Intimate Geopolitics: The Mail-Order Bride Industry, Agency, and the American-Ukrainian Corridor

This thesis examines the mail-order bride (MOB) industry as a network of global inequality, patriarchal structures, and geopolitical influence. Through qualitative analysis of secondary sources and a review of international and U.S. legal frameworks, it aims to explore how the industry commodifies women, particularly from economically disadvantaged regions, catering to Western male demand for “traditional” femininity. The research highlights the intersection of gender, migration, and power, arguing that while legal protections have evolved, systemic vulnerabilities persist. The Russo-Ukrainian war serves as a contemporary case study, demonstrating how geopolitical crises amplify both the demand for and the exploitation within this transnational marriage market.