Which countries were looking expand their empire in 1914?

In 1914, several countries were actively seeking to expand their empires, most notably Germany, which aimed to compete with existing colonial powers like Britain and France. Austria-Hungary was also focused on consolidating its influence in the Balkans, while Russia sought to expand its territory and influence in Eastern Europe and the Near East. Additionally, Italy was looking to assert its ambitions in North Africa, reflecting a broader trend of imperial competition among European powers at the time.