Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)
Study Course Description
Russia's Defence Policy
Course Code
SZF_066
Branch of Science
Political science
ECTS
5.00
Target Audience
Political Science
LQF
Level 7
Study Type And Form
Full-Time; Part-Time
Study Course Implementer
Course Supervisor
Mārtiņš Vargulis
Structure Unit Manager
Ieva Puzo
Structural Unit
Faculty of Social Sciences
Contacts
Dzirciema street 16, Rīga, szf@rsu.lv
About Study Course
Objective
To provide knowledge and analytical readiness on key aspects of Russia’s defence and security policies, as well as on Russia’s military ambitions in the region and the world. To analyse the impact of Russia’s defence policy objectives and priorities internally and externally.
Preliminary Knowledge
General knowledge of the methods and theories in the field of international relations, as well as general knowledge of Russia’s recent history, political system, economic data and position among other global military powers.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge
1.As a result of completing the study course, students will be familiar with trends and challenges in Russia’s defence policy. Students will understand the dynamics of the development of Russia’s defence policy in the light of internal and external shocks, their interaction and impact.
Skills
1.Students will independently carry out a large-scale research on Russia’s defence policy and its trends. Through participation in classes and independent work, students will critically select sources of information on the defence of Russia and discuss these issues with arguments. Students will explain in depth the challenges of Russia’s defence policy and opportunities for promoting cooperation with other countries.
Competences
1.Students will describe the impact and challenges of Russian defence policy in the international system, including in the Baltic region, as well as assess and explain with arguments the impact of various factors on Russia’s defence policy.
Assessment
Individual work
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Individual work |
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Within the module, students will prepare for seminars, read recommended readings, prepare a presentation and a report.
The objective of the seminars is to develop students’ ability to justify their point of view; to stimulate activity; to test their knowledge of the topic and the material.
The objective of the report – to develop the ability to identify the main problem of the topic; to identify and evaluate alternative arguments and points of view; to present one’s own point of view, explaining and arguing why this point of view is more acceptable and superior to any other. The report must compare all possible alternatives, considering all their weaknesses and strengths. Another objective is to develop the skills to independently research situations and problems, evaluate them and develop solutions.
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Examination
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Grade
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1.
Examination |
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Assessment: students will be assessed on the quality of their presentations and a report of their peers’ presentations during lectures.
Presentation guidelines:
1. Presentations are based on a study of articles and/or policy documents (distributed during the introductory lecture). Each article must be related to the topic of the lecture on that day. By selecting an article, each student commits to presenting on that day.
2. Presentations are assessed; students can pass or fail.
3. The presentation should last about 15-20 minutes. Each presentation can consist of 5-7 slides. The presentation must be structured as follows:
- The student clearly states the purpose, significance and expected outcome of the research/article.
- The student has to explain the research problem and questions.
- The student must outline the research methods and conclude whether the article is well structured and meets all expectations.
- The student assesses the limitations and risks when it comes to the analysis of the article and conclusions.
- The student summarises the main findings, conclusions and recommendations.
- The student must highlight the merit of the article.
- The student must outline possible improvements to the article/debate.
- The student must propose 2-3 questions for the group to discuss.
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2.
Examination |
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Attendance: 10%
Activity and readiness for seminars: 10%
Presentation and report: 40%
Final examination: 40%
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Study Course Theme Plan
FULL-TIME
Part 1
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Lecture
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Modality
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Identifying and Studying Russia’s Military Ambitions and Defence Policy
Description
Annotation: Importance of topic and main research questions in the field.
How to analyze? How to evaluate? Main questions to be asked.
Methods and theoretical toolbox for analysis. Reference bases.
Russia: rebuilding an empire or suffering from a post imperial stress?
Changes in Russian imperial vision since 1991? Strengths and weaknesses.
Russian imperial pattern in relationship with former SU and CEE
Suggestions and lessons for Russian neighbors in recent years
Why Russia is challenge for us? NATO and Baltic perspective.
Most important topics related to Russian military ambitions in 2017-2021
Researching Russia why and how: Baltic and NATO perspective
Who and where are analyzing Russia: journals, centers of excellence and institutes?
Sources for data, official documents, propaganda and concepts.
Literature: Karaganov, S. (2018). The new Cold War and the emerging Greater Eurasia. Journal of Eurasian studies, 9 (2), 85-93
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2
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Topics
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Geopolitical and Geostrategic Variables of Russia’s Defence Policy: Russia’s Role in the Global Arena
Description
Annotation: Russian geopolitical thinking and geo-strategy since 1991
Russian Regional and Global Ambitions
Russia´s role in global arena: searching and finding isolation.
