NATO Enlargement, Russia, and Balance of Threat

Canadian Military Journal, Dept. of Defence, Canada (2021)

12 Pages Posted: 20 Oct 2021

See all articles by Dr Sumantra Maitra

Dr Sumantra Maitra

Royal-Hist-Soc; Center For The National Interest - CFTNI

Date Written: July 15, 2021

Abstract

This paper explores the causes of Russian revanchism alongside phases of NATO expansion, and concludes that evidence of Moscow’s reflexive revanchism is sparse. Russian foreign policy is tested and correlated with Russian rhetoric, military strategy and Russian balancing actions, in light of each phase of actual and potential NATO expansion. The paper concludes that, first, Russia balances against perceived threats, only in areas where it has entrenched material and military interests. Otherwise, Russia is aware of relative military inferiority, and is agnostic about NATO and EU enlargement. These findings have enormous policy relevance, as both NATO and EU plans further enlargement, American and British isolationism grows, and European security scenario alters rapidly.

Keywords: Realism, Russian Foreign Policy, NATO, USA, Grand strategy

Suggested Citation

Maitra, Dr Sumantra, NATO Enlargement, Russia, and Balance of Threat (July 15, 2021). Canadian Military Journal, Dept. of Defence, Canada (2021), Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3887828 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3887828

Dr Sumantra Maitra (Contact Author)

Royal-Hist-Soc ( email )

The Royal Historical Society, University College L
United Kingdom

Center For The National Interest - CFTNI ( email )

1025 Connecticut Avenue NW
Washington, DC, DC 20036
United States

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