The Sources of Russian Aggression: Is Russia a Realist Power?

Moscow indulges in the military use of force and balancing behaviour, only when it perceives its interests to be threatened, but seeks to preserve, uphold, or return to the status-quo the moment the threats subside or are neutralized by balancing actions, acting more as a security maximizer, than a power maximizer. The Sources of Russian Aggression: Is Russia a Realist Power? employs a qualitative research design and case study method, relying on secondary literature, military sources, and observed and recorded news. This evidence relies on Russian strategic actions, and not Russian rhetoric. The evidence explored suggests that Russia balances against perceived threats and that Russian use of force is directly proportional to any strategic and material loss.