Geopolitics and Strategic Importance of Mountainous Regions: An Analytical Approach in the Context of International Relations, Security, and Military Strategy

Geographical elements have long been considered among the most important factors influencing state strategy in international relations. But it is important to note that mountainous regions have mostly been described as either geographical barriers or regions that are difficult to traverse during military campaigns. In this paper, we present a fresh outlook on mountainous regions by examining them not just as passive geographical elements but also as active geostrategic elements that influence the state’s security policy and military-strategic position. The research finds new conceptual frameworks, such as "vertical sovereignty," the "mountain security paradox," and "space-time strategic asymmetry." We also use historical-analytical, theoretical-conceptual, comparative-analytical, and empirical methods; the research shows that mountainous regions are not merely defensive lines but essential components of strategic resilience and asymmetric power balance in modern international relations.