There goes the gas prices through the roof. Hope not the start of another war.

Last carrier sunk

????

Russia is a old Lion with few teeth.

I'd very much like to see Russia die as a country, as long as it doesn't take any other countries with it. Russia needs to go away with a wimper, not a worldwide bang.

Keith

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Careful what you wish for. Nothing like the chaos unleashed upon the fall of an empire. Russia being a prime example in 1917.

That's a very dangerous wish. And be replaced by what? Western European liberalism?
There are very few, if any recent examples of Countries that have fallen apart and then replaced by something better.

Remember, Russia is not a leftist country anymore, however, those countries who want to see Russia's demise are leftists.

IDK about the above post...but we have seen many times over that power vacuums are usually not a good thing. IE Iraq... I would like to see a strong Russia that isn't being predatory on its neighbors. I know, that's a lot to ask for.

^^^^^
Or you could flip that around, I suppose Putin would say that he doesn't want to see a western Europe that's "predatory on it's neighbors".

The western financiers really want to dig their claws into Russia and collateralize their debt with Russia's resources. An independent Russia is a threat to the western money people's lust for power and dominance.

They died once, or seemed to, but came roaring back. There's something fundamentally wrong with a country that only seems to exist to destroy everyone and everything else.

I don't think Europe will be liberal in 20 years. For the last few years, the nationalist and conservative parties have gained more power in many European countries, through elections. I believe they will continue to do so. I think we will see a weak confederation of nations form, with little true power held by the joint government, similar to the republic of states our founders wanted us to be.

Ideally Russia will split into smaller states that will join that weak European confederation.

Keith

Historically speaking, regarding destroying everyone else, you must be referring to Great Britain.

A bit optimistic I think Keith. Wonder what will happen to all the nuks and power hungry people with lots of money.

Wouldn't it be nice if Russian neibors were not shelling their own population of ethnic Russians and nato would quit expanding towards Russia. Maybe then Russia wouldn't invade their neibors.

I'm not there and don't know the facts. I do know I don't trust a darn thing coming out of our media or government at face value. So that automatically requires looking at the other sides claims and info. With an open mind.

Just like when the Soviet Union fell, the smaller nations will likely be persuaded by carrot and stick to give up their nukes.

A small country, with a small number of nuclear weapons can't effectively protect themselves with them, from larger countries and allied groups that are further away. Small numbers of missiles in a volley, that have to travel long distances to target, are relatively easily shot down and small land areas are easy to totally obliterate.

Russia has a relatively minute population of young people to keep the country going. There has been a significant number of deaths of young men fighting in Ukraine. Well over a million young Russians immigrated out just last year. This year the immigration rate out of Russia is higher. Unlike many other countries, Russia receives very few immigrants. Most of the young people fleeing Russia are the better educated and more intelligent ones. Russia is losing its middle class.

At the current birth rate, without losing several million potential Russian parents, the next generation of Russians would contain 25% less people. With the losses, Russia's population will rapidly decline in numbers, probably approaching 40% less people.

I know the forum Russia lovers will disagree, but I don't think they will last 20 years in their current state.

Keith

When the soviet union fell you could fly over and buy a submarine if you had a bit of money.
A fragmented russia would be a horrible thing for the free world.
Massive amounts of arms randomly floating around. I'm sure many enemies of the west would jump on the opportunity to arm up.
Like the talliban, perhaps.

People think the west can just walk in and take over the country. That ain't gonna happen without a nuclear exchange.

I'd rather see some peace talks happening, instead of what's coming down the pipe.

When did Russia ever invade Western Europe unprovoked?

I'll wait.


Not defending a nation that was the last "western" power to leave feudalism or to abolish slavery/serfdom. Or one responsible for the deaths of millions of it's own citizens. Or the subjugation of millions in conquered nations.

Just asking you look back upon their thousand year history and ask just who has aggressed whom.

On the contrary they have historically been the scary bear played off in Western Europe's Grand Game. England, France, Sweden, Germany, Poland, Austria-Hungary, Prussia have all had a go at them.

We at least had a somewhat cordial relation with them until drawn into the post war restructure of Europe. We should've returned to that once the Cold War ended.

Someone needs to take putin on a boat ride.

The idea that Russia could dissolve into a bunch of little countries is absurd. I think the Russian people are much more united than Americans; if not politically, then culturally.

Heck, even Japan cleaned their clock before they got knocked out of acting European.

Where is Kosoi,hope he is OK.