Russia's Military Revival

Bettina Renz is Associate Professor of Politics & International Relations at the University of Nottingham

"Putin's determination to restore Russian military prowess and his use of force cannot be understood just as a challenge to Western states. Renz's multi-layered scholarly analysis provides the strategic context to soberly assess the changing role and prospects for Russia’s new military forces."Roy Allison, St. Antony's College, Oxford.‘This is a rare book whose author seeks to genuinely understand where Russia is coming from as it rebuilds its military power. It should be read by anyone wanting to get beyond the black-and-white picture of the West’s relations with Russia.’Dmitri Trenin, Carnegie Moscow Center."[A] well-written and cogently argued book."Changing Character of War Centre“An important book for anyone interested in or concerned with Russia as a military adversary, or indeed as a counterpart. Analysts and journalists will find something new, and for any military officer who might have to deal with Russia on a more adversarial basis, this must be seen as essential reading.”Frank Ledwidge, The RUSI Journal‘Renz’s work is readable, useful, and thought-provoking. She has done us a favor by deflating a bit the idea that Russians are ten feet tall again. This book is a solid, practical work on recent Russian military history and well worth the reading.’The Journal of Military History ‘an ideal introduction to the modern Russian military, written by an expert in Russian military reform, Bettina Renz… Renz is no apologist for Russia’s behavior, yet she does an admirable job demonstrating the strategic problems Russia seeks to solve and how the Russian military addresses the country’s problems.’Air University Press ‘concise but thorough and wide-ranging…it is recommended reading for those coming to terms with Moscow’s role on the international stage.’ Parameters“well-researched and clearly articulated… The military academies of the West would do well to put this book in their libraries.”Political Science Quarterly"This book presents a fascinating exploration of Russia’s military revival through an expert analysis of Russia’s deep‐rooted perceptions of power, sovereignty, and security."Journal of Soviet and Post-Soviet Politics and Society

• IntroductionChapter 1: Russian foreign policy and military powerChapter 2: Reforming the militaryChapter 3: Russia’s ‘other’ armed forces: the force structuresChapter 4: Russian uses of military power since 1991Chapter 5: Russian military thinking and ‘hybrid warfare’ConclusionBibliography