Geopolitical risk is an academic concept and research field that examines the potential for political and social instability, conflict, or policy changes in one region to impact the political, economic, or social stability of another region or the international system more broadly. It analyzes the complex interplay of geography, power dynamics, and state/non-state actor interactions. This field investigates the sources, dynamics, and consequences of threats arising from political, social, and territorial factors at the international level, including interstate conflict, domestic instability with international spillovers, terrorism, resource competition, and shifts in global power balances. Key characteristics include inherent uncertainty, multi-causality, the involvement of diverse state and non-state actors, and a focus on cross-border impacts and systemic risks. Its significance lies in providing analytical frameworks for understanding potential disruptions to global order, informing risk assessment for governments, businesses, and international organizations, and guiding strategic planning and policy responses in an interconnected world.