BOOK REVIEW:The Russian Military Intervention in Syria

Abstract

In The Russian Military Intervention in Syria, Ohannes Geukjian attempts to explain Russia’s military intervention in Syria using the status-seeking theory. The theory claims that Russia risks conflict to retain its great power status. According to Geukjian, Russia is a statusinconsistent power, which means its status and capability are not aligned. Russia considers itself a great power due to its nuclear capabilities, veto power in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), and its role in the Cold War. However, its economic, military, and material capabilities are insufficient to support this perception, hence making Russia an “overachiever.” Russia utilizes strategies to regain recognition as a major player in global politics, occasionally resorting to force. The book explores the events that led to Russia’s military intervention in 2015, with a particular focus on the factors that shaped its decision to support the Assad regime and contribute to the conflict resolution process.

Keywords

Russia, Military, Syria

Citation

Damla Nur Özdemir, “Ohannes Geukjian, The Russian Military Intervention in Syria (Montreal, McGill-Queen’s University Press, 2022,)" Uluslararasi Iliskiler, Advanced Online Publication, 24 Decemer 2024, pp. 1-3.

Affiliations

Damla Nur ÖZDEMİR Research Assistant, Department of International Relations, Social Sciences University of Ankara, Ankara E-Mail: [email protected] Orcid: 0000-0001-8896-7934