EUGENE FINKEL

Eugene Finkel is a political scientist and historian whose work explores the causes and dynamics of political violence, genocide, and authoritarian rule, with a particular focus on Eastern Europe and Israel. He holds the position of Kenneth H. Keller Professor of International Affairs at Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS)

His research examines how individuals and institutions respond to extreme situations such as mass persecution, state collapse, and war. His book Ordinary Jews: Choice and Survival during the Holocaust offered an analysis of decision-making under Nazi occupation, while his most recent work Intent to Destroy: Russia’s Two-Hundred-Year Quest to Dominate Ukraine traces the historical roots and contemporary manifestations of Russian aggression toward Ukraine. In addition, he has co-authored influential studies on state capacity, political stability, and food security under authoritarian regimes.

Combining historical depth with political analysis, Finkel’s scholarship illuminates the patterns of violence and repression that shape societies under threat, offering critical insights into the past and present challenges facing Ukraine, Russia, and the wider region.