The Great Game, a geopolitical struggle between the British Empire and Tsarist Russia over Central Asia in the 19th century, laid foundations for modern geopolitics in the region. It was driven by both sides' desire to safeguard their frontiers and dominate vital trade routes. This tussle led to defining borders, some of which remain contentious today. The Great Game's legacy persisted through the 20th century when the USSR sought to maintain influence over its 'near abroad', and it continues today as global powers vie for influence in Central Asia, given its strategic location, energy resources, and as a bridge between Europe and Asia.

Colonial ambitions, especially during the 'Scramble for Africa', reshaped global politics in profound ways. European powers, driven by economic interests and national prestige, sought to annex vast territories, leading to a redrawing of global maps. These ambitions resulted in diplomatic tensions, as territories were divided at conferences without regard to indigenous populations. It also led to wars, both between colonial powers and against indigenous resistance. Furthermore, the establishment of colonial administrations, extraction of resources, and imposition of European cultural values left lasting political, economic, and social imprints on colonised regions, ramifications of which are still evident in post-colonial states today.

During the Cold War, power politics were dominated by the bipolar confrontation between the US and the USSR. Both powers employed a combination of deterrence, alliances, and proxy wars. Deterrence, especially nuclear, was key, with both sides building arsenals to discourage direct conflict. Alliances, like NATO and the Warsaw Pact, were formed to consolidate power blocs. Proxy wars, where conflicts occurred in third-party countries (e.g., Vietnam, Afghanistan), allowed the superpowers to confront each other indirectly. Additionally, both sides engaged in espionage, propaganda campaigns, and space and arms races to assert dominance without direct military confrontation.

Employing mercenaries, or hired soldiers, has historically added layers of complexity to warfare. While they provided a flexible military resource, mercenaries often had motivations distinct from the hiring state. In the Byzantine–Seljuq Wars, for instance, Byzantine reliance on Turkic mercenaries occasionally backfired when these groups pursued their own interests, sometimes even aligning with the enemy. Mercenaries, driven by profit rather than loyalty, could switch sides for better pay or even turn on their employers if not compensated adequately. Their use also raised ethical dilemmas, as mercenaries might employ brutal tactics to swiftly conclude conflicts and secure their payments.

The 'Balance of Power' concept has been pivotal in European politics, particularly from the 16th to the 20th century. Initially, it was about preventing a single state from becoming so powerful that it could dominate others, maintaining peace through equilibrium. During the Renaissance, as states grew more centralised and powerful, balancing power became crucial to prevent domination. By the 18th and 19th centuries, especially after the Napoleonic Wars, the balance of power was institutionalised in formal treaties and congresses, such as the Congress of Vienna. This system aimed to prevent large-scale conflicts by ensuring mutual checks, but its failure to adjust to changing power dynamics contributed to the onset of the World Wars.