Geopolitics: International boundaries as fighting places

The importance of international boundaries in relation to sovereignty, state security and global flashpoints is identified. Boundary settlement requires geographical evidence, political will and international law support. Key recent concerns have been: maritime boundaries, transboundary issues, macropolitical problems and a post-modern approach to the subject. Examples of the main categories of boundary classification are given. The acquisition of territory and boundaries is discussed in detail with a focus upon the types of evidence used, the various settlement procedures and the stages of achieving agreement. The arguments are summarised in a discussion on boundaries as the environment for conflict.