Can 'Realists' and 'Hawks' Agree? Half-measures and Compromises on the Road to Invasion of Ukraine

The debate on the failure of efforts to avert full-scale Russian invasion Ukraine in February 2022 is dominated by two narratives presented as mutually exclusive. On one hand, 'hawks' chastise West for failing forcefully confront adventurism earlier. other 'realists' criticise West's overreach incorporate into Western structures. Both views implicitly contend that there was only way prevent war. This paper argues those positions are, fact, not incompatible and war lies habitual mismatch between strategic goals resources, recognised both sides debate. Ambitious meagre resources constituted a middle-of-the-road compromise, inadvertently increasing risk encouraging Russia take opportunity challenge weakly backed ambitions. In an attempt draw some tentative lessons, concludes exploring hypotheses why such mismatches occur persist.