[spetznaz]

Absolutely bogus. That is not to say that Russia is playing kissy-face with Uncle Sam. It is not to say that they don't have nuclear weapons. Not to say that they're not ambitious, or that they are not resurrecting some of their old capabilities. That is not the issue. The issue is that he completely overlooked other more pressing issues. For one it appears that discussing radical Islam is anathema to both Democrats and Republicans. Secondly, the issue of Pakistan gets totally overlooked (one British politician - can't remember his name now - bravely termed it as the greatest threat in the world). And, most importantly, they overlook the ACTUAL greatest threat to the US today, which is the economic and military rise of China. It boggles the mind how someone like Romney (and several on FR) will claim that the old mangy Russian bear is an existential threat, and totally ignore the rise of a country that makes the Soviet Empire at its peak seem almost weak! A country that has been deploying prodigious funds towards a military buildup that is TOTALLY geared at area-denial for the US (very highly US specific). A nation that has an economy that the old Soviets would have killed for.

Hey, I have no problem if folk shake at night over the re-emergence of the old Soviet empire if that makes them happy in cold places, but do not ignore REAL dangers that are currently more capable than the Soviets at their peak. China has more nuclear weapons than they officially claim (does anyone really believe they have the 300 that most sources state), and while the real number will still not be as numerous as the Russia and American stockpiles it will be enough. They have an economy that, even with smoke and mirrors, is still significantly better than anything the Soviets could dream of. And, more importantly, the US is not nearly as sure footed as it was during the Reagan years.

But hey ...the Russians flew some old prop bomber near Alaska two months ago. That deserves mention, and don't worry about the story of the Chinese hacking and stealing all the F-35 data. That is not as important.

[cunning_fish]

Do you know that Chinese government officially censoring high-budget Hollywood movie scenarios before they are approved for production? Movie companies are pushing for that to make sure their movies won’t be banned in a biggest movie market which China is. Chicoms often recommends to remove or add something and movie makers are following.