Although Russian leaders regularly deny it, the scope of Russian sales of dual-use and conventional technology and weapons indicates that Russia, as a matter of policy, is proliferating weapons of mass destruction (WMD). Such proliferation need not entail the shipment of actual warheads, but it does mean sales or transfers of rocket stages, missiles, launch support technology, long-range missiles disguised as space-launch vehicles, and MIRV (multiple independent reentry vehicle) technology. Russia repeatedly violates its arms control and proliferation agreements, and the situation could quickly worsen as criminal organizations, officials, and maverick individuals have numerous opportunities to export these systems. Indeed, the supply and demand factors of this illicit commerce still appear in the Russian government’s policy documents.

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