Re: Russia's Potemkin power

On 11/4/2024 10:49 AM, wmartin wrote:

Depends on what's in the ground, just like in Eastern Ukraine (Lithium, in that case). Putin doesn't give a damn if the next door neighbor makes him look bad, he wants the Lithium for when the world finally stops buying his oil.

"Land" has other intangible value -- even if it just acts as a buffer
between you and your neighbor.  Look how annoyed Texans are when you
point out that Alaska is *bigger*!
In Vlad's case, he is whining about the diminished state of "Russia"
after the dissolution of the USSR.  The fact that all those satellite
states chose to RID themselves of the soviet state is an insult to his
personal/state pride.  The fact that some would *embrace* The West,
doubly so!
It is telling that he has to use "convicts" and "foreign mercenaries"
to wage his war.  Along with having to beg and borrow for equipment
and technology (doesn't speak well of your capabilities when you
go, hat in hand, looking for MATERIAL help from others).  Apparently
russian citizens don't believe in the motherland enough to put THEIR
lives on the line...
[I have only 3 data points on russian life.  The first, a friend who spent
a few years, there, in various cities.  I asked her of her impression of
"Russia", thinking she would make some comments on the culture, etc.
She turned up her nose and said, "everything is run down".  "Were you
staying in small 'villages' or 'historic buildings' where such a
state could possibly be justified?"  "No.  Even new construction
looked run down..."
Some months ago, another friend came back from a short visit and
I posed the same question and brought up the comment from my
other friend.  "Yeah, that's probably a good way to describe it.
I was going to say 'scuzzy'..."
A few *days* ago, I spoke with a couple who are dual citizens;
"Why are you living here and not in Russia?  You presumably had a
good position, there, and your spouse always talks favorably of it..."
"Big difference in standard of living.  Even with our positions,
we could never afford a home and possessions like we easily
acquired, here."]
So much for russia as a first world power... (not even SUPER power)
Also note how quickly putin is to hint at using nuclear weapons.
That suggests he KNOWS his conventional forces aren't up to the task
(as Ukraine seems to be proving)