Russian generals put old foe back into their sights (Guardian)

[Eugene]

Russian generals put old foe back into their sights


Luke Harding in Moscow
Wednesday March 7, 2007
The Guardian

Russia is to replace its military doctrine with a more hawkish version that boldly
identifies Nato and the west as its greatest danger.

In a statement posted on its website, Russia's powerful security council said it
no longer considered global terrorism as its biggest danger. Instead, Russia was
developing a new national security strategy which reflected changing "geo-
political" realities, and the fact that rival military alliances were becoming
"stronger" - "especially Nato".

-snip-

In particular Russia has been incensed by the US administration's plans to site
two new missile interceptor and radar bases in Poland and the Czech Republic.

Senior figures in the Russian military yesterday told the Guardian they were
infuriated by what they regard as Nato's "relentless expansion" into "post-Soviet
space" - the countries of former communist eastern Europe and the Baltic.
Russia felt increasingly "encircled" by hostile neighbours, they said.

-snip-

Full article: http://www.guardian.co.uk/russia/article/0,,2027963,00.html