Geopolitics and the World Order

GeopoliticsGeopolitics• The ability of a state (or nation) to control The ability of a state (or nation) to control

territory and affect the foreign policy of states, territory and affect the foreign policy of states, nations, and international relationsnations, and international relations

• Examples of Geopolitics in action:Examples of Geopolitics in action:– Colonialism / (threat of) Military InterventionColonialism / (threat of) Military Intervention– Neocolonialism / ImperialismNeocolonialism / Imperialism– Dependency and International AidDependency and International Aid– Treaties, Organizations, Alliances, Agreements Treaties, Organizations, Alliances, Agreements

(EU, NAFTA, NATO, World Bank, UN, etc.)(EU, NAFTA, NATO, World Bank, UN, etc.)

ColonialismColonialism

OrganizationOrganization(NATO)(NATO)

MilitarilyMilitarily

Geopolitical TheoriesGeopolitical Theories• Heartland Theory (Halford Mackinder)

• East / West Theory

• Domino Theory

• New World Order

• Since 9/11?

• If you control Eurasia, you control the world

• Prior to Russian revolution, WWI

• Perhaps Hitler bought into this theory?

Heartland TheoryHeartland Theory

East / West Theory: East / West Theory: “Cold War”“Cold War”• 2 Options:2 Options:

– Ally with the West: free, “good”Ally with the West: free, “good”– Ally with the East: Communist, Fascist “evil”Ally with the East: Communist, Fascist “evil”

• Dominant perspective from ~1917 (Russian Dominant perspective from ~1917 (Russian Revolution) through 1989 / 1991Revolution) through 1989 / 1991

Cold War propaganda map: “Red menace”Cold War propaganda map: “Red menace”

Domino TheoryDomino Theory• If one country turns to communism, If one country turns to communism,

then the next one will, and the next then the next one will, and the next one, and the next one, etc. (i.e. China, one, and the next one, etc. (i.e. China, Korea, Vietnam, etc.)Korea, Vietnam, etc.)

19451945 19801980

CubaCuba90 miles90 miles

Havana to Havana to Key West, FLKey West, FL

FidelFidelCastroCastro

U.S. History with CubaU.S. History with Cuba• “Free” country up to 1959

• Fulgencio Batista: MAJOR U.S. investment / influence (gambling, mafia, resorts: “Latin Las Vegas;” “Gambling Mecca of New World”)

• “America’s Paradise:” ~Cancun

• Lucky Luciano arranged Frank Sinatra act in Havana

• Batista loved by U.S., became corrupted by U.S. $$

• Many Cubans wanted Cuba to be “free” of U.S. “influence”

• Cuban Revolution: 1959 (1/1/59)Cuban Revolution: 1959 (1/1/59)

BatistaBatista

Cuban RevolutionCuban Revolution

• ““Red Scare:” Red Scare:” fear of spread of fear of spread of Communism around the worldCommunism around the world

• Since no longer part of “West” Since no longer part of “West” and no more U.S. influence, U.S. and no more U.S. influence, U.S. had fears of Cuba going had fears of Cuba going Communist—only 90 miles away!Communist—only 90 miles away!

• 1960: Eisenhower tried to 1960: Eisenhower tried to influence Cuba: boycott sugar, no influence Cuba: boycott sugar, no oil; all diplomatic relations cut offoil; all diplomatic relations cut off

• 1961: Bay of Pigs invasion 1961: Bay of Pigs invasion organized by CIA (largely organized by CIA (largely composed of Cuban exiles living composed of Cuban exiles living in U.S.)—failedin U.S.)—failed

• Castro in power ever sinceCastro in power ever since

1962: Cuban Missile Crisis1962: Cuban Missile Crisis• Cuba allies with USSR (defense and

trade) and Cuba agrees to allow Soviet Union to put missiles in Cuba (again, only 90 miles away)

• “Cuban Missile Crisis:” U.S. reacts; blockades Cuba; orders removal of missiles

• USSR tells Cuba if U.S. fires or invades, launch missiles

• 2 weeks go by… “Khrushchev blinked”• Russia removes missiles• 1963: JFK says trading with Cuba is

ILLEGAL; tells other countries (i.e. Latin America) that U.S. will cut off aid to anyone who trades with Cuba:

the the EMBARGOEMBARGO beginsbegins

Since 1963Since 1963• After the USSR collapsed, Cuba After the USSR collapsed, Cuba

left without superpower, no $$$left without superpower, no $$$• Economic Embargo Economic Embargo still in effectstill in effect• Fidel: longest serving ruler in the world Fidel: longest serving ruler in the world

(48 years) until he “retired” in 2008(48 years) until he “retired” in 2008• What (or who) happens after Raul?What (or who) happens after Raul?

