Russia: Using CSTO to Claim Influence in the FSU

Once a loosely organized military alliance of former Soviet states, the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) could be transformed into more of a NATO-like alliance, complete with U.N. peacekeeping responsibilities. As the dominant member of the alliance, Russia recently announced plans to form a CSTO rapid-reaction force, which could be positioned to remind NATO of Russia's renewed strength and the challenges involved in defending the Baltic states.