Roots and central ideas of Russian geopolitical thinking
Regional Hegemony" or first among the G8?
Recent trends in relations with the G7, the EU, NATO and UN.
Regional views and considerations: Baltic Sea and beyond
Geopolitical challenges for Russia in Asia: China and Japan. Is India Russian ally?
Geopolitical challenges for Russia in Middle East: Syria, Libya
Literature: Suslov, M. D. (2014). “Crimea Is Ours!” Russian popular geopolitics in the new media age. Eurasian Geography and Economics, 55(6)
Götz, E. (2015). It's geopolitics, stupid: explaining Russia's Ukraine policy. Global Affairs, 1(1), 3-10.
Veebel, V. (2017). Escaping the imperial grip of Russia, Cross-Border Journal of International Studies, 1(2017)
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2
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Topics
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Historical Aspects and Lessons of Russian/Soviet Defence Policy 1900-2021
Description
Annotation: Overview from Tzarist to Soviet and to modern Russian defence politics. Main aims, central components and critical variables.
Special aspects of Soviet defence policy impacting current Russia
Political component and impact in Russian defence policy since 2000.
Russian ideological specter impacting defence policy in 5-10 years time.
Russian strategic culture in terms of defence aspects and main contributors.
Literature: Karaganov, S., & Suslov, D. (2018). A new world order: A view from Russia. Multipolarity: The promise of disharmony.
NATO “NATO Russia Founding Act 1997”
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2
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Topics
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Theoretical Models and Concepts Explaining Russia’s Defence Policy
Description
Annotation: Realist and neorealist perspective explaining Russian defence policy
Imperialist and neo-imperial theories explaining Russian defence policy
Geopolitical explanations to explaining Russian defence policy
Historical institutionalism explaining Russian defence policy
Deterrence theory explaining Russian defence policy
Theories behind Russian nuclear policy and nuclear deterrence
Literature: Oliker, O. (2017) Putinism, Populism and the Difference of Liberal Democracy, Survival 59
Adamsky, D. 2018. From Moscow with coercion: Russian deterrence theory and strategic culture. Journal of Strategic Studies, 41(1-2), 33-60
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2
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Topics
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Traditional Principles and Components of Russia’s Defence Policy 2000-2020
Description
Annotation: Russian defence policy in Yeltsin era (1991-2000)
Starting situation and priorities in year 2000 for V. Putin
Traditional principles and components of Russian defence policy in 2000-2020
From partnership and cooperation with NATO and EU to a neo-imperial approach in Russian defence policy
What had to be taken and was taken from Yeltsin time?
Assessment to Russian defence policy decisions and implementations in 2000-2020
Literature: Tertrais, Bruno. "Russia’s Nuclear Policy: Worrying for the Wrong Reasons." Survival 60.2 (2018): 33-44.
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Narratives Shaping and Describing Russia’s Defence Needs and Defence Policy for 2020
Description
Annotation: Why are strategic narratives so important in the Russian defence policy?
Researching Russian strategic narratives on defence: what´s there for West?
Values, Russia as normative power: for Europe and former SU republics
BRICS’ Strategic Narratives
Russia´s strategic narratives in Syria
Russia-Ukrainian War: what´s next? View from Russia.
Objectives of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation in 2020
Literature: Putin, V. (2020) The Real Lessons of the 75th Anniversary of World War II, The National Interest, 18.06.2020, https://nationalinterest.org/print/feature/vladimir-putin-real-lessons-75th-anniversary-world-war-ii-162982
Veebel, V. and Vihmand, L., 2020. Living in confronting or parallel strategic narratives? The reasons behind the missing security dialogue between Russia and the Baltic States. Journal on Baltic Security, 5(2), pp.17-28
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2
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Topics
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Hybrid War as Part of Russia’s Defence Policy 2020-2021
Description
Annotation: Why is Russia investing to hybrid warfare competence?
Components and central variables of hybrid warfare concept and Russian interpretation of it (“Gibrydnaja voina”)
Russian hybrid warfade models: Gherasimov´s and Gareev´s models of hybrid warfare.
Lessons from Russian hybrid warfare campaigns in 2014-2020: concepts and components.
Conflicts with Georgia and Ukraine: the Russian explanations
Lessons for Baltic States to deter Russian hybrid warfare activities.
Literature: Gareev, M. На «мягкую силу» найдутся жесткие ответы, http://www.vpk-news.ru/articles/18404
Lanoszka, A. (2016). Russian hybrid warfare and extended deterrence in eastern Europe. International affairs, 92(1), 175-195.
