Jonathan Haslam (born 15 January 1951) is past George F. Kennan Professor in the School of Historical Studies at the

Institute for Advanced Study The Institute for Advanced Study (IAS) is an independent center for theoretical research and intellectual inquiry located in Princeton, New Jersey. It has served as the academic home of internationally preeminent scholars, including Albert Ein ...

in Princeton and emeritus Professor of the History of International Relations at the

University of Cambridge The University of Cambridge is a Public university, public collegiate university, collegiate research university in Cambridge, England. Founded in 1209, the University of Cambridge is the List of oldest universities in continuous operation, wo ...

with a special interest in the former

Soviet Union The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. (USSR), commonly known as the Soviet Union, was a List of former transcontinental countries#Since 1700, transcontinental country that spanned much of Eurasia from 1922 until Dissolution of the Soviet ...

. He has written many books about Soviet foreign policy and

ideology An ideology is a set of beliefs or values attributed to a person or group of persons, especially those held for reasons that are not purely about belief in certain knowledge, in which "practical elements are as prominent as theoretical ones". Form ...

Education and career

Haslam studied at the

London School of Economics The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), established in 1895, is a public research university in London, England, and a member institution of the University of London. The school specialises in the social sciences. Founded ...

(B.Sc.Econ 1972),

Trinity College, Cambridge Trinity College is a Colleges of the University of Cambridge, constituent college of the University of Cambridge. Founded in 1546 by King Henry VIII, Trinity is one of the largest Cambridge colleges, with the largest financial endowment of any ...

(M.Litt. 1978), and was awarded his Ph.D. at the

University of Birmingham The University of Birmingham (informally Birmingham University) is a Public university, public research university in Birmingham, England. It received its royal charter in 1900 as a successor to Queen's College, Birmingham (founded in 1825 as ...

in 1984. He has lectured at many institutions including: the University of Birmingham 1975–1984;

Johns Hopkins University The Johns Hopkins University (often abbreviated as Johns Hopkins, Hopkins, or JHU) is a private university, private research university in Baltimore, Maryland, United States. Founded in 1876 based on the European research institution model, J ...

, 1984–1986;

University of California, Berkeley The University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley, Berkeley, Cal, or California), is a Public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university in Berkeley, California, United States. Founded in 1868 and named after t ...

, 1987–1988;

King's College, Cambridge King's College, formally The King's College of Our Lady and Saint Nicholas in Cambridge, is a List of colleges of the University of Cambridge, constituent college of the University of Cambridge. The college lies beside the River Cam and faces ...

, 1988–1992;

Yale University Yale University is a Private university, private Ivy League research university in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701, Yale is the List of Colonial Colleges, third-oldest institution of higher education in the United Stat ...

1996;

Harvard University Harvard University is a Private university, private Ivy League research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States. Founded in 1636 and named for its first benefactor, the History of the Puritans in North America, Puritan clergyma ...

, 2001;

Stanford University Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University, is a Private university, private research university in Stanford, California, United States. It was founded in 1885 by railroad magnate Leland Stanford (the eighth ...

, 1986–1987, 1994, 2005; and the

1991–2015. Haslam joined the faculty of the School of Historical Studies at the Institute for Advanced Study on July 1, 2015. Most of Haslam's works deal with the

history of the Soviet Union The history of the Soviet Union (USSR) (1922–91) began with the ideals of the Russian Bolshevik Revolution and ended in dissolution amidst economic collapse and political disintegration. Established in 1922 following the Russian Civil War, ...

. During his tenure at the University of Cambridge, he wrote: "My first political memory was the

Cuban missile crisis The Cuban Missile Crisis, also known as the October Crisis () in Cuba, or the Caribbean Crisis (), was a 13-day confrontation between the governments of the United States and the Soviet Union, when American deployments of Nuclear weapons d ...

of 1962. It was the only time I saw my father afraid as he thought it entirely possible–through his London contacts–that we would all be blown up. Now I know how close we came. I have thus spent most of my life in pursuit of an explanation for the

Cold War The Cold War was a period of global Geopolitics, geopolitical rivalry between the United States (US) and the Soviet Union (USSR) and their respective allies, the capitalist Western Bloc and communist Eastern Bloc, which lasted from 1947 unt ...

by focusing on the Soviet Union."

