do you think putins new russia is a threat?

Question

over the past year or so putin's russia has increased military spending dramatically (i don't think its at US or UK levels yet (see wikipedia defence budgets - i don't know how accurate they are)). but is russia really in any positon to start projecting any kind of power with such outdated equipment and years of underinvestment. also what are Russia’s aims as they already control most of Europe’s energy. in my opinion its just nostalgic sabre rattling. Also, what will Russian power be like in 10-20 years.

Answer 1

With the number of nuclear warheads lying around in Russia, you bet they are a threat.... more so than if they were better developed militarily.

I think most of the rhetoric coming out of Russia is a longing to be on the world stage again and taken for a superpower in political circles.

I think the US and UK should take them seriously and do all they can now to bring them into some form of friendly alliance before we find ourselves back in the Cold War.




g-day!

Answer 2

Russia has always been a threat, especially to UK. We've been at loggerheads with the Russians for probably the best part of 200 years. It goes right back to the great days of the British Raj in India.

The Brits in the 19th century were convinced that the Russians would attack India via Afghanistan. Well it is afterall only 2000 miles away, cannot be too careful.

Then we took on the Russians in the Crimea - charge of the Light Brigade and all that. That was to stop the Russians having access to the Med. and also the use of an all year ice-free port somewhere on the Black Sea. Not sure if we managed to keep them out of the Med or what. Probably not.

The ongoing row between UK and Russia concerns the murders they have committed here in London. We want justice for the victims of these and other horrible crimes.

Electoral note: I heard on the BBC this morning [Sunday] that the Poles are refusing to allow any foreign observers to attend their next general election. A lot of people, including the Poles themselves, now believe that the results of the election will be rigged.

If the Poles succeed in keeping out forign observers at their election, the Russians will do the same and no doube Putin will fix it so he stays in power like the Tsar that he is.

Snort of Vodka anyone?

Edit: Never ever underestimate the Russians. Two people already did that. One was Napoleon Boneparte and the other was Adolf Hitler. Above all, never under estimate the Russian Army and the Russian People. The Russians will protect Holy Mother Russia to their last bullet and last drop of blood - BELIEVE!

Answer 3

Russia's military can defend their country very well however when it comes to invading countries they are simply not up to it apart from game playing and sabre rattling. As far as energy goes Russia has its hands on the taps and can switch them on and off at will. With Russia growing stronger as an energy power it will have extra funds to invest in military so in 10-20 years it will likely be a formidable force!

Answer 4

At the moment no. That said the Red Star is rising again. They are fielding a new generation of tanks, they have once again designed a new fighter, they have the newest ICBM's in the world which are mobile. Still after more than a decade of neglect the Russian Military is years away from being the force it once was. Still with the new energy resources Russia has, it is getting the cash to rebuild, and it is rapidly building up in to a military force that will be tough to reckon with. A decade from now we will be able to tell.

Answer 5

Yes I do but not quite in the same way as in the old Cold War days. They are starting from further behind this time an dthey have plenty of enemies who can hurt them on thier doorsteps. They will use thier economic power on Western Europe which thgey didnt have before. On the other hand they have become more dependant on Western Europe since money flows back to Russia from Europe.

Answer 6

I think Putin is responding to global warming. With the melting of the ice over the north pole, the Northwest Passage will become a quick route over the top of the world and he's trying to take claim of it in the name of Russia.

Any nation taking advantage of this fact will be in a powerful economic position: Allowing only Russian freighters, or freighters from "friendly" countries through and denying passage to others could mean billions (if not trillions) of dollars shifted from one national economy to another national economy.

Most of the saber rattling has been in the form of sorties over the north pole. I think he's trying to bring the north pole under the umbrella of Russia.

Answer 7

most of europe gets it s oil through norway and it s electricity through nuclear power , hence is independant on that.do you think russia scares western europe when cutting gas?it can be bought in algeria for cheaper and actually a pipeline is being built across the med to france. so **** russia!

now militarywise they suck though have a bunch of reputable spetnatz up to date that could seriously harm oponents in war times.russia just wants to flex arms a little and show it s still to be counted with which is a fact.russia still has nuclear power as well as a large fleet and air force.

economically russia has shifted to capitalism and needs hard currencies : ie; needs sine qua non to sell gas and oil abraod at expensive prices , as well as military equipment (including up to date MIG 29) , and still has some advance technologically in aerospace and rocket sciences.

china still hasn t invaded siberia so they still have some power.

Answer 8

No I don't.

I do think Russia has been alarmed at USAs/UKs policies... such as invading Iraq on the most flimsy of evidence of WMDs... which the Russians absolutely did not want to happen.... and now look. Russians have wise heads due to the pain of history.... compared the childlike nature of American public to wars.

Russia is gearing up to let others know it can and will take care of itself if threatened.... because of USA's plans for defence shield and who knows what next... cause USA is being unpredictable... and now looking to spunk loads more cash and American lifes with a war on Iran.

Answer 9

Do I think they are a threat? The answer is most definetly yes. Russia has had their own agenda for centuries, they seek power by any means available. Russia will try to bolster its influence through a larger military, then it will attempt to aquire more land and population. Don't be suprised when Russia and China start to work together on this either.

Answer 10

I am living in Latvia and latvia is next to Russia.
I think Russia is spending money to buy new planes, ships and submarines but theyr soldiers are living in very bad condition so are bad fithers. Russia now are fithink in Chechenia and I think they wont win.