U.S. Strategic Competition with Russia

Abstract

This research primer presents key findings and themes from recent RAND research on the strategic competition between Russia and the United States. This review of RAND reports since 2015 highlights nine major findings: (1) The U.S.-Russia strategic competition likely will belong-lasting; (2) states in between Russia and NATO are at the center of this competition; (3) conventional war is unlikely (but the United States should still prepare for it); (4) Russian hostile actions below the threshold of war will likely continue; (5) Russias achievements in this competition are limited so far; (6) the United States could diminish its advantage by implementing the wrong policies; (7) engagement remains possible and desirable with Russia; (8) the United States can help its allies and partners address gray zone threats; and (9) these allies and partners can help the United States prevail in the competition. The findings and themes suggest several topics for further research, such as conditions within the in-between countries; Baltic states military and civilian capability gaps; deterrence impacts, improvements, and exercises; the military, political, social, and economic vulnerabilities of U.S. allies and partners; and the fault lines between U.S. adversariesfor instance, between Russia and China.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 28, 2022
Accession Number
AD1158239

Entities

People

  • Stephanie Pezard

Organizations

  • RAND Corporation

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • C4I
  • Cyber
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Engineered Resilient Systems
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Contingency Operations (Military)
  • Eastern Europe
  • Governments
  • Gray Zone
  • Hybrid Warfare
  • Information Operations
  • Interagency Coordination
  • Intergovernmental Organizations
  • International Organizations
  • International Relations
  • Military Organizations
  • National Politics
  • National Security
  • Treaties
  • Unified Combatant Commands
  • Warfare

Fields of Study

  • Political science

Readers

  • Strategic Security Studies