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Sorry, Putin. Russia’s economy is doomed
Washington Post ^ | 15 Dec 14 | Matt O'Brien

Posted on 12/15/2014 10:12:57 PM PST by elhombrelibre

A funny thing happened on the way to Vladimir Putin running strategic laps around the West. Russia's economy imploded.

The latest news is that Russia's central bank raised interest rates from 10.5 to 17 percent at an emergency 1 a.m. meeting in an attempt to stop the ruble, which is down 50 percent on the year against the dollar, from falling any further. It's a desperate move to save Russia's currency that comes at the cost of sacrificing Russia's economy. So even if it "works," things are about to get a lot worse.

It's a classic kind of emerging markets crisis. It's only a small simplification, you see, to say that Russia doesn't so much have an economy as it has an oil exporting business that subsidizes everything else. That's why the combination of more supply from the United States, and less demand from Europe, China, and Japan has hit them particularly hard. Cheaper oil means Russian companies have fewer dollars to turn into rubles, which is just another way of saying that there's less demand for rubles—so its price is falling. It hasn't helped, of course, that sanctions over Russia's incursion into Ukraine have already left Russia short on dollars.

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Crime/Corruption; Extended News; Foreign Affairs; Russia
KEYWORDS: crimea; crimedoesntpay; donetsk; ruble; russia; ukraine; vladtheimploder
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To: Jonty30

We are already in the next world war. So far, it has been mainly economic.

The fools think that they can keep it that way, without remember the last go round. See, we tried it, and Japan decided to go for broke.


141 posted on 12/17/2014 9:54:09 AM PST by redgolum ("God is dead" -- Nietzsche. "Nietzsche is dead" -- God.)
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To: wetphoenix

Now that was a Putin lickspittle remark if ever there was one, congrats lickspittle.


142 posted on 12/17/2014 6:43:01 PM PST by free_life (If you ask Jesus to forgive you and to save you, He will.)
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To: DesertRhino

Yea and the blame can be placed entirely at Putin and Russkies doorsteps, eh comrade!

They thought they could take on the world, maybe because of the wimp in the WH they thought we were a pushover, well welcome to reality. Just what some of claimed would happen (not you though...oh no). What’s next yea possible world war, we said that months ago as the Putinista’s here cheered Putin on.


143 posted on 12/17/2014 6:49:43 PM PST by free_life (If you ask Jesus to forgive you and to save you, He will.)
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To: The Ghost of FReepers Past
If we spread ourselves all around the world we cannot be strong enough to fight the battles we MUST win.

Glad you don't get to decide which battles we must win and which battles we can just roll over and die from.

It seems to me you and Obama are in agreement on at least two battles.

144 posted on 12/17/2014 7:11:38 PM PST by free_life (If you ask Jesus to forgive you and to save you, He will.)
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To: free_life

Nice try but I’m not biting. I agree with Obama on nothing. You should actually read the thread and inform yourself about Obama’s position.


145 posted on 12/17/2014 7:14:14 PM PST by The Ghost of FReepers Past (Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light..... Isaiah 5:20)
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To: wetphoenix
It is against foreign influence in countries bordering Russia.

By "against" you mean control, and if you cannot control you invade and kill everyone till you control again, eh? Ah Russians are such lovely people! And what exactly in regard to controlling other peoples has changed since Soviet days? You export oil, gas, weapons and death. That's it! What good are you to the world?

146 posted on 12/17/2014 7:22:30 PM PST by free_life (If you ask Jesus to forgive you and to save you, He will.)
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To: The Ghost of FReepers Past

You have already bitten, you like Obama, are against standing up to Russian expansionism and appear to agree again with Obama on the Muslim vs Jewish conflict/war. I didn’t force you to make those comments.


147 posted on 12/17/2014 7:28:34 PM PST by free_life (If you ask Jesus to forgive you and to save you, He will.)
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To: free_life

You don’t have very good comprehension skills.

Yes I do nto think it is NOT our place to babysit between Ukraine and Russia. Ukraine has largely done it to themselves. Obama takes the opposite position. As for Muslim vs Jewish conflicts, I could not be more opposite Obama.

If you harass me again I will report it as abuse.


148 posted on 12/17/2014 7:32:11 PM PST by The Ghost of FReepers Past (Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light..... Isaiah 5:20)
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To: Blackyce

The Ukrainians were dressing provocatively and freely talking with people not on the approved Kremlin list...that kind of defending themselves, Russians are very insecure and don’t like their “friends” being friends with anyone else. They had to invade...ah I mean defend themselves. You might as well give up Blackyce, you can’t reach those who have indulged in the Russian kool-aid.


149 posted on 12/17/2014 7:41:18 PM PST by free_life (If you ask Jesus to forgive you and to save you, He will.)
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To: The Ghost of FReepers Past

Harass you! The gall!

I pointed to what you said and your now throwing a temper tantrum.

Oh report me please.

Don’t waste the adults time eh!


150 posted on 12/17/2014 7:45:25 PM PST by free_life (If you ask Jesus to forgive you and to save you, He will.)
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To: wetphoenix
Of course independent means it is not only independent from Russia but with any other capable adversary too.

And if the people in nations don't obey Russia's demands they remain independent, then what? We already know the reality of them not obeying but I am interested in what you would answer.

151 posted on 12/17/2014 7:55:22 PM PST by free_life (If you ask Jesus to forgive you and to save you, He will.)
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To: wetphoenix

Ah Canada! Hmmmm guess them Canadian’s better reconsider not being Russian buffer zone huh?


152 posted on 12/17/2014 8:00:41 PM PST by free_life (If you ask Jesus to forgive you and to save you, He will.)
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To: free_life

~Ah Canada! Hmmmm guess them Canadian’s better reconsider not being Russian buffer zone huh?~

I guess you should get a map or starters. Some really huge parts of US are closer to Russia than Canada.


153 posted on 12/17/2014 10:37:56 PM PST by wetphoenix
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To: wetphoenix

When has that ever stopped Russians from invading?

Maps mean nothing to Russians they just redraw them as they want.

BTW how many Rubles is it now for a good map of Europe, 50,000.... 100,000?


154 posted on 12/18/2014 9:28:23 AM PST by free_life (If you ask Jesus to forgive you and to save you, He will.)
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To: free_life

browse it online and save money.


155 posted on 12/18/2014 9:33:11 AM PST by wetphoenix
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To: wetphoenix

You mean the earth isn’t flat? LOL. I always forget about Alaska. What is that distance, about 2.5 miles? Maybe I am remembering wrong.


156 posted on 12/18/2014 2:35:01 PM PST by The Ghost of FReepers Past (Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light..... Isaiah 5:20)
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To: wetphoenix

In case anyone else is interested, here is the answer, copied from yahoo answers:

At its narrowest point, the gap between Russia and the mainland of Alaska is 55 miles wide. However, if including the Russian-owned island of Big Diomede and the American-owned island Little Diomede, Alaska and Russia come as close as 2 1/2 miles to one another.

The body of water that separates Russia and Alaska is known as the Bering Straight. During the last ice age, Alaska and Russia were connected by a land bridge known as the Bering Straight Crossing, over which the earliest settlers of the Alaskan territory crossed. During the winter, an ice bridge connects the Big Diomede and Little Diomede islands, allowing for passage between Alaska and Russia by foot.


157 posted on 12/18/2014 2:49:47 PM PST by The Ghost of FReepers Past (Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light..... Isaiah 5:20)
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