MOSCOW, March 17, SPA -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev says thecountry's armed forces need to be modernized to respond tointernational terrorism and NATO expansion. Medvedev, meeting with top Defense Ministry officials onTuesday, says a modern military «is a guarantee of ourprotection from any potential threat or attempts to putpressure on our nation.» Russia has nearly quadrupled its defense spending inrecent years, aiming to resuscitate the military forces, the Associated Press reported.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/645221