Post Covid, The Keywords of International Relation and Survival Strategy of Central and Eastern Europe in the 21st Century

Abstract

In terms of international relation, the most important geopolitical-geostrategic code for understanding the Central and Eastern Europe is the ‘Buffer Zone’ between the Powers. Whenever the ‘Buffer Zone’ of the Central and Eastern Europe collapsed, there were the great wars among the Great Powers in Europe, and the surrounding Powers divided the Central and Eastern Europe or tried to secure full influence in the this region. This is very similar to that of the Korean Peninsula, and also the concept of the ‘Buffer Zone’ applies to us as it is. In this study, I would like to present three major keywords of international relation that can understand the survival startegy of Central and Eastern Europe today. The first keyword is the ‘New Cold War place between NATO and Russia’. The second keyword could be the ‘EU’s strategy for expansion and willingness to protect the Western Balkan through the Berlin Process’. The third keyword is ‘new challenge, China’s One Belt and One Road Initiative’. In the final conclusion, I would like to explain the implications and lessons learned through the major keywords of international relation for understanding the Central and Eastern Europe in the 21st century.