Russia (USSR) built up their army to maintain their occupation over half of Europe, and to help the Communists in China, Korea, Vietnam, Cuba not to mention their INVASION of Afghanistan.

If Russia didn't have a large army the US would have invaded, probably straight after WW2, kicked out the communists and replaced them with a democratic government. If that happened eastern Europe would not have fallen to communism, neither would have China, N.Korea, Vietnam and a few others. America then would not have had to dominate the middle-east and also not have to go after rogue states like N.Korea or Iran. The United Nations would have been able to police the world.

So, it's the fact that Russia had a large army that's actually caused most of the problems in the world. Of course, Israel would still be a problem.

Lol, Putin stated the same thing but different subject before:

"Thank God Russia was never a British colony"

And now this.

Interesting statements, might I add.

"It is strong enough to protect its interests within the national territory and, by the way, in other regions of the world."

I could be off, but I believe he is referring to Iran. If we take over Iran, not only can we put military in the Caspian Sea, which Russia borders, but we can tap it's natural resources, which it has a lot of.

Russia is flipping out about missile defense systems in Poland and Czech Republic, both of which aren't even on their border. Do you think they'd really settle for us putting military in the Caspian Sea after an Iranian takeover? No way in hell will that happen.

People think Russia is weak post Cold War, but they're actually not. Are we stronger? Yeah, probably. We probably have better technology. But our strength, our confidence, it's depleting. We're in a downward spiral in our history.

One thing Russia has the ability to do is mass produce military equipment quite quickly. If China allies with them, which they will, along with Iran and North Korea - we're looking about close to a 25 million man army all combined, at the very least.

We would have to win that battle with Navy power. We are, hands down, the best Navy in the world. If we tried to go in with Air Force or made the suicidal decision of going in on the ground, we'd lose.

So I think he was referring to Iran when he said Russia's interests "in other regions". I think they are strong enough to defend their interests, as Putin said. But in any event, such a war would devastate the world, no question about it.

Originally posted by rockieboy
Depending on which translation you believe of Ahmadinejad (did he say wipe the country/people of Israel off the map OR wipe the regime of Israel off the map),

He didn't really say that. That's a mis-translation, more than likely intentional.

What he really said, and I'm paraphrasing here (because I'm not sure if this is word for word accurate): 'the regime occupying Jerusalem must vanish from the page of time'

Originally posted by Cthulwho
If that happened eastern Europe would not have fallen to communism, neither would have China, N.Korea, Vietnam and a few others. America then would not have had to dominate the middle-east and also not have to go after rogue states like N.Korea or Iran. The United Nations would have been able to police the world.

So, it's the fact that Russia had a large army that's actually caused most of the problems in the world. Of course, Israel would still be a problem.

I don't even know how to address this, because I'm not sure in what context you're saying it. I'm not sure if you're simply stating history and the possible outcomes, or if you're saying that you're a little upset and that Russia is causing problems.

Yes, Russia has caused problems, but if it is as clear cut as you made it out to be with the fall of communism, and they had fallen, we'd be in world government right now.

So given that, I'm glad Russia maintained enough power to resist.

Originally posted by NovusOrdoMundi

Originally posted by rockieboy
Depending on which translation you believe of Ahmadinejad (did he say wipe the country/people of Israel off the map OR wipe the regime of Israel off the map),

He didn't really say that. That's a mis-translation, more than likely intentional.

What he really said, and I'm paraphrasing here (because I'm not sure if this is word for word accurate): 'the regime occupying Jerusalem must vanish from the page of time'

Far from it, he is re-iterated his statement so many times.

USA messed up hard on Iraq, they screwed up the country becuase they were trying to give the people democracy....or was it the WMD....or was it Al Qaeda???? This is so confusing, why was USA in Iraq again? Oh yeah oil.
I do not blame the Asia region for hating the US, the US messed a perfectly good nation...2 nations, and now it will mess their third one soon. US is on a hot streak, maybe they can mess the whole world up soon.

Originally posted by icybreeze
Russia's military equipment is obsolete and at best a cardboard cutout.

Based on what? Personal opinion? Because if you look at their military equipment, they're keeping up with technology.

Originally posted by icybreeze
at its strongest the Russian military had technology that was 20 years old and lacking in spare parts.

Evidence?

Originally posted by icybreeze
The country is struggling to feed itself

That's interesting, because I believe Russia's economy is on the rise, and also, to boost it more, they're a major regional power, as well as a superpower in natural energy resources. All of that spells a great economy for Russia, if not now, in the near future.

Originally posted by icybreeze
deep inside, all Russians know that their military is a fake storefront.

Where's your evidence of this?

Originally posted by icybreeze
they need the world to think they are strong so the US wont invade them,

Even if this is true, it is a military tactic, my friend. Read "The Art of War".

Originally posted by icybreeze
they are still a divided nation.

Evidence?

Russians are quite nationalistic, and if you want to unite them real damn quick, have a country like us invade.

Originally posted by icybreeze
here, check this out. it was done by the Swedish Ministry of Defense and it states that Russia is 10 years away (as of 2005) from being any threat as a superpower...IF it can keep its government together.

First, it will keep it's government together. I'm not sure why you'd think otherwise.

Second, even if Russia cannot compete head to head, it's nukes are enough of a deterrent.

Russia can compete in the air and on the ground. It's navy can't match up to us.

In the long run, perhaps we would win.

But that's not considering Russia's allies, the countries who would side with them over us, their control over resources etc.

It would not be an easy victory. Definitely not as easy as you're implying.

double post. please delete this one.

[edit on 10/18/07 by NovusOrdoMundi]