Was Russia Nuclear The Russian leadership has taken a detailed, frank and open look at the internal problems facing the nation - economic disintegration, social inequalities and the devaluing of spiritual values.

Its new document on national security says the country is threatened by a creeping criminalisation of society that has to be tackled politically as well as legally.

And it makes clear that the poor state of the economy is threatening Russia's efforts to remain a great power.

The document also places a greater reliance on nuclear weapons.

Previously, Russia had said it would only resort to them if its very existence was threatened.

Now it envisages a nuclear response if all other means of repulsing armed aggression fail.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service