Identification of the Implications of Energy Corridors and Great-Power Geopolitical Competition for National Security and Defense Strategy
Keywords:
Energy corridors, great power geopolitical competition, strategic risk management, regional cooperationAbstract
Competition over energy resources and control of strategic transit corridors, particularly in geopolitically sensitive regions, constitutes one of the key determinants of national security and the formulation of defense strategies for countries at both regional and global levels. Accordingly, this article aimed to examine the impact of energy corridors and great-power geopolitical competition on national security and the defense strategies of states. The research methodology was based on a systematic review of scientific literature and case studies, which facilitated the identification of relationships among national security, defense strategy, energy transportation, and the geopolitical competition of major powers. The study first identified the principal implications of energy corridors, including energy security, defense resilience, reduced dependence on external resources, protection of critical infrastructure, enhancement of economic capabilities, utilization of emerging technologies, and coordination of national policies. Subsequently, the implications of great-power geopolitical competition were examined, including shifts in the balance of power, direct and indirect threats, the necessity of revising defense policies, strengthening regional cooperation, managing strategic risks, conducting systematic analyses of competitive dynamics, and increasing states’ strategic autonomy. The findings indicated that energy corridors and great-power competition exert extensive influences not only on the economic sphere but also on defense and security policies. Effective and strategic management of these factors is therefore essential for strengthening national security and enhancing defense capabilities. Based on the results, several recommendations are proposed, including the development of energy and technological infrastructure, the reinforcement of regional cooperation, the formulation of coordinated energy and security policies, and the enhancement of human resource capacities. These measures can enable countries to improve their security and stability within the increasingly complex global geopolitical and energy environment.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Miesam Salimi (Author); Amin Ravanbod; Ali Mohamad Haghighi (Author)
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