The Ethnic Factor in the Soviet Armed Forces The Muslim Dimension

This report examines the Muslim dimension of the ongoing ethno- national ferment affecting the Soviet armed forces. In particular, it analyzes the impact of the rapidly increasing Muslim cohort on the cohesion of the Soviet military by focusing on factors affecting the ability and reliability of Muslim servicemen today. Problems such as language deficiencies, trainability, and socialization are discussed in detail, as are efforts by the military leadership to ameliorate them. The report also critiques some earlier Western methodologies dealing with the subject and addresses the likely implications of the ethnic ferment for armed forces reform. The report is based on information available as of May 1990.