The Gibraltar Dispute in the Post-Brexit Era: A Legal, Political, and Security Analysis of the UK–Spain Geopolitical Conflict

The article examines the geopolitical conflict between Britain and Spain over Gibraltar in the post-Brexit era, with the primary objective of analyzing the impact of Brexit on regional sovereignty, policies, and security. The research question states how Britain’s exit from the European Union has affected the process of the Gibraltar conflict and what options are available to resolve the dispute. The article's hypothesis is based on the fact that Brexit has made the conflict more complex and that its resolution is impossible without a combination of legal, security, and diplomatic approaches. The research methodology is based on documentary content analysis and a review of library resources, scientific articles, and reputable government and international websites. The theoretical framework encompasses the geopolitical theories of Halford Mackinder and Spykman, as well as the principles of international law and historical treaties, including the Utrecht Treaty and the United Nations Charter. This framework has enabled a simultaneous analysis of the dimensions of sovereignty, security, rights, and the effects of Brexit. The findings show that Brexit has reduced the EU’s institutional constraints and increased Spain’s bargaining power over Gibraltar’s sovereignty. At the same time, the government and people of Gibraltar have actively engaged in the negotiations, seeking to preserve their sovereignty and economic well-being. New multilateral agreements also underscore the need to integrate legal, financial, and security solutions to mitigate tensions and promote regional stability.