In recent years, the relationship between environmental risks and national security has become increasingly evident, particularly in relation to the occurrence of tailings dam failures around the world. This article investigates the relationship between these disasters and the safety of these dams, analyzing how the collapse of these structures directly and indirectly impacts the geopolitical stability and international reputation of the affected countries. Initially, a systematic literature review was conducted on the topic, covering the years 2000 to 2025. Conflicting geopolitical contexts were taken into account, as failures and disasters in large strategic dams have the potential to compromise the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to clean water, action against global climate change, and life on Earth. In their discussion, it is noted that historical cases, including disasters in Brazil, China, the USA, and Europe, have demonstrated that the collapse of large dams has the potential to provoke diplomatic crises, compromising national and international alliances, and influencing foreign policy. It was concluded that the risk management of these structures should be treated as a matter of national security, demanding monitoring and management policies that incorporate increasing climate variability to mitigate future catastrophes.