To help readers understand the current state of this crucially important country, "Global Security Watch Russia: A Reference Handbook" provides a comprehensive overview of the main foreign and defense policies of the Russian Federation. "Global Security Watch Russia" focuses on political-military developments in the nation that emerged in the aftermath of the Soviet Union's collapse in December 1991. The book looks at a variety of factors that characterize Russia's position in world security matters, such as its leading position as an arms exporter and its still-overwhelming nuclear capability. Coverage includes critical recent events, such as the growing alienation between Russia and the West, the August 2008 Georgian War, and the effects of the global financial crisis on Russia's vulnerable economy."