Is Russia a Realist Power? Great Power Peace and the Future of Balance of Power in the European Continent – Book Launch Event with Dr. Sumantra Maitra

Moscow indulges in the military use of force and balancing behaviour, only when it perceives its interests to be threatened, but seeks to preserve, uphold, or return to the status-quo the moment the threats subside or are neutralized by balancing actions, acting more as a security maximizer, than a power maximizer. The Sources of Russian Aggression: Is Russia a Realist Power? employs a qualitative research design and case study method, relying on secondary literature, military sources, and observed and recorded news. This evidence relies on Russian strategic actions, and not Russian rhetoric. The evidence explored suggests that Russia balances against perceived threats and that Russian use of force is directly proportional to any strategic and material loss. Alternatively, Russia behaves like a status quo power when the perceived threat subsides. Also, Maitra explains how Russian military aggression is focused on geopolitical balance and has narrow strategic aims, and Russia either lacks the will and/or capability or both to be an expansionist or occupying power. Maitra concludes that Russia is inherently a reactive power with limited regional aims, which are not commensurate with an aspiration of a continental hegemony. The findings have future policy relevance for European/British and American security, as the U.S. grows increasingly isolationist, and NATO and EU rift widens.

Source and pre-order: https://rowman.com/ISBN/9781666935844/The-Sources-of-Russian-Aggression-Is-Russia-a-Realist-Power 

Dr Sumantra Maitra is the director of research and outreach at the American Ideas Institute, a senior fellow at the Center for Renewing America, and an elected, associate fellow at the Royal Historical Society, London. He is based in the US, and is a part of the Project 2025 Presidential Transition team. He has advised in personal capacity various congressmen, senators, MPs, and foreign affairs departments of various governments in UK, and Europe, as well as the US. He was the chair of the foreign policy panel in Nat Con London.  He recently coined the doctrine of "Dormant NATO". 

Moderator: Carlos Roa, Visiting Fellow, Danube Institute

Language: English

Date: Tuesday, May 07, 2024, 5.30 PM
Venue: Lónyay-Hatvany Villa - 1. Csónak str., 1015 Budapest
(Entrance: Aranybástya Restaurant)

We reserve the right to make any changes related to event organization. Participation in the event is free, but registration is required, which can be done by email at events@danubeinstitute.hu or by clicking on the R.S.V.P. button: