Existential threats and relative power define the course of the present war

Robert Pape, Professor of political scientist at the University of Chicago, understands international conflicts better than anyone I’ve yet encountered. In his recent post to his Substack, Why the Ceasefire Keeps Failing, he clearly describes that, in the present conflict betwee the US/Israel and Iran, it is not “fragile diplomacy,” but the perception of existential threats by both sides that makes this war a contest about relative power which keeps it on track for repeated rounds of escalation.

I encourage everyone to read the full article here.

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