Moscow to Pursue a More Robust Reaction Against Aggressors

 

February 06, 2010 (Hamsayeh.Net) - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signed a new national defense doctrine envisioning a more robust reaction to external threats facing the world’s largest country.

 

The new doctrine follows repeated US and NATO activities and plans all around Russian territory, from Poland, Romania, Ukraine to Afghanistan, Central Asia and elsewhere. According to Russian state news agency Ria Novosti, the new doctrine also includes options to use nuclear strikes against potential aggressors who might decide to launch such weapons on Russia.

 

Moscow says it is facing new challenges some of which include:

 

-         Inefficient global security system leading to increased tensions and lack of equal security for all nations.

 

-         Existence of real threats from several directions.

 

-         NATO’s attempts to expand military infrastructures closer to Russian borders.

 

-         Deployment of military contingents on territories neighboring Russia and its allies.

 

-         Development and deployment of missile defense systems leading to further arms race and militarization of space.

 

-         Increased territorial claims against Russia and its allies.

 

-         Unjustified use of military force on territories neighboring Russia contrary to international rules and regulations.

 

-         The spread of global terrorism.

 

The new doctrine goal is to prevent any military confrontations including nuclear conflicts. Moscow however retains the right to use nuclear weapons, other weapons of mass destruction or conventional weapons in response to an aggression launched against it or its allies.

 

Despite the US and NATO’s repeated announcements to negotiate an arms treaty with Russia, they have expanded military presence around the Russian territory in an open an aggressive manner over the past few years. This has prompted Moscow to send a clear signal to convey its dissatisfaction with the ongoing trend.