Russia and the Arms Trade

Ian Anthony (ed.), Russia and the Arms Trade. Oxford, Oxford University Press and Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, 1998, xiv + 304 pp., 35.00.

THIS VOLUME IS IN THE BEST TRADITION of SIPRI publications: well written, thoroughly researched and edited, and providing a wealth of detailed information on a topic of contemporary concern. Ian Anthony, the Leader of SIPRI's Arms Transfer Project, contributes four of the 12 chapters. The other contributions come from Russian experts, both from universities and government institutions. A comprehensive appendix provides translations of 29 key conventional arms export regulations issued by the Russian government between 1992 and 1997.

Kirshin provides an account of the role of conventional arms transfers during the Soviet period, emphasising the dominant role played by political factors. Subsequent chapters focus on the period after 1991, detailing both the collapse of the Soviet control system and the subsequent evolution of Russian government policy. Denezhkina's excellent chapter, based on a series of company case studies, argues that the government has failed to develop consistent and effective policies for the defence...