At Iverson Software, we analyze how power is “routed” across the globe. International Relations is the study of how states, intergovernmental organizations, and non-state actors interact. In 2025, the primary challenge isn’t just “keeping the peace”—it’s managing a world where the old “central server” (Western hegemony) is being challenged by decentralized regional clusters.
1. The Transactional Reboot: US Foreign Policy in 2025
The return of the Trump administration has introduced a “Transactional Kernel” to US diplomacy.
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The “America First” Protocol: The US has shifted from a global security provider to a “pay-to-play” model, demanding higher defense spending from NATO allies and prioritizing bilateral deals over multilateral treaties.
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The Tariff Firewall: Trade is no longer just about economics; it’s a security tool. The use of aggressive tariffs (up to 60% on China) has “air-gapped” certain sectors of the US economy, forcing a massive rewiring of global supply chains.
2. The Multipolar Cluster: The Rise of Middle Powers
The “G7” is no longer the only administrative body that matters. We are seeing the rise of Multi-aligned States—nations like India, Brazil, and Saudi Arabia that refuse to “ping” only one superpower.
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BRICS+ Expansion: With its new members, the BRICS block now represents a significant portion of the world’s GDP and energy reserves, creating a “Parallel Network” to the Western financial system.
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Regional Autonomy: From the African Union to the Gulf Cooperation Council, regional hubs are now writing their own “Local Protocols” for security and trade, rather than waiting for instructions from the UN or the US.
3. The New Frontlines: Tech and Resource Sovereignty
In the 20th century, IR was about “land and sea.” In 2025, it’s about “Minerals and Models.”
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The Biotech Frontier: As seen in recent trade disputes, biotechnology has become a new “Geopolitical Chokepoint,” with nations racing to control the patents and data required for next-gen healthcare.
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Critical Minerals: Control over lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements is the new “Oil.” Diplomacy in 2025 is largely focused on securing the hardware necessary for the energy transition.
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Space Security: With the “Year in Review” showing record space launches, the lunar surface and orbital paths are becoming contested “Real Estate,” leading to the first formal “Outer Space Traffic Protocols.”
4. The Climate Pivot: From “Planet” to “Competitiveness”
Following the limited progress at COP30 in Brazil, the international “Climate Logic” has changed.
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Industrial Decarbonization: Climate policy is no longer framed as a moral obligation but as a “Competitive Edge.” Nations are subsidizing green tech not to save the world, but to ensure their industries aren’t “deprecated” in the new global market.
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The Carbon Border: We are seeing the first widespread implementation of “Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanisms”—essentially a “Compatibility Tax” on products coming from nations with lower environmental standards.
Why International Relations Matters Today
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Market Stability: For global businesses, IR is the “Environment Variable” that determines everything from shipping costs to regulatory hurdles.
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Security Awareness: With 59 active military conflicts globally—the highest since WWII—understanding the “Realpolitik” of these regions is essential for managing risk.
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The Future of Cooperation: Despite the fragmentation, “Global Problems” (like pandemics and AI safety) still require “Global API Calls.” Understanding how to navigate a multipolar world is the only way to build a sustainable future.
