| ID | 151704 |
| Title Proper | Putin and Russia in retro and forward |
| Other Title Information | the nuclear dimension |
| Language | ENG |
| Author | Cimbala, Stephen J |
| Summary / Abstract (Note) | Deterioration in security relations as between NATO and Russia reached boiling point in the aftermath of Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 and its subsequent destabilization of Eastern Ukraine. As a result, some voices in the West look forward to the departure of Vladimir Putin from power, and others to the possible disintegration of Russia as a unitary state. However, both the departure of Putin and the collapse of Russia have a nuclear dimension. Putin has issued pointed reminders of Russia’s status as a nuclear great power, and Russian military doctrine allows for nuclear first use in the event of a conventional war with extremely high stakes. Beyond Putin, a breakup of Russia would leave political chaos in Eastern Europe, Central Asia and elsewhere, inviting ambiguous command and control over formerly Russian nuclear forces. |
| `In' analytical Note | Defense and Security Analysis Vol. 33, No.1; Mar 2017: p.57-67 |
| Journal Source | Defense and Security Analysis Vol: 33 No 1 |
| Key Words | NATO ; Nuclear Deterrence ; Russia ; Ukraine ; Putin ; Nuclear First Use ; Crimea ; Vladimir |