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Roger McDermott

Roger N. McDermott specializes in Russian and Central Asian defense and security issues and is a Senior Fellow in Eurasian Military Studies, The Jamestown Foundation, Washington DC, Senior International Research Fellow for the Foreign Military Studies Office (FMSO), Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and Affiliated Senior Analyst, Danish Institute for International Studies, Copenhagen. McDermott is on the editorial board of Central Asia and the Caucasus and the scientific board of the Journal of Power Institutions in Post-Soviet Societies. He recently wrote The Reform of Russia’s Conventional Armed Forces: Problems, Challenges and Policy Implications (October 2011).

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    Articles by Roger McDermott

    Allied Resolve 2022: Moscow’s Maskirovka Operation

    Russia’s Armed Forces continue to arrive in Belarus for the bilateral large-scale military exercise Soyuznaya Reshimost (Allied Resolve) 2022, officially scheduled for February 10–20. These deployments, which add to the...

    CSTO Props up Presidential Succession in Kazakhstan

    On January 5, in response to the then-rapidly worsening national crisis in Kazakhstan, which was triggered by increased fuel prices resulting in popular protests sweeping the country, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev...

    Russia’s Armed Forces Enhance UAV Strike Capability

    The joint Belarusian-Russian Zapad 2021 combined strategic exercise (sovmestnoe strategicheskoe uchenie), which lasted from September 10 to 16, witnessed numerous tests and experiments involving Russia’s Armed Forces—something that was entirely expected,...

    Russian UAV Technology and Loitering Munitions

    During the ongoing modernization of Russia’s Armed Forces, increasing attention has turned to developing and exploiting unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAV). In Russian military exercises...

    Moscow Forming First Robotic Military Units

    Russia’s Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has confirmed plans to create the country’s first robotic military unit. These plans draw on existing research and development (R&D) within the domestic defense industry,...

    The Revolution in Russian Military Decision-Making

    Executive Summary Russia’s Armed Forces have experienced considerable change and modernization since the reforms initiated in late 2008. While these processes have impacted structures, personnel, equipment and weapons systems across...

    Putin Orders a New Nuclear-Proof Command Center

    Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the creation of a new nuclear-strike-proof command-and-control (C2) center for the country’s nuclear forces. On November 13, he signed a decree (ukaz) on the...

    Russia’s Interest in UAV Strike Capability Gathers Pace

    Russia’s political-military leadership pays increasing attention to the combat potential of introducing and exploiting unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UACV). Experience gained during its operations in...

    Russia’s Armed Forces Test UAV Swarm Tactics in Kavkaz 2020

    This year’s Russian annual strategic command-staff exercise (strategicheskiye komandno-shtabnyye ucheniya—SKShU) was Kavkaz 2020, held during September 21–26 and centered on the Southern Military District (MD). The exercise tested a wide range of...

    Kavkaz 2020 Rehearses Joint Operations Against Future Adversaries

    Russia’s annual strategic command-staff exercise (strategicheskiye komandno-shtabnyye ucheniya—SKShU)—this year, Kavkaz (Caucasus) 2020, held on September 21–26—is being widely advertised by the Ministry of Defense as a truly international event. The culmination of...

    Russian Armed Forces Test Multi-Domain Operations

    Despite the global COVID-19 pandemic, the Russian Armed Forces have vigorously pursued the summer combat training schedule throughout the country’s five military districts (MDs). International attention was sparked by Russia’s...

    Russia’s Navy Invests in Cruise Missile Capability

    Russia’s naval development is heavily tied to the continued introduction of high-precision strike capabilities offered by the maritime variants of the Kalibr or Tsirkon hypersonic cruise missile systems. These are...

    Moscow Complains About NATO Military Exercises

    Russia’s political-military leadership regularly complains about the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO) military exercises, especially any staged close to the Russian borders. This year, the Alliance planned to conduct Defender...

    Russian Navy Prioritizes Tsirkon Hypersonic Missiles

    Moscow’s political-military leadership places growing emphasis on long-range stand-off precision strike systems as a key element in its ongoing modernization program, complementing efforts to strengthen “pre-nuclear” deterrence and offering additional...

    Moscow Plans Enhanced Military Basing in Syria

    Moscow plans to increase its military basing presence in Syria, building on its main existing agreements with the Bashar al-Assad regime in relation to the Khmeimim airbase in Latakia province...

    Moscow Enhances Artillery Firepower in Kaliningrad

    Since Moscow’s annexation of Crimea in 2014, it has gradually reinforced its military presence in Kaliningrad, frequently portraying these measures as a response to increased North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)...

    Moscow’s Advances in Modernizing Military Communications

    Moscow is making considerable advances in modernizing its conventional Armed Forces within its overarching aim of adopting “command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance” (C4ISR) capability. This, in turn,...

    Grom 2019 Tests Russia’s Nuclear Deterrent

    On October 15–17, Moscow staged a nationwide test of its nuclear deterrent in the strategic command-staff exercise (Strategicheskiye Komandno-Shtabnyye Ucheniya—SKShU) Grom (Thunder) 2019. The exercise involved the Strategic Rocket Forces (Raketnye Voyska...

    Russian Military Pursues ‘Artillery Reform’

    Russia’s Armed Forces have undergone a prolonged transformation over the past decade as part of reform and modernization of Russian military capability. This has covered many facets involving numerous experiments...

    Moscow Unveils Further Advances in Drone Technology

    Russia’s Armed Forces and defense industry are making considerable advances in the design and introduction of modern unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology. While there is growing interest in diversifying both...

    Russia Tests Network-Centric Warfare in Tsentr 2019

    The Russian Armed Forces staged their annual strategic-level military exercise this past week (September 16–21), alongside units from seven partner countries—Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, China, India and Pakistan—all of them...

    Russia’s Armed Forces Test UAV Capabilities in Tsentr 2019

    The Russian Armed Forces tested a broad range of military capabilities during the annual strategic-operational exercise, Tsentr 2019, designated as a strategic command-staff exercise (strategicheskiye komandno-shtabnyye ucheniya—SKShU). Tsentr 2019, being...

    Russia Rehearses Multi-Platform Warfare in the Baltic Sea

    Russia’s Armed Forces have commenced Okeanskiy Shchit (“Ocean Shield”) 2019 naval exercises in the Baltic Sea, under the direction of the commander-in-chief of the Russian Military-Maritime Fleet (Voyenno-Morskoy Flot—VMF), Admiral...

    Moscow Prepares Tests for Hypersonic Cruise Missiles

    Moscow is prioritizing the introduction and further development of high-precision weapons systems to boost its military capabilities. Most of these systems—both already actively deployed or still in development—had featured in...

    Putin Promotes New Hypersonic Weapons Systems

    Russian President Vladimir Putin used his annual address to the Federal Assembly (upper chamber of parliament), on February 20, to, among other issues, highlight advances in the country’s hypersonic missile...

    Russia’s Armed Forces Expand UAV Strike Capability

    Complementing the Russian Armed Forces’ drive to integrate Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) capabilities, growing interest additionally centers on the development of new unmanned aerial vehicles...

    Russia’s Future SLCM: Kalibr-M

    Russia’s use of cruise missiles during its military operations in Syria generated much media and analytical attention at home and abroad. Despite questions surrounding the military value of such usage...

    Moscow’s S-300 Double Bluff in Syria

    In early October, following the loss of an Il-20 reconnaissance aircraft over the Mediterranean Sea on September 17—which Moscow blamed on Israel—Russia carried out a high-profile additional deployment of the...

    Vostok 2018: Projecting Russia’s Military Power

    Russia holds a major operational-strategic military exercise annually. And this year’s Vostok 2018 war game, which ran from September 11 to 17, received considerable foreign attention due both to its...

    World Cup 2018 and Russia’s Air-Defense Bubbles

    Russia’s air-defense capabilities received heightened international scrutiny due to the conflicts in Ukraine and Syria as well as Moscow’s efforts to form anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) bubbles in several strategically important...

    Questions Plague Russia’s Naval Modernization

    With the March 18 presidential elections fast approaching, the Russian media has been increasingly saturated with stories showcasing the purportedly unmitigated success of Russia’s military modernization. Although there is little...

