This monograph investigates the structural shifts and strategic motivations governing Russian arms trade policies following the collapse of the Soviet Union. The author, Ian Anthony, compiles research from a diverse cohort of Russian government officials, industry leaders, and academic experts to analyze how domestic instability and changing international norms influenced post-Soviet military exports. The text provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the intersection of state-level political objectives and the economic imperatives of the Russian defense industrial base.

Experts recognize this monograph as a foundational resource for understanding the transition of the Russian defense sector during the 1990s. Readers frequently note the technical density of the prose and the value of including primary perspectives from Russian contributors.