Posted: 12/16/2014 2:31:08 AM EDT
|
Summer 2008 Russia Invades Georgia while the Olympics are going on in China. Will historians look back and set that as the first major milestone of the Second Cold War? Relations between the West and Russia are not looking too good.  Russia is in the middle of nuclear modernization with fewer missile but more warheads. Moar MIRVs. New missile boats too  Russia has been stepping up its saber rattling with a noticeable increase in Nuclear bomber patrols in North American Air Defense Zones and across Europe. Russia has show aggression in capturing Sevastopol and accidentally downing a civilian aircraft by proxy. The United States is also modernizing its nuclear weapons. The Congress just authorized lethal aid to Ukraine and is further implementing economic sanctions against Russia. Add in the Global price of oil dropping Russia's economy is really hurting. Russia is pissed over the aid and sanctions http://news.yahoo.com/ukraine-cheers-us-vote-military-aid-russia-outraged-205849643.html NATO is now including Poland in Nuclear strikes exercises. http://www.defence24.com/news_polish-f-16-take-part-in-steadfast-noon-nato-nuclear-exercise NATO relations with Turkey are strained. The US/NATO is probably going to remove its nuclear weapons from Turkey soon. Turkey won't even let the US fly strike missions from their bases there currently. Gorbachev himself says we're at the dawn of a new cold war. http://www.foxnews.com/world/2014/11/09/gorbachev-warns-new-cold-war-at-ceremony-marking-berlin-wall-fall/ EDIT: Russian Ruble Plummets http://money.cnn.com/2014/12/15/investing/russia-ruble-economy-crash/  Russian Wheat Harvest http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-10-24/russian-wheat-harvest-seen-slumping-below-50-million-tons.html (Insert Red Dawn reference here) What say ye GD? |
|
Russia end US Nuclear Security Alliance after 20 years "Russians informed the Americans that they were refusing any more US help protecting their largest stockpiles of weapons-grade uranium and plutonium from being stolen or sold on the black market. The declaration effectively ended one of the most successful areas of cooperation between the former Cold War adversaries." Japan scrambling jets at record pace "At the current pace, scrambles for the year to March 31 would exceed the 944 encounters logged 30 years ago at the height of the Cold War." Russia And Iran Just Got Even Closer "In Tehran on Tuesday, Russian defense minister Sergei Shoigu and his Iranian counterpart, defense minister Hossein Dehghan, signed an agreement on "military cooperation" between the two countries"  Russian Troops yet again joining separatists in Ukraine |
Russian Troops and Armor inside Ukraine  Putin: Ukraine's Army Is A NATO Proxy Aimed At 'Containing Russia' Russian Spy caught by FBI living in the Bronx S&P Cuts Russia's Rating to Junk; Sanctions and Oil Slump Hammer Ruble |
|
Quoted: Well what happens when you back a bear into a corner? Too bad the Russian bear lost it's teeth and claws in the first cold war. If you don't watch the whole thing just skip to skip to 51:00 min
|
|
Quoted: Our own government is a bigger threat to us than the Russians. I expect some sort of reaction out of Putin. I just don't know what that might be. It seems he wants the distraction of a second cold war because he has made plenty of steps to solidify that outcome. Renewed relations with North Korea. |
|
Quoted:
Well what happens when you back a bear into a corner? Too bad the Russian bear lost it's teeth and claws in the first cold war. You must have read that on the internet,huh? Russia was never backed into a corner,that's a load of shit. All that happened is that Putin became flush with oil money and used it to fuel his delusions of grandeur. Too bad for Vlad but oil tanked right when he thought he was getting things rolling his way. Bush,absolute simpleton that he was,had this incredibly juvenile belief that Putin was a fellow Christian with a Muslim problem and therefore an ally. Obama,clueless moron that he is,thought that Russia just needed to be better understood in that touchy-feely sort of way. In order for an authoritarian regime to remain in power,it needs to portray itself as defender of the people against enemies. Putin has effectively squashed opposition at home so he must blame Europe and the US for his problems. What you don't understand is that Putin WANTS you to be his enemy and in fact needs it to maintain his validity. He damn sure can't point to his economic prowess and expansion of freedoms as reasons to lead. |
|
Russia couldn't project a wet fart, yet alone engage in a ground war against any competent military.
