Die verdedigingsbeleid van die Sowjet-Unie, met spesifieke verwysing na die verdedigingsbeleid van die Russiese Federasie in die post-koue oorlog-era

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Abstract

The defence policy of the Russian Federation is to a great extent influenced by the experiences andculture taken over from the former Soviet Union. It is a policy reflecting a unique historical experience,the geographical environment and a distinctive political culture. nus experience and culture haveresulted in a deep-rooted feeling of insecurity that serves as a point of departure for their defence policy.This is being strengthened by a strategic culture with a leadership that is extremely security consciousand a society that accepts military values and responsibility without question. There is. furthermore, ahuge suspicion towards foreigners, an understanding of the dangers of weakness and a tendency to viewthe international politics in terms of power.The changing global strategic environment of the post Cold War era, the break-up of the Warsaw Pactand the Soviet Union and economic realities necessitated a change in the Russian Federation's view ofsecurity and their defence policy. A shift in emphasis from a military-political focus to a welfareopulencefocus was required. The smaller amount of resources allocated to defence necessitated a cooperativeapproach towards security in the international environment The Russian Federation still viewsitself as an important world power and is accordingly on the lookout for ways to influence powerpolitics.