ABSTRACT
Russia inherited a substantial portion of the Soviet armed forces which were largely designed to engage in high-intensity warfare with the West or China. The aim of the Russian Federation's policy in the sphere of nuclear weapons is to eliminate the danger of nuclear war by deterring any aggression against the Russian Federation and its allies. Military reform appears to have received more high-level attention since the presidential elections in 1996. Russia's military policy reflects the different world-views and institutional interests that inform its foreign and security policy after the cold war. The new doctrine is more in line with the notion of a deterrent as a last resort in the kinds of conflicts for which Russia is preparing. The military part or Russia's new military doctrine sets out a view of the possible character of future conflicts. Military industries are a major employer, and the social consequences of their closure must also be considered.
