geostrategies
Nations' spatial power plans
Geostrategies are plans or policies that account for geographic factors in pursuing political, military, or economic objectives.
The term typically appears in discussions of international relations and foreign policy, where nations position themselves based on territorial advantages, resource access, and regional influence: China's geostrategies in the South China Sea have drawn international concern.
Areas of dominant authority
- soft powerInfluence through appeal
- multilateralismMulti-party international cooperation
- treatiesFormal agreements between states
- summitsHighest elevations or conferences
coalitions · non-alignment · détente · rapprochement · shuttle diplomacy · buffer states · neutrality · client states
Protection against harm
- NATOWestern defense organization
- deterrencePrevention via threatened consequences
- containmentPreventing hostile expansion
- basesBottom supports or stations
alliances · theater · buffer zones · choke points · naval power · airspace · nuclear · arsenals
Lines separating regions
- annexationAbsorbing territory into jurisdiction
- sovereigntySupreme independent authority
- islandsLand surrounded by water
- enclavesTerritories surrounded by another
buffer states · territorial waters · partition · unification · landlocked · archipelagos · continental shelf · occupation
Slippery viscous fluid
- pipelinesTubes for transporting fluids
- energy securityAssured access to fuel
- rare earthsMetallic elements, misleadingly named
- mineralsInorganic natural solids
water rights · trade routes · commodities · supply chains · gas fields · sanctions · embargoes · shipping lanes
spheres of influence
Areas of dominant authority
- soft powerInfluence through appeal
- multilateralismMulti-party international cooperation
- treatiesFormal agreements between states
summits · coalitions · non-alignment · détente · rapprochement · shuttle diplomacy · buffer states · neutrality · client states · realpolitik
defense
Protection against harm
- NATOWestern defense organization
- deterrencePrevention via threatened consequences
- containmentPreventing hostile expansion
bases · alliances · theater · buffer zones · choke points · naval power · airspace · nuclear · arsenals · troop deployment
borders
Lines separating regions
- annexationAbsorbing territory into jurisdiction
- sovereigntySupreme independent authority
- islandsLand surrounded by water
enclaves · buffer states · territorial waters · partition · unification · landlocked · archipelagos · continental shelf · occupation · secession
oil
Slippery viscous fluid
- pipelinesTubes for transporting fluids
- energy securityAssured access to fuel
- rare earthsMetallic elements, misleadingly named
minerals · water rights · trade routes · commodities · supply chains · gas fields · sanctions · embargoes · shipping lanes · lithium
geostrategiestactical maneuvers
Planned strategic movements
tactical operations · municipal planning · grassroots organizing · domestic policy
geostrategiesimprovisation
Spontaneous, unplanned creation
knee-jerk reactions · spontaneous reaction · short-termism · muddling through · snap decisions