A shatterbelt is a geographic region where political, cultural, and economic conflicts and tensions are heightened due to its location between two or more powerful and competing states or civilizations. This can lead to instability, violence, and ongoing power struggles, as different groups within the region vie for control or seek to align with one of the external powers. Shatterbelts often experience economic underdevelopment and are prone to ethnic and religious tensions, as different groups assert their identities and interests in the context of external pressures. Some examples of shatterbelts include the Balkans, the Caucasus, and the Korean Peninsula.
