The New Age of Great Power Competition: Alliances, Containment, and Polarization in the Post-Soviet Space 4035-LIC3-WMJA-NA
Students will explore how the post-Soviet space has transformed from a zone of post-Cold War integration into the primary fault line of modern global polarization. The curriculum bridges classical concepts of grand strategy—such as Rimland containment and hybrid hegemony (exercising dominance over physical landmass, virtual networks, and critical maritime corridors)—with the unique technological and economic realities of the 21st century. Special emphasis is placed on non-conventional and asymmetric levers of power.
The course systematically deconstructs the mechanics of modern economic statecraft, providing a rigorous analysis of primary vs. secondary sanctions, the operations of the Russian "shadow fleet" in the Baltic and Black Seas, pipeline and subsea infrastructure vulnerabilities, and the geopolitical diversion of agricultural commodities (grail shipments).
Through key case studies, including the war in Ukraine and its diplomatic configurations (the US-RU-UA mediation triangles), students will evaluate how regional security on NATO's eastern flank directly calibrates global flashpoints such as the Taiwan Strait. The course draws heavily on foundational sovereign literature,
declassified archival portfolios, and real-time policy papers from the Hoover Institution Applied History Working Group to foster critical thinking about the future of the Euro-Atlantic and Eurasian security architectures.
Course coordinators
Type of course
Learning outcomes
1) Knowledge:
• The student defines, periodizes, and characterizes the structural phases of thepost-1991 Eurasian geopolitical order, with a specific focus on the transformation of the post-Soviet space.
• The student identifies and explains advanced systemic elements of great-power rivalries, including Rimland containment strategies, hybrid hegemonies, and counter-bloc institutional frameworks (BRICS, SCO).
• The student demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of asymmetric economic statecraft, explicitly differentiating between the operational and legal applications of primary and secondary sanctions.
2) Skills:
• The student critically evaluates contemporary geopolitical crises and flashpoints (e.g., the Russia-Ukraine war, Taiwan Strait tensions) by combining historical analogies with real-time logistical and data analysis.
• The student independently analyzes cutting-edge policy working papers, intelligence briefs, and trade statistics to contextualize shifting power balances and sanctions evasion networks in Eastern Europe.
3) Social Competences:
• The student demonstrates the professional ability to engage objectively, analytically, and respectfully in high-level academic and policy debates regarding grand strategy, systemic alignment choices, and international security risks.
Assessment criteria
Continuous assessment based on seminar engagement and independent research (bypassing multiple-choice testing):
• Class Participation & Current Affairs Analysis (20%): Evaluation of qualitative contributions during weekly discussions and “News Briefings” evaluating regional developments.
• Mid-term Essay Prospectus’ Presentation (30%): A formal oral presentation or a 1-page written research outline detailing the student'schosen methodology and research question.
• Final Research Essay (50%): A comprehensive, independent analytical paper (3,500–4,000 words) focusing on a specific security, logistical, or economic statecraft case study within the post-Soviet space.