Geopolitical tensions and the “New Cold War” in the twenty-first century

This scholarly article examines the geopolitical tensions that have intensified globally during the first quarter of the twenty-first century and comprehensively analyzes the trends of global confrontation commonly characterized in academic literature as the “New Cold War.” The principal objective of the study is to identify the functional similarities and differences between the bipolar world order that emerged after the Second World War and the contemporary forms of multipolar, geoeconomic, military, and technological competition. The research employs a combination of systematic analysis, comparative historical inquiry, political science approaches, neorealist theory, and geoeconomic balance frameworks. The findings demonstrate that contemporary geopolitical rivalry extends far beyond the traditional military-ideological sphere and increasingly encompasses technological supremacy, diversification of supply chains, competition for energy resources, freshwater reserves, critical minerals indispensable for modern economies, and the pursuit of digital sovereignty. The study further argues that the transformation of global power relations has generated a new pattern of strategic competition characterized by complex interdependence, economic coercion, and technological rivalry. The article has been prepared in full accordance with contemporary academic and methodological standards.