John J. Mearsheimer

Departmental website:
http://political-science.uchicago.edu/directory/john-mearsheimer

John J. Mearsheimer is one of the nation’s leading experts on international relations and has written extensively about military issues and international politics.

He has published five books: Conventional Deterrence (1983), which won the Edgar S. Furniss, Jr., Book Award; Liddell Hart and the Weight of History (1988); The Tragedy of Great Power Politics (2014), which won the Georgetown University Joseph Lepgold Book Prize; The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy with Stephen Walt (2007) and Why Leaders Lie: The Truth about Lying in International Politics (2011).

He has also written many articles that have appeared in academic journals like International Security, and popular magazines like the London Review of Books. Furthermore, he has written a number of op-ed pieces for the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times dealing with topics like Ukraine, Bosnia, nuclear proliferation, U.S. policy toward India, the failure of Arab-Israeli peace efforts and the invasion of Iraq.

John J. Mearsheimer

  • Title: R. Wendell Harrison Distinguished Service Professor in Political Science and the College
  • Education: PhD, MA, both from Cornell University; MA, University of Southern California; BS, West Point
  • Joined UChicago faculty: 1982
  • j-mearsheimer@uchicago.edu

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Foreign policy

Mearsheimer Stories

US, China heading toward face-off, says Mearsheimer

US, China heading toward face-off, says Mearsheimer

In Q&A, Prof. John Mearsheimer argues that growing Chinese power will spark increased conflict with the U.S. and Japan


Nikkei Asian Review

Russia stands firm in Ukraine as Minsk truce talks begin

Russia stands firm in Ukraine as Minsk truce talks begin

Article cites Prof. John Mearshimer, who explains Vladimir Putin's motivations in trying to keep NATO and the EU out of Ukraine


Aljazeera

Don't Arm Ukraine

Don't Arm Ukraine

In op-ed, Prof. John Mearsheimer argues sending weapons to Ukraine would be ‘a huge mistake’


Would arming Ukraine discourage Russian aggression or invite escalation?

Would arming Ukraine discourage Russian aggression or invite escalation?

Prof. John Mearsheimer argues that arming Ukraine against Russia would only escalate aggression


G20: feelings about MH17 and Ukraine will have to be put aside for any productive discussion to happen

G20: feelings about MH17 and Ukraine will have to be put aside for any productive discussion to happen

Op-ed cites Prof. John Mearsheimer, who argues the West is culpable for Vladimir Putin’s military aggression towards Ukraine


Guardian

Analyzing Airstrikes Against ISIS

Analyzing Airstrikes Against ISIS

Prof. John Mearsheimer calls airstrikes against ISIS a 'remarkably foolish enterprise'


WTTW

Why the Ukraine Crisis Is the West’s Fault

Why the Ukraine Crisis Is the West’s Fault

In op-ed, Prof. John Mearsheimer discusses the West’s culpability for Vladimir Putin’s military aggression towards Ukraine


Foreign Affairs

Did destruction and upheaval of WWI pave way for Ukraine, Mideast conflicts?

Did destruction and upheaval of WWI pave way for Ukraine, Mideast conflicts?

Prof. John Mearsheimer discusses the modern-day repercussions of World War I, when United States first became ‘the world policeman’


PBS NewsHour

Getting Ukraine wrong

Getting Ukraine wrong

Prof. John Mearsheimer argues against an aggressive approach to the Ukraine crisis


US-China policy reaches delicate phase, scholars say

US-China policy reaches delicate phase, scholars say