The Russian Federation faces many security concerns

The Russian Federation faces many security concerns


The vastness of the Russian Federation is enormous and this nation is clearly Eurasian with regards to landmass and ethnicity. Therefore, the security concerns of this diverse country is also vast and complex. During recent times the leaders of this nation have been worried about both NATO expansion and the rise of radical Islam in southern Russia and the Caucasus region. However, other major concerns also exist, therefore, what are the main security concerns for the Russian Federation?

One major internal concern applies to the rise of radical Islam within parts of southern Russia, the Caucasus region, and throughout the nations of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) which are located in Central Asia. Therefore, a lot of special attention was focused on Chechnya and the surrounding region. This applies to the bloody civil war which erupted in Chechnya because the green flag of Islam was raised. This rebellion led to many deaths and the military armed forces of the Russian Federation were clearly tested. To make matters worse, Chechen Islamists also used terrorism in order to threaten the Russian Federation and they spread their radical version of Sunni Islam to other parts of southern Russia and the Caucasus region.

Also, the nation of Tajikistan had been blighted by a bloody civil war in the past. Once more the green flag of Islam challenged the central government and this nation only survived because of the role of the Russian Federation and combined forces of the CIS. While other nations, notably Uzbekistan, have had serious internal problems with radical Islam, therefore, the leaders of the Russian Federation clearly understand the importance of unity within the CIS. Given this, the armed forces of the Russian Federation have to be prepared at all times.

However, on a brighter note the tide began to turn several years ago in Chechnya and the current leader, Ramzan Kadyrov, is clearly pro-Moscow. After all, Ramzan Kadyrov stated ".....I want to achieve a peaceful Chechnya within the Russian Federation." Also, more Chechen Muslims are joining the armed forces of the Russian Federation. Meanwhile, other mainly Muslim ethnic groups like the Tatars are very loyal to the Russian Federation. Therefore, mainstream Islam serves the nation just like their Orthodox Christian counterparts within the armed forces.

A completely different threat comes from NATO and this organization desires to expand throughout the geographic security space and influence of the Russian Federation. Therefore, ex President, Vladimir Putin, was often at loggerheads with NATO and he demanded a halt to NATO expansion. Vladimir Putin, in April 2008 at the NATO summit in Romania, stated that the "....appearance of a powerful military bloc on Russia's border would be taken as a direct threat."

Therefore, both President Medvedev and PM Putin, are trying to keep both the Ukraine and Georgia out of NATO. Also, the Russian Federation is worried about nations within Central Asia and theyare seriously worried about the intentions of America in this strategic region. For this reason both leaders desire a genuine dialogue with America and NATO, however, both leaders believe that they are being ignored and that America is forcing the issue via their allies, Georgia and the Ukraine. Given this reality, the leaders of the Russian Federation had to be strong when Georgia launched an attack against South Ossetia.

One major area of success, however, is the advancement of the Russian Federation in Asia and this applies to very strong ties with China, India, and Iran, respectively; and of course the same applies to strong relations with all the Asian nations which belong to the CIS. In the past relations were extremely cordial with India during the Soviet period and today the same applies since the demise of the Soviet Union. However, relations with China have reached new heights and President Medvedev also made a point of visiting China on his first trip abroad. Also, the Russian Federation, unlike America and Japan, can play "the honest broker" with regards to the Korean Peninsula and the nuclear issue.

Therefore, the Asian borderlands which includes many diverse nations is relatively stable because of cordial relations and this means that the Russian Federation can focus on other strategic regions. Also, the role of Russia`s military equipment and technology is vital to both the armed forces of China and India. Of course this will be reduced in the future, however, ties and military sales will still remain potent. Another "binding card" is the need to stop or prevent American hegemony, therefore, China, India, and the Russian Federation, have a lot to gain from strong military and political ties.

Another recent major factor applies to energy politics because the Russian Federation is increasing her regional power via energy. Also, the European Union, and nations like Germany within the EU, understand the importance of Russia`s influence. Given this, the Russian Federation have enticed Bulgaria, Greece, and Serbia, to agree to an alternative energy pipeline and this in turn will strengthen the power of the Russian Federation.

