VOA慢速英语2015 俄罗斯自认面临北约和美国的威胁

 

AS IT IS 2015-01-08 Russia Sees Major Threats from NATO, US 俄罗斯自认面临北约和美国的威胁

Russia is changing the way it deals with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, also known as NATO. Last month, Russian President Vladimir Putin approved a new military doctrine¹ -- a statement of government policy. The doctrine is said to answer the threat Russia says has resulted from NATO’s expansion and military buildup at its border.

NATO has strengthened its military force in Eastern Europe over the past year because of Russia’s support for rebels in eastern Ukraine.

Russia says this increased activity in and near Eastern Europe is, in its words, a “violation of international law.”

People who have seen the wording of the new doctrine say it appears to deal with the United States. The doctrine criticizes what it calls “acts contrary to international law aimed against the sovereignty, political independence and territorial² integrity of states.” It says these are threats to “international peace, security, global and regional stability.” 

The document also criticizes the West’s new anti-ballistic missile systems. The United States and some of its allies have expanded anti-missile systems in recent years. Russia has opposed the expansion. It says the missile systems weaken international security and affect the nuclear balance of power.

NATO’s reaction

A NATO official told VOA that the alliance is not a threat to Russia or any nation. The official said any moves by NATO to protect its members are clearly defensive³ and do not violate international law. The official said Russia is violating international law and weakening European security with its decision to support anti-government forces in Ukraine.

The official said NATO wants a good relationship with Russia. But the official said that is only possible if Russia obeys international law -- “including the right of nations to choose their future freely.”

Isolated⁵ Russia a threat to Baltic states

Karl Altau is the managing director of the Joint⁶ Baltic American National Committee. He says the new doctrine is more evidence that President Putin is seeking to gain a stronger hold on power in Russia. Mr. Altau says the doctrine will isolate⁴, or separate, Mr. Putin and his government from other countries. He says the statement and Mr. Putin’s threats against countries he considers enemies are designed to intimidate⁷ or frighten Western nations and pressure them not to take action. Mr. Altau also says the doctrine is designed to increase the support of the Russian people for their country. He says Mr. Putin’s government has been directing propaganda towards the Russian people.

Mr. Altau says the new doctrine is dangerous for its neighbors, including the Baltic countries. He says the Baltics and other European countries, were “absolutely correct” in believing that Russia would work hard to become powerful after the collapse⁸ of the Soviet⁹ Union.

Mr. Altau says Mr. Putin’s aggressive military moves affect not just Europe. He notes that for months, Russia has sent military airplanes on training exercises thousands of kilometers from their home bases. He says Russia is now more willing to consider using nuclear weapons either in answer to an attack or as an aggressive move. He says that is extremely dangerous.

Political rights in Russia

Eric Shiraev teaches international relations and political psychology¹⁰ at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. Professor Shiraev has written about relations between Russia and the United States. He says Russia has spent almost three years preparing the new military doctrine. But he says not much of it is new. He says it claims there is a reduced threat of nuclear war, but adds that Russia faces increased threats from other conflicts.

Professor Shiraev says strong governments are supposed to write military doctrines¹¹. But he says it would be very difficult for Russia to enact¹² the new doctrine.

He says the document suggests there are threats to the Russian government from within the country. He says some officials will use the new doctrine as a reason to further limit political rights in Russia.

Timing¹³ of the new doctrine

Longtime observers of Russia are noting the importance of the decision to release the doctrine now. The release came almost a year after conflict began in eastern Ukraine. The unrest followed protests in the capital, Kiev. The demonstration¹⁴ forced Ukraine’s president into exile in Russia. Since then, Russia has taken control of the Crimean peninsula. And Russian-supported rebels have clashed with government troops in eastern Ukraine.

Last month, the pro-Western parliament in Ukraine approved a law that ended the country’s policy of neutrality. Some Ukrainians hope this will lead to European Union and NATO membership for the country.

Russia quickly reacted to the vote. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the move was, in his words, “counterproductive.”

NATO has increased its military presence in Eastern Europe over the past year because of Russia’s support for rebels in eastern Ukraine. The Russian government continues to deny it supports the rebels.