QUESTIONS:QUESTIONS:• Is the embargo working? Is the embargo working? • Fidel is gone: should we continue it?Fidel is gone: should we continue it?• Who is it hurting / helping?Who is it hurting / helping?• Who wants to be the president to be Who wants to be the president to be

viewed as the one who gave in to viewed as the one who gave in to Communism? Will Obama be the guy?Communism? Will Obama be the guy?

Cuba

Travel!Travel!U.S. ENTRY / EXIT REQUIREMENTS / TRAVEL TRANSACTION LIMITATIONS: The U.S. Treasury Dept requires that persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction be licensed to engage in any travel-related transactionstransactions concerning travel to, from, and within Cuba. Transactions related to tourist travel Transactions related to tourist travel are not licensable.are not licensable.   This restriction includes tourist travel to Cuba from or through a third country such as Mexico or Canada.  Travelers who fail to comply with Department of Treasury regulations will face civil penalties and criminal prosecution upon return to the United States and may face up to a $250,000 fine and up to 10 years in jail.

This is aThis is a U.S.U.S. law!law!

Not a Cuban law.Not a Cuban law.

The UN Vote on the Embargo:The UN Vote on the Embargo:(11/13/12)(11/13/12)

FORFOR AGAINSTAGAINST• United StatesUnited States 186 186 countriescountries• IsraelIsrael around the around the • PalauPalau worldworld

(3 abstentions) (3 abstentions)

2121 consecutive years that the UN has consecutive years that the UN has voted voted overwhelminglyoverwhelmingly to end the to end the

embargo (but it’s not their embargo)embargo (but it’s not their embargo)http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/un-once-again-votes-to-condemn-us-embargo-against-cuba/2012/11/13/8c3b15b0-2dbb-11e2-b631-2aad9d9c73ac_story.html

Geopolitics of the Middle EastGeopolitics of the Middle EastWestern influence in the Middle East

• 1948: Israel (re)created by U.N.*1948: Israel (re)created by U.N.*• In a mostly Arabic region, most reject /

resent the decision by Core countries to assist in creation of Israel in what they consider their homeland (culturally, historically, religiously) for ~3,000 years

• Cultural bias on part of Core countries?

Palestinian NewspaperPalestinian Newspaper

* Partition Plan: * Partition Plan: signifies the birth of what has come to be recognized as continuous trouble for the U.S. (mostly) in the Middle East

• Jewish StateJewish State (Israel)(Israel)

• Arab State (Palestine)

• International ZoneInternational Zone (Jerusalem)(Jerusalem)

1948: 1948: UN Partition PlanUN Partition Plan

Jerusalem:Jerusalem:Holy City to Jews, Muslims, and ChristiansHoly City to Jews, Muslims, and Christians

2020thth Century History of Israel / Palestine Century History of Israel / Palestine

Nation?Nation?State?State?

Nation-State?Nation-State?Concept?Concept?Occupied Occupied Lands?Lands?

Palestine:

• West Bank• Gaza Strip

• Arab (ethnic) territoriality • Palestinians are multi-religious:

- Mostly Muslims but many ChristiansMostly Muslims but many Christians• Ethnic nationalist movement, but some newer

Muslim groups

PalestiniansPalestinians

The Main Issue:The Main Issue:• From Palestinian point of view:From Palestinian point of view:

– Israel is made of land taken from the Arab World– Anyone who supports Israel is part of the problem

(Western Countries: ethnocentrism?)

• From Israel’s point of view:From Israel’s point of view:– Israel is Jewish holy land, rightfully returned– Under constant threat / attack

• SOLUTIONS ANYONE?SOLUTIONS ANYONE?