The army, along with the military industrial complex that serves it, is at the center of the unfolding systemic crisis in Russia. But, according to the official rhetoric, the main problems were solved in the 1990s, when the Russian army preserved the country’s sovereignty, because, “frankly speaking, we had no other serious material arguments.” This dubious premise underlies the “need to be strong” stance. The fact that most Russians are ready to accept it is not likely to automatically bring about its realization.

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