This study of the Russian army since Russian independence in December 1991 focuses on the interaction between the army and politics. It reveals not only the impact political transformations have had on reforming military structures but also the impact of the military on political decision making. The book starts with an historical overview of Russia's security agenda and examines the Russian/Soviet army's tradition in involvement in politics. It then examines Russia's current security interests and the role of the army in protecting them, links general and geopolitical perspectives to the issues of the "Near Abroad" and to the nuclear dimension of security. It considers the fundamental question of the feasability of political control over the Russian army and takes up the current military role of the army - including conflict management in the Caucasus and the Chechen war. Finally, the place of the army in Russia's peace keeping activities within a broader European context is examined.
Pavel Baev is a Senior Researcher and Head of Section at the Institute of Europe, Russian Academy of Sciences. He has written this book while on sabbatical leave as a researcher at the International Peace Research Institute, Oslo. He was previously a Senior Researcher at the Scientific-Research Institute of the Soviet Ministry of Defence, 1979 to 1988. His publications include Tactical Nuclear Weapons in Europe: The Problem of Reduction and Elimination. He is co-editor of the quarterly journal Security Dialogue.
PART ONE: GENERALLY SPEAKING The Russian Army and Politics in Historical Perspective Russia's Security Interests and the Army PART TWO: BEING MORE SPECIFIC The Feasibility of Political Control of the Army Europeanizing the Russian Army PART THREE: THE DEVIL IS IN THE DETAILS Handling Conflicts in the Post-Soviet Space The Russian Army as Peace-Keeper Russian Peace-Keeping and European Security PART FOUR: OUTLOOK Through the Fog of War
`Baev's seminal work of military erudition is, therefore, a must read for the serious Russologist and the military student alike' - USI Journal `Baev's book is an incisive and comprehensive study of the challenges confronting the armed forces of the Russian Federation in the 1990s. It is also a devastating critique of the chaos and decay within the Russian military establishment after the collapse of communism' - Europe-Asia Studies `An excellent, concise and well-written survey of the development of the Russian army, with a special view to civil-military relations' - NOD & Conversion