    Russia’s Military Boosted by Syria Campaign

    The Russian Armed Forces have benefited from and been boosted by their operation in Syria, more than any other military intervention in Russia’s post-Soviet history. President Vladimir Putin used the...

    Russia’s Military Explores Way out of Syria

    Following recent Russian media coverage of the success of the Aerospace Forces (Vozdushno Kosmicheskikh Sil—VKS) in their operations in Syria, there are renewed indications that Moscow is seeking some kind...

    Zapad 2017: Myth and Reality

    The joint Belarusian-Russian strategic military exercise Zapad 2017 may have generated more international interest than any previous Russian exercise since the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The context included the...

    Zapad 2017 and the Initial Period of War

    Western media and analytical commentary on Zapad 2017 has focused on the numbers of Russian military personnel participating in the joint Belarus-Russia strategic exercise, speculating about whether Moscow was using...

    Stage Set for Zapad 2017

    After several months jointly preparing for the Zapad 2017 strategic military exercise, both Minsk and Moscow have used the last few days prior to its commencement (on September 14) to...

    Zapad 2017 and the Dangers of Crying Wolf

    Russia’s strategic military exercises frequently arouse varying levels of interest in the Western media and the analytical community. The bilateral Belarus-Russia Zapad 2017 (September 14–20), however, has witnessed unprecedented attention...

    Moscow Prepares for Zapad 2017

    Moscow continues with its preparations for the Zapad 2017 bilateral strategic military exercises with Belarus in September, widely expected to be the largest display of Russian military strength since the...

    Russia’s Defense Spending Spree Set to Continue

    Numerous gloomy forecasts predict that the overall condition of the Russian economy and the challenges stemming from the sanctions regime will set limitations on Russia’s defense spending and negatively impact...

    Moscow Promotes New Tsirkon Cruise Missile

    Since Russia’s entry into the conflict in Syria in September 2015, the top brass and defense ministry have devoted increasingly more attention to the procurement of high-precision weapons systems. The...

    Aerospace Forces’ Snap Inspection Reveals Flaws

    Moscow’s recent “snap inspection” exercise of the Aerospace Forces (Vozdushno Kosmicheskikh Sil—VKS) was no doubt intended to present a positive image of this relatively high-technology branch of service. Indeed, since its creation...

    Moscow Pursues Enhanced Precision-Strike Capability

    Moscow’s defense establishment annually reflects on achievements in modernizing and enhancing combat capability and readiness levels in the Russian Armed Forces. Late last year (December 22, 2016), Defense Minister Sergei...

    Russia’s Military Paper Tiger

    The reputation of Russia’s Armed Forces was boosted by its involvement in Ukraine and its out-of-area intervention in Syria, on the back of the publicity generated by ongoing long-term military...

    Image and Reality in Russia’s Armed Forces

    Threat inflationists, both within Russia and internationally, seize on every manifestation of military modernization to argue that Russia’s Armed Forces are fast becoming one of the world’s leading militaries and...

    Russia’s Military Paper Tiger: Mobilization

    The Russian Armed Forces are routinely subject to “snap inspection” exercises and various measures to boost their ability to fight and deploy to assorted theaters of operations. And combat readiness...

    Putin Bluffs on Challenging NATO

    President Vladimir Putin has reacted cautiously and avoided outright triumphalism over the Brexit of the United Kingdom from the European Union, while much of his recent comments on the forthcoming...

    Moscow Anticipates Anti-Russian NATO Summit

    Ahead of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO) July 8–9 summit in Warsaw, commentators widely expect the Alliance to adopt a range of measures to boost security on its northeastern...

    Shoigu Builds Mythical Russian Army

    Since President Vladimir Putin appointed Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu in November 2012, the official message from the top brass and leading defense officials presents the Russian military as advanced, reformed...

    Russia’s Tactical Missile Systems in Syria

    Russia’s announced partial military drawdown of its force deployment in Syria has effectively given way to conceding that its military footprint in the country will endure for some time. With...

    Russia Withdraws Su-25s From Syria

    Russia’s air operations in support of the Syrian Arab Army (SAA), which commenced on September 30, 2015, continue to experience modification and experimentation despite President Vladimir Putin’s order to begin...

    Russia’s Cost-Benefit Interest in Syria

    As Washington and Moscow join efforts to initiate a ceasefire in war-torn Syria, there is growing evidence that Russian policymakers believe the cost-benefit side of the military intervention is yielding...

    Russia Raises the Stakes in Aleppo

    Russia’s air campaign in Syria initially provoked critical remarks and skepticism from Western governments and commentators. However, the intervention, which involves targeted air strikes and close air support (CAS) for...

    Russia Strengthens Western Military District

    Russia’s defense leadership has signaled that among its priorities for 2016 will be the creation of “three divisions” in the Western Military District (MD): a move sure to ignite further...

    Russia’s 2015 National Security Strategy

    Russia’s new National Security Strategy (NSS), signed into law by President Vladimir Putin on December 31, 2015, marks the culmination of a long process in deteriorating relations between Moscow and...

    Putin Challenges NATO Over Turkey

    Despite both the ongoing tensions in Ukraine as well as Russia’s out-of-area air campaign in Syria, much of the focus of the Russian political-military elite is currently on Turkey, which...

    Putin Adjusts Russia’s Syria Strategy

    President Vladimir Putin’s decision to militarily intervene in Syria came after long and careful preparations to mitigate the risks of conflict escalation. However, two events complicated Russia’s involvement and demanded...

    Russia’s Naval Encirclement of Syria

    Recent statements by Russia’s top brass concerning precision-strike capabilities against “terrorist” targets in Syria, future basing plans and the high-profile use of cruise missiles launched from the Caspian Sea, on...

    Russia Reforms Aerospace Defense Structures—Again

    Moscow has implemented another step toward improving and consolidating its conventional military force capabilities by creating an entirely new arm of service: the Aerospace Forces (Vozdushno Kosmicheskikh Sil—VKS). The Aerospace...

    Russia Set to Strengthen Hard Power Options

    Russia’s Armed Forces, feeling the strain of unofficial involvement in Ukraine and maintaining higher readiness throughout the crisis, have recently experienced a number of high-profile air force crashes and setbacks...

    Putin’s Use of the ‘Nuclear Card’

    President Vladimir Putin continues to use strong rhetoric not only linked to what he sees as Kyiv’s “responsibilities” to adhere to Minsk II but also in an increasingly controversial area...

    Does Russia’s ‘Hybrid War’ Really Exist?

    In the early stages of the Russian military operation to annex Crimea, in February–March 2014, the level of surprise triggered in Kyiv and in Western capitals caused many journalists and...

    Russian Spetsnaz Personnel Detained in Ukraine

    Ukrainian military spokesman, Andriy Lysenko, told a press conference on May 17 that two Russian Spetsnaz (special forces) personnel were arrested by government forces 15 kilometers from Luhansk. The details...

    Assessing Russia’s Defense Priorities in Crimea

    Since Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea in March 2014, senior Russian political-military leaders have, on numerous occasions, referred to military reinforcement and consolidation when speaking about integrating the peninsula into...

    China’s Tacit Approval of Moscow’s Ukraine Policy

    Since Moscow initiated military operations in Ukraine in February 2014, China has seemingly adopted an ambiguous stance as Russia’s annexation of Crimea and destabilization of southeastern Ukraine evoked international condemnation....

    Russia’s Role in the Fall of Debaltseve

    In the aftermath of concluding the Minsk Two agreements earlier this month, the strategically important Debaltseve soon fell to the Russia-backed Ukrainian separatists—amidst clear disagreement over whether or not the...

    Vladimir Putin’s Dirty Little War

    Since Moscow’s intervention in Ukraine in February 2014, its ongoing operations center upon “plausible deniability.” With the passage of time and more and more evidence entering the public domain, however,...

    Ukraine on the Brink: Donbas Conflict Escalates

    Following the outright collapse of the notional ceasefire in eastern Ukraine, Kyiv and Moscow have traded accusations and drifted further from pursuing a possible political solution. Neither side shows any...

