As Russia’s military seeks to expand its spending and weapons acquisition, many ponder the fragility of East-West relations.

Hello, I’m Charlotte Bellis, and you’re watching Newsy.com. That was video from Reuters.

Russian president Dmitry Medvedev is accusing NATO of moving in on Russia’s sphere of influence, ordering “comprehensive military rearmament.”

Al Jazeera English suggests several factors contribute to Russia’s renewed focus on military spending and modernization:

“In the short war with Georgia last summer Russia felt its military weakness was exposed. Although they were able to crush the Georgian army, Russia suffered serious losses. Then there’s the continuing fears over US plans to base a missile defense system in Eastern Europe.” (Al Jazeera English)

Russia Today reports President Medvedev’s recent talk of expanding military spending is not entirely new.

The network reminds us of this remark from the Russian president during the Russia-Georgia conflict:

“We should concentrate on supplying our troops with modern weapons. We will work on this consistently and thoroughly, taking into account recent developments like the Caucusas crisis Georgian aggression and its ongoing militarization. These make the goal I’m speaking of one of our top priorities over the next few years.” -President Medvedev (Russia Today)

The UK’s Telegraph reports Russia’s military spending has QUINTUPLED since 2001, noting some in the West might be getting uncomfortable:

“The optimists in Washington will argue that the Russian president's strident tone was aimed at a domestic audience, while the pessimists will take it as evidence that pushing the reset button is not quite as easy as the new administration might have assumed.” (Telegraph)

Amid the global financial crisis, many are questioning whether Russia can even afford such an expansion of military spending.

Here’s Al Jazeera English with a policy expert who says Russia will rigorously pursue funding despite tough economic times:

“Russia lost ten years after the Cold War, and there was no money for rearmament. The existing weaponry in Russian army was produced primarily in Soviet times. Of course the Russians need to produce modern weaponry. And for that money will be found.” (Al Jazeera English)

According to the BBC, Russia plans to spend nearly 140 billion US dollars buying arms until the year 2011.  

Are Russia’s military expansion plans good, bad or neutral for Russia’s relations with the West? Do you think increased military spending is wise for any country in the global economic crisis?

Politics News

The West Watches Russia's Military

March 17, 2009
(2:48)
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev’s plans to expand his country’s military raises eyebrows in the West. Newsy.com is follows the global response.
   
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