Geopolitical Transition and Competition Among Major Global Power Centers: Existential Security Challenges and Regional Conflicts

The field of international relations is currently witnessing a significant transformation in the global geopolitical landscape. The transition from a U.S.-led unipolar system, which dominated the post-World War II era, to a multipolar configuration involving both Western and non-Western powers, presents a complex array of challenges and opportunities. This shift raises critical questions about the future of global governance, the stability of the international order, and the management of existential security threats. Recent studies have highlighted the increasing competition among major powers such as the United States, China, Russia, and the European Union, each with distinct values and strategic visions. These dynamics are further complicated by regional conflicts in areas like Ukraine, Taiwan, and the Middle East, which have the potential to escalate into broader confrontations. Despite ongoing research, there remains a gap in understanding how these power shifts will impact global security and governance, particularly in terms of arms control, climate change, and terrorism. Addressing these gaps requires a comprehensive analysis of both Western and non-Western perspectives on international relations.

This research topic aims to explore the shifting geopolitical relationships among major global powers and their implications for world order and existential security challenges. The primary objectives include analyzing the role of major powers in managing transnational security threats, assessing the evolution of statecraft and diplomacy, and identifying mechanisms to prevent regional conflicts from escalating into global wars. By applying diverse theoretical frameworks, the research seeks to provide a nuanced understanding of the strategic interests and narratives shaping the contemporary global order.

To gather further insights into the complexities of geopolitical transitions and competition among major power centers, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
• The evolution of international relations theories in the context of a multipolar world.
• Comparative analysis of Western and non-Western approaches to global governance.
• The role of technology and diplomacy in contemporary statecraft.
• Risks and mechanisms for managing regional conflicts and preventing escalation.
• The impact of major power dynamics on arms control and proliferation.
• Climate change as a transnational security challenge.
• The influence of global health crises on international relations.
• The strategic interests and narratives of emerging powers in the Global South.
• Alternatives to the liberal rules-based international order.

Keywords: Geopolitical transition, Power configuration, Global governance, Strategic diplomacy, Conflict management

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.