Iron Troikas: The New Threat From Russia
Iron Troikas: The New Threat From Russia

Summary/Abstract: In the aftermath of 9/ll, American security analysts preoccupied with global terrorism have ignored Russia as a security threat, but this is a mistake for two reasons. First, violence in the Caucasus, a demographic and health crisis, economic uncertainty, income inequality and a return to autocracy suggest a problematic future for Russia. Though deemed implausible, an imploded Russia would have massive security implications for the international community. But second, there is an existential threat posed by Russia which Janusz Bugajski has described in his book, “Cold Peace: Russia’s New Imperialism.” It involves Moscow’s campaign to reassert its influence over the security policies of the countries in Central and Eastern Europe. The purpose of this paper is to identify the actors and circumstances – characterized as Iron Troikas – which the Kremlin is employing to achieve these goals. The focus will be upon four new democracies in the Baltic Sea Region: the Baltic countries and Poland.

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