Putin signs new military doctrine naming NATO as Russia's top threat

Putin signs new military doctrine naming NATO as Russia's top threat
(Image credit: Ramil Sitdikov/Host Photo Agency via Getty Images)

Saying increasing NATO forces near Russia's borders could be used for "political and military pressure," President Vladimir Putin signed a new military doctrine on Friday that names NATO as the country's top military threat. The doctrine points to "a buildup of NATO military potential and its empowerment with global functions implemented in violation of international law," as cause for concern, The Associated Press reports.

And unlike a 2010 version of Russia's military doctrine, the new document gives Moscow room to use precision conventional weapons "as part of strategic deterrent measures," although it does not outline exactly how or when the Kremlin would be able to resort to such actions.

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Sarah Eberspacher

Sarah Eberspacher is an associate editor at TheWeek.com. She has previously worked as a sports reporter at The Livingston County Daily Press & Argus and The Arizona Republic. She graduated from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism.