Global power protection and the safety of sea Routes
Nikolaus Scholik in the MS&D Magazine.
23.08.2024
More than any other political or economic issue, people are concerned about security of supply and local, or at most regional, peace. Since the end of the last World War, geopolitical events have been occurring at an ever-faster rate than in previous centuries.
These events are dominated by two key factors, namely global population growth and the associated decline in global environmental conditions. However, as long as the first two dimensions, namely supply security and peace, are guaranteed in our own region and without repercussions, no threat or obvious degradation will be felt. Problems, on the other hand do occur, but people are all too happy to believe that they will be solved “somehow“. The changes in the global system – politics, economy, environment, wealth distribution and growth – which began with the collapse of the Soviet Union and later with 9/11, have taken on a different dimension and dynamic and today present a completely changed picture of the global political and economic situation. However, the realisation that global problems also require global solutions has still not really taken hold and is at best rudimentary and partial when viewed in the most favourable light. This essay addresses the foundations, effects and circumstances of the maritime conditions that are irreplaceable for global trade and thus global prosperity – the free use and security of the sea lanes.