    Putin Sets Military Trap for Poroshenko

    The collapse of the nominal ceasefire in eastern Ukraine, marked by an escalation of military operations around Donetsk airport, has resulted in a fresh diplomatic confrontation between Moscow and Kyiv....

    Russia’s Defense Leadership Reflects on 2014

    In December 2014, Russia’s defense leadership publicly reflected on what was deemed to be a highly successful year for the Armed Forces. Although similar statements frequently mark such year-end reflections,...

    Russia Creates Arctic Military Command

    The Kremlin has created a new Arctic military command—the clearest and most practical signal yet of Russia’s long-term strategic stake in the High North. Russia’s military Arctic command became operational...

    Russia Activates New Defense Management Center

    Since President Vladimir Putin appointed Sergei Shoigu as defense minister in November 2012, the greatest organizational innovation in the Russian Armed Forces has been the creation of a National Defense...

    Moscow Prepares Revised Military Doctrine

    Russian President Vladimir Putin undoubtedly timed the coordinated effort to initiate a ceasefire in southeastern Ukraine to coincide with both the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO) September 4-5 summit in...

    Putin’s War for Novorossiya

    After recent successes by Russia-backed rebel forces in southeastern Ukraine, increased reports of Russian regular troops involved in the conflict, and belligerent statements by the Russian leadership, speculation mounts in...

    Russia’s Elite Airborne Forces Celebrate VDV Day

    The annual celebration of Russia’s elite Airborne Forces (Vozdushno Desantnye Voyska—VDV) on August 2, 2014, combined shows of strength with loutish behavior. Traditional displays of strength range from breaking bricks...

    Russia-NATO: No ‘Business as Usual’

    On July 22, President Vladimir Putin addressed the Russian Security Council and effectively declared the demise of cooperation between Russia and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Putin covered issues...

    Moscow Prepares S-400 Export Model for China

    As Moscow seeks to enhance Russian air defense and modernize its missile systems as well as pursue closer cooperative arrangements with its partners in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS),...

    Putin’s ‘Self-Sufficient’ Defense Industry

    Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has placed increasingly high expectations and demands on the domestic defense industry. Putin intermittently reminds the heads of the various defense companies that the modernization plans...

    Russian Military Technology Post-Crimea

    Russian military operations in Crimea have increased the prestige of serving in the Armed Forces, which has been a welcome boost to Moscow’s on-going efforts to recruit larger numbers of...

    Unraveling the Kremlin’s Strategic Paradigm

    Since the eruption of the Ukraine crisis, Russian and Western commentators have tried to define those elements of Russian actions and policymaking that constitute “new” factors in Moscow’s relations with...

    Crimea Operation Boosts Russian Military Prestige

    Public statements by Russia’s defense minister, Army-General Sergei Shoigu, indicate that planning for the military and defense implications of absorbing Crimea into Russia is far advanced, while he has also...

    NATO-Russia Relations Post-Crimea

    Since the end of the Cold War and the disintegration of the Soviet Union, Russia’s complex relationship with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has experienced high hopes, drift and...

    Putin’s Silence Shakes the World

    As the crisis in Ukraine unfolds and shows signs of escalation, Western media circles and policymakers appear to be underestimating a number of mysterious elements in Russian security thinking and...

    Russia’s Long-Term Naval Rearmament Plans

    President Vladimir Putin continues to support the creation of a modernized and combat-capable military by 2020. A significant element in such military modernization is the Navy, which also protects Russia’s...

    Russia’s Navy Inches Forward

    Russia’s Navy entered 2014 with some small signs of progress, while the Ministry of Defense faces significant challenges centered on the development of the Bulava sea-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) for...

    Russian Airpower Skydives to New Depths

    In theory, the Russian Air Force (Voyenno-Vozdushnye Sily—VVS) is in “permanent readiness,” with 80 percent of its assets in a serviceable condition. Nonetheless, the real condition of the VVS, according...

    The Role of Women in Russia’s Armed Forces

    More than one year after the appointment of Sergei Shoigu as defense minister, Moscow still struggles to fully man Russia’s Armed Forces. Despite official claims that the total under arms...

    Dostoevsky Doctrine Dominates Russian Naval Planning

    Recent statements by Russia’s naval top brass concerning highly ambitious plans to develop sixth-generation warfare capabilities at sea and to shortly introduce another Borey-class submarine run contrary to the long-term...

    Shoigu Opts for Mystical Defense Plans (Part One)

    As the anniversary approaches in November 2013, marking one year since President Vladimir Putin sacked Anatoly Serdyukov and appointed Sergei Shoigu as Russia’s defense minister, evidence is mounting to indicate...

    Russia’s Aerospace Defense Forces: Organizational Chaos

    Recent specialist commentaries in the Russian military press indicate deep dissatisfaction with the Aerospace Defense Forces (Vozdushno-Kosmicheskaia Oborona—VKO) created in December 2011. The complexity of the new structure is not...

    Putin Blasts Rogozin Over Rearmament Failures

    Moscow’s highly ambitious military rearmament plans to 2020 always appeared destined to encounter major setbacks linked to the capacity of the domestic defense industry to deliver the modernization of weapons...

    EDM analysts cited in Eurasia Review article

    Jamestown analysts Roger McDermott, Vladimir Socor, Pavel Felgenhauer, Georgiy Voloshin, Richard Weitz, and Dumitru Minzarari were cited in an article by Ariel Cohen in Eurasia Review.

    General Gerasimov Downplays Nuclear Cuts

    A conference on European security, organized by the Russian defense ministry on May 23–24 in Moscow, served as a platform for the top brass to reiterate well-worn themes and perspectives...

    Shoigu Kicks Serdyukov Reform into Long Grass

    Six months after his appointment as Russia’s defense minister, Army-General Sergei Shoigu has initiated a number of policy reversals in key areas of his predecessor’s Armed Forces reform. Some of...

    Moscow Resurrects Battalion Tactical Groups

    At the heart of the reform of Russia’s Armed Forces, launched in October 2008, was the aim to create “permanent readiness” brigades, principally to facilitate rapid deployment and enhance combat...

    CSTO Stages First Peacekeeping Exercise

    Kazakhstan has hosted the first Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) peacekeeping exercise on October 8–17, as the organization positions itself to play a more active role in defense and security...

    Kazakhstan Downplays NATO’s Role in Central Asia

    Kazakhstan has recently participated in international military exercises with its NATO partners as well as through the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) in what at first sight appears to confirm...

    Kavkaz 2012 Rehearses Defense of Southern Russia

    Kavkaz 2012 (Caucasus 2012), the strategic command-staff military exercise staged in Russia’s Southern Military District (MD) from September 17 to September 23, tested key features of the reform of the...

    Kazakhstan Hosts Steppe Eagle 2012

    Kazakhstan is hosting the international peacekeeping exercise Steppe Eagle 2012, amidst growing speculation that the country plans to deploy a company of peacekeepers abroad. Astana ultimately resisted the West’s efforts...

    Shamanov Fights for VDV’s Future

    Since the reform of Russia’s conventional armed forces began in October 2008, Colonel-General Vladimir Shamanov has fought to protect the country’s elite airborne forces (Vozdushno Desantnye Voiska – VDV) from...

    Uzbekistan Prepares for the NATO Drawdown

    Tashkent’s controversial decision on June 20 to suspend its membership of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) was widely misinterpreted as either signaling its complete withdrawal from the organization or...

    Russian Army Intensifies Combat Training

    As the summer combat training period intensifies for the Russian Army, supporting programs and changes to the training schedule suggest that greater attention is being given to improving its quality....

    The Bear and the Bison Streamline the CSTO

    Moscow has recently reacted with caution and patience following the announced suspension of Uzbekistan’s membership of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), while leading Russian military officials and experts continue...

    Russian Report Questions Missile Defense Myths

    The continued standoff and potential risk to US-Russian bilateral relations over the Obama administration’s missile defense plans were recently underscored by Chief of the General Staff, Army-General Nikolai Makarov who...

    China Leads SCO Peace Mission 2012 in Central Asia

    The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) security agenda has been boosted in recent years through promoting multilateral counter-terrorist cooperation. One important feature in this counter-terrorist cooperation is the staging of Peace...

