Kryachkov 2!indd

UNIT VIII
country. This would bring greater benefit than trying to route gas intended for Europe through 
Turkey. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko appears ready to negotiate. Cooperative relations 
with Georgia, Moldova and the Baltics are in Russia’s interest.
Russia is multi-ethnic and multi-confessional, but nationalistic policies that alienate minorities 
will weaken it. A more inclusive concept of patriotism would help. Mistreatment and strict lan-
guage requirements may cause an exodus of migrants that will deprive the economy of labor and 
skills, which are especially important for small and medium-sized business.
Russia relies on nuclear forces to bolster its image as a great power, but putting them at the 
center of its expensive military modernization program is of dubious value. The military needs re-
sources to counter immediate threats, such as terrorist flows from the Islamic State group (Chech-
ens are among its leaders) and Afghanistan. They could feed insurgency in the North Caucasus 
and terrorism throughout Russia. The drawdown of Coalition troops from Afghanistan increases 
the risk of fighters migrating northward. Creating an effective counterinsurgency capacity will 
require new military capabilities.
All of these steps can help Russia build domestic strength and regain international stature. Few 
expect that Moscow will cede Crimea or end its opposition to NATO expansion anytime soon, but 
Russia can still begin to reverse strategic decline. Expanding opportunities for Russia’s people, re-
forming the economy, and improving relations with neighbors are the way forward. 
(Based on an article by Denis Corboy, William Courtney and Kenneth Yalowitz 
in the US News&World Report)

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TERM PROJECT 
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