Russia's peacekeeping potential in military context

This article considers the political and military context of Russia's continued support for, and potential involvement in, post-Cold War multinational or unilateral peace operations. Russia inherits from the former Soviet Union a UN Security Council veto to protect itself against international peace operations deemed hostile to Moscow's interests. The more interesting question is whether Russian will take upon itself a participatory role in peacekeeping, either within its own geographical neighborhood or more broadly. Several obstacles to a more prominent profile for Russia in peace operations are noted in this study; the uncertain future of Russian civil-military relations; and the rundown of Russia's conventional military capabilities that leaves Russia with an unhealthy nuclear dependency. -from Author