Paul Poast, Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Chicago, outlines the underpinnings of realism, and discusses the way in wich realism has been associated with the explanation that 'NATO expansion' to include states in Eastern Europe is a driver of Russia's actions. Paul - draws on realist assumptions - to provide an alternate - (and - for me - more convincing) - explanation for Russia's actions. Paul also discusses whether war in Ukraine could have been avoided and how Paul views the conflict trajectory.  
Paul Poast - A World of Power and Fear: What Critics of Realism Get Wrong, Foreign Affairs, June 2022
Paul Poast - The war in Ukraine is on track to be amongst modern history's bloodiest, Washington Post, June 2022
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