Here’s an interesting take on Russia's attempt to expand the scope and reach of its armed forces. By putting forces in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, it appears that Russia is attempting to create for itself the type of influence that the US exerts with its military.
However, as the writer of the commentary muses, the only way that the Russians—or any other nation--can have anywhere near the type of dominating military force similar to that of the US has no relation to state-of-the-art fighters, rapid-reaction-forces, or synchronized air-ground operations.
Military reform is essential to the creation of armies that can wage contemporary wars successfully and both develop and use modern technology. Failing that, a pre-modern relationship between officers and soldiers remains the norm, and that entails all the forms of the czarist "regimental economy", dedovshchina (the violent and cruel treatment of young recruits in the Russian army), etc. Certainly, no innovative operational concepts or the means to train soldiers in them will develop out of that kind of army.The key to the greatness of the United States’ military might and influence is this: the common, lowliest soldier is treated like a human being. Simple things like food, clothing, shelter and adequate training, taken for granted and, sometimes, complained about in our military, would be luxuries to a private in the Russian (or the Kenyan or the Saudi) army. From this simple concept, great things grow.
Frightening that the Russian military still has its nukes.
