Geopolitical risks and insecurity in the South Caucasus. The role of geographical constraints in the case of Georgia
Geopolitical risks and insecurity in the South Caucasus. The role of geographical constraints in the case of Georgia

Summary/Abstract: The South Caucasus region is characterised by a high level of geopolitical instability, determined by the overlapping of frozen conflicts,competition between regional and extra-regional actors, and the structural vulnerabilities of the states in the area. In this context, the article analyses the role of geographical constraints in generating and perpetuating insecurity, taking Georgia as a case study. The premise from which the analysis starts is that geography is not a simple passive framework of international relations, but an essential explanatory variable that shapes the strategic options, foreign policy behaviour and security vulnerability of small states. The research uses a qualitative exploratory approach, based on geopolitical analysis, documentation and cartographic processing. Georgia’s geographical positioning, territorial fragmentation and exposure to external pressures converge in a model of structural insecurity, which limits the state’s ability to diversify its geopolitical options. The article contributes to the regional security literature by highlighting geography as a determinant of geopolitical risk in the South Caucasus and the wider Black Sea region.

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