Distinguished categories and the Zilber-Pink conjecture

We propose an axiomatic approach towards studying unlikely intersections by introducing the framework of distinguished categories. This includes commutative algebraic groups and mixed Shimura varieties. It allows us to define all basic concepts of the field and prove some fundamental facts about them, e.g. the defect condition. In some categories that we call very distinguished, we are able to show some implications between Zilber-Pink statements with respect to base change. This yields unconditional results, i.e. the Zilber-Pink conjecture for a complex curve in $\mathcal{A}_2$ that cannot be defined over $\bar{\mathbb{Q}}$, a complex curve in the $g$-th fibered power of the Legendre family, and a complex curve in the base change of a semiabelian variety over $\bar{\mathbb{Q}}$.