Sliwa, Z., Veebel, V. and Lebrun, M. 2018. Russian Ambitions and Hybrid Modes of Warfare. Estonian Journal of Military Studies, 2018 (7), pp 86−108.
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Economic Warfare and Regularities in the Russia’s Military Toolbox and Part of Defence Policy
Description
Annotation: Russian Economic Warfare toolbox: energy, special trades, etc
Russia as global economic power. Economic resources and their use for political reasons? Future outlook
Russian energy partnership with West: mutual or asymmetric dependence?
Economic impact to neighbours.
Can economy survive military modernization costs? Projections.
Energy carriers as Russian foreign policy instrument: from Gazprom to NordStream 2
Normative politics or functional gains for Russian neighbours?
Russian lawfare toolbox and “best-practices”.
Literature: Sergi, B. S. (2018). Putin's and Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union: A hybrid half-economics and half-political “Janus Bifrons”. Journal of Eurasian studies, 9(1), 52-60.
Becker, U., & Vasileva, A. (2017). Russia's political economy re-conceptualized: A changing hybrid of liberalism, statism and patrimonialism. Journal of Eurasian studies, 8(1), 83-96.
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Assessing Russia’s Defence Policy Objectives and Ambitions From the Baltic Perspective: Risks and Opportunities
Description
Annotation: The importance and role of Baltic states in Russian defence policy.
NATO-Baltic-Russian triangle
Aims and goals of Russian defence policy: regional and global perspectives
Russian explanations to defence and military activities and escalation in Baltic area.
Counter-actions of NATO: fulfilling the gaps and increasing deterrence
Should the Baltic states invest more to defence or deterrence?
Traps and dilemmas in escalation and deterrence activities for Baltic States
Literature: Frühling, S., & Lasconjarias, G. (2016). NATO, A2/AD and the Kaliningrad Challenge. Survival, 58(2)
Timofeev, I. 2016 “Russia and NATO in the Baltic”, The Baltic Sea Region: Hard and Soft Security Reconsidered. 2016, Latvian Institute of International Affairs. http://liia.lv/en/publications/the-baltic-sea-region-hard-and-soft-security-reconsidered-558
Veebel, V. and Ploom I. 2019. Are the Baltic States and NATO on the right path in deterring Russia in the Baltic?, Defense & Security Analysis, 35:4, 406-422
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Competition With the US and NATO – Shaping Factors for Russian Defence Policy
Description
Annotation: Cold War lessons learned on arms race and escalation between Soviet Union and NATO
From nuclear race to, MAD and Strategic Defence Initiative in 1960-1990
Putin´s initiatives for fundamentally new weapon systems
Can Russian economy survive Putin´s ambitions on military innovation and competition with the US.
How should West respond to Russian ambitions and developments?
Literature: Clark, W., Luik, J., Ramms, E., & Shirreff, R. (2016). Closing NATO’s Baltic Gap. Tallinn: International Centre for Defence and Security, 12.
Shlapak, D. A., & Johnson, M. W., Reinforcing deterrence on NATO's eastern flank: Wargaming the defense of the Baltics (Santa Monica United States: RAND Arroyo Center, 2016).
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2
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Topics
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Russia-China Relations, Competition, Cooperation and Interests Affecting Russia’s Defence Policy
Description
Annotation: Lessons and take-away from cooperation and conflicts between China and Soviet Union in 1945-1991
Main concerns and problems in Russian Chinese defense co-operation in 1991-2020: technology transfer and copy-right problems
Comparison of current military capabilities between China and Russia
Next battlefield of Russian Chinese military competition: Republic of Belarus
Future outlook: Russia and China in global hegemony competitions and their relations with NATO
Literature: Malle, S. (2017). Russia and China in the 21st century. Moving towards cooperative behaviour. Journal of Eurasian Studies, 8(2), 136-150.
Bitzinger, R and Popescu, N. ‘Defence industries in Russia and China: players and strategies’, EU Institute for Security Studies, December 2017, p. 15. https://www.iss.europa.eu/sites/default/files/EUISSFiles/Report_38_Defence-industries-in-Russia-and-China.pdf
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2
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Topics
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Russia’s Defence and Security Partners and Alliances: The CIS, India, Syria, Etc.
Description
Annotation: Heritage from Soviet Union´s collapse in relations with CIS, India, Syria etc
Inner circle of partnership: main aims, actions and experiences within the CIS
Russian-Ukrainian defence partnership and conflicts
Russian-Indian cooperation and partnership
Russia in Middle-East: Syria, Libya and Egypt
Literature: Anna Borshchevskaya, ‘The Tactical Side of Russia’s Arms Sales to the Middle East’, Russia in the Middle East. 2017 |
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Russia’s Defence and Security Partners and Alliances: The CIS, India, Syria, Etc.