Russia has a couple of months at best before their economy is completely ruined for the next couple of decades. Their only card is a bunch of aging nukes. The next majot conflict won't be between the US and Russia. It will be between China and Russia as China makes a northern land grab when Russia is incredibly weak. |
|
Quoted: You must have read that on the internet,huh? Russia was never backed into a corner,that's a load of shit. All that happened is that Putin became flush with oil money and used it to fuel his delusions of grandeur. Too bad for Vlad but oil tanked right when he thought he was getting things rolling his way. Bush,absolute simpleton that he was,had this incredibly juvenile belief that Putin was a fellow Christian with a Muslim problem and therefore an ally. Obama,clueless moron that he is,thought that Russia just needed to be better understood in that touchy-feely sort of way. In order for an authoritarian regime to remain in power,it needs to portray itself as defender of the people against enemies. Putin has effectively squashed opposition at home so he must blame Europe and the US for his problems. What you don't understand is that Putin WANTS you to be his enemy and in fact needs it to maintain his validity. He damn sure can't point to his economic prowess and expansion of freedoms as reasons to lead. Quoted: Quoted: Well what happens when you back a bear into a corner? Too bad the Russian bear lost it's teeth and claws in the first cold war. You must have read that on the internet,huh? Russia was never backed into a corner,that's a load of shit. All that happened is that Putin became flush with oil money and used it to fuel his delusions of grandeur. Too bad for Vlad but oil tanked right when he thought he was getting things rolling his way. Bush,absolute simpleton that he was,had this incredibly juvenile belief that Putin was a fellow Christian with a Muslim problem and therefore an ally. Obama,clueless moron that he is,thought that Russia just needed to be better understood in that touchy-feely sort of way. In order for an authoritarian regime to remain in power,it needs to portray itself as defender of the people against enemies. Putin has effectively squashed opposition at home so he must blame Europe and the US for his problems. What you don't understand is that Putin WANTS you to be his enemy and in fact needs it to maintain his validity. He damn sure can't point to his economic prowess and expansion of freedoms as reasons to lead. |
|
Quoted: Russia couldn't project a wet fart, yet alone engage in a ground war against any competent military. Russia has a couple of months at best before their economy is completely ruined for the next couple of decades. Their only card is a bunch of aging nukes. The next majot conflict won't be between the US and Russia. It will be between China and Russia as China makes a northern land grab when Russia is incredibly weak. Russia seems to be capable of projecting force in their former sphere of influence. We expect Russia’s military modernization will lead to a more agile and compact force capable of more modern forms of warfare. A future force will be smaller, but more capable of handling a range of contingencies on Russia’s periphery. We expect continued effort on improvement of joint operations capabilities and rearmament because of the high priority Russian leadership places on these portfolios. The general purpose forces will continue to acquire new equipment in the near- term, but deliveries will be small and largely consist of modernized Soviet-era weapons. Russia also has purchased select foreign systems, such as France's Mistral amphibious assault ship, unmannedaerial vehicles from Israel, and Italian light armored vehicles. The first Mistral, purchased from France, was launched in France on 15 October 2013. Russia will continue to maintain a robust and capable arsenal of strategic and nonstrategic nuclear weapons for the foreseeable future. To support this policy, the Russian government is making strong investments in its nuclear weapon programs. Priorities for the strategic nuclear forces include force modernization and command and control facilities upgrades. Russia will field more road-mobile SS-27 Mod-2 ICBMs with multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles. It also will continue development of the RS-26 intercontinental ballistic missile, the Dolgorukiy ballistic missile submarine and SS-NX-32 Bulava submarine-launched ballistic missile, and next-generation cruise missiles. |
|
Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Russia couldn't project a wet fart, yet alone engage in a ground war against any competent military. Russia has a couple of months at best before their economy is completely ruined for the next couple of decades. Their only card is a bunch of aging nukes. The next majot conflict won't be between the US and Russia. It will be between China and Russia as China makes a northern land grab when Russia is incredibly weak. Russia seems to be capable of projecting force in their former sphere of influence. We expect Russia’s military modernization will lead to a more agile and compact force capable ofmore modern forms of warfare. A future force will be smaller, but more capable of handling a rangeof contingencies on Russia’s periphery. We expect continued effort on improvement of jointoperations capabilities and rearmament because of the high priority Russian leadership places onthese portfolios. The general purpose forces will continue to acquire new equipment in the near-term, but deliveries will be small and largely consist of modernized Soviet-era weapons. Russia alsohas purchased select foreign systems, such as France's Mistral amphibious assault ship, unmannedaerial vehicles from Israel, and Italian light armored vehicles. The first Mistral, purchased from France,was launched in France on 15 October 2013. Russia will continue to maintain a robust and capable arsenal of strategic and nonstrategic nuclearweapons for the foreseeable future. To support this policy, the Russian government is making stronginvestments in its nuclear weapon programs. Priorities for the strategic nuclear forces include forcemodernization and command and control facilities upgrades. Russia will field more road-mobile SS-27Mod-2 ICBMs with multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles. It also will continuedevelopment of the RS-26 intercontinental ballistic missile, the Dolgorukiy ballistic missile submarineand SS-NX-32 Bulava submarine-launched ballistic missile, and next-generation cruise missiles. |
|
Quoted: Russia seems to be capable of projecting force in their former sphere of influence. Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Russia couldn't project a wet fart, yet alone engage in a ground war against any competent military. Russia has a couple of months at best before their economy is completely ruined for the next couple of decades. Their only card is a bunch of aging nukes. The next majot conflict won't be between the US and Russia. It will be between China and Russia as China makes a northern land grab when Russia is incredibly weak. Russia seems to be capable of projecting force in their former sphere of influence. We expect Russia’s military modernization will lead to a more agile and compact force capable ofmore modern forms of warfare. A future force will be smaller, but more capable of handling a rangeof contingencies on Russia’s periphery. We expect continued effort on improvement of jointoperations capabilities and rearmament because of the high priority Russian leadership places onthese portfolios. The general purpose forces will continue to acquire new equipment in the near-term, but deliveries will be small and largely consist of modernized Soviet-era weapons. Russia alsohas purchased select foreign systems, such as France's Mistral amphibious assault ship, unmannedaerial vehicles from Israel, and Italian light armored vehicles. The first Mistral, purchased from France,was launched in France on 15 October 2013. Russia will continue to maintain a robust and capable arsenal of strategic and nonstrategic nuclearweapons for the foreseeable future. To support this policy, the Russian government is making stronginvestments in its nuclear weapon programs. Priorities for the strategic nuclear forces include forcemodernization and command and control facilities upgrades. Russia will field more road-mobile SS-27Mod-2 ICBMs with multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles. It also will continuedevelopment of the RS-26 intercontinental ballistic missile, the Dolgorukiy ballistic missile submarineand SS-NX-32 Bulava submarine-launched ballistic missile, and next-generation cruise missiles. |
|
Quoted: Quoted: More like in their neighboring countries I doubt they could actually take Poland. Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Russia couldn't project a wet fart, yet alone engage in a ground war against any competent military. Russia has a couple of months at best before their economy is completely ruined for the next couple of decades. Their only card is a bunch of aging nukes. The next majot conflict won't be between the US and Russia. It will be between China and Russia as China makes a northern land grab when Russia is incredibly weak. Russia seems to be capable of projecting force in their former sphere of influence. We expect Russia’s military modernization will lead to a more agile and compact force capable ofmore modern forms of warfare. A future force will be smaller, but more capable of handling a rangeof contingencies on Russia’s periphery. We expect continued effort on improvement of jointoperations capabilities and rearmament because of the high priority Russian leadership places onthese portfolios. The general purpose forces will continue