• Research
  • Diwan
  • About
  • Experts
Carnegie Middle East logoCarnegie lettermark logo
PalestineSyria
The Russian Military: Power and Policy
Book
Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center

The Russian Military: Power and Policy

This book assesses today's Russian military and analyzes its possible future direction.

Link Copied
By Dmitri Trenin and Steven E. Miller
Published on Sep 9, 2004

Additional Links

Gold Eagle, Red Star by Dmitri V. Trenin

Source: American Academy Studies in Global Security

Russian military capacity remains a major consideration for global security even in the post-Soviet era. This book assesses today's Russian military and analyzes its possible future direction. The contributors—experts on the subject from both Russia and the West—consider not only how Russia has built its military capacity but also the policies and doctrines that have shaped Russia's defense posture. They discuss such topics as the downsizing of the Russian military, Russia's use of military power in regional conflicts, and the management of Russia's nuclear weapons.

For more than a decade, Russian leaders have struggled to formulate security and defense policies that protect Russia's borders and project Russia's influence. The contributors to The Russian Military find that the choices Russian leaders have made have been significantly influenced by the military reforms Russia has attempted to implement since the collapse of the Soviet Union. The protracted and intense debate over military reform has been--and will continue to be--decisive in shaping Russian military capacity.

Read selected chapters by Carnegie contributors, at right. Additional sections are available at the American Academy of Arts and Sciences web site. Copyright 2004 American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

About the Editors

Steven E. Miller is editor-in-chief of International Security and director of the International Security Program of BCSIA.

Dmitri V. Trenin is deputy director of the Carnegie Moscow Center, where he specializes in foreign and security policy. He is the author of Russia's Restless Frontier: The Chechnya Factor in Post-Soviet Russia, The End of Eurasia: Russia on the Border Between Geopolitics and Globalization and coeditor of Ambivalent Neighbors: The EU, NATO and the Price of Membership.

 

Reviews

"This first-rate set of essays is a timely and remarkably comprehensive assessment of the contemporary state of the Russian military. It deserves the attention not only of those interest in military affairs, but also those concerned with political and economic developments in Russia."
—Lieutenant General William Odom (U.S. Army, Ret.), Senior Fellow, Hudson Institute

"This is the best collection of both contributors and contributions that I have seen on this subject."
—Brigadier General John C. Reppert (U.S. Army, Ret.), Dean of the College of International and Security Studies, Germany

"This book is a path-breaking contribution to our understanding of Russia."
—International Affairs

Authors

Dmitri Trenin
Former Director, Carnegie Moscow Center
Steven E. Miller

Steven E. Miller is the director of the International Security Program at Harvard University’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs.

Nuclear Policy

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

More Work from Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center

  • Commentary
    How Tehran Is Connecting the Ukraine Invasion to the Iran Deal

    Both events also could force Washington to rethink or revive its Middle East partnerships.

      Karim Sadjadpour

  • Commentary
    Diwan
    A Ticking Time-Bomb?

    Disagreement between the United States and Iran over a revived nuclear accord may anchor volatile competition.

      George Perkovich

  • Commentary
    Diwan
    What Does It Mean that European States Have Triggered the Dispute Resolution Mechanism in the Nuclear Deal With Iran?

    A regular survey of experts on matters relating to Middle Eastern and North African politics and security.

      Michael Young

  • Commentary
    What Europe’s Dispute about Iran’s Nuclear Program Means

    The British, French, and German foreign ministers have formally accused Iran of breaking the terms of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, a step that could lead to sanctions. Are the Europeans preparing to pull the plug?

      Jarrett Blanc

  • Commentary
    Scratching Erdogan’s Nuclear Itch

    Although Turkey is not likely to pursue a nuclear weapons program, it is expanding its nuclear industry by partnering with Russia.

      Mark Hibbs

Get more news and analysis from
Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center
Carnegie Middle East logo, white
  • Research
  • Diwan
  • About
  • Experts
  • Projects
  • Events
  • Contact
  • Careers
  • Privacy
  • For Media
Get more news and analysis from
Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center
© 2026 Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. All rights reserved.