The warrior who would rule Russia

Library Journal

Chapters analyze Lebed's thoughts on foreign relations, security issues, domestic social questions, role of the military....of interest to specialized collections.

Library Journal

Aleksandr Lebed served in the Soviet army for 20 years, including tours in Afghanistan and Moldova. He exhibited an independent nature before a 1995 reorganization of the military caused him to return to civilian life and enter politics. Lebed's frequent appearances in the Western news media, as a Russian presidential candidate in the summer of 1996 and as negotiator in Chechnya have sparked interest in his background. This study, commissioned by the Air Force, was written by a Rand Corporation staff analyst; it is based on both Western news accounts and Russian military journals. In addition to the biographical facts, chapters analyze Lebed's thoughts on foreign relations, security issues, domestic social questions, the proper role of the military, and his likely agenda should he reach elective office. The final chapter, on Lebed's near-term prospects, is out of date following his October 1996 dismissal and Boris Yeltsin's heart surgery, but the rest will still be of interest to specialized collections.-Marcia L. Sprules, Council on Foreign Relations Lib., New York