Robert D. Kaplan
Despite the illusion of a borderless globalized world, the physical terrain of mountains, rivers, and oceans remains the most powerful force dictating the rise and fall of nations.
Realist geopolitical theory asserts that enduring physical landscapes, rather than shifting political ideologies, primarily determine the strategic behavior of nation states.
Control over the Eurasian landmass, specifically the central heartland and coastal rimlands, remains the ultimate prize in global power struggles.
Lacking natural defensive barriers, Russia suffers from a deep historic insecurity that compels it to constantly seek expansion and buffer zones to protect its core.