Like most of you, I believe the war machine can’t lead to anything positive long term, and the military/industrial complex is out of control. I also wish the US would spend more time making peace and less making war. If the only tool you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.
Otherwise, more dumbass ramblings about the amazing Russian economic strategy deserves pummeled. Western sanctions have had a dramatic effect on the Russian economy, as I said they would months ago. Putin’s ‘wonderful’ speech (Met, your desire to see the West annihilated colors your views - please try to avoid the keyboard in these matters) is empty impotent rhetoric (after spending time alone in the forest licking his wounds and knowing that there isn’t really a damn thing he can do about it, except whine. Do you think for one freaking minute Met that, if Vlad had the power to bring the West to their economic knees he wouldn’t use it?).
His 'wonderful' speech (sounds like you got yourself a bromance going on with Vlad) is nothing but whining because his peacockian show of saber rattling pretty tanks all in a row was met by a much stronger force – one that didn’t need to fire the first shot. The combined economic strength of the West, which dwarves Russian capabilities, may be used as a hegemon, but Vlad started it.
Met, dear god man, why can’t you stay away from topics you know nothing about other than your expertise in surfing confirmation biased articles and statements? And name dropping Alan Greenspan does not, I repeat does not, give your dumbass rants any more credibility. Let’s see, what could Vlad’s sta-ge-ty be??? What could it be?
Perhaps this one:
Portions of Russian savers’ pension funds have been appropriated by the state to prop up the country's companies.
Or this one:
The ruble is down 20 percent since the beginning of the year. Russia’s central bank has spent billions to slow the ruble’s decline. Investors pulled almost $75 billion out of the country in the first six months of the year alone.
Or this one:
The recent arrest of oligarch Yevtushenkov (likely based on his refusal to give up his stake in a profitable oil company, Bashneftt, which Putin is considering making state owned. And the word on the street is the Yev was one of the good guys), isn’t helping Russia’s business climate. Now ALL the oligarchs and oligarch wannabes are scared.
Or this one:
Over fifty percent of Russian government funding is from oil/gas revenues, and 70 percent of exports of same. The reliance on exports, and specifically one sector, places the Soviet economy squarely in a boom or bust cycle largely hostage to demand/price. Not exactly the type of economic sta-ge-ty which can make the ruble the world's dime of choice.
Or this one (vewwy scawwy):
Some of Putin’s hawkish security advisers (former KGB) have spoken of putting the needs of the state before the needs of businesses and individuals. This would help them marshal the resources necessary for a confrontation with the West. (Beware of the dark side, Luke). Back, back to the future! Lash me to the post, it's the siren's song (wasn't the Cold War and all of our glory juss wunnerful??).
Or this one:
"Although there has been an increase in Russian air activity over Europe during the past year, last week marked the first time Moscow had sent in larger formations of warplanes, General Philip Breedlove told reporters."
"My opinion is they're messaging us. They're messaging us that they are a great power," Breedlove said.
