GRACHEV: ARMY SHOULD BECOME ARMS MERCHANT.

The Russian defense minister has asked the government to allow the army to take over arms sales abroad, Interfax reported May 4. In the wake of the scandals at Russia’s current arms sales agency, Rosvooruzheniye, such a proposal may garner some support. But it is far from a sure thing. Such an arrangement would yield enormous power and potentially wealth to the military hierarchy and could thus make them even less willing to obey the civilian leadership.

Russian Coal Industry to Decline Further.