Cold war all over again perhaps.?

Question

Should we be getting worried about Russia after reading this?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6957589.stm

Answer 1

In 1988 military spending was a single line item in the Soviet state budget, totaling 21 billion rubles, or about US$33 billion. Since the mid-1980s, the Soviet Union devoted between 15 and 17 percent of its annual gross national product to military spending, Until the early 1980s, Soviet defense expenditures rose between 4 and 7 percent per year.

With the end of the Cold War, the combined military expenditure of Russia and other successor states of the USSR fell dramatically. In 1997 it was around one-tenth of that of the USSR in 1988. Between 1988 and 1993 weapons production in Russia fell by at least 50% for virtually every major weapons system. Weapons spending in 1992 was approximately 75% less than in 1988. Almost all of Russia's arms production is for sales to foreign governments, and procurement of major end items by the Russian military had all but stopped.

Putin ran on a platform of military reform, to bring the Russian military complex back to its former splendor (or size). At the end of the 20th Century Russia found its armed forces and defense industries in a state of chaos. Readiness and morale were very low, draft evasion and desertion were widespread, and weapons procurement had subsided significantly. Massive budget cuts and troop reductions had forced hundreds of thousands of officers out of the ranks into a depressed economy and probable unemployment.

To counter the inefficiencies of its conventional military Russia has invested substantial amounts in its strategic nuclear forces from the late 1990s to the mid-2000s. Unlike their Soviet predecessors, however, the Russians have all but done away with the concept of nuclear parity. Instead, they have embraced the method of maintaining a sufficient force capable of penetrating our defense missile shields.

Russia planned to complete the modernization of its strategic nuclear deterrent components by 2015-2020.

No one should be surprised by Putin's provacative stance. A mere look at this stated nationalistic intentions would've informed even the dullest bulb at Langley.

Answer 2

Russia sent bombers over Georgia. A bomb fell, but only because the brackets rusted through. The plane crashed just over the Russian border.

Putin may want to do some sabre rattling to impress the voters, but the old Soviet war machine doesn't have enough working equipment or fighting men to be any threat to the West.

Answer 3

This is what happens when the Opposition Party jumps in bed with the Enemy.The Leaders in the Democrat Party has De fanged America.They have weakened the President of the United States of America.In order to reverse this the next President will have to be ten times stronger than Bush.The Democrats have set the Safety of this Country Back Decades.Don't take my word for it Just watch the News!!

Answer 4

With the state of our defences, I think we should be concerned. Seeing the photo of the Typoon shadowing the Russian bomber yesterday reminded me that it was ordered without a gun!!!

Answer 5

They went a long way to be friendly after the cold war and the Americans treated them like third worlders. But now they are leaner and meaner. Whose fault is it? Bush and his Neo Con cabal thought they could rule the world. Well that failed miserably.

Answer 6

Is a cold war the same as a normal regular war? Will there be lots of hunky men in sexy uniforms and stuff like that? I find it all so exciting, Yummeeee

Answer 7

World war 3. Jesus some people just do not get what is happening in the world right now even though there is absolutely tons of information.

Answer 8

spot on from old know all.

sabre rattling by a third rate power.
a couple of years puffing out your chest doen't make you a threat. russia has more problems than it lets on.

Answer 9

no i don't think so but china worries me you get the idea they are looking and saying nothing at the moment

Answer 10

I have never forgot ton what Russia's goals are>>> World domination...It has always BEEN,and will always BE