Works

Hubris, 2024

In this work, subtitled ''The American Origins of Russia’s War Against Ukraine'', Haslam critiques U.S. foreign policy post-Cold War, arguing that American decisions and NATO expansion contributed to tensions leading up to the

Russian invasion of Ukraine On 24 February 2022, , starting the largest and deadliest war in Europe since World War II, in a major escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian War, conflict between the two countries which began in 2014. The fighting has caused hundreds of thou ...

since February 2022. He emphasises that the West's disregard for Russia's security concerns played a significant role in the escalation. The book has sparked discussions on Western accountability in the Ukraine crisis. A review in

Foreign Affairs ''Foreign Affairs'' is an American magazine of international relations and foreign policy of the United States, U.S. foreign policy published by the Council on Foreign Relations, a nonprofit organization, nonprofit, nonpartisan, membership or ...

by Mary Sarotte highlights how Haslam's analysis challenges prevailing

narrative A narrative, story, or tale is any account of a series of related events or experiences, whether non-fictional (memoir, biography, news report, documentary, travel literature, travelogue, etc.) or fictional (fairy tale, fable, legend, thriller ...

s by focusing on Western actions post-1991 but criticises its factual accuracy.

The Spectre of War, 2021

Haslam examines how the fear of international communism influenced the policies of European powers in the lead-up to World War II. He argues that anti-communist sentiments significantly shaped international relations during the

interwar period In the history of the 20th century, the interwar period, also known as the interbellum (), lasted from 11 November 1918 to 1 September 1939 (20 years, 9 months, 21 days) – from the end of World War I (WWI) to the beginning of World War II ( ...

. The work has been praised for its thorough research and fresh perspective on the origins of WW II.

Europe-Asia Studies ''Europe-Asia Studies'' is an academic peer-reviewed journal published 10 times a year by Routledge on behalf of the Institute of Central and East European Studies, University of Glasgow, and continuing (since vol. 45, 1993) the journal ''Soviet S ...

commends Haslam for shedding light on the impact of ideological fears on diplomatic decisions.

Near and Distant Neighbors, 2015

This book provides a comprehensive history of Soviet intelligence operations, detailing their evolution and impact on global affairs. Haslam delves into the organisational structure and strategic objectives of

Soviet intelligence agencies The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. (USSR), commonly known as the Soviet Union, was a transcontinental country that spanned much of Eurasia from 1922 until it dissolved in 1991. During its existence, it was the largest country by are ...

. Scholars have lauded the book for its insightful analysis and contribution to understanding Soviet espionage.

Russia’s Cold War, 2011

Haslam explores the Soviet Union's role in the

, focusing on its foreign policy and ideological motivations from 1917 to 1991. He challenges Western-centric narratives by presenting the Soviet perspective on global events. The book is recognized for its balanced approach and depth of analysis, offering valuable insights into Soviet strategies during the Cold War.

The Nixon Administration and the Death of Allende’s Chile, 2005

This work investigates the U.S. involvement in the

1973 Chilean coup d'état The 1973 Chilean coup d'état () was a military overthrow of the democratic socialist president of Chile Salvador Allende and his Popular Unity (Chile), Popular Unity coalition government. Allende, who has been described as the first Marxist ...

, arguing that the

Nixon administration Richard Nixon's tenure as the 37th president of the United States began with his first inauguration on January 20, 1969, and ended when he resigned on August 9, 1974, in the face of almost certain impeachment and removal from office, the ...

played a pivotal role in undermining President Allende's government, leading to its downfall. Haslam's meticulous research has been praised for shedding light on a controversial chapter in U.S. foreign policy.

