Posted on 01/09/2015 6:09:24 PM PST by blam
The Telegraph (UK)
January 9, 2015
Fitch has downgraded Russia's credit rating and painted a horrific picture of a struggling economy rocked by a collapsing rouble, falling oil prices, high inflation and declining international reserves.
The ratings agency cut the country to BBB- from BBB with a negative outlook, meaning further downgrades are possible.
But it was the language Fitch used in its reasoning that was most shocking.
Russia's economic outlook "has deteriorated significantly" in just six months, Fitch stated. Gross Domestic Product will shrink 4pc this year, the agency added, far worse than the 1.5pc contraction it previously expected. "Growth may not return until 2017," Fitch said.
Western sanctions, imposed after President Vladimir Putin's took Russia into neighbouring Ukraine, "continue to weigh on the economy" but the plunging oil price is causing just as much, if not more, damage to one of the world's energy giants.
The price of a barrel of Brent crude has collapsed by more than 50pc since the middle of last year as Opec, the group of leading oil-producing nations, refused to cut production amid intense pressure from the US shale revolution.
(snip)
(Excerpt) Read more at businessinsider.com ...
I smell war. Obozo is a weak leader and the Russians know it. There has been a covert effort to collapse the Russian economy and they will retaliate. Plain and simple.
I don’t look at a comment section as remotely relevant to the policies of a news site. Have you ever read Yahoo or YouTube comments? Do you paint those companies with the same brush?
I look at Zero Hedge as media without an agenda, contrary to the anti-American liberal tainted garbage we get from the consolidated US MSM. Sorry I don’t wish to offend those who still put stock in the MSM, but I’ve become too cynical to believe anything they say. Americans would be wise to form their own opinions from various USA and foreign sources.
They permit it, and Zero Hedge's content is anti-American crap, such as blaming the United States for Russia's crimes and aggression. Of course it would attract other freaks who populate their message boards. I don't care how "objective" you think Zero Hedge is. It just tells me how hopeless you are.
Dan Ivandjiiski's father was some Bulgarian security service bigshot during the commie times so they certainly have both bias to KGB-s wishes and contacts.
This is a chart of Gold vs Dow Jones from January 2009 to September 2011. This is the period Zero Hedge gained the eyeballs they are not selling.
This is Gold vs Dow Jones from that time.
* not selling
now selling
Not to defend him, but it isn’t wise to back a nuclear power into a corner.
Ever see “The Bedford Incident”?
Because it's not "they," it's "he."
The real danger is Putin clinging to power.
So the idea now, is that he is insane?
Back him into a corner by being against him invading other countries and threatening us in NATO by conquering everything up to our border?
?
Do you mean Fitch? Or Putin?
Are you serious? Weren’t we talking about Russia, and you were talking about Russia being Putin?
Do you think that Putin is insane and would do what I described in the post 7, that you responded to me about?
Well, Putin hasn't changed. He's the same incompetent that has never been able to manage a political system or a major economy. He's the same incompetent who so mismanaged his foreign policy that he couldn't even maintain productive relationships with his country's neighbors and he's the same incompetent who, after providing weapons to the idiots who shot down a commercial airliner, then insisted on a damage control PR strategy that would not have convinced a six year old of average intelligence.
And, predictably, Russia has continued to suffer politically and economically as if it were circling inside of a toilet. The Russian people will of course suffer and they will of course be next to the last people to figure out the truth. The very last people to figure out the truth will be the handful of Americans and the screwballs like Krauthammer who just couldn't resist taking the side of an enemy of the USA.
What we have witnessed in recent months is a butt-kicking like we don't often see. The USA (remember, that's us) kicked the crap out of Russia and its incompetent leader. And, once again, those who have sided with our enemies have come out looking like the fools they are.
When will some Americans learn to quit betting against the USA? What will it take? It's sad, really.
Hey FRiend... yeah, I'm serious.
Yes, they are a shadow of their former selves. Reagan's masterful play took care of that.
My point is that "they" are not going to behave rationally as long as "they" are in the control of Putin, who will do anything to cling to power.
This is not about a nation acting in its best interest. It is about the power of a nation controlled by a single person acting in his best interest.
I believe we should apply relentless pressure to them to reduce their power an influence further.
But I also believe that a desperate tin pot dictator can create a lot of damage - there is no "they" in Russia now, only central control. They are weak, but still dangerous.
No offense intended, just some thoughts.
That is why I asked if you think he is insane, who would he war against?
If he forces NATO to fight him, we would decapitate his military pretty quickly,leaving Russia open to breakup and the loss of territory in the East, and slipping into vastly lower status, would Putin want to do that to Russia, as his last gesture and his legacy?
Ah. Ok!
It is a fundamental tactic of leaders in trouble to rally their citizens against a common enemy. This pattern has repeated throughout history.
The common enemy distracts the citizens from internal problems and creates a “scapegoat” for the internal problems. (Are you following Venezuela lately?)
Putin will select one or more enemies to focus on. Just watch.
In fact, this tactic has been used successfully in the US to separate different demographic groups (of whatever nature, color, religion, whatever is useful at the time). Government to the rescue!
Even though Russia is in recent economic decline they are still dangerous.
That didn’t answer post 7.
What do you mean “dangerous” ? The bear died decades ago, Russia is a shadow of its old military power.
War would merely quickly destroy the remaining Russian military and leave them unable to defend themselves against the East and internal secession.
Why would they do that, instead of simply lightening up and lay off the invasions, and get back to trade??
We really owe the Saudis for the low oil prices. Although the Saudis are probably only doing it to screw with Iran.
I thought I explained that.
Because "they" have goals that are not rational, due to management problems. They will not operate in the best interest of the "nation." Sort of like what's happening in the US now.
FRiend, I sincerely apologize for my lack of communication skills if this isn't clear.
I’ve said for a month now that Russia will not put up with the Saudis oil play for very long. I’m surprised that they haven’t acted out yet.
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