A political scientist pointed to the strengthening of military forces of the CIS countries in recent years

The military forces of the CIS countries have undergone significant changes over the past 20 years, transforming from the legacy of the Soviet past into modern structures capable of countering external threats. The modern military power of the region, thanks primarily to Russia, attracts the attention of the entire world, including the West. This was stated by Enes Karakhanov, chairman of the International Center for Combating Crime and Terrorism and international political scientist, in a conversation with Izvestia on December 16.

Russia is undoubtedly the locomotive of the CIS military progress, he emphasized. The Russian army not only remains one of the strongest in the world, but also serves as a backbone for military cooperation within the CIS. An important role is played by the development of integration structures, in particular, the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), which unites the efforts of a number of CIS countries to jointly counter challenges, including threats from the West, the expert added.

Belarus, as Russia's closest military ally, has also made significant steps to strengthen its armed forces. The republic has actively integrated its air defense systems with Russia's, which now makes it possible to close the airspace of the Union State, Karakhanov pointed out.

Kazakhstan, for its part, is the leader in Central Asia in terms of military power, Karakhanov said. Its strategic cooperation with Russia, the expert noted, includes regular arms deliveries, modernization of military infrastructure and participation in joint exercises.

Thus, unlike in the early 2000s, when the US tried to strengthen its military influence in a number of CIS countries through economic and military programs, today the situation has changed, the political analyst summarized.

"Western attempts to offer air defense systems or military equipment to the countries of the region often fail because of Russia's dominant influence and the lack of real guarantees from the US. For example, despite US attempts to offer its air defense systems to some CIS countries, the projects were either not implemented or remained at the level of statements," he explained.

In addition, he emphasized that the current strength of the armies of the CIS countries not only demonstrates their ability to defend their sovereignty, but also demonstrates their successful resistance to external pressure. Interaction with Russia remains a key factor ensuring regional stability and strengthening the defense potential of the CIS countries. The West, despite its economic and political leverage, is forced to take this military unity into account, Karakhanov concluded.

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Earlier, on November 7, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in an address to the participants of the 12th meeting of secretaries of security councils of the CIS member states that the situation in the world is far from stable, it is important for the Commonwealth countries to use the analytical and forecasting potential of their agencies to identify threats.

Then, on November 26, Director of the Russian Federal Security Service Alexander Bortnikov said that the world is moving towards the creation of a new system of international security with the participation of countries of the Global South and East, which contradicts the position of the collective West.