I've noted that one key to success in the kind of unsettled environment I see ahead is to follow the boy scout motto: assume the worst, hope for the best, and be prepared for whatever happens. In the case of Russia's recent policy shift allowing for nuclear first strikes, as well as the nation's efforts to gear up for the kinds of cross-border "interactions" the world has not seen in quite some time, as detailed by Press TV in "Russia 'Needs to Be' Ready for 'Large-Scale Conflicts,'" it would seem they they have decided that two out of three -- that is, the assuming and preparing parts -- is good enough:
Secretary of Russia's National Security Council Nikolai Patrushev says the country should be ready for "large-scale conflicts".
"In 1993, we said that military conflicts have been ruled out, but life has shown this is not the case," AFP quoted Patrushev, as saying on Thursday.
"There have been regional and local conflicts, and we cannot rule out large-scale conflicts and we need to be ready for this," he added.
Patrushev made the comments while discussing a new version of Russia's military doctrine, which officials have been drafting in recent months.
Last week, Patrushev said the new doctrine would allow Russia to carry out a "preventative" nuclear strike against would-be aggressors.
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