Shifrinson Discusses How Close the World is to World War III
Joshua Shifrinson, Associate Professor of International Relations at the Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies at Boston University, appeared on BU Today‘s “Question of the Week” podcast to discuss whether another world war is possible in light of the ever-expanding Russia-Ukraine conflict.
While Shifrinson admitted that the world is closer to WWIII than in December 2021, he said we are still a number of steps away from a conflict akin to the first two world wars. Shifrinson outlines the restrained stance of major powers like the United States and China, the impact of western sanctions on Russia, the likelihood of a diplomatic end to the conflict while Vladimir Putin is still in power, as well as the implication of enacting a no-fly zone over Ukraine.
The full interview can be listened to below.
Joshua R. Itzkowitz Shifrinson is an Associate Professor at the Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies at Boston University, where his teaching and research interests focus on the intersection of international security and diplomatic history, particularly the rise and fall of great powers and the origins of grand strategy. His work has appeared with International Security, the Journal of Strategic Studies, Foreign Affairs, and other venues. Read more about Professor Shifrinson on his faculty profile.