    Uzbekistan Snubs SCO Peace Mission 2012

    Uzbekistan is often cast as a reluctant or difficult member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) or the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), because of its consistent opposition to new...

    Kyrgyzstan Signs NATO Reverse Transit Agreement

    On May 22, during the NATO Summit in Chicago, Kyrgyzstan’s Foreign Minister Ruslan Kazakbaev and NATO Deputy Secretary General Alexander Vershbow signed an agreement on ground transport routes for the...

    Russia Recreates the Berdsk Spetsnaz Brigade

    An apparently random movement of a Russian Special Forces battalion located in the Central Military District (MD) may be an indication that the General Staff is increasingly concerned about future...

    Moscow Modernizes South Military District

    Despite the slow pace of introducing new or modernized weapons and equipment into the table of organization and equipment (TOE) in Russia’s Armed Forces, there are signs that progress is...

    Russia’s Airborne Forces Await Fresh Reform

    Newly inaugurated Russian President Vladimir Putin has given clear signals that the military will experience a fresh wave of reform during his first six-year term in office. Putin is also...

    Russia’s “New Look” Contract NCOs

    Moscow plans to introduce a new training program for military professionals in early May, which envisages intensive six week courses for contract personnel. The latest in an endless series of...

    Moscow Dreams of Future Naval Power

    During a recent reception for naval officers serving in Russia’s Northern Fleet hosted by Dmitry Dmitriyenko, the governor of Murmansk Oblast, changes to combat training and the achievements of the...

    Russia Expands the Role of Army Snipers

    In the aftermath of the Arab Spring, the Russian military top brass announced yet another planned innovation for the Armed Forces involving the introduction of sniper units in the “new...

    Who’s Afraid of the Russian Ground Forces?

    In the aftermath of the Russian presidential election, the military top brass awaits the return of the real commander-in-chief to the Kremlin as well as a government reshuffle and a...

    Putin’s Military: Let the Good Times Roll

    In the aftermath of the long-anticipated presidential election victory secured by Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on March 4, Russian media coverage of issues related to the future of the Armed...

    The Curious Case of the Silent Russian Generals

    Army-General Nikolai Makarov, the Chief of the Russian General Staff launched an apparently scathing attack on the domestic defense industry. His comments were offered in two parts over a fortnight,...

    Russian Military Intelligence: Shaken but Not Stirred

    On January 26, the Russian Defense Minister Anatoliy Serdyukov announced an apparently routine measure to strengthen the Southern Military District by stationing additional Special Forces elements in Stavropol and Kislovodsk....

    General Shamanov Faces Birthday Blues

    Lieutenant-General Vladimir Shamanov, the commander of the elite Russian airborne forces (Vozdushno Desantnye Voyska – VDV), turns 55 on February 15, 2012. The significance of his forthcoming birthday, the retirement...

    Serdyukov Dreams of Network-Centric Conscripts

    In his recent year ender interview, Russian Defense Minister Anatoliy Serdyukov provided a relatively smoothly crafted overview on the course of the reform launched in the fall of 2008 and...

    Russia Forms New Aerospace Defense Structure

    Planning to create a new branch of service in the Russian military, Aerospace Defense (Vozdushno Kosmicheskaya Oborona –VKO), has reached its final stages with its formal completion due on December...

    Russia and Belarus Prepare Union Shield 2011

    Russia and Belarus will stage a joint military exercise, Union Shield 2011, on September 16 to September 22 with low-key participation by Ukraine. On August 22, Army-General Nikolai Makarov, the...

    Tsentr 2011 Scenario and CSTO Transformation

    Preparations are intensifying ahead of the operational-strategic exercise Tsentr 2011 scheduled for late September in southern Russia, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan. Tsentr 2011 will test the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO)...

    Mist Hangs Over Franco-Russian Mistral Deal

    Much of the western attention to the Franco-Russian political agreement on the procurement of the helicopter landing dock Mistral for the Russian Navy emphasizes its potential “power projection” capability. NATO...

    Moscow Explores Asia-Pacific Security Role

    Moscow’s apparently random decision to increase tensions with Tokyo over the disputed Kurile Islands provoked anxiety among international observers. Yet, the recent surge in bilateral diplomatic heat over the issue...

    Bat or Mouse? The Strange Case of Reforming Spetsnaz

    One distinguishing hallmark of Russian defense reform is the unpredictable and apparently indiscriminate manner in which it is implemented. This approach leaves officers wondering about their future and where the...

    Reflections on Vostok 2010: Selling an Image

    Jacob Kipp recently analyzed the political-military context of Vostok 2010 and drew attention to an increased threat perception in the Russian Far East relating to China. Kipp also referred to...

    Moscow Ponders “Strategy” in the “Reset”

    Ahead of US President, Barack Obama, meeting his Russian counterpart, Dmitry Medvedev, in Washington on June 24, Moscow-based analysts have considered the progress of the “reset.” In two recent articles...

    Russian Military Prepares for Vostok 2010

    Preparations are intensifying ahead of the Russian operational-strategic military exercise, Vostok 2010, scheduled for June 29 to July 8 in the Siberian and Far East military districts involving more than...

    Nazarbayev’s Role in the Kyrgyz Crisis

    Kazakhstan, currently chairing the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), by extricating the former Kyrgyz President, Kurmanbek Bakiyev, from internal exile in Jalalabad has highlighted opaque features of...

    Moscow Ties “Reset” to Afghanistan

    On April 3, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, Andrey Denisov, noted the generally positive change in the atmosphere between Moscow and Washington, but remarked that the relationship lacks “content.” The increased...

    Russian Strategic Interests Shifting Eastward

    On March 8, an open letter by a group of German politicians and military officers, including the former German Defense Minister, Volker Ruehe, recommending that NATO should offer membership to...

    Russian Military Doctrine Looks East

    Statements by senior Russian defense officials raise many questions concerning Moscow’s defense posture. The Chief of the General Staff Army-General Nikolai Makarov and the First Deputy Defense Minister Army-General Nikolai...

    Moscow’s CSTO Olive Branch to NATO

    One year after the “reset” policy was announced by the Obama administration, aimed at improving relations with Russia, the negative characterization of NATO continues to feature prominently in the thinking...

    Russian Fifth Generation Fighter Takes to the Sky

    On January 29, the prototype Russian fifth generation Prospective Aircraft Complex of Frontline Aviation (PAK FA) “T-50” finally completed a successful 45 minute test flight in Komsomolsk-na-Amurye. The stealth multirole...

    Moscow Boosts CSTO Military Dimension: on Paper

    On January 18, Nikolai Bordyuzha, the Secretary-General of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) announced that member states are planning several joint military exercises in 2010. He noted that the...

    FSB Contemplates Procuring Israeli UAV’s

    The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) has reportedly opened negotiations to purchase unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV’s) in Israel for use within the FSB border guard service. On January 13, Kommersant...

    Kazakhstan Promotes Security Through the OSCE

    Kazakhstan’s chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has begun with a clear indication that the country intends to prioritize security. Astana will present its initiatives...

    Moscow Offers Helicopter Cooperation to ISAF

    Moscow plans to sell helicopters on a commercial basis to NATO in support of International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) operations in Afghanistan. Sources within the Russian aviation industry indicated that...

    Bi-Annual Draft Begins in the Russian Military

    On October 1 the fall military draft began in Russia with the defense ministry publicizing its “serious reorganization of the enlistment offices system,” while admitting that recruitment levels had been...

    Russian Military Plans New NCO Training Center

    In a clear break with its former pattern in producing praporshchiki (sergeants) for the army, the Russian defense ministry has begun forming a professional non-commissioned officer (NCO) corps, which will...

    Russia’s Vision in Crisis for CSTO Military Forces

    On June 14, after the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) summit in Moscow formally created its new Collective Operational Reaction Forces (CORF), Russian President Dmitry Medvedev hailed this achievement as...

    Transformation of Russian Combat Training Begins

    On June 3 the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) defense ministers met to consider intensifying military cooperation and formalizing the new rapid reaction forces. They are currently finalizing preparations to...

    Nazarbayev Signals Kazakhstan’s OSCE Priorities

    On May 21 Kazakhstan's President Nursultan Nazarbayev characterized the country's forthcoming chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) as a vital part of its interest in...

