Opinion | Editorials
More missiles will not endear Putin to voters
Russian prime minister needs to invest in social and economic development
- Gulf News Editorial
- Published: 00:00 February 22, 2012
There is little cause for immediate concern about Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's plans for an "unprecedented" boost to the country's military over the next 10 years.
Putin said $773 billion has been earmarked to provide the military with intercontinental ballistic missiles, nuclear-armed submarines, warplanes and missile defence systems. There is little doubt that the announcement is simply a controversial and very expensive effort to boost his popularity among nationalists ahead of a presidential election, early next month — rather than an attempt to revive the Cold War.
Russia has legitimate security concerns and has every right to boost its military and defence capabilities. There are domestic and regional threats and other global military powers, like the US and China, continue to spend huge amounts on maintaining and expanding their armed forces. However, the move to modernise the Russian military must be carried out within the framework of international efforts to reduce nuclear weapons, end armed conflict and build international peace and security.
The reality is that Russia has much more pressing problems. It desperately needs to invest in social and economic development projects which should be more on a priority than an expensive weapons acquisition programme. Its wealth and economic health and stability are dependent on the export of oil and gas for high prices.
An inefficient bureaucracy and debilitating corruption, among others, are smothering efforts to introduce an effective free market and expand and diversify the economy. And Russia is struggling to complete its transition to a modern democracy, in part because of Putin's efforts to remain in power.
If he really wants to create jobs and build a better future for the people of Russia, then these are the challenges against which Putin must arm the country. He is better off winning the votes with bread and butter than threats and guns.
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