Geopolitics: Heartland and Rimland in Global Rivalry

In this episode, we revisit the classics of geopolitical thought to understand today’s strategic rivalries. How do Halford Mackinder’s Heartland theory and Nicholas Spykman’s Rimland theory still shape global power politics? We explore the modern contest over Eurasia—where Russia, China, and the United States each seek to define the region’s future. From Russia’s use of the Heartland concept and the Russkiy Mir narrative in its approach to Ukraine, to China’s Belt and Road Initiative as both a continental and maritime power play, these enduring ideas frame much of 21st‑century strategy.We also examine how Atlantic powers like Germany and the United Kingdom interpret these theories differently—revealing deep-seated divides in transatlantic behavior from the Iraq War to current global realignments.Subscribe to Diplomacy and International Relations for more in‑depth discussions on how classical ideas continue to shape modern world politics. Follow this link: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/iqulture/subscribe