by Anna Bartlett

In 2023 there are more state-based conflicts than in any other year since the end of World War Two. Is this a return to realism or a signal of a new era of conflict? One of the oldest approaches to global politics, realism in international relations highlights the primacy of state self interest, sovereignty and security in the global stage. The resurgence of conflict in recent years has signalled a shift in global politics, revealing that we have not reached the ‘end of history’, as some liberals once hoped, but rather the beginning of a new chapter, where power dynamics and strategic interests now play a more prominent role in shaping the discourse. We saw this dynamic in operation at the outbreak of the Ukraine crisis, and it has become even more painfully apparent in the recent horrific developments in the intractable conflict in Gaza.

The ongoing crisis in Ukraine stands as a poignant case study, questioning whether realism ever truly waned in global politics, and challenging the notion that the post-Cold War era represented a genuine embrace of global cooperation, democracy and peace. The annexation of Crimea by Russia and the ongoing conflict in Eastern Ukraine have underscored traditional notions of sovereignty and strategic ambitions as key drivers of international relations. Realpolitik has re-emerged as the core of international diplomacy, but what does this mean for other protracted conflicts, like Nagorno-Karabakh, Syria and most recently Gaza? Diplomatic channels have collapsed between Russia and its rivals, preventing any meaningful dialogue towards cooperation. It has brought the stark realities of power politics and geopolitical interests to the forefront and exposed the complex motives that often underlie global politics, where the pursuit of power, security, and strategic advantage can take precedence over lofty goals of peace and development.

However, it’s essential to remember that history is not static. New avenues of peaceful cooperation must be explored, and evolving global dynamics offer hope for a different path forward for Ukraine and Gaza, and for more stable and peaceful international relations.