| ID | 084719 |
| Title Proper | Threats to and from Russia |
| Other Title Information | an assessment |
| Language | ENG |
| Author | Blank, Stephen |
| Publication | 2008. |
| Summary / Abstract (Note) | Under conditions of visibly deteriorating Russo-American and East-West relations it is necessary to outline clearly the threats perceived by Russia from Western and U.S. policies, and second, the threats that Russia may pose in return. An analysis of such threats reveals that the balance of threat perception is asymmetrically weighted to the Russian side which perceived threats everywhere, i.e., from within and without. This underscores the fact that the baseline of Russian foreign and defense policy is the presupposition of threat, and a pervasive one at that. Second, these threats are largely perceived in terms of a classical hard power Realpolitik even if Moscow's instruments for countering them are largely nuclear weapons and its energy capabilities. Third, Russia's threat perception is extensively tied to the fear of information warfare as a tool for unhinging the entire society and state. Correspondingly, this potential, in Russia's hands, as well as its efforts to use its economic power and accompanying political instruments, are becoming the pivot of foreign perceptions of a threat originating from Russia. Finally, there is a real danger that the United States and Russia will increasingly come to see each other's military, and/or especially nuclear or missile defense forces as threats that, under conditions of ideological and political contestation, justify a new arms race. |
| `In' analytical Note | Journal of Slavic Military Studies Vol. 21,No. 3;Jul-Sep 2008:p491 - 526 |
| Journal Source | Journal of Slavic Military Studies Vol. 21,No. 3;Jul-Sep 2008:p491 - 526 |
| Key Words | Russia ; Military Threat ; Putin ; Strategic Offensive |