Is Moscow still hoping for a nuclear showdown or what ?
 

I tried to have an open positive approach towards Russia but fact is: they annoy the hell out of me too frequently. Like Iran, Russia is hard to like for a western guy such as myself.

Why are the Russian government cretins still siding with Iran ? Yet handling Chechznia tyhe way they do ? It doesnt make sense. It's utterly disgusting.

http://edition.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/me...eut/index.html

Russia doesn't want war in Iran. What else is new? What, you think they'll be getting something good out of it?

I quite fail to see what Russian interest it would be accomplishing. Nor do I see any reason for Russia to act with any degree of commitment outside of its own interests - considering the West refuses to so much as think outside its own interests, forget acting...

As far as the utterly... bad thread title - :roll:

There's one country in the world that's been moving to bombing an increasing amount of countries and trying to approve use of tactical nuclear weapons, and it sure ain't Russia.

But don't worry. Putin isn't going to lift a finger - why would he? The west is perfectly capable of screwing things up on their own - much to his country's advantage. Fortunately, he's got things screwed up in Russia enough to not have this advantage seriously reflected on Russia's capability as a threat.

Otherwise, I'm glad to see Russia has at least kept its mistrust towards the west. It's justified. You may not like it, but again - there's no reason for anyone to act outside their own interests. It's realpolitik.

Well said. :yep:

I had expected this from the 2 of you; anti-western and pro-opposing parties as you both are :shifty:

Just two blokes living in unappropriate places. I feel sorry for you :roll:

My little prediction:

Islamic and Pan-Arab cooperation will be to Putin and Russia as was the Nazi-Soviet Non-aggression Pact to Stalin and the USSR.

On a smaller scale - maybe.

I agree with you Avon Lady. I also wonder if Russia has it coming from the Chinese. They're sure giving them the keys to the kingdom in regards to military technology. :down:

@AL Probably or at least possibly.

But Iran is a whore (edit: may not make too much sense, but I always wanted to say this :lol: ), selling to anyone who wants to buy their stuff.

If Islam is so important to them, why suck up to Moscow and not support the Chechzian rebels for autonomy against Moscow ?

Huh...say again ? They are supporting those islamic rebels ?

The ME/former SU territory is getting even more screwed up all the time...

So far behind the West. So confused. Such wannabees. So pityful.

:down: :down: :down:

I don't think that's predictable at this stage.

China's main interest at this time is getting Taiwan under its grip.

I think it would take a Chinese equivalent of NK's Lil' Kim coming into power for China to be interested in taking on Russia militarily.

Russia and China don't bother each other too much. Each might be watching their sixes from the other but they're both busy with other places and issues.

And there's always the possibility that China may one day in the near future might mature enough to become fully democratic through their own internal transformation, if the people can get hold of the higher positions in China's political and military systems.

Russia are our friends not our enemy. :yep:

How frequently do ships deliver newspapers to you guys down under ? :-j

Ships?

Don't they rely on bottles? :hmm:

Yea, that's more likely :yep: Aussie beer bottles

( ;) @ Kiwi)

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

You crack me up. Since when have I been anti-western? And I'm meant to be pro-opposing parties? What do you mean by this? More information please if you will. I cannot recall CCIP exhibiting the types of behaviour that you describe here either. Anyway help me out please here. :-?

From time to time Moscow has to do a bit of prodding the west or poking the east and visa versa.

Russia hoping for a nuclear showdown? Only if it's feeling suicidal...but that is not to say that its still fronting a lot of military power, and with most of Europe in the Middle East...well, if there ever was a ripe time to reclaim some of the old Warsaw pact countries, now would be it.
Still, I think most of Russias power these days lies in its gas and oil supplies, who needs to send in tanks when cutting the gas supply in the middle of winter could be just as damaging.
The Bear isn't dead....just sleeping :up: