Mongolia in Perspective

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Chapter 5: Assessment

1. The Mongolian Air Force, while small, has served in several combat operations in
   Iraq and Afghanistan.

FALSE

The Mongolian Air Force is very small and has no combat capability. The few
aircraft in service primarily fulfill transport duties.

2. For nearly 70 years following Mongolian independence in 1921, the Soviet Union
   dominated Mongolia’s security relations.

TRUE

Between 1921 and the fall of the Soviet Union in the early1990s, Mongolia’s security
concerns and needs were strongly tied to and supported by Moscow. The Soviets
supplied all military training and equipment for the Mongolian People’s Army. Soviet
troops were also stationed in Mongolia from the 1960s until the early 1990s.

3. While much of Mongolia’s trade is now with China, the nation still relies on
   Russia for energy imports.

TRUE

Mongolia remains very dependent on Russia for its energy needs. Imports from
Russia provide roughly 95% of Mongolia’s petroleum products, and the Russian
electricity exporter, Inter RAO, generates about 8% of the power consumed in
Mongolia.

4. Ultra-nationalist groups in Mongolia have emerged in recent years, embracing
   fiery anti-Russian positions resulting from Cold War-era domination.

FALSE

A potential irritant in Mongolian-Chinese relations is the development of a small but
not insignificant ultra-nationalist movement in Mongolia. This fringe movement
embraces Nazi-era iconography and espouses extreme anti-Chinese rhetoric.

5. The activities of several active organized crime groups in Mongolia are a serious
   source of concern for the government.

FALSE

The Mongolian National Police report that no organized criminal gangs are known to
be carrying out operations within the country.