No Virtue Like Necessity, 2002

Haslam traces the development of realist theory in international relations, examining key thinkers from Machiavelli to the 20th century. He discusses how realist thought has influenced global politics over the centuries. The book is esteemed for its comprehensive overview and critical analysis of realist philosophy in international affairs.

The Vices of Integrity: E.H. Carr 1892–1982, 1999

This biography delves into the life and work of historian E.H. Carr, exploring his contributions to historiography and international relations theory. Haslam examines Carr's complex legacy and intellectual journey. Critics have highlighted the book's depth and nuanced portrayal of Carr, appreciating its contribution to understanding a significant figure in historical scholarship.

The Soviet Union and the Threat from the East, 1933–41: Moscow, Tokyo, and the Prelude to the Pacific War, 1992

Haslam analyzes the Soviet Union's foreign policy in East Asia during the 1930s, focusing on its relations with Japan and the strategic considerations leading up to the Pacific War. The work is recognized for its detailed examination of a less-studied aspect of Soviet foreign relations, contributing valuable insights into pre-WWII geopolitics.

The Soviet Union and the Politics of Nuclear Weapons in Europe, 1969–87, 1990

This book explores the Soviet Union's nuclear strategy and its political implications in Europe during the late Cold War period. Haslam discusses the interplay between military considerations and diplomatic negotiations. Scholars have commended the book for its thorough research and contribution to understanding nuclear diplomacy during a critical era.

Soviet Foreign Policy, 1930–1933: The Impact of the Depression, 1983

Haslam examines how the global economic depression influenced Soviet foreign policy decisions in the early 1930s, highlighting the intersection of economic and political factors.The book is valued for its insightful analysis of the economic underpinnings of Soviet diplomacy during a tumultuous period.

Also See

* Marc Trachtenberg

Bibliography

* ''Hubris: The American Origins of Russia's War against Ukraine''. Bloomsbury Publishing, 2024, *''The Spectre of War: International Communism and the Origins of World War II.'' Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 2021, * ''Near and Distant Neighbors: A New History of Soviet Intelligence''. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2015, * ''Secret Intelligence in the European States System, 1918-1989.'' (eds), Stanford University Press , 2013 * ''Russia's Cold War: From the October Revolution to the Fall of the Wall''. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2011, * '' The Nixon Administration and the Death of Allende's Chile: A Case of Assisted Suicide''. London, New York: Verso, 2005, * ''No Virtue Like Necessity: Realist Thought in International Relations Since Machiavelli''. Yale University Press, 2002. * ''The Vices of Integrity: E.H. Carr 1892-1982.'' Verso, 1999. * ''The Soviet Union and the Threat from the East: 1933-41: Moscow, Tokyo, and the prelude to the Pacific War''. Pittsburgh, PA: University of Pittsburgh Press, 1992, * ''The Soviet Union and the Politics of Nuclear Weapons in Europe, 1969–87''. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press, 1990, * ''The Soviet Union and the Struggle for Collective Security in Europe, 1933–39''. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1984, *
Soviet Foreign Policy, 1930–33: The Impact of the Depression
'. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1983,

References

External links

Home page of Jonathan Haslam at The Institute for Advanced Study
(404, see ) * ias.edu
Home Page

Home page of Jonathan Haslam at University of Cambridge
(404, see )
Curriculum vitae of Jonathan Haslam at the Institute for Advanced Study
(404, see) {{DEFAULTSORT:Haslam, Jonathan 21st-century American historians 21st-century American male writers Alumni of the London School of Economics Alumni of Trinity College, Cambridge Alumni of the University of Birmingham Fellows of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge Institute for Advanced Study faculty Members of the University of Cambridge faculty of history Johns Hopkins University faculty University of California, Berkeley faculty Yale University faculty Stanford University faculty Harvard University faculty Academics of the University of Birmingham Living people 1951 births Historians from California American male non-fiction writers