To Coerce or Reward? Theorizing Wedge Strategies in Alliance Politics

(Не)известан Клин: Да Ли Је Селективна Акомодација Русије Још Увек Могућа Након Украјине?

“…На пример, стратегије уравнотеживања су применљиве како у стратешким дијадама -када постоје два актера који удружују снаге како би уравнотежили моћ треће стране -тако и у стратешким тријадама, па чак и у стратешким миријадама -када постоји више од два актера који удружују снаге против трећег . Што се тиче стратегије клина, можемо издвојити три актера у стратешкој тријади: а) делитељ (divider)-држава која спроводи стратегију клина; б) супарник (competitor) -главни изазивач државе поделе; в) мета -делитељ жели да ту земљу дистанцира од супарника (Crawford, 2011: 156, 158;Izumikawa, 2013;Huang, 2020: 5;Crawford, 2021a: 1) . Уколико се вратимо на поређење између поновног приближавања из 1970-их и данашњег стратешког окружења, можемо видети да је Кина тада била мета, а сада је супарник, док се обрнуто односи на Русију/Совјетски Савез .…”

“…For an example, balancing strategies are applicable both in strategic dyads -when there are two actors joining forces to balance the power of a third party as well as strategic triads and even strategic myriads -when there are more than two actors joining forces against the third . As far as wedge strategy is concerned, we can distinguish the three actors in the strategic triad as: a) the divider -the state implementing wedge strategy; b) the competitor -the main challenger of the divider state; c) the target -state the divider wishes to distance from the competitor (Crawford, 2011: 156, 158;Izumikawa, 2013;Huang, 2020: 5;Crawford, 2021a: 1) . Circling back to the comparison between 1970s reapproachment and today's strategic environment, China was then the target and now is the competitor while the inverse applies to Russia/Soviet Union .…”

Wedge strategies in Russia-Japan relations

“…A successful wedge strategy enables a state to diminish the strength of adversaries organized against it, or even tries to turn opponents into neutrals. 1 Wedge strategies can be either based on positive incentives or on coercion (Crawford, 2011;Izumikawa, 2013). Importantly, wedge strategies aim at separating the target from a more powerful and more threatening adversary.…”

“…This is likely to increase the cost of the reward without guaranteeing the success of the strategy. States might also use coercion, or mixed strategies if they perceive that they don't have a sufficient reward power, or if they face an imminent security threat (Izumikawa, 2013). Coercive strategies, however, can generate the opposite of the desired effect, leading to more cohesion in the adversary coalition.…”

Network Connections and the Emergence of the Hub-and-Spokes Alliance System in East Asia

“…188 A recent survey by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs also shows that 59 percent of Americans oppose U.S. military intervention if China attacks Taiwan. 189 U.S. security ties with these two allies may be further weakened if China effectively uses wedge strategies. 190 Under such circumstances, Washington must take two steps if it desires to preserve or facilitate the evolution of the hub-and-spokes system in a way that is conducive to its interests.…”