embrace all sorts of channels from impeccable diplomacy to obscene military-use.
A country can be one’s adored ally and at the same time, it can warm up towards the enemy of its closest ally. The era of ‘with us or against us’ has quickly disappeared and now the world is opening up to form new geopolitical configurations.
During the World War-II, China, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States were the four major allies, billed as Big Four or Four Policemen. These four, along with other allies, formed the latter named United Nations against the Axis powers (Rome-Berlin-Tokyo) to curb their aggression.
Much has changed today. The ‘Four Sheriffs’ bloc is shattered and has rived into two parts, China-Russia and the US-UK. Nowadays Italy, Germany, and Japan are no more the Axis powers; rather they have grown into economic giants and are the axis of development and growth. Incidentally two of Axis powers, Germany and Italy, are NATO members while Japan is also a major Non-NATO ally.
In the changing global models, Moscow and Washington are the predestined foes but they can still manage to closely tie up with one common super ally, Israel. The US is protecting Japan from North Korean, Chinese, and Russian threats. China once seeking US support from the former Soviet Union is now a Russian partner.
Today India can classify its bromance with Israel as ‘marriage made in heaven’ and at the same time, can remit deep harmony for Palestinians. On the other hand, Israel can sustain promising relations with Indian adversary, China.
India can develop strategic and trade ties with the United States at the cost of its all-time ally, Russia and in a rejoinder Russia can welcome its cold war rival, Pakistan. Then off course, the China and Pakistan can describe their relationship as ‘all-weather friendship’ which is ‘sweeter than honey’.
Washington can discount New Delhi’s strong economic and strategic ties with Tehran hoping to contain Beijing’s growing influence but Iran can yet preserve apex rapport with China. Iran can openly intervene in Syria to protect Assad regime and can combat with the US-backed opposition factions without any threats to its sovereignty. Both Iran and Israel can be the vilest enemies but can be very close to China and Russia.
Iran and Saudi Arabia can spawn crucial differences but still can manage to vote unanimously on Jerusalem. Washington can be tightly tied with Riyadh and simultaneously can duck to Iranian intervention in Yemen. Saudi Arabia and UAE can ignore the Pakistan-India historic tiffs and can be aligned with either of them.
The United States can downplay Pakistan role in war on terror and can also bolster knots with Pakistan’s one of the most reliable affiliate, Saudi Arabia. Pakistan can warm up towards cold war rival, Russia, while the US and Russia can talk in Moscow to resolve Afghanistan dilemma.
Afghanistan would have been the Pakistan’s unsurpassed neighboring country over the years but historically an Indian victor, Kabul can now abhor Islamabad and can greet New Delhi on its soil with open arms.
Albeit several downturns in relations during Erdogan stint, Turkey can retain diplomatic and trade relations with Israel and can also endure brotherly ties with Iran, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. Like New Delhi, Ankara can also manage to get close to both Washington and Moscow in tandem.
North Korea may be the most-hated country for the Americans but the United States can ignore the direct nuclear threats and also the sweet India-North Korea relations – instead can focus on ‘terror havens’ in Pakistan.
Africa can be a bone of contention for international forces in the backdrop of rich natural resources like timber, oil, and diamonds – snubbing the intense killings, human rights abuses, and massive human displacement in a number of African countries.
Nearly all of the European countries including the United Kingdom can generally have good relations with all the countries around the world despite supporting US wars on terror in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and elsewhere – killing millions, directly or indirectly.
Kashmiris can be a victim of Indian oppressions, Palestinians can be assailed by Israel, and Rohingyas can be persecuted by Myanmar but international community can afford to just condemn or pass resolutions but never forgetting to propagate odd armed resistance.
This is how ‘geopolitics’ neglects gross human rights violations, human carnage, and human persecutions to serve the larger national interests of any nation-state.