In a time of profound international change, geopolitical analysis is important to an understanding of the dynamic workings the world system. This analysis should be grounded in a coherent, progressive theory. Long before the recent upheavals in Eastern Europe, global political change had rendered obsolete geopolitical theories of world dominance based upon the spatial centrality of such areas of movement as the Heartland, Rimland or Polar Arctic. An alternative theory first offered by this author more than two decades ago was based upon a hierarchical framework of geostrategic realms and geopolitical regions in dynamic equilibrium with one another. Since then, the geopolitical region has assumed greater importance with the emergence of second-order powers, including asymmetrical states. As the world system continues to evolve developmentally, it will gain greater stability with the emergence of a new international entity-the “gateway” state. This new type of state will add a vital link to a world system whose hierarchical integration is becoming increasingly flexible.