to acquire new equipment in the near-term, but deliveries will be small and largely consist of modernized Soviet-era weapons. Russia alsohas purchased select foreign systems, such as France's Mistral amphibious assault ship, unmannedaerial vehicles from Israel, and Italian light armored vehicles. The first Mistral, purchased from France,was launched in France on 15 October 2013. Russia will continue to maintain a robust and capable arsenal of strategic and nonstrategic nuclearweapons for the foreseeable future. To support this policy, the Russian government is making stronginvestments in its nuclear weapon programs. Priorities for the strategic nuclear forces include forcemodernization and command and control facilities upgrades. Russia will field more road-mobile SS-27Mod-2 ICBMs with multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles. It also will continuedevelopment of the RS-26 intercontinental ballistic missile, the Dolgorukiy ballistic missile submarineand SS-NX-32 Bulava submarine-launched ballistic missile, and next-generation cruise missiles. |
|
Quoted:
Russia seems to be capable of projecting force in their former sphere of influence. We expect Russia’s military modernization will lead to a more agile and compact force capable ofmore modern forms of warfare. A future force will be smaller, but more capable of handling a rangeof contingencies on Russia’s periphery. We expect continued effort on improvement of jointoperations capabilities and rearmament because of the high priority Russian leadership places onthese portfolios. The general purpose forces will continue to acquire new equipment in the near-term, but deliveries will be small and largely consist of modernized Soviet-era weapons. Russia alsohas purchased select foreign systems, such as France's Mistral amphibious assault ship, unmannedaerial vehicles from Israel, and Italian light armored vehicles. The first Mistral, purchased from France,was launched in France on 15 October 2013. Russia will continue to maintain a robust and capable arsenal of strategic and nonstrategic nuclearweapons for the foreseeable future. To support this policy, the Russian government is making stronginvestments in its nuclear weapon programs. Priorities for the strategic nuclear forces include forcemodernization and command and control facilities upgrades. Russia will field more road-mobile SS-27Mod-2 ICBMs with multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles. It also will continuedevelopment of the RS-26 intercontinental ballistic missile, the Dolgorukiy ballistic missile submarineand SS-NX-32 Bulava submarine-launched ballistic missile, and next-generation cruise missiles. Quoted:
Quoted:
Russia couldn't project a wet fart, yet alone engage in a ground war against any competent military. Russia has a couple of months at best before their economy is completely ruined for the next couple of decades. Their only card is a bunch of aging nukes. The next majot conflict won't be between the US and Russia. It will be between China and Russia as China makes a northern land grab when Russia is incredibly weak. Russia seems to be capable of projecting force in their former sphere of influence. We expect Russia’s military modernization will lead to a more agile and compact force capable ofmore modern forms of warfare. A future force will be smaller, but more capable of handling a rangeof contingencies on Russia’s periphery. We expect continued effort on improvement of jointoperations capabilities and rearmament because of the high priority Russian leadership places onthese portfolios. The general purpose forces will continue to acquire new equipment in the near-term, but deliveries will be small and largely consist of modernized Soviet-era weapons. Russia alsohas purchased select foreign systems, such as France's Mistral amphibious assault ship, unmannedaerial vehicles from Israel, and Italian light armored vehicles. The first Mistral, purchased from France,was launched in France on 15 October 2013. Russia will continue to maintain a robust and capable arsenal of strategic and nonstrategic nuclearweapons for the foreseeable future. To support this policy, the Russian government is making stronginvestments in its nuclear weapon programs. Priorities for the strategic nuclear forces include forcemodernization and command and control facilities upgrades. Russia will field more road-mobile SS-27Mod-2 ICBMs with multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles. It also will continuedevelopment of the RS-26 intercontinental ballistic missile, the Dolgorukiy ballistic missile submarineand SS-NX-32 Bulava submarine-launched ballistic missile, and next-generation cruise missiles. Capable? They got their dick knocked in the dirt in Grozny, Georgia...fucking Georgia caused them a good number of casualties, and last The Ukraine isn't proving to be a cake walk and they are in areas with lots of pro Russian sympathizers. The only thing Russia is capable of is projecting it's force on tiny economies with feeble militaries. Bringing those countries into the fold only furthers Russia's economic burden. sarcasm/that's a great plan\sarcasm How exactly is Russia going to make improvements to their military when their economy is in the shitter? Russia needs a logistical infrastructure that isn't in ruin, an economy that isn't in shambles, and something resembling a professional NCO corps that doesn't sodomize it's new recruits before it thinks about playing war with the big boys. Russia is a dying country, with a dying culture, and an Oligarchy that is trying to take enough wealth with them to live out their days in Switzerland once their shitty country falls apart. |
|
Quoted: Capable? They got their dick knocked in the dirt in Grozny, Georgia...fucking Georgia caused them a good number of casualties, and last The Ukraine isn't proving to be a cake walk and they are in areas with lots of pro Russian sympathizers. The only thing Russia is capable of is projecting it's force on tiny economies with feeble militaries. Bringing those countries into the fold only furthers Russia's economic burden. sarcasm/that's a great plan\sarcasm How exactly is Russia going to make improvements to their military when their economy is in the shitter? Russia needs a logistical infrastructure that isn't in ruin, an economy that isn't in shambles, and something resembling a professional NCO corps that doesn't sodomize it's new recruits before it thinks about playing war with the big boys. Russia is a dying country, with a dying culture, and an Oligarchy that is trying to take enough wealth with them to live out their days in Switzerland once their shitty country falls apart. Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Russia couldn't project a wet fart, yet alone engage in a ground war against any competent military. Russia has a couple of months at best before their economy is completely ruined for the next couple of decades. Their only card is a bunch of aging nukes. The next majot conflict won't be between the US and Russia. It will be between China and Russia as China makes a northern land grab when Russia is incredibly weak. Russia seems to be capable of projecting force in their former sphere of influence. We expect Russia’s military modernization will lead to a more agile and compact force capable of more modern forms of warfare. A future force will be smaller, but more capable of handling a range of contingencies on Russia’s periphery. We expect continued effort on improvement of joint operations capabilities and rearmament because of the high priority Russian leadership places on these portfolios. The general purpose forces will continue to acquire new equipment in the near-term, but deliveries will be small and largely consist of modernized Soviet-era weapons. Russia alsohas purchased select foreign systems, such as France's Mistral amphibious assault ship, unmanned aerial vehicles from Israel, and Italian light armored vehicles. The first Mistral, purchased from France,was launched in France on 15 October 2013. Russia will continue to maintain a robust and capable arsenal of strategic and nonstrategic nuclear weapons for the foreseeable future. To support this policy, the Russian government is making strong investments in its nuclear weapon programs. Priorities for the strategic nuclear forces include force modernization and command and control facilities upgrades. Russia will field more road-mobile SS-27Mod-2 ICBMs with multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles. It also will continue development of the RS-26 intercontinental ballistic missile, the Dolgorukiy ballistic missile submarineand SS-NX-32 Bulava submarine-launched ballistic missile, and next-generation cruise missiles. Capable? They got their dick knocked in the dirt in Grozny, Georgia...fucking Georgia caused them a good number of casualties, and last The Ukraine isn't proving to be a cake walk and they are in areas with lots of pro Russian sympathizers. The only thing Russia is capable of is projecting it's force on tiny economies with feeble militaries. Bringing those countries into the fold only furthers Russia's economic burden. sarcasm/that's a great plan\sarcasm How exactly is Russia going to make improvements to their military when their economy is in the shitter? Russia needs a logistical infrastructure that isn't in ruin, an economy that isn't in shambles, and something resembling a professional NCO corps that doesn't sodomize it's new recruits before it thinks about playing war with the big boys. Russia is a dying country, with a dying culture, and an Oligarchy that is trying to take enough wealth with them to live out their days in Switzerland once their shitty country falls apart. Even so it seems Putin has committed to not cutting defense spending. http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/01/15/russia-crisis-budget-idUSL6N0US25520150115 |
