Endorsed by President Putin, the new edition of Russian military theory draft become effective recently. The new theory provides fresh assessment and prediction on the international military and political situation and makes a profound analysis of the internal and external threats to Russian military security. Compared with the military doctrine in 1993, this draft has changed in many ways, which can be reflected in the following aspects: 1) it reiterates that the United States and NATO remain as the biggest threats to Russia; 2) it reemphasizes the development of nuclear deterrent forces and extensive use of nuclear weapons; 3) it lays stress on the tremendous impact of high technology on future wars; 4) it sets score on space wars and active air defense; 5) it advocates bigger defense spending and the promotion of war industry complex; 6) it stresses the development of conventional armed forces; and 7) it stresses CIS’collective security system and military integration. These changes exhibit Russia’s basic concept for safeguarding national security in the new century and mark the formation of a new military strategy. The new military doctrine is a natural outcome of Russia’s constant frustration in combating with the West. It indicates that Russia’s relations with the West would enter a new period pregnant with competition and confrontation.
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