The New Europe
Russia: Partner or Problem for European
Security
Based on Chapter of the same name in Cottey, Andrew. 2007. Security in the New Europe. New York: Palgrave MacMillan.
Russia
What does Cottey mean by Òthe Janus faced nature of Russian
powerÓ?
Russia is a paradox
On the one hand:
An energy super-power
Sitting on a huge nuclear
arsenal
Huge land mass
Large, well-educated
population
On the other hand:
Plagued by internal problems
Such as?
RussiaÕs Internal Problems
An economy almost wholly dependent upon
oil
Oil/gas as both a boon and a curse
– why?
Nigeria as an example
Chicago
Tribune Story on Poverty
Lacking in foreign investment
Corruption link
Plagued by population decline
Public health problems
(alcoholism, HIV/AIDs, TB)
Organized crime/violent crime
Morale problems in the army (hazing)
Separatism/Ethno-nationalism
Also hampered by External
Problems
Control of its
periphery/traditional sphere of influence
i.e., EuropeÕs Ònear abroadÓ
the ÒnewÓ Eastern Europe
(Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova)
Central Asian Republics
(Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan)
The Caucasus (Georgia,
Armenia, Azerbaijan)
Chechnya,
S Ossetia
Russia
World Power or Empire in
Decline?
Friend of the West or Foe?
Russia/The Soviet UnionÕs
Lasting Impact on CE Europe
The Legacies
of Soviet Communism
Czarism?
Feudalism/Serfdom