|
Quoted:
The Green Text is an excerpt out of the report to the Senate Armed Services Committee last February written by the Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency. Even so it seems Putin has committed to not cutting defense spending. http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/01/15/russia-crisis-budget-idUSL6N0US25520150115 Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Russia couldn't project a wet fart, yet alone engage in a ground war against any competent military. Russia has a couple of months at best before their economy is completely ruined for the next couple of decades. Their only card is a bunch of aging nukes. The next majot conflict won't be between the US and Russia. It will be between China and Russia as China makes a northern land grab when Russia is incredibly weak. Russia seems to be capable of projecting force in their former sphere of influence. We expect Russia’s military modernization will lead to a more agile and compact force capable of more modern forms of warfare. A future force will be smaller, but more capable of handling a range of contingencies on Russia’s periphery. We expect continued effort on improvement of joint operations capabilities and rearmament because of the high priority Russian leadership places on these portfolios. The general purpose forces will continue to acquire new equipment in the near-term, but deliveries will be small and largely consist of modernized Soviet-era weapons. Russia alsohas purchased select foreign systems, such as France's Mistral amphibious assault ship, unmanned aerial vehicles from Israel, and Italian light armored vehicles. The first Mistral, purchased from France,was launched in France on 15 October 2013. Russia will continue to maintain a robust and capable arsenal of strategic and nonstrategic nuclear weapons for the foreseeable future. To support this policy, the Russian government is making strong investments in its nuclear weapon programs. Priorities for the strategic nuclear forces include force modernization and command and control facilities upgrades. Russia will field more road-mobile SS-27Mod-2 ICBMs with multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles. It also will continue development of the RS-26 intercontinental ballistic missile, the Dolgorukiy ballistic missile submarineand SS-NX-32 Bulava submarine-launched ballistic missile, and next-generation cruise missiles. Capable? They got their dick knocked in the dirt in Grozny, Georgia...fucking Georgia caused them a good number of casualties, and last The Ukraine isn't proving to be a cake walk and they are in areas with lots of pro Russian sympathizers. The only thing Russia is capable of is projecting it's force on tiny economies with feeble militaries. Bringing those countries into the fold only furthers Russia's economic burden. sarcasm/that's a great plan\sarcasm How exactly is Russia going to make improvements to their military when their economy is in the shitter? Russia needs a logistical infrastructure that isn't in ruin, an economy that isn't in shambles, and something resembling a professional NCO corps that doesn't sodomize it's new recruits before it thinks about playing war with the big boys. Russia is a dying country, with a dying culture, and an Oligarchy that is trying to take enough wealth with them to live out their days in Switzerland once their shitty country falls apart. The Green Text is an excerpt out of the report to the Senate Armed Services Committee last February written by the Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency. Even so it seems Putin has committed to not cutting defense spending. http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/01/15/russia-crisis-budget-idUSL6N0US25520150115 Puttin can commit all he fucking wants, if the money isn't there, it's not fucking there. Nobody is going loan them shit either. |
|
US, Russia Decide To Snap Nuclear Cooperation
Russia and the United States have reportedly called off their nuclear cooperation after Russia conveyed to the U.S that it no longer needs the latter’s assistance in safeguarding its nuclear sites. |
|
Quoted:
Even so it seems Putin has committed to not cutting defense spending. http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/01/15/russia-crisis-budget-idUSL6N0US25520150115 He can't. He's asking the military to send men to die and then get sent home to frequently be buried in unmarked grave, because it's not possible to admit how many are dying in Ukraine. They need thrown a bone and modernization is what they want. As it stands,they are struggling against very,very minimally trained Ukrainians operating with threadbare logistics. They know they'd have their shit wrecked against anyone with modern weapons and NATO training standards. |
|
The cold war never ended.
