Millennials Are Witnessing the Rise of an Era of Geopolitical Tension

Nicky Vasquez

International politics has played a key role in global development in the 21st century. The geopolitical tension among nations domestically and abroad have heightened since many leaders want to maximize their ‘power.’ Just a few decades ago, the United States was the strongest country in the world. Now, there is a rising China, Russia, and Israel. Going from a ‘unipolar world’ to a ‘multipolar’ one, is a new adjustment for many. Countries like the United States and Russia are power hungry and cannot stand to see each other getting stronger.

Tensions arise from several factors. One of the biggest is militarization. This entails threatening a country with armed forces or with nuclear arms, by beefing up their military or nuclear arsenal. Millennial’s are learning about WMD’s (Weapons of Mass Destruction) more and more within contemporary politics. Another factor is the economy. Geopolitical tensions are driving the market at the moment.[1] Each nation wants to have a strong economy, however, other factors such as exports, imports, currencies, interest rates, etc. influence market strength. When one market is failing, it can severely impact many others, which creates more pressure and tension. To add, a lot of tension is deriving from the Middle East. With Syria becoming a failed state, ISIS gaining momentum, and oil being in most of the Middle Eastern possession, this all creates a scary situation. Geopolitics is rarely a zero-sum game. But in the case of shale oil, it is.[2] 

Let us not forget that the United States is simply the biggest contributor to this tension. Simply because there are American bases that encircle the globe.[3] Although these bases are taken for granted or are overlooked entirely, they still exist and when the bubble is about to burst, it is likely the United States will utilize these bases in combat. Many millennial’s may know more about the army domestically and internationally simply because times have changed. Budget and size of military is often spoken more now than it ever was before. Today’s media has been more effective and efficient in uncovering government secrets. It is a fact, that the United States spends the most money on their military in the world. With that being said, do you think that this creates some of this ‘geopolitical tension’ nationally and internationally? 

Nonetheless, other global events or entities such as: the refugee crisis/migration, UK leaving the EU, the United Nations, alliances, and the troubled Middle East all contribute to the geopolitical risks we face this very day.[4] These are the top risks many millennials should know about or have at least some knowledge about. With there being a competition of who can achieve the ultimate power first, do you think millennials will be the generation to see World War III? Only time will tell to determine whether the United States will continue to hold the strongest military or to see if the United States will engage in war with North Korea. 

By: Nicky Vasquez

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SOURCES:

[1] Shawn Hoopman. Geopolitical Tensions Affect the Markets. Sharp Trader. April 13, 2017. Web. http://www.sharptrader.com/geopolitical-tensions-affect-markets/

[2] Geopolitical Futures. Shale Oil: Another Layer of US Power. June 15, 2017. Web. https://geopoliticalfutures.com/shale-oil-another-layer-us-power/

[3] David Vine. Base NationL How the U.S. Military Bases Abroad Harm America and the World. The American Empire Project. Book. August 25, 2015. http://americanempireproject.com/base-nation/

[4] Ian Bremmer. The Top 5 Geopolitical Risks for 2016. Time Magazine.  January 7, 2016. Article. http://time.com/4170785/the-top-5-geopolitical-risks-for-2016/