Now, when NATO is the only military alliance in Europe, certain provisions of the CFE Treaty have become obsolete and have to be adjusted to the new political realities. In Russia, a particular concern is caused by the flank limitations which were established by the CFE Treaty during the existence of two antagonistic alliances and which today discriminate against Russia. In the future, the most probable threat to Russian security may come from its southern neighbors. Similar conflicts could break out almost everywhere along the Russian and CIS southern borders. One cannot rule out the emergence of hotbeds of tensions in the Far East.
Japan has territorial claims to Russia.
Today Japan's armed forces do not present a threat to Russia, but one can hardly doubt Japan's economic capability to insure their rapid growth. Important is the developing relationship with China - Russia shares a long border with this country and has a number of territorial disputes around the Baikal area and in the Primorsky Kray. China also has problems in its relations with Russia's CIS allies, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. China's rapidly growing economy and military power will lead to its becoming one of the most influential centers of power in the 21st century. One should also keep in mind the growth of China's nuclear potential - its size, combat characteristics and deployment present a much greater threat for Russia than for the United States.