Friday February 17, 2012

JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION

Russian tanks, missiles back in Red Square parade for first time since Soviet collapse

World May. 10, 2008 - 04:36AM JST ( 10 )

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10 Comments

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ColignyMay. 10, 2008 - 05:49PM JST

Did you write this article just to comfort yourself ? Between, modernized equipement, training and high moral of the troops I certainly would not want to start a war against them. Unlike the Chinese who can't start any war without losing 99% of their customers and so comitting complete economical suicide, Russia don't care, that make them much more dangerous.
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1keironMay. 10, 2008 - 10:16PM JST

“Our army and navy are getting stronger. Just as Russia itself, they are gaining strength,” he said.

big yawn... Russia..come back when you have some positive input for the planet instead of playing "Command and Conquer". It's all i ever hear from Russia..military this, sukhoi fighter that..Its so boring and pathetic.
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some14someMay. 10, 2008 - 10:35PM JST

I am glad to see upgrade version of Soviet Union, now atleast we have more than one Super Powers on this planet.
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soothsayerMay. 11, 2008 - 12:17AM JST

I am glad to see upgrade version of Soviet Union, now atleast we have more than one Super Powers on this planet.

Yes, I love seeing nuclear capable missiles paraded around too. How intelligent we are!
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OssanULTRAMay. 11, 2008 - 01:42AM JST

"I am glad to see upgrade version of Soviet Union, now atleast we have more than one Super Powers on this planet."

Last time we had a cold war the Soviets considere China as much fair game as the United States. Or have we forgotten that?
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rjd_jrMay. 11, 2008 - 04:03AM JST

Very interesting developments in light of recent events. Apprarently much of the military doctrine during the 70's and 80's (and before too) was concentrated on the eastern bloc communist threat. This meant a presence in Europe with military bases and manuevers and training dedicated to this potential threat. With the rise of Islamic militants in the 90's and this decade, the emphasis had been shifting to the middle east and Islamic regions, at the cost of closing bases throughout Europe and de-emphasizing cold weather warfare, etc. etc. Now that the U.S. has its hands behind its back with the Iraq/Afghan issue, this is the perfect opportunity for the sharks circling around, smelling blood. This is hardly welcome news considering military resources are stretched to the limit, with the potential threat once again of the Soviets.
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adaydreamMay. 11, 2008 - 04:54AM JST

Another cold war?

We're trying to place missiles on Czech and Polish soil and we don't expect the Soviet Union to show a force to be remembered?

Plus we're in one hell of a bad place. We're spread out between Afghanistan and Iraq, plus Korea, Germany and Japan. We're indebt up to our hairline and pushing all our weapons to the MiddleEast. This is a wonderful time to flex their muscles.
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SuperLibMay. 11, 2008 - 04:46PM JST

It's mostly just domestic huffing and puffing, trying to replace lost pride from the collapse of the country/system. I'm actually looking forward to any increased threat from Russia sending Europe back under the US's wings again. But in the end I really don't think the Russians are much of a threat.
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BetzeeMay. 12, 2008 - 09:43PM JST

It's mostly just domestic huffing and puffing, trying to replace lost pride from the collapse of the country/system.

Power in the new world order is measured in ways other than just military might.

I'm actually looking forward to any increased threat from Russia sending Europe back under the US's wings again.

If can think back to the NATO summit in February and what happened you will appreciate the source of Russia's formidable post-Cold war power. Specifically, GWB tried to get Georgia (and one other former Soviet state) into NATO, a pro-Western organization. He was unsuccessful because Germany and France, our allies, balked since Russia had made its displeasure known. Why should that matter? Well, Russia has become a major energy exporter (while the USA has to spend increasing amounts on oil imports). Russia, incidentally, has the the third largest dollar reserves after China and Japan. The Europeans, who are dependent on natural gas imports from the east, don't want to piss Moscow off.

GWB thought Russia would morph into a Kuwait in the post-Soviet era. Instead Putin has kept a lock on the energy pipeline infrastructure in the FSU and Gazprom, the state-owned energy monopoly, has become the most profitable business in Russia.
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BetzeeMay. 12, 2008 - 11:14PM JST

This article explains the basis of power in the world today (and it has nothing to do with tanks shows in Red Square):

If anything demonstrates the critical role of oil in determining the fate of superpowers in the current milieu, it is the spectacular reemergence of Russia as a Great Power on the basis of its superior energy balance. Once derided as the humiliated, enfeebled loser in the U.S.-Soviet rivalry, Russia is again a force to be reckoned with in world affairs. It possesses the fastest-growing economy among the G-8 group of major industrial powers, is the world's second leading producer of oil (after Saudi Arabia), and is its top producer of natural gas. Because it produces far more energy than it consumes, Russia exports a substantial portion of its oil and gas to neighboring countries, making it the only Great Power not dependent on other states for its energy needs.

http://www.salon.com/opinion/feature/2008/05/12/russian_oil/index1.html