Past, Present, and Future of Russian Operations and Force Structure

Abstract: This presentation draws on several years of research into Russian force structure and operational concept development to project where the Russian military may be headed over the next ten years. Key themes include the character of modern warfare, Russian force structure decisions, and the impact of the Ukraine war. The presentation will also pose questions about the future of NATO deterrence toward Russia.

Clint Reach is an international defense researcher at RAND. He graduated from Kansas State University with a Bachelor's degree in Management Information Systems and a Master's degree in Political Science. He also holds a Master's degree in Russian and Eurasian studies from Johns Hopkins SAIS. Reach served for nine years in the U.S. Navy as a Russian linguist in various positions in the Department of Defense. During his time in the Navy, he participated in New Start Treaty inspections, deployed to Baghdad to provide intelligence support to the Army during the Iraqi "Surge," and was sent to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to defuse a situation involving a Russian-speaking detainee. In 2014, Reach received the Navy Language Professional of the Year award. Prior to joining RAND in 2015, Reach worked for a short time at the Office of the Secretary of Defense for Policy – Russia, Ukraine, and Eurasia.