Publication

This paper examines Russia's military doctrine, approved on December 26, 2014. Among other issues, the author discusses what the doctrine outlines for 1) the modernization of the country's Armed Forces; 2) the part that nuclear weapons play in Moscow's deterrence strategy; and 3) Moscow's policies towards the Arctic and the Black Sea. She also suggests that this update of Russia's military doctrine demonstrates that Moscow intends to defend its interests abroad and shows the extent of its readiness to escalate tensions with the US and NATO if necessary.