Historically, the term ‘superpower’ was first introduced in the United States, Britain and the Soviet Union during World War II to justify its powerful state power at the international level. After the war ended, the United States and the Soviet Union proved to be a force for good in economic, military, technological and political development. However, the end of the Cold War led to the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, and as a result, only the US seemed as powerful as it is today.
At the turn of the last century, Britain was the dominant power on the world scene. The US, USSR, Japan and France were also considered influential countries. British researcher Halford John Mackinder, in 1904, wrote an interesting article entitled: 'Geographical Pivot of History' to introduce the theory of the heart. While expanding its geopolitical analysis to cover the entire world, it divided the globe into three main parts: (i) World-Island, comprising the largest, richest and most populous continents connected to Europe, Asia, and Africa; (ii) coastal islands, including the British Isles and the Japanese islands; and (iii) external islands, including the continents of North America, South America, and Oceania.
According to researchers, the heartland was then the domain of the Russian Empire and later the Soviet Union. In 1919, he went on to describe his vision: “Who in Eastern Europe dominates the Heartland; reigning Heartland commands World-Island; The ruler of the World-Island is commanding the world. "This was a year when tensions between the British and the Russians escalated, and Britain decided to liberate Afghanistan to establish a defensive country that divides the two great powers of that era.
However, Great Britain had to contend with the devastating effects of World War II and the independence movement gained momentum in many colonies. Later, the US and the USSR, two major allies in World War II, emerged as major powers to deal with in all areas of life. During the Cold War, tensions between the two major powers played a key role in maintaining balance.
In my view, all the major powers in the world have lost their influence by engaging in unnecessary wars and conflicts. Today, the return of the Taliban to Afghanistan is actually the beginning of a new global political revolution. In the current situation, China is also in the race for power and Russia wants to regain its lost status in the world. However, a country that has managed to maintain its influence in Afghanistan will be able to become the next powerful country. Let us hope that a powerful future government will not take part in wars but will play its part in establishing world peace.
The Soviet Union was known as the great invincible power until the last decade of the last century. However, it made a serious mistake in invading Afghanistan, which not only led to the dissolution of the Soviet Union, but also helped the US emerge as one of the world's largest powers. The international community, especially the developing world, has high expectations that the US is in a better position to resolve global conflicts peacefully.
After the 9/11 attacks, the US led the international community to attack Afghanistan. Although nearly a trillion dollars have been spent there over the past two decades, the image of the only 21st great country in the 21st century is also at risk from the war in Afghanistan.
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