Russian Strategic Modernization

This unique analysis of Soviet and Russian defense affairs provides an authoritative and thoroughly documented assessment from a former Soviet foreign policy insider. As an active and informed participant, Sokov's discussion of the evolution of the Soviet and Russian strategic posture offers fascinating and illuminating firsthand insights into Soviet weapons systems, elite decisionmaking, and bureaucratic politics during both the Soviet and Russian periods. The book thus casts light not merely on the development of the Soviet ICBM and SLBM programs, but on a much broader spectrum of issues linked to Soviet and Russian security policy formulation. With its combination of informed analysis and use of new documentation, this work will be invaluable for all concerned with U.S.-Russian strategic relations.

Nikolai Sokov is senior research associate, Center for Nonproliferation Studies, Monterey Institute of International Studies. From 1987 to 1992, he worked at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and before that of the USSR. During the same period, he was an expert of the Soviet delegation to the START talks.