Description
Annotation: Heritage from Soviet Union´s collapse in relations with CIS, India, Syria etc
Inner circle of partnership: main aims, actions and experiences within the CIS
Russian-Ukrainian defence partnership and conflicts
Russian-Indian cooperation and partnership
Russia in Middle-East: Syria, Libya and Egypt
Literature: Anna Borshchevskaya, ‘The Tactical Side of Russia’s Arms Sales to the Middle East’, Russia in the Middle East. 2017 |
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Economic Constraints Affecting Russia’s Military Ambitions and Defence Policy
Description
Annotation: Russian economic developments and budgetary allocations for defence and military
Trends for financing military innovation and new weapon systems in 2018-2021
Budgetary outlook for 2021-2025 for military procurement
Central points and critical variables for NATO to pay attention related to Russian budgetary limitations for weapon development programs.
Economic outlooks for weapon sales in upcoming years.
Literature: Oxenstierna, S. (2016). Russia's defense spending and the economic decline. Journal of Eurasian Studies, 7(1), 60-70
Borovsky Y.V. The Soviet and Russian Energy Industry as Objects of Western Sanctions: Political Rivalry or Economic Competition MGIMO Review of International Relations. 2019;(3(66)):42-60. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.24833/2071-8160-2019-3-66-42-60
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Russia’s Military Doctrine and Forthcoming Updates Therein
Description
Annotation: Main Russian foreign and security policy doctrines in 1980-2021: central principles and main developments
Current military doctrine and its practical implementation
Importance of political and ideological changes and interests to Russian military and defence doctrines
Western doctrinal responses to Russian military goals and aims
Literature: Sokov, N. 2010. The New 2010 Russian Military Doctrine: The Nuclear Angle. Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey 2010. https://www.nonproliferation.org/new-2010-russian-military-doctrine/ (accessed 21.04.2020).
Russian National Security Strategy, 2015, http://www.ieee.es/Galerias/fichero/OtrasPublicaciones/Internacional/2016/Russian-National-Security-Strategy-31Dec2015.pdf (accessed 21.04.2020).
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Russia’s Arms Industry: Internal and External Needs and Performance 2015-2021
Description
Annotation: Soviet military industry: main aims, innovations and outcomes
Impact of Soviet military industry to current Russian military industry
The aims and goals for Russian military industry for 2015-2021
Russian military industry: oriented for profit or political goal
Internal needs for military industry and its readiness to meet the demands.
Changes forced and implemented because of budgetary limitations.
Literature: Richard Connolly, Cecilie Sendstad, ‘Russia’s Role as an Arms Exporter: The Strategic and Economic Importance of Arms Exports for Russia’, Chatham House Research Paper, March 2017.
Keith Crane, Olga Oliker, Brian Nichiporuk, Trends in Russia’s Armed Forces, (RAND Corporation, 2019), p 11–12. https://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/research_reports/RR2500/RR2573/RAND_RR2573.pdf .
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Contact hours
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Russia’s Arms Industry: Internal and External Needs and Performance 2015-2021
Description
Annotation: Soviet military industry: main aims, innovations and outcomes
Impact of Soviet military industry to current Russian military industry
The aims and goals for Russian military industry for 2015-2021
Russian military industry: oriented for profit or political goal
Internal needs for military industry and its readiness to meet the demands.
Changes forced and implemented because of budgetary limitations.
Literature: Richard Connolly, Cecilie Sendstad, ‘Russia’s Role as an Arms Exporter: The Strategic and Economic Importance of Arms Exports for Russia’, Chatham House Research Paper, March 2017.
Keith Crane, Olga Oliker, Brian Nichiporuk, Trends in Russia’s Armed Forces, (RAND Corporation, 2019), p 11–12. https://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/research_reports/RR2500/RR2573/RAND_RR2573.pdf .
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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The Future of Russia’s Arms Industry: ‘Special Supplies’, Functional Needs, Generous Loan Deals and ‘Old Love’ From Soviet Times
Description
Annotation: Plans for 2019-2020. Achievements in 2012-2019.
Predictions for 2021. Main aspects to pay attention.
Importance of new prototypes and ability to replace ageing equipment.
Scientific possibilities to research Russian military forces
Western options to impact Russian military modernization and ambitions.
Global military balance and regional military balance after Russian military modernization
Impact of targeted sanctions to Russian military industry
Literature: Petraitis, D. (2011). The Russian Military Reform 2005-2015. Lithuanian Annual Strategic Review, 9(1), 139-171.