The European Union (EU) also understands the importance of energy politics and this issue is certain to be raised many times in the future. Therefore, tensions may be increasing over Georgia and the EU is making many negative noises. Yet if this issue can be resolved or contained, then cracks will soon appear within the EU. So instead of the EU focusing on Norway and other nations with regards to reducing dependence on Moscow, you will have a natural move back towards the Russian Federation.

Energy politics is also important in Asia and within the next 20 years Northeast Asia will get at least 30% of all energy supplies from the Russian Federation. So it is clear that the influence of this nation is increasing and it will continue to do so in the near future. Other nations, notably America and Japan, must understand that times are changing and it is better to work alongside the Russian Federation rather than always being hostile or passive, at best.

Overall, the Russian Federation is now going to focus on modernizing her armed forces because of the oil and gas boom. At the same time, the Russian Federation is using energy in order to boost Moscow`s international influence. Another major area of growth applies to relations with India and China, and the Shanghai 6 and CIS organizations also help Russia to influence Central Asia. Of course negative areas remain, notably radical Islam in southern Russia and the Caucasus region, relations with America, demographic factors, NATO, the current crisis in Georgia, and other factors. Yet despite this, the future looks bright for the Russian Federation providing economic growth can be maintained.

Lee Jay Walker Dip BA MA

http://journals.aol.com/leejaywalker/uk/

RUSSIAN FEDERATION - The next stage of developing a dynamic nation under Putin and Medvedev

RUSSIAN FEDERATION - The next stage of developing a dynamic nation under Putin and Medvedev


The Russian Federation was very weak under Boris Yeltsin, however, this nation became transformed under ex-President Putin. This transformation, however, is not finished and now PM Putin and President Medvedev must take this "revolution" a step further in order to really galvanize the Russian Federation. Therefore, can both leaders meet the heavy demands and problems that they face ? Under the leadership of President Putin the Russian Federation developed her energy sector and this sector was also used in order to influence vast parts of Europe and Asia . At the same time, the tax system was changed in order to strengthen the central government and this new money would help to finance many projects.

Therefore, instead of a moribund tax system and having limited control over resources, Putin did a full u-turn because government control increased. In the field of international relations and power politics, Putin also salvaged pride because now Russia`s influence is growing in many parts of the world. This notably applies to central Asia, northeast Asia, and because of energy, in parts of Europe. Also, the Russian Federation often clashed with America when a middle way could not be found and this highlighted the independence of the Russian Federation.

So from possible disintegration to global influence within the geopolitical region of the Russian Federation was enacted by Putin when he was in charge of this diverse nation. In the field of military influence then it is abundantly clear that both China and India, respectively, rely on Russia`s technology. Also, the Russian Federation is trying to build a strong relationship with China via the Shanghai 6 organization and they want to strengthen Chinese-Indian relations. The reason for the latter is multiple.

Firstly, to prevent American hegemony and secondly, to form a strong bedrock of stability because of the genuine fear of radical Islam. Also, these powers could be divided by other nations via petty disputes over land or resources, therefore, unity or a shared vision was needed. These objectives on the whole have been met or are in the pipeline, therefore, now it is time for the next part of the "revolution" and this applies to internal issues. Therefore, the new PM, Putin, must work alongside President Medvedev in order to develop the infrastructure and help the people of this nation.

Of course this is not going to be easy, however, the price of oil and other commodities is helping the economy. So now PM Putin must focus on more mundane issues but they are still vital. Given this, wages need to develop inline with economic growth, pensioners must have a higher standard of living, money must be spent on the health care system, public works, and education; and, the demographic time-bomb must also be solved via financial inducements and local government support via networks.

Therefore, these complex issues need both leaders to work together and dynamism is essential. Also, Putin and Medvedev must diversify the economy and this applies to focusing on many other vital sectors. At the moment too much emphasis is put on military sales and energy supplies. Therefore, other sectors like banking, manufacturing, hi-tech companies, I.T. sector, and other areas, must be developed. If this happens, then you will have had a "revolution" within the Russian Federation.

Overall, if we look at the positives and negatives of Putin, then clearly the positives outshine any negatives and now he must work closely with Medvedev. Providing both leaders can work together and internal investment keeps on flowing, then Russia`s future looks bright. Therefore, it is hoped that the internal market will remain stable and that both leaders will continue to modernize this developing nation and transform the Russian Federation into a genuine power.

Lee Jay Walker Dip BA MA
http://journals.aol.com/leejaywalker/uk/