The Quadripolar World: Understanding Twenty-First-Century Geopolitics

CIGI Special Report

June 4, 2025

The current geopolitical environment is defined by constantly changing dynamics among countries: long-standing partnerships are disintegrating while other alliances are strengthening. To better understand a world in flux, this special report presents the quadripolal geopolitical framework (QGF) in which four powers — the United States, China, India and Russia — serve as autonomous strategic poles. The framework seeks to capture the fluid, multidimensional nature of twenty-first-century geopolitics, where states simultaneously compete, cooperate and hedge across domains.

Drawing on game theory, the QGF maps bilateral relationships across two axes: ideological alignment versus strategic autonomy, and systemic rivalry versus economic interdependence. Through case studies, the special report illustrates how contemporary power dynamics defy linear alliances and demand new interpretive tools.

About the Author

S. Yash Kalash is research director of digital economy at CIGI. An expert in strategy, public policy, digital technology and financial services, he has a distinguished track record advising governments and the private sector on emerging technologies.