Loukianova Fink, A. 2017 The Evolving Russian Concept of Strategic Deterrence: Risks and Responses. Arms Control Association. https://www.armscontrol.org/act/2017-07/features/evolving-russian-concept-strategic-deterrence-risks-responses (accessed 21.04.2019).
Makarychev, A., & Sergunin, A. (2013). Russian military reform: institutional, political and security implications. Defense & Security Analysis, 29(4), 356-364.
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2
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Topics
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Analysing the Future Possibilities of Global Security: Are Russia and the West ‘Lost in Translation’ Due to Military Ambitions?
Description
Annotation: Lost in translation: is there hope that Russia will understand and comply with credible deterrence, normative power and sanctions?
Language and cultural factor in shaping or distracting political dialogue between Russia and Western countries.
Language factor in the formation of a polycentric world order model.
Military terminology in modern political discourse.
Problems in translation of English and Russian military terminology (case studies).
Translation transformations in the English-Russian translation of military terminology.
Examples of borrowing in military terminology and concepts.
Literature: Veebel, V; Vihmand, L; Ploom, I; and Markus, R (2019), Western Misperceptions when Deterring Russia: Cultural and linguistic factors, Journal of Politics and Law Vol 13 (2)
Ven Bruusgaard, K. "Russian strategic deterrence." Survival 58.4 (2016): 7-26.
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Location
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Analysing the Future Possibilities of Global Security: Are Russia and the West ‘Lost in Translation’ Due to Military Ambitions?
Description
Annotation: Lost in translation: is there hope that Russia will understand and comply with credible deterrence, normative power and sanctions?
Language and cultural factor in shaping or distracting political dialogue between Russia and Western countries.
Language factor in the formation of a polycentric world order model.
Military terminology in modern political discourse.
Problems in translation of English and Russian military terminology (case studies).
Translation transformations in the English-Russian translation of military terminology.
Examples of borrowing in military terminology and concepts.
Literature: Veebel, V; Vihmand, L; Ploom, I; and Markus, R (2019), Western Misperceptions when Deterring Russia: Cultural and linguistic factors, Journal of Politics and Law Vol 13 (2)
Ven Bruusgaard, K. "Russian strategic deterrence." Survival 58.4 (2016): 7-26.
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2
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Topics
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Future Perspectives and Ambitions of Russia’s Defence Policy. NATO and EU Options To Respond to Russia’s Ambitions
Description
Annotation: Upcoming changes in Russia’s military doctrine and defence policy priorities.
Russia’s ambitions for 2021-2022. Global opportunities in relation to Russia’s ambitions.
NATO’s strategic response to Russia’s military ambitions: changes in force deployment and planned exercises.
EU strategic responses to Russia’s military ambitions: economic sanctions, normative power or...?
Literature: Rahim, S., 2018. Revisiting Putin´s 2007 Munich Security Conference Speech – Op-Ed. Eurasia Review: News & Analysis. 11 September 2018. https://www.eurasiareview.com/11092018-revisiting-putins-2007-munich-security-conference-speech-oped/ (accessed 21.04.2020).
Veebel, V. (2019). European Union as normative power in the Ukrainian–Russian conflict. International Politics, 56 (5), 697−712.
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2
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Topics
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Student Presentations
Description
Annotation: Student presentations and feedback.
Presentations are based on a study of articles and/or policy documents (distributed during the introductory lecture). Each article must be related to the topic of the lecture on that day. By selecting an article, each student commits to presenting on that day.
Presentations are assessed; students can pass or fail.
The presentation should last about 15-20 minutes. Each presentation can consist of 5-7 slides. The presentation must be structured as follows:
- The student clearly states the purpose, significance and expected outcome of the research/article.
- The student has to explain the research problem and questions.
- The student must outline the research methods and conclude whether the article is well structured and meets all expectations.
- The student must describe the sources and data used by the author.
- The student assesses the limitations and risks when it comes to the analysis of the article and conclusions.
- The student summarises the main findings, conclusions and recommendations.
- The student must highlight the merit of the article.
- The student must outline possible improvements to the article/debate.
- The student must propose 2-3 questions for the group to discuss.
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Student Presentations
Description
Annotation: Student presentations and feedback.
Presentations are based on a study of articles and/or policy documents (distributed during the introductory lecture). Each article must be related to the topic of the lecture on that day. By selecting an article, each student commits to presenting on that day.
Presentations are assessed; students can pass or fail.
The presentation should last about 15-20 minutes. Each presentation can consist of 5-7 slides. The presentation must be structured as follows:
- The student clearly states the purpose, significance and expected outcome of the research/article.
- The student has to explain the research problem and questions.