The soviet Union went broke, Russia had no money and their military decayed rapidly. Then the CCCP balkanized back to what it was before Russia colonized it. Then it got some money back and got back to the old ways. Now it is going broke again. But the cold war only ended on our side. |
|
Quoted:
You must have read that on the internet,huh? Russia was never backed into a corner,that's a load of shit. All that happened is that Putin became flush with oil money and used it to fuel his delusions of grandeur. Too bad for Vlad but oil tanked right when he thought he was getting things rolling his way. Bush,absolute simpleton that he was,had this incredibly juvenile belief that Putin was a fellow Christian with a Muslim problem and therefore an ally. Obama,clueless moron that he is,thought that Russia just needed to be better understood in that touchy-feely sort of way. In order for an authoritarian regime to remain in power,it needs to portray itself as defender of the people against enemies. Putin has effectively squashed opposition at home so he must blame Europe and the US for his problems. What you don't understand is that Putin WANTS you to be his enemy and in fact needs it to maintain his validity. He damn sure can't point to his economic prowess and expansion of freedoms as reasons to lead. Quoted:
Quoted:
Well what happens when you back a bear into a corner? Too bad the Russian bear lost it's teeth and claws in the first cold war. You must have read that on the internet,huh? Russia was never backed into a corner,that's a load of shit. All that happened is that Putin became flush with oil money and used it to fuel his delusions of grandeur. Too bad for Vlad but oil tanked right when he thought he was getting things rolling his way. Bush,absolute simpleton that he was,had this incredibly juvenile belief that Putin was a fellow Christian with a Muslim problem and therefore an ally. Obama,clueless moron that he is,thought that Russia just needed to be better understood in that touchy-feely sort of way. In order for an authoritarian regime to remain in power,it needs to portray itself as defender of the people against enemies. Putin has effectively squashed opposition at home so he must blame Europe and the US for his problems. What you don't understand is that Putin WANTS you to be his enemy and in fact needs it to maintain his validity. He damn sure can't point to his economic prowess and expansion of freedoms as reasons to lead. I'm pretty sure when you have no money and your economy goes to crap that's being in a corner. Like I said Russia is a stuffed bear these days. |
|
Quoted: The cold war never ended. The soviet Union went broke, Russia had no money and their military decayed rapidly. Then the CCCP balkanized back to what it was before Russia colonized it. Then it got some money back and got back to the old ways. Now it is going broke again. But the cold war only ended on our side. |
|
Quoted:
I work for a company that is owned by a Russian. He has a business in Moscow as well. We buy US Equipment in US$, sell in Moscow for Rubles. The drop of the Ruble is kicking our ass on a daily basis. how much product you guys are moving? Depending on that answer, it never occurred to him to hedge? |
|
Quoted: The cold war never ended. The soviet Union went broke, Russia had no money and their military decayed rapidly. Then the CCCP balkanized back to what it was before Russia colonized it. Then it got some money back and got back to the old ways. Now it is going broke again. But the cold war only ended on our side. I respectfully disagree. All the defining characteristics of the Cold War ended with the collapse of the Soviet Union, we saw ~20 years of that. Granted despite the KGB splintering the SVR's primary target has always remained the United States. But who else would they focus on? Coldwar playbook would have Russia supplying modern weapons and aid to Iraq during Gulf War I. Instead they spent their time convincing get Saddam to back down. Russia had multiple opportunities to undermine the US in armed conflicts over the next 20 years: Kosovo 98-99 Russia acted rather tamely compared to what the Soviet Union reaction would have been with NATO in their former backyard. War in Afghanistan in 2001 - 2014 and Invasion of Iraq in 2003 NATO used supply routes for Afghanistan that went through Russia.   Russia nuclear forces were a huge security risk post soviet collapse, which is why there was a joint program to secure those weapons involving the US. This includes dismantling and disarming tons of nuclear warheads. During this time period the world saw unprecedented cooperation with Russia and the US. Look at docking with MIR and the cooperation with the International Space Station. Russia sold the US its old moon rocket motors that we've been using to launch our most advanced satellites into space. Ask your average Russian and I bet they want to embrace the West. Russian Sub patrols and bomber patrols ended with the collapse and only started up again more recently with Putin looking to distract the public with nationalism. Had Russia not shot down a plane full of innocent people there would not be this massive spotlight on Ukraine. They would have already taken the country with their false pretexts to incite war. There would not have been the massive economic sanctions against Russia. The sanctions combined with the recent plummet of oil prices has forced Russia the reignite ties with North Korea and Iran. This new Cold War seems to be based on different motives and only partially on restoring former glory. |