I'm not as well-versed in IR theories as I should be, but couldn't the U.S. strategy in thwarting Russia in Europe be described as classic realpolitik "off-shore balancing"? What am I missing? (Not saying it's good or bad, but like the realists love to say, it just is.) 1/ THREAD
Remember this?
"By pursuing a strategy of “offshore balancing,” Washington would forgo ambitious efforts to remake other societies and concentrate on what really matters: preserving U.S. dominance in the Western Hemisphere and countering potential hegemons in Europe," 2/
"By pursuing a strategy of “offshore balancing,” Washington would forgo ambitious efforts to remake other societies and concentrate on what really matters: preserving U.S. dominance in the Western Hemisphere and countering potential hegemons in Europe," 2/
Northeast Asia, and the Persian Gulf. Instead of
policing the world, the United States would
encourage other countries to take the lead in
checking rising powers, intervening
itself only when necessary." 3/
policing the world, the United States would
encourage other countries to take the lead in
checking rising powers, intervening
itself only when necessary." 3/
"This does not mean abandoning the United States’ position as the world’s sole superpower or retreating to “Fortress America.” Rather, by husbanding
U.S. strength, offshore balancing would preserve U.S. primacy far into the future and safeguard liberty at home." 4/
U.S. strength, offshore balancing would preserve U.S. primacy far into the future and safeguard liberty at home." 4/
"the United States should turn to regional forces as
the first line of defense, letting them uphold the balance of power in their own neighborhood." 5/
the first line of defense, letting them uphold the balance of power in their own neighborhood." 5/
"Although Washington could provide assistance
to allies and pledge to support them if they were in danger of being conquered, it should refrain from deploying large numbers of U.S. forces abroad." 6/
to allies and pledge to support them if they were in danger of being conquered, it should refrain from deploying large numbers of U.S. forces abroad." 6/
Sounds kinda like what the U.S. is doing in Ukraine right now, doesn't it? 7/
quotes are from. John J. Mearsheimer and Stephen M. Walt, "The Case for Offshore Balancing: A Superior U.S. Grand Strategy." Foreign Affairs, July/August 2016.
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