- The student must outline the research methods and conclude whether the article is well structured and meets all expectations.
- The student must describe the sources and data used by the author.
- The student assesses the limitations and risks when it comes to the analysis of the article and conclusions.
- The student summarises the main findings, conclusions and recommendations.
- The student must highlight the merit of the article.
- The student must outline possible improvements to the article/debate.
- The student must propose 2-3 questions for the group to discuss.
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Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
5.00
Contact hours:
46 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam (Written)
PART-TIME
Part 1
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Identifying and Studying Russia’s Military Ambitions and Defence Policy
Description
Annotation: Importance of topic and main research questions in the field.
How to analyze? How to evaluate? Main questions to be asked.
Methods and theoretical toolbox for analysis. Reference bases.
Russia: rebuilding an empire or suffering from a post imperial stress?
Changes in Russian imperial vision since 1991? Strengths and weaknesses.
Russian imperial pattern in relationship with former SU and CEE
Suggestions and lessons for Russian neighbors in recent years
Why Russia is challenge for us? NATO and Baltic perspective.
Most important topics related to Russian military ambitions in 2017-2021
Researching Russia why and how: Baltic and NATO perspective
Who and where are analyzing Russia: journals, centers of excellence and institutes?
Sources for data, official documents, propaganda and concepts.
Literature: Karaganov, S. (2018). The new Cold War and the emerging Greater Eurasia. Journal of Eurasian studies, 9 (2), 85-93
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Geopolitical and Geostrategic Variables of Russia’s Defence Policy: Russia’s Role in the Global Arena
Description
Annotation: Russian geopolitical thinking and geo-strategy since 1991
Russian Regional and Global Ambitions
Russia´s role in global arena: searching and finding isolation.
Roots and central ideas of Russian geopolitical thinking
Regional Hegemony" or first among the G8?
Recent trends in relations with the G7, the EU, NATO and UN.
Regional views and considerations: Baltic Sea and beyond
Geopolitical challenges for Russia in Asia: China and Japan. Is India Russian ally?
Geopolitical challenges for Russia in Middle East: Syria, Libya
Literature: Suslov, M. D. (2014). “Crimea Is Ours!” Russian popular geopolitics in the new media age. Eurasian Geography and Economics, 55(6)
Götz, E. (2015). It's geopolitics, stupid: explaining Russia's Ukraine policy. Global Affairs, 1(1), 3-10.
Veebel, V. (2017). Escaping the imperial grip of Russia, Cross-Border Journal of International Studies, 1(2017)
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Historical Aspects and Lessons of Russian/Soviet Defence Policy 1900-2021
Description
Annotation: Overview from Tzarist to Soviet and to modern Russian defence politics. Main aims, central components and critical variables.
Special aspects of Soviet defence policy impacting current Russia
Political component and impact in Russian defence policy since 2000.
Russian ideological specter impacting defence policy in 5-10 years time.
Russian strategic culture in terms of defence aspects and main contributors.
Literature: Karaganov, S., & Suslov, D. (2018). A new world order: A view from Russia. Multipolarity: The promise of disharmony.
NATO “NATO Russia Founding Act 1997”
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Theoretical Models and Concepts Explaining Russia’s Defence Policy
Description
Annotation: Realist and neorealist perspective explaining Russian defence policy
Imperialist and neo-imperial theories explaining Russian defence policy
Geopolitical explanations to explaining Russian defence policy
Historical institutionalism explaining Russian defence policy
Deterrence theory explaining Russian defence policy
Theories behind Russian nuclear policy and nuclear deterrence
Literature: Oliker, O. (2017) Putinism, Populism and the Difference of Liberal Democracy, Survival 59
Adamsky, D. 2018. From Moscow with coercion: Russian deterrence theory and strategic culture. Journal of Strategic Studies, 41(1-2), 33-60
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Russia-China Relations, Competition, Cooperation and Interests Affecting Russia’s Defence Policy
Description
Annotation: Lessons and take-away from cooperation and conflicts between China and Soviet Union in 1945-1991
Main concerns and problems in Russian Chinese defense co-operation in 1991-2020: technology transfer and copy-right problems
Comparison of current military capabilities between China and Russia
Next battlefield of Russian Chinese military competition: Republic of Belarus
Future outlook: Russia and China in global hegemony competitions and their relations with NATO
Literature: Malle, S. (2017). Russia and China in the 21st century. Moving towards cooperative behaviour. Journal of Eurasian Studies, 8(2), 136-150.
