Posted on 03/05/2014 6:22:09 AM PST by secretsexposed89
Everywhere one looks today, signs of a resurgent Russia are omnipresent. Although Vladimir Putin has undoubtedly worked hard to craft this image, it is a mirage. Russia is doomed over the long-term, and its short-term maneuvers aren’t enough to compensate for this fact.
Traditionally, Russian power has rested on four pillars: population, energy, weaponry and geography. Three of these are diminishing.
The backbone of modern Russian power has been its massive population. Nowhere was this better demonstrated than in WWII. Russia no doubt played a leading role in orchestrating Hitler’s demise, starting with its legendary stands in Leningrad and Stalingrad. However, Stalin sapped the military might of Nazi Germany less because of the strategic or tactical genius he possessed, and almost entirely through his willingness to expend the lives of his citizenry.
According to some estimates, the Soviet Union lost somewhere between 22 and 28 million people during WWII. To put this in perspective, the United States and Great Britain each lost less than half a million people and even Germany only lost between 7 and 9 million lives during the war. Nonetheless, for nearly half a century after the war the Soviet Union could credibly threaten the much richer West solely because of the sheer number of men it could put under arms.
(Excerpt) Read more at thediplomat.com ...
No nation can resist the magnificence of the Great Obama!
Doomed, huh, I wonder if Putin knows?
An equally efficient killer of Russian men is vodka. They lost the battle of the bottle after WW II.
“Russia is doomed over the long-term, “
yeah? How long? And what kind of damage/carnage will it create before then?
Maybe the writer thinks we should just sit back and watch for the next 40yrs as it goes on?
Of course he knows. His primary task is to attempt to reverse the decline.
Whistling past a graveyard. The whole ‘pillar’ thing is poppycock as it does not address their callous ruthlessness in which they operate in.
Russia’s greatest strength is and always have been a complete disregard to human losses - they literally drown enemy in own corpses. So, the only way Russia goes down is when they run out of people to through at you.
I thought the Russian birth rate was increasing?
FReegards
Russia is not “doomed” and its future is actually bright. There is no question that Russia suffered horrendous, irreplaceable genetic losses during the absurdities of the 20th century. Perhaps only China suffered more under communism. However despite it all Russia has huge resources and economic potential. Between 1870 and 1914 the German economic sphere was one of the world’s most dynamic. Western Europe with its declining and non productive population, chronic debts and dependency is becoming a burden for the Germans. Soon they will turn their economic focus again toward Russia. Ironically both Ukraine and Poland will benefit and be part of it. Putin is a Russian nationalist. His bloodless seizure of Crimea has enhanced his standing in Russia while a frustrated West portrays him as a thug. He is also reinvigorating Russia. The decline in the Russian population has ceased. Within a generation Central Europe will overtake the West as a power bloc. They will be the main counterbalance to a resurgent China.
Their ejection-seat technology is equal to the best of the West.
PFL
which is like Aunt Pittipat saying: Stay here without a chaperone? It just isn't done.
This thread seems bugged... anyone else having problems with it?
Ah yes...the media has to downplay the Russian threat. Looks like the 0bama talking points hit the presses.
I think Russia is in trouble long term, just like Soviet Union was.
In addition to the problems the article mentions, eastern Russia is vast, resource rich, and sparsely populated. Right next door is a resource hungry China, bursting at the seams.
The correct strategy is the same one Reagan used against the Soviets. Arm yourself, protect your allies, strengthen your economy, and keep the heat on. None of which Obama seems interested in.
All this could have been avoided if we had acted differently towards Russia in the 90’s. We could have had a close ally if we hadn’t threatened to bring NATO right up to their front door.
Don’t know about Russia, but America has a fork in her.
You forgot to say Boo!! The only possible bright part in their future are mushroom clouds above.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.