Students must answer the following question written as a coherent analytical essay. Essays should be no longer than five double-spaced pages, using 11-point font and one-inch margins. You must cite your sources and use endnotes to do so using the Chicago style which the School of Diplomacy has adopted as its standard citation format. Instructions on Chicago style are on Blackboard. Essays are due before class on May 10th. Late submissions will be penalized, so please get them in on time.
Question
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has dominated the global foreign policy agenda in recent months. In the United States and much of the West, Russia’s invasion and subsequent war is viewed as an unprovoked war of choice and it has therefore triggered strong support for Ukraine and a determination to impose costs on Russia. Diplomatically, many countries voiced their position on the conflict in a March 2, 2022, UNGA resolution calling for an immediate end to hostilities that passed by a vote of 144 to 5 with 35 abstentions. Policies adopted by many Western countries include economic, military and humanitarian support for Ukraine combined with the imposition of economic, military, and social sanctions against Russia.
In many parts of the world, however, Russia’s invasion is perceived differently, and countries have been reluctant to strongly support Ukraine or condemn Russia. In some countries, there is sympathy for Russia’s contention that its invasion was provoked by the West, particularly by NATO expansion. In others, historically strong bilateral ties with Russia combined with important trade relationships, particularly oil, gas and weapons have influenced policy responses toward the crisis. In contrast to the dominant perception in the United States that its policy of support for Ukraine is a moral one designed to uphold the rules-based order, particularly the principal of sovereign equality, people in other countries view American statements about principled action with cynicism given Washington’s invasion of Iraq and intervention elsewhere in the world.
This essay should compare the responses of three countries studied in class to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Students must choose one country from Europe/NATO (France, Germany, Turkey), one country from Asia (China, Japan, India) and one country from the rest of the world (Iran, Brazil). Key questions that should be addressed in the essay include but are not limited to:
1.) How have the countries in your essay responded to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine?
2.) What are the primary factors driving the three countries ‘policy toward Russia’s invasion of Ukraine? How, if at all, have variables, concepts and theories discussed in class such as public opinion, common regime type, tribalism, alliances and the cognitive
3.) To what extent does Russia’s invasion of Ukraine create diplomatic obstacles for the countries under discussion (such as choosing between Russia and the West); to what extent does it create opportunities (such as a potential mediatory role) and to what extent are there elements of both?
4.) Beyond the policy responses of the three countries studied, are there any potential impacts of the Russian war on the international system that they fear or welcome?