This book offers an expert analysis of Russia’s foreign and military defense policies since the Federation was established in the aftermath of the collapse of the Soviet Union.
The Russian Federation may have become separated from significant human power and natural resources in its transition from the old Soviet empire, but with a permanent United Nations Security Council seat, enviable oil and natural gas reserves, one of the world’s largest conventional armies, and enough nuclear weapons to destroy any country, Russia remains the most important global security actor besides the United States.
To help readers understand the current state of this crucially important country, Global Security Watch—Russia: A Reference Handbook provides a comprehensive overview of the main foreign and defense policies of the Russian Federation.
Global Security Watch—Russia focuses on political-military developments in the nation that emerged in the aftermath of the Soviet Union’s collapse in December 1991. The book looks at a variety of factors that characterize Russia’s position in world security matters, such as its leading position as an arms exporter and its still-overwhelming nuclear capability. Coverage includes critical recent events, such as the growing alienation between Russia and the West, the August 2008 Georgian War, and the effects of the global financial crisis on Russia’s vulnerable economy.
Features
• Contains excerpts from leaders' key speeches as well as Russia's seminal foreign policy and defense concepts
• Includes a comprehensive chronology, in essay format, of political-military developments in Russia since 1991
Highlights
• Offers the first and only expert analysis of Russian foreign and defense policy through the first year of the Dmitry Medvedev's presidency
• Provides a detailed history of the 2008 war in Georgia and comprehensive assessments of Russia's nuclear and military-industrial complexes
• Draws heavily from a number of Russian and foreign publications from governments, think tanks, and newspapers
Richard Weitz is senior fellow and director of the Center for Political-Military Analysis at Hudson Institute. He has published or edited several books and monographs as well as many articles on diverse international security issues.
Reviews
". . . the book focuses on developments since the breakdown of the Soviet Union in 1991. Coverage includes significant recent events and the effects of the global financial crisis on Russia's economy. Early chapters summarize key trends affecting Russia during its history, and review the collapse and reconstruction of its military-industrial complex. Subsequent chapters cover nuclear weapons and arms control, regional security issues, and relations between Russia and Georgia, with special attention paid to the events preceding the August 2008 War. A conclusion describes developments during Dmitry Medvedev's first year as president. The book includes a list of abbreviations, biographies of key figures, a chronology, an appendix of documents, and one b&w map."—Reference & Research Book News
Endorsements
"Richard Weitz presents one of the most balanced and comprehensive treatments of the challenges of Russian foreign and defense policy; must reading for policymakers, students, and interested public to better understand Moscow's goals and perspectives on the world."—Dr. Andrew C. Kuchins, Director and Senior Fellow, Russia and Eurasia Program, Center for Strategic and International Studies
"Richard Weitz' penetrating and timely analysis provides an authoritative assessment of Russian security policy under Yeltsin and Putin. The book shows that, despite recent geopolitical gains, Russia is vulnerable both abroad and domestically, a true ‘shaky phoenix’."—David Satter, author of "Age of Delirium: the Decline and Fall of the Soviet Union"
"Dr. Weitz's meticulously researched and comprehensive book is essential reading for all those concerned about Russian foreign and defense policies. The Obama administration faces an overwhelming challenge in resetting relations with a Russian regime that relies so heavily on military power and rejects so many core American values."—Andrei Piontkovsky, Senior Researcher at the Moscow Institute for Systems Studies
