December 5, 2025

EagleEye

A Newsletter for UMW Faculty and Staff

Davidson to Publish Book on NATO After the Invasion of Ukraine

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Professor of Political Science and International Affairs Jason Davidson

Professor of Political Science and International Affairs Jason Davidson

Professor of Political Science and International Affairs Jason Davidson will publish a new book, NATO After Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine: Threat Perceptions and Their Consequences, with Georgetown University Press. The book challenges the common assumption that the war in Ukraine revitalized NATO. Instead, Davidson – who also serves as a nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council – examines the conflicting threat perceptions and defense preparations of several of the alliance’s most influential members.

In an early review, Emma Ashford, columnist for Foreign Policy and senior fellow with the Reimagining U.S. Grand Strategy program at the Stimson Center, praised Davidson’s work, saying”The war in Ukraine is widely assumed to have revitalized NATO and brought back a shared sense of common purpose between member states. Davidson’s book effectively demolishes that common assumption and instead provides a nuanced, thorough, and thoughtful overview of the divergent threat perceptions and military preparations of the alliance’s most important members.”

Davidson will host a discussion of his new book on Tuesday, Nov. 18 at 4 p.m. in Monroe Hall, Room 346. Joining him will be Arthur Speyer, senior analyst with the Marine Corps Intelligence Agency and adjunct instructor at UMW, who will offer commentary. The event will conclude with time for audience questions.

Davidson Analyzes NATO Tensions for Atlantic Council

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Professor of Political Science and International Affairs Jason Davidson

Professor of Political Science and International Affairs Jason Davidson

Professor of Political Science and International Affairs Jason Davidson shared expert insight in a recent article for the Atlantic Council titled “What explains the transatlantic rift? It’s all about threat perception.” As NATO allies prepare for his month’s summit in The Hague, Davidson explores differing views on global threats and defense spending, particularly in the light of U.S calls for increase military investment. Davidson’s analysis helps contextualize the evolving dynamics within the alliance. Read the article. 

Davidson Comments on Ukraine for LeDevoir

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Professor of Political Science and International Affairs Jason Davidson

Professor of Political Science and International Affairs Jason Davidson

Professor of Political Science and International Affairs Jason Davidson commented to LeDevoir in article titled: Is Ukraine entering NATO through the back door?

“Ukraine has three years of bloody experience in its fight against Russia, and this is an asset for NATO, which believes that Moscow now represents the most significant and direct threat to its members,” commented political scientist Jason Davidson, a researcher in international security at the University of Mary Washington in Virginia, in an interview. “Ukraine has managed to defend itself and, above all, has demonstrated remarkable innovation in its combat methods, for example, by using inexpensive drones for reconnaissance and munitions transport.” Read the article.

Davidson Comments on Zelensky’s NATO Proposal for ZDFhuete

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Professor of Political Science and International Affairs Jason Davidson

Professor of Political Science and International Affairs Jason Davidson

Professor of Political Science and International Affairs Jason Davidson was quoted by ZDFheute in Germany in a feature story entitled “What Zelensky’s NATO proposal means.” The article states, “Jason W. Davidson, professor of security policy at the University of Mary Washington in Virginia, also stated in an interview with ZDFheute that admitting Ukraine into NATO – only in the form of the territory it currently controls – would be risky. “Given that Putin is seeking control over the whole of Ukraine and will not stop until he gains this control.” Read the article.

In addition, other recent media mentions for Davidson include:

US researcher: Europe must take responsibility for its own security (Latvian Public Media)
https://www.lsm.lv/raksts/zinas/arzemes/13.02.2025-asv-petnieks-eiropai-pasai-jauznemas-atbildiba-par-drosibu.a587755/

Davidson Comments on Recent U.S. Military Decrees for Germany’s ZDFheute

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Professor of Political Science and International Affairs Jason Davidson

Professor of Political Science and International Affairs Jason Davidson

Professor of Political Science and International Affairs Jason Davidson was quoted by ZDFheute in Germany in a feature story entitled “What do Trump’s military decrees mean?” The article states, “There are currently around 100,000 US soldiers stationed in Europe. Trump plans to withdraw 20,000 of them, which will bring troop levels back to the level before the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, political scientist Jason Davidson tells ZDFheute.” Read the article.

UMW Faculty Share Knowledge and Insight on ‘With Good Reason’ Radio Program

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Mary Washington faculty share expertise on ‘With Good Reason,’ a national radio program that inspires thought, discovery and action through public engagement and dialogue on topics that shape our world.

Mary Washington faculty share expertise on ‘With Good Reason,’ a national radio program that inspires thought, discovery and action through public engagement and dialogue on topics that shape our world.

Imposter syndrome, photoshopping, the complexities of foreign alliances, political humor, the magic of Disney World and shared musical experiences – these are just a few of the topics on which University of Mary Washington professors have contributed their expertise over the radio airwaves this past year.

UMW is proud to announce the continued success of its collaboration with Virginia Humanities’ With Good Reason radio program, which brings the research and insights of Virginia’s top educators to audiences across the nation. Each week, over 100,000 listeners tune in to 128 radio stations throughout Virginia, Washington, D.C., and 38 states to hear thought-provoking discussions with leading academics. Thousands more listen to the episodes through iTunes podcasts.

The partnership between UMW and Virginia Humanities helps showcase valuable work in Virginia’s higher education system. Since last summer, a dozen Mary Washington faculty members were featured on With Good Reason, either as new guests or in re-aired episodes that continue to draw audiences. Read more.

Davidson Shares NATO Expertise With ‘The New York Times’

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Professor of Political Science and International Affairs Jason Davidson

Professor of Political Science and International Affairs Jason Davidson

Professor of Political Science and International Affairs Jason Davidson contributed to a recent New York Times opinion piece titled “Conversations and insights about the moment.” Davidson, who interviewed 98 security analysts in the United States, Germany, France, Britain, Italy and Poland for his upcoming academic book about NATO, told the columnist that Europeans have very different views about what constitutes the greatest threat. “Italy, for instance, is far more concerned with instability from the Mediterranean than Russia,” he said, citing threats to maritime commerce and unauthorized immigration. Read more.