Does The Russian Military Lack Direction?

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu provided details of Russia's latest snap exercise at the National Defence Control Centre in Moscow on 16 March Source: Russian MoD

Alexander Golts, Moscow Times: Russia's Military Lacks Direction

Once again, our national leader Vladimir Putin has personally ensured the defense and security of Russia. However, first things first. When I initially learned that the so-called "international conference" that the Defense Ministry had taken months to prepare would fall on the same date as Putin's live call-in television show with the Russian people, I even felt some sympathy for military commanders. It was obvious that the call-in show would completely eclipse the military conference.

I could only guess as to the reason for the scheduling snafu. Had the authorities lost all ability to plan properly, or was it an attempt by Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu to show everyone how highly he ranks in Putin's power vertical?

WNU Editor: The perception among many in the West is that Putin, the Russian government, the military, etc .... they all know what they are doing, and they have defined goals and objectives. My perception is different .... Putin, the Russian government, and the Russian military are more acting in reaction to events rather than implementing some grand plan or policy .... and this confusion within the Russian military on what is their direction is a symptom of that. But this should not surprise anyone .... the debate on what is the direction of the Russian military is the same debate that almost all governments around the world are having every day .... i.e. what is the purpose of their military, how much to spend, and how do they fit in a country's national policy agenda. Case in point .... I am still trying to figure out what is the U.S. military's direction.