The presidential elections in Belarus 2025: the curse and revenge of geography
G eography, despite its various definitions, often manifests as a curse in international relations, creating obstacles that hinder the development of certain nations. These challenges stem from the geographical position of a country’s territory or its natural resources and can expose a state to security threats from both external and internal adversaries. In their pursuit of interests, neighbouring countries or global superpowers often adopt dangerous policies, disregarding international norms and the interests of others. The countries in such delicate environments find it extremely difficult to maintain independence, sovereignty, and sustainable development. Contemporary examples of the curse of geography in today’s world include the Turkish-Greek maritime border dispute, the conflict between Turkey and Cyprus over oil and gas exploitation in the Eastern Mediterranean, and Lebanon's position between two warring states, Syria and Israel. Geography’s curse extends to rivers, where...