Russia: August 17, 2000

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There is a turf war going on in the Soviet Armed Forces. The Strategic Rocket Forces want to remain independent, but as this force grows steadily smaller due to treaties and budget cuts, this becomes harder to do. The Russian Air Force wants to absorb the Strategic Rocket Force to improve efficiency. The debate grew so heated the President Putin had to step in and order a special panel to recommend if the Strategic Rocket Force should be maintained, reduced to an Arm (such as the Airborne Troops) under central command, or integrated into the Air Force.--Stephen V Cole