[–] Gerplunckamo [S] 1 point 0 points 1 point (+1|-1) ago
After all, on most objective grounds, Russia is hardly a great power. It has nuclear weapons, but ultimately these are of little practical value. Continued rearmament depends on money, and Russia’s economy is dependent on oil that is now selling for bargain-basement prices. Russia’s economy is the 13th largest in the world, just between Australia and Spain, about half the size of France’s, about a fourteenth of the USA’s. Even before the value of the ruble collapsed, Russian military spending was around one-seventh of America’s.
[–] TheRealAmalek ago
If we go to war with Russia... and they start losing they could decide to end the game, then launch all the nukes. Russia can't win vs us, but they can sure as hell stop us from winning.
[–] forgetmyname 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
When you put it like that, the US could fight a war with russia just to boost its economy!
[–] dbag2070 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago (edited ago)
But isn't that all part of defense, make every one think you are stronger than you are, at the moment no one is really willing to test Russias strength and that in its self is a win cause it buts time to take the 'work in progress' and finish it.
[–] KarlWayne 1 point -1 points 0 points (+0|-1) ago
How is it a bluff? They still have a huge fleet of subs, a new generation fighter, an army of tanks, a well armed standing army, and a powerful ally in China. When did they suddenly become weak? I must have missed the disarmament.
[–] dbag2070 ago
I'm not saying it is, I was responding specifically to what the article is saying. That's all. I don't know if it's a Bluff but if it is, it's a good one and they are playing it very well. And I'm just pointing that, that would be a good part of defense. Well when your enemy doesn't know what your strength is
[–] Gerplunckamo [S] 1 point -1 points 0 points (+0|-1) ago
Work in progress? Is that what you're calling it? Russia's economy hasn't been this bad since 08. They just had to cut their military budget last year. Its going to grow by .8% this year. Putin has the edge now, but he is burning through money and assets at a rate that just can't be sustainable.
[–] dbag2070 0 points 2 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago (edited ago)
No thats what the article called it. Please read the article.