Originally posted by FULCRUM
They arent going to attack you..
They are just reminding you of your own mortality, and that you are not gods..
As since 1950s USSR / Russia has had the ability to wipe you out totally, and still does..
But so has the USA..
Its just a reminder, not a attack plan..
Remainder because, from the rest of the worlds view, we cant know who are you trying to invade next.
I seem to recall from my classes at the university during the 80's the regulary discussed lack of capability of the Soviet Union to do just that.
Also of that being known both within the Kremlin and the Pentagon that there was no hope for the Soviets to be able to win in anyway such a
conflict.
Between now and then I have yet to come across any information that would indicate that to not have been the case.
There were a few windows of oppurtunity that the Soviets would have been able to hurt the US badly.
But for most of the entirity of my life, there was never the chance of the Soviets winning an all out war with the western powers.
An ability to cause great damage? Yes.
Some elements of their forces rivaling to be the best in their respective fields? Yes.
The ability to effectively project force in a manner that would have allowed them to win an open war with the west? No.
To much of a lack of effective large scale command and control.
To much of an emphasis on absolute obedience to a centralized doctrine that was not capable of responding to the fluidity of the battlefield.
A complete lack of an effective widespread industrial base and infrastructure to be able to support such activities. And an inability to be able to
transport massive troop movements overseas with any ability of keeping such forces alive.
The soviets may well be hoping to resolve some of these issues in their exercise. Just as likely they are hoping to provide a little bluster to try
and show they world they are still a force to be reckoned with.
Understandable from their perspective to not wish to appear either weak on the international scene, or to closely allied with the US, even though they
are dependent on international aide to still be able to regularly provide basic services throughout their own nation, and international aide to
attempt to renovate their internal infrastructure.
Keep in mind the majority of that capital and material support comes from the US.
The only advantage for the soviet's to engage in a war with the US would be to obtain what they lack. That being the industrial base, skilled
workers, and infratstructure that exists in the US.
They do not have the ability to obtain this without destroying it. Therefore there is no advantage.
Perhaps if they were able to come up with a method of doing so there would be a greater cause for alarm. But until then, regardless of the hyperbole,
they are dependent on both europe and the US for their current survival as a power.
But for what it is worth, I have no illusion of just how much of a bitter pill that must be. They are rightfuly a proud people with a rich heritage,
and an amazing ability to withstand horrors inflicted on them of almost biblical purportions.
But they also want to live.
