Decline of the western society #2

They could have amended the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe and made a pledge not to accept Ukraine and Georgia in NATO back in 2007 when Putin asked for it at the Munich Conference. But they decided to be in a confrontation with Russia, not satisfied with having made coups in Ukraine and Georgia, they armed Georgia and goaded them to annex Ossetia. With predictable results. And then they decided to do a repeat of this in Ukraine. The current situation in Armenia also shows they still haven't learned anything.

The more they push, the more Russia resists and arms itself.

Russia's current armaments will be spent on 1 million contract soldiers, not on equipment. The number of new planes and ships will still be very small. Russia is unable to compete with the USA and China.

That is simply not true. Russia is vastly expanding its production capabilities. They already built a new factory for Almaz-Antey to make air defense systems, one factory for the ZALA Lancet, with two more in progress, etc.

These factories will still be around as assets after the conflict stops. And this conflict is a great way to shakedown which weapon systems are effective and not. Even better than the conflict with Syria, since this is much closer to how a full blown conflict against NATO would be. In Syria they already developed the ZALA Lancet, but there the Su-34 could operate without impediment, and this meant stealthy attack and reconaissance drones took a backseat in development. Now I would expect investment in stealthy attack and reconnaissance drones to baloon.

That is simply not true. Russia is vastly expanding its production capabilities. They already built a new factory for Almaz-Antey to make air defense systems, one factory for the ZALA Lancet, with two more in progress, etc. wrote:

Of course, they will increase production of many systems. Tanks, artillery, etc. However, in aviation, for example, nothing will change, in the navy it will be obvious. A significant part of the funds will go to maintaining the over 1 million land army under contract. There is no comparison to the spending of China or the USA, although of course these are much larger economies.

I would say this SMO confirms that the vast majority of Russian weapons systems and equipment is excellent and effective, but in many cases there is room for improvements and changes in tactic in how things are used and organised.

They continue to get excellent bang for their buck and taking on lots of new soldiers is not going to weaken them or blunt their growth.

The numbers of aircraft has not increased exponentially, but their vast array of air to ground weapons have been proven on an international stage to be accurate and effective and so I will expect export sales for air defence and air delivered weapons will massively increase, not to mention demand for their drones will be peaked too.

They are certainly going to develop their navy simply because their entire economy has shifted... all their trade with the rest of the world used to go through the west, whether it is shipped on western ships, and insured by western insurance companies, the bulk of their trade actually went to Europe where their cheap energy and raw materials powered the EU economy and created products they sold back to Russia and around the world at top dollar making nice profits considering how cheap they got things.

They used Russia the way they used African countries... the poor black boy in the diamond mine 16 hours a day getting paid 50c a day if he is lucky finds a fist sized diamond and takes it to his boss... the owner of the mine who gives him maybe $50 and is told to get back down that mine and find some more. The rich europeans who actually control the mine arrives when he hears of the find and take that diamond and the other diamonds they have found and maybe gives the mine owner $20K, and then takes those diamonds to Europe to a diamond cutter and pays that diamond cutter 3-4 million dollars to cut that diamond because diamond cutters know how much diamonds are worth, so after spending maybe 3 million dollars plus the $20K to the mine owner, that white rich european prick gets a diamond maybe worth 20-30 million dollars. He might visit 20 mines on his trip and most of the time the diamonds are much smaller but he always makes big money when something is found and you can bet your arse the guys in the mines finding diamonds don't have flash cars in their garages... and that same prick who buys cheap wood and cheap gas and cheap everything from Russia is not afraid to bring the final product... flash paper or a new BMW and charge Russians top dollar to buy their products they couldn't make if it wasn't for the cheap energy and materials they get from Russia.

Well the worms are turning... Russia has said enough, China has said enough, Africa is saying enough, even the Palestinians are saying enough... how long before central and south america and Asia do the same...

But all this has nothing to do with how many planes and ships Russia buys over the next few years.

@ lancelot, they wouldn't even amend the CFE treaty to allow for Russian peacekeepers in South Ossetia or Nagorno Karabach or transnetria (spelling), or to compensate for the fact that the CFE treaty was a treaty between HATO and the Warsaw Pact and most of the sides have changed sides and all joined HATO but the number allocations were not changed.

Personally I think the separation of Russia from the west and Europe is the best thing that could happen to Russia, but Europe is going to suffer, but they deserve it.

So evil people can't be in wheelchairs... so this evil character is very old... but can't use a wheelchair because he is evil and we don't want people to think all wheelchair users are evil... so how about a Doctor Who companion who is good and is in a wheel chair.... wow... I am brilliant... why don't they hire me for my ideas?

Maybe its time Russia started interfering in Western elections. After all, GAYTO and co are pretty brazen about interfering in FSU elections.

They will be blamed for unexpected results anyway.

What I would love is for the next time someone asks Putin who he thinks will win the US election... he should name a candidate... it would be very interesting to see what effect that does.

I think if he gave his honest opinion about who he thought America could vote in to office that could actually turn things around and make America better and said why, I wonder how many frustrated Americans would think that this makes sense and vote for them. I wonder how many stupid Americans would think if Putin wants me to vote for them then I wont vote for them because he is evil. Imagine the chaos... the political opponents will claim anyone Putin endorses to be putins puppet, but would that be bad or good for their election chances. I am sure everyone would wait to see what the public opinion poles stated... if the endorsed candidate goes up in the ratings they will get scared, but are Americans stupid enough anything they are told... will the not endorsed candidates say it is all reverse psychology and that if Putin thinks the other guy should win then you have to vote for me or Russia wins and America loses... it is all obviously black and white... America and Russia can't both win they will tell you.

The circular arguments would be funny and at least this time would not need to be made up and of course there is clear evidence of Russian election interference, but Russia has already been put under sanctions for election interference in the US so they must be allowed to interfere now...?