Geopolitical terms that shaped global discourse in 2024

A new lexicon of geopolitical terms emerged in 2024, highlighting significant developments in global security, technology, and international relations.

Key Terms and Their Strategic Significance: Six new terms entered the geopolitical vocabulary in 2024, each reflecting critical developments in international relations and security.

• “Anchor-dragging” emerged as a term describing deliberate maritime sabotage in the Baltic Sea, where ships intentionally damage undersea cables with their anchors
• ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile System) gained prominence when the U.S. provided these long-range missiles to Ukraine, marking a significant escalation in military support
• The Spanish term “autogolpe” (self-coup) entered international discourse following South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s unsuccessful attempt to impose martial law
• Critical minerals gallium and germanium became focal points of U.S.-China tensions after Beijing restricted their export
• “Lavender,” an AI-powered targeting system developed by the Israeli military for operations in Gaza, highlighted the growing role of artificial intelligence in modern warfare
• P&I (Protection and Indemnity) clubs drew attention when these maritime insurers withdrew coverage from Russian oil tankers, leading to the emergence of alternative shipping networks

Military Technology Evolution: The introduction of ATACMS and Lavender AI system represents a significant shift in modern warfare capabilities.

• These developments showcase the increasing integration of advanced technology in military operations
• The deployment of ATACMS to Ukraine marked a strategic shift in Western military support
• AI-powered targeting systems like Lavender raise new questions about the role of artificial intelligence in conflict zones

Economic Warfare Dynamics: New forms of economic pressure emerged through resource control and maritime insurance.

• China’s restriction of critical minerals demonstrated the weaponization of supply chains
• The insurance industry’s role in enforcing sanctions highlighted new tools in economic statecraft
• The rise of shadow fleets showed how nations adapt to circumvent traditional economic barriers

Maritime Security Concerns: The emergence of anchor-dragging as a tactic revealed new vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure.

• Undersea cable attacks represent a growing threat to global communications
• Traditional maritime security frameworks struggle to address these emerging challenges
• The incidents highlight the need for new protection strategies for submarine infrastructure

Looking Forward: These new terms reflect a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape where technology, economic leverage, and unconventional tactics are reshaping international relations and security dynamics. The convergence of these trends suggests an increasingly complex environment for policymakers and security professionals to navigate.