The New Great Game

By Constantinos Kyprios*

From the mid to the late 19th century, a series of events led to what is described as the “Great Game.” Initially, the European coalition against Russia during the Crimean War and Russia’s subsequent defeat pushed it eastward. Approximately 500,000 Russian troops occupied Kazakhstan and advanced as far as the borders of India. During the same period, the British faced the Indian Rebellion, namely the mutiny of Indian troops, which resulted in a reduction of the forces defending this possession.

As a result, Great Britain and Russia entered into an intense rivalry that shaped global developments and ultimately led to their alliance and the outbreak of the impending World War. In the contemporary era, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, combined with parallel developments in the Middle East, is leading to circumstances similar to those that triggered the rivalry among the Great Powers and the First World War. As the indirect confrontation between Russia and the West intensifies and increasingly leads to the erosion of Russia’s allied footholds, the consolidation of the Russia–China axis has become a given. This axis is driving an open confrontation with the United States.

This development is considered inevitable, as for the United States the Pacific Ocean holds a significance comparable to that of the Aegean Sea for Greece. It represents the core of its economy and its most critical strategic stronghold. The majority of the U.S. fleet was stationed there up until the Cold War. Consequently, due to China’s military rise and economic expansion into the Pacific Ocean, developments are inevitably moving toward a direct confrontation between the United States and China.

Unfortunately, the attempt to bring about a rapprochement between Russia and the West has failed. As a result, we are now facing a direct confrontation that has formed the China–Russia axis and is leading to a global standoff and geopolitical realignment aimed at addressing this specific threat. In any case, this confrontation is expected to intensify, with the most likely outcome being the emergence of a new Cold War.

*Constantinos Kyprios

Strategic Analyst