    Russia’s National Security Strategy

    The Russian National Security Strategy until 2020, approved by President Dmitry Medvedev on May 12, has been portrayed as innovative while clarifying the nature of the strategic environment facing the...

    Manas Scheduled to Resume Civilian Status

    The military and security authorities in Kyrgyzstan are actively preparing for the planned closure of United States' air base at Manas in August. Bishkek is also intensifying its efforts to...

    Russia Planning Arctic Military Grouping

    Russia plans to reinforce the security of its northern borders by forming a military grouping for the Arctic before 2020, tasked with protecting its economic and political interests in the...

    Uzbekistan Signs Transit Route Agreement

    On April 3, after protracted negotiations, the U.S. and Uzbekistan finally signed a crucial agreement on the transit of non-military cargo to Afghanistan. This allows the U.S. to ship supplies...

    Medvedev Reforming a Military in Crisis

    Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, having recently reaffirmed his support for the military reform and modernization program, has declared that the country's economic challenges will not derail this process. Several factors...

    Azerbaijan Opening Supply Route to Afghanistan

    As the United States prepares to increase its military deployment in Afghanistan, attention is being devoted to the question of supply routes for these and other coalition forces. The U.S....

    Tashkent and Dushanbe Cautious on CSTO Forces

    The announcement in Moscow on February 4, 2009 to activate the CSTO Collective Rapid Deployment Forces and transform them into a more viable, well equipped force structure akin to NATO's...

    Kazakhstan Raising Its Afghanistan Profile

    On January 28 the United States announced plans to purchase a "significant part" of the goods needed to supply its forces in Afghanistan from Kazakhstan. U.S. Ambassador to Kazakhstan Richard...

    Tajikistan Claims Border Security Improving

    Tajikistan’s border security agencies, severely challenged by the continued flow of narcotics and arms across the country’s porous borders, have released official statistics and details on their successes over the...

    Georgia Dispute Casts Shadow over NATO

    On November 25 Georgia’s former ambassador to Russia, Erosi Kitsmarishvili, questioned by a parliamentary panel probing the circumstances of the war with Russia, quoted Saakashvili’s entourage as saying, “the U.S....

    Russia Wants New Airbase in Tajikistan

    Russia’s defense priorities within Central Asia are changing in the aftermath of its war in the South Caucasus. There, the Russian armed forces rediscovered the importance of airpower, which it...

    Another Disaster in the Russian Navy

    On November 8 Russia’s President Dmitry Medvedev ordered Defense Minister Anatoliy Serdyukov to instigate a full and thorough investigation into a fire on board a nuclear-powered submarine, the latest accident...

    Medvedev’s Ambitious Military Reform Plans

    Russia has announced its most ambitious, systemic military modernization program since the collapse of the USSR, scheduled to deliver a more efficient and combat-ready military by 2020. These plans betray...

    BISHKEK: A TALE OF TWO BASES

    On October 17 during a visit to Bishkek, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher reiterated Washington’s commitment to preserving the Ganci Air base at Manas. Replying to a question...

    NAZARBAYEV OFFERS MEDVEDEV SUPPORT

    During a meeting with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev in Aktobe, Kazakhstan, on September 22, Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev offered his support to Russia with regard to the conflict in Georgia....

    NEW CSTO MILITARY FORCE PLANNED

    The Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), long regarded by Western military experts as something of a “paper tiger,” will become increasingly active in Central Asia as Russia’s President Medvedev presses...

    ARMED CLASH IN ASHGABAT

    According to Turkmenistan’s Foreign Ministry press service, an incident occurred in Ashgabat on September 13, as a consequence of the activities of an illegal drug ring. The Prosecutor-General’s Office said...

    REFLECTIONS ON MANAS

    The U.S. Air Force deployment to Manas, which has sparked intermittent controversy in the Kyrgyz Republic, has arguably been misunderstood by policy makers in Bishkek. Colonel Thomas Smith, the commander...

    KAZAKHSTAN EMERGING AS AN ARMS EXPORTER

    Kazakhstan has announced ambitious plans to become the leading regional exporter of arms in Central Asia, transforming its defense industry capabilities within the next two years in order to export...

    TURKMENISTAN STAGES MILITARY EXERCISES

    Turkmenistan’s President Gurbanguly Berdimukhamedov attended the high profile Galken 2008 military exercises held in the Kelete training range on May 5. Turkmenistan conducted these exercises with an “antiterrorist dimension” both...

    ALIYEV CASTS LONG SHADOW OVER KAZAKH INTELLIGENCE

    Amangeldy Shabdarbayev, Chairman of Kazakhstan’s National Security Committee (KNB), has confirmed continuing concern about the infamous case of Rakhat Aliyev, while trying to give a positive image of the KNB...

    NEW KYRGYZ INTERIOR MINISTER LAUNCHES POLICE REFORM

    Kyrgyz leaders intend to reform the country’s police force, by decentralizing its organizational structure. Such reforms, if properly implemented, could create a useful additional network for gathering information designed to...

    KAZAKHSTAN: THE CHALLENGES OF THE OSCE

    Perhaps hoping to burnish Kazakhstan’s international image, President Nursultan Nazarbayev has called upon members of his Nur Otan party to fight corruption more actively. “Regional branches of the party must...

    AKHMETOV SIGNALS KAZAKHSTAN’S NEW CONFIDENCE

    Kazakhstan’s armed forces face a new shake up in 2008, designed to facilitate progress toward greater efficiency. Military reform in Kazakhstan has been underway for several years, resulting in structural...

    NAZARBAYEV ORDERS DEFENSE AND SECURITY REFORMS

    Last week, Kazakhstan’s President Nursultan Nazarbayev again called for the reform of the country’s defense and security structures. On November 15, he ordered the various heads of the defense and...

    A STEPPE TOO FAR: KAZAKHSTAN’S GANGLAND POWER

    Officially, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of the Interior (MVD) claims to have crushed the power of organized crime in the country. This assertion appears partly supported by the considerable reduction in the...

    NATO TREADS WARILY IN KAZAKHSTAN, AS RUSSIA WATCHES

    Kazakhstan’s military cooperation with the NATO Alliance appears to be progressing steadily, despite the problems emerging between NATO and Russia. On October 31 Robert Simmons, NATO representative for Central Asia...

    DEFENSE RELATIONS: LONDON LOOKS TO ASHGABAT

    On October 21 London refocused British diplomatic efforts in Central Asia from Kazakhstan to Turkmenistan. The Turkmen state news agency publicized a visit to Ashgabat by an official from the...

    CAN UZBEKISTAN COME IN FROM THE COLD?

    On October 18 Uzbekistan’s President Islam Karimov met with his Turkmen counterpart, Gurbanguly Berdimukhamedov for wide-ranging talks on international and regional issues. The summit was initially given only passing reference...

    “The Rising Dragon: SCO Peace Mission 2007”

    *Click Here to View PDF  EXECUTIVE SUMMARY• The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) held historic counterterrorist exercises in China and Russia that lasted from August 9-17, 2007. The exercises involved military...

    CSTO: SAFE CHOICE IN CENTRAL ASIA

    The Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) has recently raised its profile by expanding its traditional emphasis on anti-terrorism to include potential peacekeeping activities within the former Soviet region. Moreover, its...

    TURKMENISTAN PONDERS PARTNERSHIP WITH WASHINGTON

    Turkmenistan’s President Gurbanguly Berdimukhamedov delivered a keynote speech at the UN General Assembly on September 25, indicating that Ashgabat wants to “open up” to the outside world and build a...

    KAZAKHSTAN’S CADETS PREFER BELARUS TO AMERICA

    Kazakhstan has strengthened its security ties with Washington since 9/11 in order to maximize the numbers of officers from Kazakhstan’s armed forces who receive military training and education in the...

    RUSSIA AND CHINA HOLD ANTI-TERRORIST EXERCISE

    Russia and China held an anti-terrorist drill in Moscow region, September 4-6, designed to promote interoperability between their special services and special forces in another public display of the growing...

    KAZAKHSTAN CRACKING DOWN ON HIZB-UT-TAHRIR

    Kazakhstan’s National Security Service (KNB) is continuing to crack down heavily on the activities of Hizb-ut-Tahrir, the Islamic Party of Liberation. According to the KNB press service, on August 24...

    SCO PREPARES LIST OF BANNED RADICAL GROUPS

    Radical groups operating within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization member states will be placed on a new, common list of banned organizations. On July 24 Toygonbek Kalmatov, from the Kyrgyz government...

    SPY CATCHING KYRGYZ STYLE

    Accusations of espionage against Dzhyparkul Arykova, a consultant to the Kyrgyz parliamentary press service arrested on June 19, has thrown the national intelligence community into crisis. In recent days the...

    TURKMENISTAN AND IRAN STRENGTHEN RELATIONS

    Bilateral relations between Iran and Turkmenistan appear on the verge of a breakthrough. At the end of Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimukhamedov’s official visit to Tehran on June 15-16, the presidents...

    KYRGYZSTAN HOSTS SCO ANTI-TERRORIST EXERCISES

    Kyrgyzstan hosted joint command and staff exercises of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) May 29-31. “Issyk Kul Anti-Terror-2007” included elements from the regional anti-terror structure, the Collective Security Treaty Organization,...

    MANAS AGREEMENT UNDER REVIEW

    The authorities in Kyrgyzstan increasingly favor the Collective Security Treaty Organization in general and the Russian air base at Kant in particular. This view is becoming more prevalent in the...

    U.S. PLANS TO ATTACK IRAN FROM MANAS DENIED

    On May 3 Marie Yovanovitch, U.S. Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan, denied reports that the Manas base near Bishkek is being used to store nuclear weapons for a possible attack on Iran....

    KAZAKHSTAN RELYING ON THE CSTO

    Kazakhstan’s Defense Minister Daniyal Akhmetov recently described the country’s participation in the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and its military partnership with members of the organization as priorities. “Kazakhstan's new...

    KAZAKHSTAN LAUNCHES AMBITIOUS MILITARY REFORM PLAN

    On April 7 Kazakhstan published its new military doctrine, outlining both its strategic interests and priorities for future military cooperation. The doctrine advocates intensified cooperation within the framework of the...

    UZBEKISTAN FOSTERS EU CONTACTS

    Uzbekistan, isolated from the West since the Andijan massacre in May 2005, clearly regards the European Union as its best hope for rapprochement as a means to promote its interests...

    AKHMETOV CALLS FOR SYSTEMIC MILITARY REFORM

    After years of touting successful military reform under the direction of former defense minister Army-General Mukhtar Altynbayev, Kazakhstan has announced plans to change the command structure of its troops. Daniyal...

    RUSSIA USING CSTO TO COUNTERBALANCE NATO

    On February 28 Nikolai Bordyuzha, secretary-general of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), addressed a meeting of students from the Russian-Tajik (Slavonic) University in Dushanbe. Ostensibly he promoted the CSTO...

    PUTIN SEEKS CLOSER TIES WITH TURKMENISTAN

    The election of Gurbanguly Berdimukhamedov as Turkmenistan’s new president, widely expected since he became acting president after the death of Saparmurat Niyazov in December, has already witnessed diplomatic overtures by...

    TAJIKISTAN FORMING LINKS WITH SYRIA

    On February 8 Tajikistan’s President Imomali Rakhmonov held bilateral meetings with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Rakhmonov was in Damascus as part of his current tour of the Middle East, which...

    KAZAKHSTAN DEEPENS TIES WITH GERMANY

    President Nursultan Nazarbayev has moved to deepen the level of Kazakhstan’s cooperation with Germany. On January 30, during a visit to Germany, Nazarbayev explored ways to increase existing bilateral political,...

    U.S. MILITARY NEEDS LONG-TERM STAY IN MANAS

    On January 24 U.S. Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan Marie Yovanovitch gave an important indication of Washington’s long-term commitment to its deployment at Manas air base. Specifically, U.S. military personnel will remain...

    CHINA AND TAJIKISTAN SIGN NEW TREATY

    On January 15 Tajikistan’s President Emomali Rahmonov arrived in Beijing for talks with Chinese President Hu Jintao. During this visit the two presidents signed a treaty on good neighborliness, friendship,...

    NAZARBAYEV APPOINTS CIVILIAN DEFENSE MINISTER

    On January 10 Kazakhstan’s President Nursultan Nazarbayev took the dramatic step of appointing Kazakhstan’s first civilian defense minister. In general terms the step will be welcomed in the West, as...

    BISHKEK’S MANAS BASE IN CRISIS

    On December 6 a Kyrgyz citizen was shot at the U.S.-led international anti-terrorism coalition’s Ganci airbase at Manas. Alexander Ivanov, a 43-year-old truck driver, appeared to be on a routine...

    KAZAKHSTAN’S EU STRATEGY BASED ON REGIONAL ASCENDANCY

    Kazakhstan’s President Nursultan Nazarbayev emphasized regional security as a crucial strategic area of cooperation between Kazakhstan and the United Kingdom, during a visit to London on November 21. “Cooperation between...

    KAZAKHSTAN DEEPENS SECURITY TIES TO MOSCOW

    An unusually explicit avowal of dependence on Russia for Kazakhstan’s most sensitive security needs, made in passing during bilateral talks, indicates once more the complexities underlying Astana’s foreign policy. Prime...

    TAJIKISTAN CLAIMS SUCCESS IN COUNTER-NARCOTICS OPERATION

    Tajikistan is claiming success in its counter-narcotics capabilities based on its performance during the “Operation Channel 2006” program conducted among Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) countries October 9-15. In fact,...

    KAZAKHSTAN DEEPENS ITS PARTNERSHIP WITH NATO

    Kazakhstan is pursuing efforts to deepen its existing partnership with the NATO Alliance, as it explores various foreign policy options aimed at securing greater help in reforming its armed forces....

    KARIMOV PRIORITIZES RUSSIAN ARMAMENTS

    Uzbekistan’s President Islam Karimov has prioritized procuring Russian armaments, not only to further the reform and modernization of the Uzbek armed forces, but also to strengthen Tashkent’s security response to...

    IMU ISSUES NEW THREAT TO CENTRAL ASIAN LEADERS

    The Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) is showing renewed confidence in Central Asia and has apparently increased its capacity to carry out terrorist acts within the region. A speech marking...

    KARIMOV FORGING PARTNERSHIP WITH JAPAN

    Still tainted by the May 2005 Andijan massacre and its aftermath, Uzbek President Islam Karimov has discovered that Japan is willing to explore economic cooperation and to develop closer relations...

    TAJIKISTAN RETHINKS BORDER SECURITY

    Tajikistan, painfully aware of the weaknesses within its border security structures, is embarking on key strategic and operational changes to the Tajik border guard service. These will be evident in...

    BAKIYEV PLAYS THE SECURITY CARD

    Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev, having secured a deal over the future of the U.S. military deployment at Manas, is rapidly consolidating his regional reputation for combating terrorism and extremism. He...

    IRAN BUILDS PARTNERSHIP WITH TAJIKISTAN

    Iran, despite intense U.S. and British diplomatic efforts, has pressed ahead with its strategy of strengthening regional ties in Central Asia, putting a special focus on Tajikistan. Washington and London...

    WASHINGTON SECURES DEAL ON KYRGYZ BASE

    The United States has successfully secured the future of its military deployment at the Ganci airbase at Manas, ending a period of protracted uncertainty over the presence of the American...

    KARIMOV GAMBLES ON RUSSIA, CHINA, AND GERMANY

    Uzbekistan's President Islam Karimov has staked much on his efforts to strengthen and sustain relations with both Russia and China. He predictably talked up Uzbekistan's ties with China during the...

    CHAOS IN THE KYRGYZ SECURITY STRUCTURES

    Kyrgyz Armed Forces Day, scheduled for May 27, normally passes with a routine military parade. However, in the current tense political climate in Kyrgyzstan, routine has given way to suspicion...

    KAZAKHSTAN BOOSTING CASPIAN SECURITY

    Kazakhstan is boosting its Caspian security through the successful implementation of foreign military and security-assistance programs. These have helped Kazakhstan to develop its maritime border capabilities by providing military hardware,...

