Committee on Armed Services House of Rep

Understanding and Deterring Russia Committee on Armed Services House of Rep

Russia has consolidated its gains in Ukraine, has intervened in Syria, and has continued to take unprecedented provocative actions against North Atlantic Treaty Organization's (NATO) ships and planes. In many ways Russia presents unique challenges, as it has the only nuclear arsenal, which it continues to modernize, that is comparable to that of the United States; other countries are also going to school on the tactics Putin is using in Ukraine, Syria, and elsewhere. We can expect to see more of their tactics employed in other places by other actors. We need to understand the challenges presented by Russia, the only nation that continues to pose an existential threat to the United States, and we need to prepare for the wide spectrum of national security challenges posed by Russia and by others. Russian nationalism has fueled a foreign policy marked by territorial aggression and expeditionary military activities. They have used enhanced capabilities and hybrid warfare techniques that have been instrumental in these endeavors. These developments are further compounded by Russia's noncompliance with the Intermediate [Range] Nuclear Forces Treaty and its energetic policy of discrediting the United States, NATO, and the European Union. Clearly the United States must take a lead role in deterring Russia. While we do not desire conflict of any kind with Russia, we must remain objective and clear-eyed about Russian intent and we must be ready to contend with Russia from a position of strength and in concert with our allies and partners in the international community should it become necessary.