Bitzinger, R and Popescu, N. ‘Defence industries in Russia and China: players and strategies’, EU Institute for Security Studies, December 2017, p. 15. https://www.iss.europa.eu/sites/default/files/EUISSFiles/Report_38_Defence-industries-in-Russia-and-China.pdf
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Russia’s Defence and Security Partners and Alliances: The CIS, India, Syria, Etc.
Description
Annotation: Heritage from Soviet Union´s collapse in relations with CIS, India, Syria etc
Inner circle of partnership: main aims, actions and experiences within the CIS
Russian-Ukrainian defence partnership and conflicts
Russian-Indian cooperation and partnership
Russia in Middle-East: Syria, Libya and Egypt
Literature: Anna Borshchevskaya, ‘The Tactical Side of Russia’s Arms Sales to the Middle East’, Russia in the Middle East. 2017 |
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Economic Constraints Affecting Russia’s Military Ambitions and Defence Policy
Description
Annotation: Russian economic developments and budgetary allocations for defence and military
Trends for financing military innovation and new weapon systems in 2018-2021
Budgetary outlook for 2021-2025 for military procurement
Central points and critical variables for NATO to pay attention related to Russian budgetary limitations for weapon development programs.
Economic outlooks for weapon sales in upcoming years.
Literature: Oxenstierna, S. (2016). Russia's defense spending and the economic decline. Journal of Eurasian Studies, 7(1), 60-70
Borovsky Y.V. The Soviet and Russian Energy Industry as Objects of Western Sanctions: Political Rivalry or Economic Competition MGIMO Review of International Relations. 2019;(3(66)):42-60. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.24833/2071-8160-2019-3-66-42-60
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Russia’s Military Doctrine and Forthcoming Updates Therein
Description
Annotation: Main Russian foreign and security policy doctrines in 1980-2021: central principles and main developments
Current military doctrine and its practical implementation
Importance of political and ideological changes and interests to Russian military and defence doctrines
Western doctrinal responses to Russian military goals and aims
Literature: Sokov, N. 2010. The New 2010 Russian Military Doctrine: The Nuclear Angle. Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey 2010. https://www.nonproliferation.org/new-2010-russian-military-doctrine/ (accessed 21.04.2020).
Russian National Security Strategy, 2015, http://www.ieee.es/Galerias/fichero/OtrasPublicaciones/Internacional/2016/Russian-National-Security-Strategy-31Dec2015.pdf (accessed 21.04.2020).
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Student Presentations
Description
Annotation: Student presentations and feedback.
Presentations are based on a study of articles and/or policy documents (distributed during the introductory lecture). Each article must be related to the topic of the lecture on that day. By selecting an article, each student commits to presenting on that day.
Presentations are assessed; students can pass or fail.
The presentation should last about 15-20 minutes. Each presentation can consist of 5-7 slides. The presentation must be structured as follows:
- The student clearly states the purpose, significance and expected outcome of the research/article.
- The student has to explain the research problem and questions.
- The student must outline the research methods and conclude whether the article is well structured and meets all expectations.
- The student must describe the sources and data used by the author.
- The student assesses the limitations and risks when it comes to the analysis of the article and conclusions.
- The student summarises the main findings, conclusions and recommendations.
- The student must highlight the merit of the article.
- The student must outline possible improvements to the article/debate.
- The student must propose 2-3 questions for the group to discuss.
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Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
5.00
Contact hours:
28 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam (Written)
Bibliography
Required Reading
1.
Karaganov, S. (2018). The new Cold War and the emerging Greater Eurasia. Journal of Eurasian studies, 9 (2), 85-93
2.
Suslov, M. D. (2014). “Crimea Is Ours!” Russian popular geopolitics in the new media age. Eurasian Geography and Economics, 55(6)
3.
Götz, E. (2015). It's geopolitics, stupid: explaining Russia's Ukraine policy. Global Affairs, 1(1), 3-10.
4.
Veebel, V. (2017). Escaping the imperial grip of Russia, Cross-Border Journal of International Studies, 1(2017)
5.
Karaganov, S., & Suslov, D. (2018). A new world order: A view from Russia. Multipolarity: The promise of disharmony.
6.
Olga Oliker (2017) Putinism, Populism and the Difference of Liberal Democracy, Survival 59
7.
Adamsky, D. 2018. From Moscow with coercion: Russian deterrence theory and strategic culture. Journal of Strategic Studies, 41(1-2), 33-60
8.
Tertrais, Bruno. "Russia’s Nuclear Policy: Worrying for the Wrong Reasons." Survival 60.2 (2018): 33-44.
9.
Putin, V. (2020) The Real Lessons of the 75th Anniversary of World War II, The National Interest, 18.06.2020.
10.
