Publication

This bulletin discusses the various military exercises that included the Russian military forces in August/September 2015 and what these exercises reveal about the Kremlin's strategic intentions. The author contends that Russian involvement in the exercises indicate that the Kremlin is strengthening its rapid reaction forces, increasing its ability to intervene beyond its borders, especially in Central Asia. She also points out that by demonstrating the ability to undertake expeditionary missions as well as, at the same time, increasing its military presence in Syria, Russia is showing the West that it is a key player in the Middle East.