Words in this Story

doctrine – n. a statement of government policy, especially in international relations

buildup – n. an increase in something that occurs as time passes

sovereignty – n. a country's right to govern itself

territorial integrity – n. the principle under international law that nation-states should not attempt to support secessionist movements or border changes in other nation-states.

isolate – v. to put or keep (someone or something) in a place or situation that is separate from others

intimidate – v. to make someone afraid; to threaten

counterproductive – adj. not helpful; making the thing you want to happen less likely to happen

1 doctrine   

n.教义；主义；学说

参考例句：

• He was impelled to proclaim his doctrine.他不得不宣扬他的教义。
• The council met to consider changes to doctrine.宗教议会开会考虑更改教义。

2 territorial   

adj.领土的，领地的

参考例句：

• The country is fighting to preserve its territorial integrity.该国在为保持领土的完整而进行斗争。
• They were not allowed to fish in our territorial waters.不允许他们在我国领海捕鱼。

3 defensive   

adj.防御的；防卫的；防守的

参考例句：

• Their questions about the money put her on the defensive.他们问到钱的问题，使她警觉起来。
• The Government hastily organized defensive measures against the raids.政府急忙布置了防卫措施抵御空袭。

4 isolate   

vt.使孤立，隔离

参考例句：

• Do not isolate yourself from others.不要把自己孤立起来。
• We should never isolate ourselves from the masses.我们永远不能脱离群众。

5 isolated   

adj.与世隔绝的

参考例句：

• His bad behaviour was just an isolated incident. 他的不良行为只是个别事件。
• Patients with the disease should be isolated. 这种病的患者应予以隔离。

6 joint   

adj.联合的，共同的；n.关节，接合处；v.连接，贴合

参考例句：

• I had a bad fall,which put my shoulder out of joint.我重重地摔了一跤，肩膀脫臼了。
• We wrote a letter in joint names.我们联名写了封信。

7 intimidate   

vt.恐吓，威胁

参考例句：

• You think you can intimidate people into doing what you want?你以为你可以威胁别人做任何事？
• The first strike capacity is intended mainly to intimidate adversary.第一次攻击的武力主要是用来吓阻敌方的。

8 collapse   

vi.累倒；昏倒；倒塌；塌陷

参考例句：

• The country's economy is on the verge of collapse.国家的经济已到了崩溃的边缘。
• The engineer made a complete diagnosis of the bridge's collapse.工程师对桥的倒塌做了一次彻底的调查分析。

9 Soviet   

adj.苏联的，苏维埃的；n.苏维埃

参考例句：

• Zhukov was a marshal of the former Soviet Union.朱可夫是前苏联的一位元帅。
• Germany began to attack the Soviet Union in 1941.德国在1941年开始进攻苏联。

10 psychology   

n.心理，心理学，心理状态

参考例句：

• She has a background in child psychology.她受过儿童心理学的教育。
• He studied philosophy and psychology at Cambridge.他在剑桥大学学习哲学和心理学。

11 doctrines   

n.教条( doctrine的名词复数 )；教义；学说；（政府政策的）正式声明

参考例句：

• To modern eyes, such doctrines appear harsh, even cruel. 从现代的角度看，这样的教义显得苛刻，甚至残酷。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• His doctrines have seduced many into error. 他的学说把许多人诱入歧途。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

12 enact   

vt.制定(法律)；上演，扮演

参考例句：

• The U.S. Congress has exclusive authority to enact federal legislation.美国国会是唯一有权颁布联邦法律的。
• For example,a country can enact laws and economic policies to attract foreign investment fairly quickly.例如一个国家可以很快颁布吸引外资的法令和经济政策。

13 timing   

n.时间安排，时间选择

参考例句：

• The timing of the meeting is not convenient.会议的时间安排不合适。
• The timing of our statement is very opportune.我们发表声明选择的时机很恰当。

14 demonstration   

n.表明，示范，论证，示威

参考例句：

• His new book is a demonstration of his patriotism.他写的新书是他的爱国精神的证明。
• He gave a demonstration of the new technique then and there.他当场表演了这种新的操作方法。