Veebel, V. and Vihmand, L., 2020. Living in confronting or parallel strategic narratives? The reasons behind the missing security dialogue between Russia and the Baltic States. Journal on Baltic Security, 5(2), pp.17-28
11.
Lanoszka, A. (2016). Russian hybrid warfare and extended deterrence in eastern Europe. International affairs, 92(1), 175-195.
12.
Sliwa, Z., Veebel, V. and Lebrun, M. 2018. Russian Ambitions and Hybrid Modes of Warfare. Estonian Journal of Military Studies, 2018 (7), pp 86−108.
13.
Sergi, B. S. (2018). Putin's and Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union: A hybrid half-economics and half-political “Janus Bifrons”. Journal of Eurasian studies, 9(1), 52-60.
14.
Becker, U., & Vasileva, A. (2017). Russia's political economy re-conceptualized: A changing hybrid of liberalism, statism and patrimonialism. Journal of Eurasian studies, 8(1), 83-96.
15.
Frühling, S., & Lasconjarias, G. (2016). NATO, A2/AD and the Kaliningrad Challenge. Survival, 58(2)
16.
Timofeev, I. 2016 “Russia and NATO in the Baltic”, The Baltic Sea Region: Hard and Soft Security Reconsidered. 2016, Latvian Institute of International Affairs. 8 (accessed 21.04.2019).
17.
Veebel, V. and Ploom I. 2019. Are the Baltic States and NATO on the right path in deterring Russia in the Baltic?, Defense & Security Analysis, 35:4, 406-422.
18.
Clark, W., Luik, J., Ramms, E., & Shirreff, R. (2016). Closing NATO’s Baltic Gap. Tallinn: International Centre for Defence and Security, 12.
19.
Shlapak, D. A., & Johnson, M. W., Reinforcing deterrence on NATO's eastern flank: Wargaming the defense of the Baltics (Santa Monica United States: RAND Arroyo Center, 2016).
20.
Malle, S. (2017). Russia and China in the 21st century. Moving towards cooperative behaviour. Journal of Eurasian Studies, 8(2), 136-150.
21.
Richard A. Bitzinger, Nicu Popescu, ‘Defence industries in Russia and China: players and strategies’, EU Institute for Security Studies, December 2017, p.15.
22.
Anna Borshchevskaya, ‘The Tactical Side of Russia’s Arms Sales to the Middle East’, Russia in the Middle East. 2017.
23.
Аверре, Дерек. "Russia's 'strategic narratives': the case of Syria ad the 'Arab spring'." Вестник Удмуртского университета. Социология. Политология. Международные отношения 3.3 (2019): 317-325.
24.
Oxenstierna, S. (2016). Russia's defense spending and the economic decline. Journal of Eurasian Studies, 7(1), 60-70
25.
Borovsky Y.V. The Soviet and Russian Energy Industry as Objects of Western Sanctions: Political Rivalry or Economic Competition MGIMO Review of International Relations. 2019; (3(66)):42-60. (In Russ.)
26.
Sokov, N. 2010. The New 2010 Russian Military Doctrine: The Nuclear Angle. Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey 2010.
27.
Petraitis, D. (2011). The Russian Military Reform 2005-2015. Lithuanian Annual Strategic Review, 9(1), 139-171.
28.
Loukianova Fink, A. 2017 The Evolving Russian Concept of Strategic Deterrence: Risks and Responses. Arms Control Association. (accessed 21.04.2019).
29.
Makarychev, A., & Sergunin, A. (2013). Russian military reform: institutional, political and security implications. Defense & Security Analysis, 29(4), 356-364.
30.
Veebel, V; Vihmand, L; Ploom, I; and Markus, R (2019), Western Misperceptions when Deterring Russia: Cultural and linguistic factors, Journal of Politics and Law Vol 13 (2)
31.
Ven Bruusgaard, K. "Russian strategic deterrence." Survival 58.4 (2016): 7-26.
32.
Rahim, S., 2018. Revisiting Putin´s 2007 Munich Security Conference Speech – Op-Ed. Eurasia Review: News & Analysis. 11 September 2018. (accessed 21.04.2020).
33.
Veebel, V. (2019). European Union as normative power in the Ukrainian–Russian conflict. International Politics, 56 (5), 697−712.
Additional Reading
1.
Задачи Вооруженных Сил Российской Федерации. Министерство обороны РФ.
2.
Gareev, M. На «мягкую силу» найдутся жесткие ответы.
Other Information Sources
1.
Russia-Ukraine War: Is peace possible in 2020?
2.
Russian National Security Strategy, 2015. (accessed 21.04.2020).
3.
NATO “NATO Russia Founding Act 1997”