Policy Press

Why Minor Powers Risk Wars with Major Powers

A Comparative Study of the Post-Cold War Era

By Marinko Bobić

Published

Oct 23, 2019

Page count

232 pages

ISBN

978-1529205206

Dimensions

234 x 156 mm

Imprint

Bristol University Press

Published

Oct 23, 2019

Page count

232 pages

ISBN

978-1529205220

Dimensions

Imprint

Bristol University Press

Published

Oct 23, 2019

Page count

232 pages

ISBN

978-1529205220

Dimensions

Imprint

Bristol University Press
Why Minor Powers Risk Wars with Major Powers

Through a range of case studies spanning the post-Cold War period in Iraq, Moldova and Serbia, this innovative book breaks new ground in its study of asymmetric conflicts where warring sides exhibit vast power differentials. It uses multiple theories to examine the different pathways that encourage minor powers to engage in both offensive and defensive wars that they are likely to lose, analysing domestic crisis as a key catalyst and considering ways to mitigate conditions that drive conflict. The author provides an important framework that can be applied to contemporary conflicts elsewhere.

Marinko Bobić is a Lecturer at the Institute of Security and Global Affairs at Leiden University.

Introduction;

In Search of a Theory of Minor Powers in Interstate Asymmetric Conflict;

Pathways to Conflict Using Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA);

Iraq: Military Confrontation with the United States and its Thirty-Three Allies;

Moldova: Military Confrontation with Russian Forces;

Serbia: Military Confrontation with NATO;

Conclusion: Dealing with Complexity, Defeat and Beliefs.