Which area is known as the Shatterbelt?

The term "Shatterbelt" refers to regions that are characterized by geopolitical instability and are often subject to external pressures from larger political entities. The area north of Iran is known as a Shatterbelt due to its historical and contemporary complexities involving various ethnic groups, political factions, and its strategic location. This region has been significantly impacted by the rivalries and interventions of major powers, particularly in contexts of conflict involving neighboring countries such as Russia and Turkey, as well as the interests of Western nations.

In this geopolitical context, the north of Iran has seen a plethora of conflicts alongside multiple national interests vying for influence, thus framing it within the characteristics of a Shatterbelt. The tensions arising from ethnic divisions and territorial disputes further contribute to the status of this area as unstable and fragmented, making it a prime example of a Shatterbelt region.

Other choices, while they might have unique geopolitical dynamics, do not encompass the same level of complexity and external pressures that are characteristic of a Shatterbelt as the area north of Iran does.