Russia’s Role in World Politics: Power, Ideas, and Domestic Influences

Description

This book explores Russia's role in world politics. In recent years, Moscow has played an increasingly active and assertive role in geopolitics.  Examples include Russia’s takeover of Crimea and meddling in eastern Ukraine; Russia’s military intervention in Syria and support for the Assad government; the Kremlin’s alleged interference in the 2016 US presidential race; the pursuit of closer economic and diplomatic ties with China; and Russia’s ambitious military reforms and nuclear brinkmanship.Not surprisingly, Russia’s role in world politics has become the object of a spirited debate among Western policymakers, think-tank analysts, and academics. Much of this debate focuses on one central question: What are the main drivers, or causes, of Moscow’s recent assertiveness? The contributions gathered here address this question by focusing on the interplay of power, ideas, and domestic influences. Previously published in International Politics Volume 56, issue 6, December 2019 Contents Russia’s role in world politics: power, ideas, and domestic influences Abstract Introduction Russian foreign policy: the ongoing debate Power-based explanations Ideational explanations Domestic political explanations The case for combining power, ideas, and domestic influences Shortcomings of the existing explanations The perils and promises of analytical eclecticism Road map of the special issue References Understanding Russia’s return to the Middle East Abstract Introduction The Arab spring and Russian domestic factors Ideational factors: state, society and Islam Power, interest and flexibility Conclusion References Reckless ambition: Moscow’s policy toward the United States, 201617 Abstract Introduction What actually happened in 2016 Putin as an individual decision-maker All dictators are aggressive and lonely Competing interests within Putin’s inner patron–client circle Intelligence officers run amok? Conclusion Acknowledgements References Explaining Russian foreign policy towards the EU through contrasts Abstract Introduction Contrasts as questions and counterfactuals Realist explanations Liberal explanations Constructivist explanations Psychological explanations Events and issues as explanations Conclusion References Russia’s relationship with China: the role of domestic and ideational factors Abstract Introduction National identity as an ideational and domestic construct Domestic sources of Russian foreign policy toward China The Putin system The Chinese case Ideational motivations of Russian policy toward China Great power status as a hallmark of national identity Sources of Russian national identity: alternative narratives Assessment: A move to the east? Conclusion References The quest for status: how the interplay of power, ideas, and regime security shapes Russia’s policy in the post-Soviet space Abstract Introduction Status: power politics, national identity and regime security The game changer: Ukraine Eurasian Economic Union: Russia in, Ukraine out Georgia: rewinding and fast-forwarding the 2008 war implications Conclusion References Strategic imperatives, status aspirations, or domestic interests? Explaining Russia’s nuclear weapons policy Abstract Introduction Russia’s nuclear force modernization Maintaining a secure second-strike capability Compensating for Russia’s conventional weakness Countering US missile defenses Russia’s nuclear exercises and maneuvers Russia’s status aspirations: the nuclear dimension Russia’s nuclear doctrine and rhetoric The insufficiency of strategic and status explanations Domestic politics and the imperative of regime security Conclusion References