In essence, and from a big picture perspective or big picture standpoint, the core concept or the main concept to nail down is the difference between ‘absolute power’ and ‘relative power.’ Aspirations always exceed capabilities, given that power is not absolute, but rather, relative. Power is distributed. But of course, states will always seek to … Continue reading Calculated Aggression
Tag: war
The Security Dilemma
To put it simply, survival among states is “almost guaranteed” if a ruler or a state is able to conquer the whole world. In other words, achieve what is never possible in order to achieve relative security. Power is always distributed, and in turn, states will always try to change the distribution of power through … Continue reading The Security Dilemma
The United States and Europe
If the basic frame or theme of international affairs is the clash between Western hegemony on one hand and Eastern expansion on the other hand, it follows that everyone and everywhere is an ideological, geopolitical, and military battleground, including Europe. But Europe also demonstrates the limits of American hegemony. For instance, America instructs Europe to … Continue reading The United States and Europe
Russian Doctrine and Ideology
Arguably, at the heart of Russian doctrine and ideology is the reconciliation of a paradox which may otherwise be irreconcilable, in the sense that Russia seeks to reconcile European modernity with justice by making European modernity communal. How can you be modern and just at the same time when European modernity is all about exclusion, … Continue reading Russian Doctrine and Ideology
Cold War Interaction
What we have established is that the Western bloc or the NATO bloc is void of doctrine in terms of its conflict or competition with the Eastern bloc and in particular Russia. But what is there to say about Eastern doctrine or Russian doctrine? According to one Cold War expert, Odd Arne Westad, Cold War … Continue reading Cold War Interaction
Adam A. Azim 