A significant geopolitical shift occurred following the end of the Cold War in the early 1990s, marked by the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the ideological victory of capitalism over communism. This shift transformed international relations, leading to increased globalization and the expansion of NATO. Former Eastern Bloc countries sought closer ties with the West, transitioning towards democratic governance and market economies. However, this shift also brought instability to various regions, as new conflicts emerged in the wake of shifting power dynamics, redefining the global landscape.