    KAZAKH-UZBEK BORDER INCIDENT SIGNALS TENSION

    An April 19 incident involving Uzbek border guards and a Kazakh national revealed the ongoing cross-border tensions and geopolitical rivalry between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Reports in the media of both...

    DUSHANBE HOSTS CIS INTERIOR MINISTERS’ MEETING

    On April 21 a session of the CIS Council of Interior Ministers opened in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. The agenda included the routine security issues of combating terrorism, extremism, drug trafficking, and...

    CHINA ADVANCES ITS INTERESTS IN CENTRAL ASIA THROUGH SCO

    On April 13 Shanghai Cooperation Organization Secretary-General Zhang Deguang announced that the SCO's upcoming June summit would consider renaming and reforming the organization's secretariat, as well as granting permanent membership...

    TAJIK MILITARY WEARY OF NATO

    Tajikistan's military leadership has expressed public concern over the country's recent trend toward closer involvement with the NATO Alliance as a mechanism through which Dushanbe will gain enhanced military and...

    BISHKEK STAGES ANTI-TERRORIST EXERCISES

    Kyrgyzstan has launched a series of military exercises aimed at testing and enhancing its anti-terrorist capabilities. Commencing on March 10, and scheduled to finish in late March, these two-stage command...

    UZBEKISTAN HOSTS SCO ANTI-TERRORIST DRILL

    The member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) conducted a joint anti-terrorist drill in Uzbekistan, March 5-9. The drill itself was aimed at developing greater interoperability among the Special...

    KARIMOV SEEKS STRONGER MILITARY FORCES

    Uzbekistan's President Islam Karimov has set an ambitious agenda to strengthen Uzbekistan's armed forces, despite recent bilateral problems with Washington. The precise nature of what Karimov wants to improve, how...

    KAZAKHSTAN SET TO BOOST MILITARY EXPORTS

    Kazakhstan is set to boost its military exports markedly during 2006, as it seeks to expand its access to international arms markets and further strengthen its defense industry. This concerted...

    TAJIKISTAN CONCENTRATES ON NATIONAL GUARD REFORM

    Tajikistan's President Emomali Rahmonov has declared his intention to raise the combat readiness of the Tajik armed forces in order to address adequately the security threats facing the country. Such...

    KAZAKHSTAN CLAIMS REGIONAL LEADERSHIP ROLE

    The inauguration ceremony of Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev, held in Astana on January 11, witnessed more than the expected national display of Nazarbayev's tight grip on power. According to sources...

    KAZAKHSTAN LOOKS WARILY TO NATO

    Kazakhstan continues to strengthen its ties with the NATO Alliance, despite its close relations with Russia and China and the pressures this brings to the Nazarbayev regime. Officials on both...

    TASHKENT SEEKS NEW MILITARY ASSISTANCE

    Since the Andijan massacre in May 2005, Uzbekistan has made little headway with its recent attempts to use pro-Western contacts to establish a way forward for its military and security...

    PUTIN’S FORLORN CHECHEN POLICY

    Russian President Vladimir Putin, intermittently reminded of his stated intention of bringing peace and stability to the Chechen Republic when he rose to power in 1999, made a surprise visit...

    KAZAKHSTAN PLAYS THE NATO CARD

    Kazakhstan has again raised the prospect of closer relations with the NATO Alliance, despite its already close relations with Russia and China and the restrictions placed upon its room for...

    RUSSIA OFFERS HELP COMBATING DRUGS IN CENTRAL ASIA

    Russia has long expressed concern about the rising security risks associated with burgeoning drug trafficking through Central Asia, though its assistance to these countries has often been questioned in terms...

    PUTIN PLEDGES TO BACK UP KARIMOV IN A CRISIS

    Russia and Uzbekistan have formally signed a new military alliance agreement with far-reaching consequences for bilateral relations between the two states and for Central Asia. Russian President Vladimir Putin invited...

    BISHKEK WEIGHS BENEFITS OF U.S. MILITARY PRESENCE

    The Kyrgyz government, keen to promote its own financial interests in the continued American military presence in Kyrgyzstan, has strongly pressed for greater revenue from Washington. This not only reflects...

    TAJIKISTAN SEARCHES FOR BORDER SECURITY ASSISTANCE

    Tajikistan has launched another serious diplomatic effort aimed at increasing its border security capabilities and addressing the long-standing international security issues presented by the weakness of the Tajik-Afghan border. Dushanbe...

    KAZAKHSTAN STRENGTHENS TIES WITH NATO

    Kazakhstan has taken further steps towards strengthening its partnership with the NATO Alliance, as part of its ongoing strategy aimed at improving its domestic and regional security while balancing its...

    KAZAKHSTAN OPENS MILITARY LANGUAGE INSTITUTE

    Kazakhstan has taken a small, but significant step towards preparing more of its military personnel to receive education and training in Western countries by opening a new military language institute...

    TURKMENISTAN PULLS BACK FROM CIS

    Turkmenistan's President Saparmurat Niyazov announced on September 1 that his country would downgrade its links with the Commonwealth of Independent States. Arguing on the basis of his avowed and UN-approved...

    TAJIKISTAN’S BORDER SERVICE PLAGUED BY CORRUPTION

    Tajikistan's border guard service, with enhanced and independent responsibilities for Tajik border security since the withdrawal of Russian border units, continues to be hampered by internal corruption and poor discipline....

    TERRORISM DOMINATES RUSSIAN SECURITY AGENDA

    Senior Russian security officials are once again confirming the importance and priority of terrorism in Russia's domestic security agenda. A mixture of exercises, discussions, and initiatives to advance the interests...

    CORRUPTION UNDERMINES RUSSIAN MILITARY REFORM

    High-profile efforts by Russia's authorities to promote a positive image of military reform, notably its efforts to switch more divisions to contract service, are being undermined by allegations of financial...

    UZBEKISTAN’S RELATIONS WITH CHINA WARMING

    Uzbekistan's relations with China have been developing at a much more rapid pace since its internal crisis in Andijan in May 2005. That renewed impetus towards building closer ties has...

    RUSSIA CONSIDERS ITS BORDER SECURITY

    Russian security officials, aware of the diverse security threats facing the country, are taking steps to raise the overall effectiveness of the border guard service. Plans to gradually increase the...

    THE RUSSIAN MILITARY FLEXES ITS WEAKENED MUSCLES

    Russia State Duma deputies have launched a concerted effort to rally opposition to the American military's rising interest in, and possible future deployments around, the Caspian region. Specifically, some deputies...

    RUSSIA BLAMES TALIBAN FOR UPRISING IN UZBEKISTAN

    Official statements emanating from Moscow on the unfolding crisis in eastern Uzbekistan firmly place the blame on Taliban elements promoting political violence within Andijan. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov first...

    UKRAINE’S ARMED FORCES LEAD THE WAY IN THE CIS

    Ukraine took another key step toward closer relations with NATO with the disclosure of their intention to upgrade military communications to NATO standards. Major-General Volodymyr Rudyk, deputy chief of the...

    TAJIKISTAN FOSTERS SECURITY LINKS WITH IRAN

    Tajikistan has recently implemented measures aimed at fostering its military and security cooperation with Iran, as it seeks to diversify its foreign sources for security assistance. On April 20 Tajik...

    RUSSIAN DEFENSE INDUSTRIES EXPAND FOREIGN SALES

    Russian defense industries are seeking to boost foreign sales primarily in Latin America and the Middle East, providing opportunities for Russian companies to compete with potentially expensive Western options. In...

    BELARUS LOOKS TOWARDS RUSSIA FOR MILITARY ASSISTANCE

    On April 20 Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenka met senior Russian defense officials in Minsk in order to examine mutual security threats and consider ways to deepen bilateral military cooperation. Lukashenka...

    KAZAKHSTAN OPENS NEW ANTI-TERRORIST TRAINING CENTER

    Kazakhstan has opened a new anti-terrorist training center in Almaty designed to enhance the sophistication and professionalism of some of its most elite anti-terrorist personnel. Located within the existing Police...

