International relations theorist John Mearsheimer argues that the global political landscape has shifted from a unipolar moment to a multipolar era defined by intense security competition. In this anarchic system, states prioritize power maximization to ensure survival, viewing potential rivals with deep suspicion. Mearsheimer contends that NATO expansion into Ukraine served as a primary provocation for the current conflict, which he characterizes as a war of attrition that Russia is likely to win due to superior manpower and industrial capacity. Regarding the Middle East, he attributes unwavering U.S. support for Israel to the influence of the Israel lobby rather than strategic necessity, asserting that Israel’s policies in Gaza and the West Bank effectively maintain an apartheid state. Ultimately, he posits that India must navigate this volatile environment by balancing its growing power against the regional threat posed by a rising China.
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