سياسة ملء الفراغ.. قراءة إستراتيجية لأدوات القوة المتغيرة في النظام الدولي المعاصر

In the volatile global political scene, the policy of filling the void emerges as a vital strategy that shapes the map of international relations and redistributes the balance of power. This policy relies on a simple concept: "nature abhors a vacuum," which clearly reflects itself in the actions of states. When analyzing the policies of countries, it becomes evident how major powers exploit any retreat of a competing force to extend their influence. This strategy also includes regional countries seeking to enhance their position in their geographical surroundings. Therefore, this ongoing competition and the pursuit of balance among various powers represent an essential part of understanding modern international relations, requiring states to monitor changes and proactively seize opportunities.

Since ancient times, the policy of filling the void has been part of the political game. When empires such as the Persian and Roman collapsed, new powers infiltrated to fill the void. In the twentieth century, colonial powers competed for the territories of the Ottoman Empire, as seen in the Sykes-Picot Agreement. During the Cold War, the United States and the Soviet Union competed to fill geopolitical voids. The policy of filling the void takes various forms, reflecting the available tools of power for states and their strategies: military, political and diplomatic, economic, cultural and ideological, and technological.

Thus, the strategies for filling the void varied between direct and indirect methods, reflecting the differences in the capabilities and orientations of the powers seeking to enhance their influence. In direct strategies, we see military intervention, political and diplomatic support, in addition to providing economic aid and investments. In indirect aspects, powers use local agents, employ public diplomacy and soft power through media and culture, in addition to exploiting non-governmental organizations as tools for influence. With the increasing importance of cyberspace, influencing public opinion and supporting certain powers has become an integral part of these strategies.

In conclusion, the policy of filling the void in international relations manifests as a vital tool through which states seek to assert their influence in areas lacking stability or where traditional influence is waning. The military pattern, which is the most apparent, is evident in troop deployments and the establishment of military bases, as seen in NATO's expansion in Eastern Europe and Russia's intervention in Syria. Meanwhile, the political and diplomatic pattern excels in building alliances and strengthening relationships, as China does in Africa and Russia in Latin America. Economically, the economic pattern dominates the scene in the twenty-first century, where investments, loans, and aid are employed to enhance influence, as in China's "Belt and Road" initiative targeting economic voids in developing regions. The cultural pattern is also present, as minds and values are targeted through the dissemination of various ideologies, attempting to present intellectual models as solutions to the challenges faced by emerging states. In the modern technological age, the technological pattern emerges as a new tool for filling the void, with competition over providing technological infrastructure such as 5G networks and data centers. This is clearly evident in the U.S.-China competition in this field. As the influence of some regional powers continues to wane and political and ideological voids emerge, the central question remains about who will inherit these voids and how they will be filled. This heated race to fill the voids carries significant opportunities and challenges, requiring a delicate balance between traditional alliances and innovative strategies to achieve stability and influence in a multipolar world.

* Advisor, academic, and researcher in international media, corporate communication, and international relations.

@Drsafran