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.
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
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, February 1, 2010
"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
Praeger Security International
International security in the 21st century is not a topic that can be adequately addressed in nightly news soundbites or online articles intended to be relevant for 24 hours or less. Comprehending these complex issues requires insight from foreign policy specialists, diplomats, military officials, peace scholars, historians, and security experts—participants and observers on all sides of each conflict. This series provides the tools for understanding security issues in our uncertain, unstable world.
Covering global hot spots from Iran to Venezuela and subjects ranging from terrorism and cyber warfare to food security, books in the Praeger Security International series give readers access to carefully considered and highly informed viewpoints on the critical security issues that threaten to destabilize our world. With titles authored by diplomats, academic researchers, journalists, military leaders and combatants, legal experts, psychologists, and other knowledgeable specialists, these books offer in-depth analysis and international perspectives that are unavailable in the mass media. These titles represent an invaluable resource for students, researchers, and policymakers as well as for anyone who seeks a deeper understanding of the complex issues that affect our lives and future.Features
• Provides reliable, comprehensive information on all matters relating to security that is ideal for students, teachers, researchers, and professionals
• Offers insightful commentaries written by a diverse group of scholars and experts who provide interdisciplinary treatments of newsworthy events and important historical occurrences
