Putin and the Nuclear Dimension to Russian Strategy. Issue 4 (1st October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cimbala, Stephen J.; McDermott, Roger N.
• Is Part Of: Journal of Slavic military studies. Volume 29:Issue 4(2016)
• Page Start: 535
• Page End: 553
• Publication Date: 2016-10-01
• Subjects: Military art and science -- Former Soviet republics -- Periodicals; Military art and science -- Europe, Eastern -- Periodicals; Former Soviet republics -- Defenses -- Periodicals; Europe, Eastern -- Defenses -- Periodicals; 355.033247
• DOI: 10.1080/13518046.2016.1232532
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1351-8046

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Nuclear weapons and nuclear strategy have found themselves as parts of the discussions among expert and other commentators about the future of Russian President Vladimir Putin and about Russia's military-strategic options in Europe following its annexation of Crimea and destabilization of Eastern Ukraine. This study considers some of the nuclear-related aspects of Putin's and Russia's survivability with respect to: (1) principal challenges for NATO in the face of improving Russian military capabilities and plausible strategies, (2) the future relationship between Russia's conventional military and nuclear capabilities and military-strategic priorities, and (3) assessment of Russia's threat perceptions in the context of its 'strategic history'.