The Behemoth and the Leviathan
geopolitical aspects of the absence of a peace agreement between Russia and Japan
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22456/2178-8839.144698Keywords:
Eurasia; Heartland Theory; Rimland Theory; Kuril Islands; Geopolitics.Abstract
This article explores Russian-Japanese relations from the mid-19th century onwards, focusing on the dispute over the South Kuril Islands, a determining factor in the absence of a peace agreement between the two countries since the end of World War II. In this context, the research aims to demonstrate the importance of Classical Geopolitics in understanding the global rivalry between Russia and the West and how it explains the Kremlin's distrust of Japan, a strategic ally of the Anglo-Saxon maritime powers throughout the 20th century. The methodology adopted will be based on a qualitative analysis of primary and secondary historical sources, using concepts from Classical Geopolitics, specifically, the works of Halford J. Mackinder and Nicholas Spykman. From this approach, it is demonstrated that the disputes for power in Eurasia involving the Russian ‘land power’ and the Anglo-Saxon ‘sea powers’ ended up interfering in the resolution of the conflict surrounding the Kuril Islands, thus making it impossible to sign a Peace Agreement between Russia and Japan.
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