    RUSSIAN ARMY REMAINS IN DECLINE

    Russia's military manning system continues to struggle with unwilling conscripts forced to serve in deplorable conditions and with inadequate training. Health problems among young conscripts arriving in the barracks are...

    KARIMOV AGAIN SEARCHES FOR WESTERN SUPPORT

    Uzbekistan's President Islam Karimov re-launched his efforts to secure further Western support for his regime during a visit to Slovenia March 15-17. His campaign comes at a time when NATO...

    UZBEKISTAN AND PAKISTAN SIGN ANTI-TERRORISM DEAL

    Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf held bilateral talks with President Islam Karimov during his visit to Uzbekistan on March 5-6. Cooperation in the fight against terrorism was one of the various...

    TURKMENISTAN SEEKS STRONGER MILITARY

    Turkmenistan's President Saparmurat Niyazov, having traditionally maintained neutrality for his country in its international relations, has now made strengthening the armed forces one of Turkmenistan's top priorities. Such efforts to...

    KAZAKHSTAN INCHES TOWARDS NATO

    Kazakhstan's Deputy Defense Minister, Major-General Bolat Sembinov, concluded a successful series of meetings with senior NATO officials in Brussels on January 21. The meetings signify a clear turning point in...

    RUSSIA SENDS MIXED SIGNALS ON ANTI-TERRORISM

    Senior officials within the Russian Navy confirmed that Russia would participate in the NATO-led Active Endeavor anti-terrorist operation in the Mediterranean Sea in 2005, though it has not committed as...

    RUSSIAN AIR FORCE PINS HOPES ON TECHNOLOGY

    Russia's top brass have decided that the best way to halt the decline of Russian airpower capabilities is to upgrade equipment and transform some air elements into effective anti-terrorist strike...

    KAZAKHSTAN SEEKS DIVERSE SECURITY PARTNERS

    Kazakhstan has opened a new hanger at a military air base in Karaganda, both commemorating Independence Day (December 15) and highlighting its image as a regional power prepared to take...

    RUSSIAN INTERIOR TROOPS EXPAND SECURITY ROLE

    The Russian Interior Ministry (MVD) has successfully completed the first stage of its expanded security role in the aftermath of the Beslan tragedy. It has added to its current responsibilities...

    RUSSIAN INTERIOR TROOPS PRIORITIZE CHECHNYA

    Russia's Interior Minister Rashid Nurgaliev has appealed for the fight against terrorism in Russia to transcend military and security structures and include psychological, ideological, and economic means. Speaking in Moscow...

    RUSSIA PONDERS FEMALE SUICIDE BOMBERS

    As the specter of female suicide bombers has entered the known repertoire and tactics of the domestic terrorist attacks carried out within the Russian Federation, more efforts are being made...

    RUSSIAN MILITARY PROBLEMS IN CHECHNYA

    Reports of Russian military losses in Chechnya, though varied and difficult to confirm, indicate the ongoing struggle within Russia's army to realign its Soviet thinking, doctrine and tactics to deal...

    GENERAL BALUYEVSKY BUILDING TRUST WITH NATO

    Colonel-General Yuri Baluyevsky, Chief of the General Staff of the Russian armed forces, met with senior NATO personnel on November 15, taking part in working meetings aimed at resolving issues...

    RUSSIAN ARMY ABUSE: DENIALS AND RHETORIC

    The recent Human Rights Watch report on the abuse of conscripts within the Russian army has provoked outrage in Moscow, eliciting strong denials and attempts by the authorities to downplay...

    RUSSIAN MILITARY FACES ANTI-TERRORIST CHALLENGES

    The Russian military is being increasingly tasked with countering terrorism within the Russian Federation, in an attempt to increase security and strengthen the state's capacity to respond to and effectively...

    UZBEKISTAN’S SEARCH FOR IMPROVED SECURITY

    Uzbekistan has implemented a series of practical measures in Namangan Region (Eastern Uzbekistan, bordering Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan), aimed at raising public confidence in the ability of the local authorities to...

    Tajikistan Diversifies Its Security Assistance

    In the aftermath of 9/11 and NATO's renewed strategic emphasis on developing its partnership with the Central Asian states, Tajikistan has increasingly sought to enhance its security assistance from foreign...

    Cis Summit Pins Hope On Greater Security

    CIS heads of state gathered in Astana on September 15-16 for a scheduled Commonwealth of Independent States summit meeting. Such meetings usually serve as a forum that projects a semblance...

    Questions Raised Over Alleged Kazakh Hostage Takers

    Recent allegations, circulated in Moscow, concerning the presence of ethnic Kazakhs among the terrorists in Beslan, provoked swift denials and concerted efforts in Astana to downplay any possible speculation about...

    Putin Links Beslan To Global War On Terror

    As the death toll in Beslan climbed past 350, Russian President Vladimir Putin broke his silence on September 4 in an address to the Russian people. During his televised speech,...

    Karimov Responds To Terrorism In Uzbekistan

    Uzbekistan's President Islam Karimov, speaking during an unscheduled press conference in Tashkent on August 26, revealed key aspects of Uzbekistan's position on responding to terrorism within its borders and illustrated...

    Russia Strengthens Its Airbase In Kyrgyzstan

    Russia intends to further strengthen its military presence within Central Asia this year, beginning with deepening its commitment to its airbase in Kant, Kyrgyzstan. Essentially designed to enhance the anti-terrorist...

    Kazakhstan’s Military Reform Creeps Forward

    Kazakhstan's efforts to successfully reform its largely Soviet-legacy armed forces has taken small steps towards achieving some of its longer-term goals, though much remains to be tackled if its future...

    Historic Russia-NATO Naval Maneuvers

    Naval maneuvers in the Atlantic Ocean will mark the first joint exercises conducted between the Russian Navy and NATO. On August 7 the Baltic Fleet set sail for the Mediterranean...

    Anti-terrorist Exercises Underway In Central Asia

    Anti-terrorist exercises are currently underway in Central Asia, witnessed by observers from non-CIS States including China, Iran, and Pakistan, within the framework of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). These...

    Abizaid Visit Highlights Kazakh Role In Iraq

    General John Abizaid, Commander of the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), visited Kazakhstan on August 2 with the express purpose of discussing ways to strengthen military cooperation between the United States...

    Putin Fires Chief Of General Staff Kvashnin

    On July 19, President Vladimir Putin fired Anatoly Kvashnin, Chief of the General Staff, as part of sweeping changes to the top brass in the Russian military. The announcement followed...

    Tashkent Largely Silent On Cut In U.s. Aid

    The United States has slashed foreign aid to Uzbekistan by $18 million, according to a July 13 announcement by the State Department. The move was a calculated rebuttal to the...

    Russia Launches Large-scale Military Exercises

    A historic large-scale Russian military exercise is currently in progress, testing the ability of the armed forces to deploy high-readiness and reserve units rapidly across Russian territory. The operational strategic...

    Kyrgyzstan As Consumer Of Security Assistance

    The Collective Rapid Deployment Forces (CRDF) held a command and staff exercise in Kyrgyzstan June 2-3, signaling the start of a summer of military exercises which will underscore the organization's...

    Karimov Moves Closer To Russian Fold

    On June 2, the Russian Duma unanimously backed an agreement, originally signed in October 2001, on joint air patrols and the exchange of information, paving the way for the future...

    Kazbat Deployment In Iraq Faces Uncertainty

    The Kazakh parliament's May 13 decision to postpone the request for extending the deployment of the country's peacekeeping battalion (KAZBAT) in Iraq highlights the question over the future deployment of...

    RUSSIAN MILITARY PROBLEMS IN CHECHNYA

    Reports of Russian military losses in Chechnya, though varied and difficult to confirm, indicate the ongoing struggle within Russia's army to realign its Soviet thinking, doctrine and tactics to deal...

    RUSSIA PONDERS FEMALE SUICIDE BOMBERS

    As the specter of female suicide bombers has entered the known repertoire and tactics of the domestic terrorist attacks carried out within the Russian Federation, more efforts are being made...

    PUTIN’S FORLORN CHECHEN POLICY

    Russian President Vladimir Putin, intermittently reminded of his stated intention of bringing peace and stability to the Chechen Republic when he rose to power in 1999, made a surprise visit...