Should the U.S. be scared of Russia again?

[Varshna]

I noticed that Russia has really been getting their s*** together. Shoud the U.S. be scared of Russia again? I think so.

[Frenequesta]

Their what? Sauce plz.

[The Sheika]

I would say that it would be foolish to rule it out, just because you are not afraid of something one day, doesn't mean it shouldn't cause you concern the next.

[Maurepas]

I don't see why, I'm not sure the benefit they'd get from attacking us really. And any real effort would be seen coming a mile away.


EDIT: Not literally, lol.

[Lolzieristan]

Meh. It's them Chinamen we need to watch! They're still COMMIES. And they have cool shit.

[Minoriteeburg]

All I know is that I'm going to start saving up my bottle caps.

[Izarius]

I noticed that Russia has really been getting their s*** together. Shoud the U.S. be scared of Russia again? I think so.

Well their army and air force is getting upgraded, and at least the navy isn't falling apart anymore. And that massive Soviet weapons stockpile is still a potent force when used properly, as demonstrated in the South Ossetia war.

But at the moment, Russia is content with only half-heartedly opposing NATO. So no. The US shouldn't be scared of Russia yet. I hope Russia starts standing up soon.

[Sibirsky]

No.

I really wish for more US-Russian cooperation. Both nations would benefit immensely. And I don't mean nuclear disarmament.

[Lolzieristan]

I don't see why, I'm not sure the benefit they'd get from attacking us really. And any real effort would be seen coming a mile away.


EDIT: Not literally, lol.

Well, Sarah Palin would warn us, wouldn't she? After all, she's watching their every move from her house...

[Augustus Este]

Meh. It's them Chinamen we need to watch! They're still COMMIES. And they have cool shit.

There isn't going to be a war against China, there probably won't be a major war for a long time. The world is too economically intertwined to see warfare on the scale of WWII. China isn't really communist anyway.

[Izarius]

Meh. It's them Chinamen we need to watch! They're still COMMIES. And they have cool shit.

Russia is still far better armed than China, and China is probably going to become more capitalist than Russia before long.

[Fleelgis]

Scared because what, they're going to come and do business with us?

[AETEN II]

Meh. It's them Chinamen we need to watch! They're still COMMIES. And they have cool shit.

That falls apart when you point a finger at it and yell BANG. Yeah, China's not a problem. Besides, they don't have a large enough navy to deploy troops, when we see that they're attempting to build one, we'll first ask them peacefully, and if they bullshit us, well, then the Nimitz carriers come in. And they don't play nice.

[Lolzieristan]

Meh. It's them Chinamen we need to watch! They're still COMMIES. And they have cool shit.

There isn't going to be a war against China, there probably won't be a major war for a long time. The world is too economically intertwined to see warfare on the scale of WWII. China isn't really communist anyway.

And I know, they're just dress-up commies. But still, their military is beginning to operate independently of their President, and that worries me. He was informed of their development of the stealth fighter on the day it was publicly unveiled. They've purchased their first aircraft carrier (from the Russkies, of course) and are also designing (strategically useless) anti-carrier ballistic missiles. Ten points for enthusiasm, but no.
Anyway, as I was saying, it is my strong belief that if and when the Chinese develop more technologically-oriented businesses, they'll begin to operate with more or less impunity.
Lemme find that article I have saved on my desktop real quick...and also, no. China is better armed than the Russians, and they are also developing counters to our traditional technological edges. And don't forget their military is the largest in the world, simply because they're lolhuge themselves. Still looking for my proof...ironically enough, I have plentiful evidence because I am a paranoid nutjob.

[United Gordonopia]

Not in the least. There are so many factors one should look at. Economically? GDP per capita is barely over 10,000 USD, they have 3 x US' inflation, and many of their largest corporations are either state-sanctioned monopolies or oligarchies, or run by the Russian Mafia. Politically, they're very corrupt, being tied for 16th or 17th most corrupt nation in the world by transparency international. Militarily? Their army is in absolute decay, with many of their tanks being built in the 60's (their numbers are hugely inflated by aging vehicles such as the 1100 t-55's in service since the early 50's), their air force has no fighters that can match the US', and their Navy is pitiful compared to the US'. Plus, although Russia can still bully a few of the old Soviet republics it borders, the US' network of alliances and the sheer number of states that just plain don't trust Russia is overwhelming.

[Arkinesia]

This question just isn't worth answering.

Put down the XBox 360 controller and stop playing MW2 so much.

[Maurepas]

No.

I really wish for more US-Russian cooperation. Both nations would benefit immensely. And I don't mean nuclear disarmament.

I agree, and Cuba too. Both countries have a serious lack of Ford vehicles, and I have a want of Cigars and Russian Vodka.

[Tsa-la-gi Nation]

I think the US should be more concerned about our own leadership more than Russia. Korea & Iran are a bigger threat to the people of the US, but after that, my opinion is our own leadership is our biggest threat.

Edit: how did I forget to add China to that short list.

[Lolzieristan]

Alas, all of my relevant evidence is on my wonderful duct-tape-wrapped flash drive that I've had since high school. And I don't know where that is right now. Suffice it to say, "The Chinese have so much more up their sleeve than the average NS commentator realizes."

[AETEN II]

No.

I really wish for more US-Russian cooperation. Both nations would benefit immensely. And I don't mean nuclear disarmament.

I agree, and Cuba too. Both countries have a serious lack of Ford vehicles, and I have a want of Cigars and Russian Vodka.

I wonder if it is possible that the russian 'We don't take shit from the media' attitude might rub off on us?
That'd be worth trillions.

[Lolzieristan]

I think the US should be more concerned about our own leadership more than Russia. Korea & Iran are a bigger threat to the people of the US, but after that, my opinion is our own leadership is our biggest threat.

Wait, to the PEOPLE of the US? What are they gonna do, launch one one-kiloton nuke at us? We'll knock it out of the sky and then kick their asses. Quite honestly, it takes a superpower to fight a superpower. And though the US is slipping, we're still a superpower.

[AETEN II]

I think the US should be more concerned about our own leadership more than Russia. Korea & Iran are a bigger threat to the people of the US, but after that, my opinion is our own leadership is our biggest threat.

Wait, to the PEOPLE of the US? What are they gonna do, launch one one-kiloton nuke at us? We'll knock it out of the sky and then kick their asses. Quite honestly, it takes a superpower to fight a superpower. And though the US is slipping, we're still a superpower.

Gotta love having the largest navy in the world.

[Post-Apocaliptia]

I think we should. Then again, I'm of a "trust no-one" mindset, so I don't think that means much.
Hell, I'm even a little afraid of Canada. Yeah, I see you there Canada. Sitting there so peacefully, plotting our downfall. I'm watching you.
Erm, no offense to any Canadians.

All I know is that I'm going to start saving up my bottle caps.

Agreed.

[Maurepas]

I think the US should be more concerned about our own leadership more than Russia. Korea & Iran are a bigger threat to the people of the US, but after that, my opinion is our own leadership is our biggest threat.

I'm not afraid of Korea or Iran either, tbqh. In the words of Ron Paul: "Iran can't reach America, they don't even have an air force."

It's the same for Korea, like I've often said, what're they gonna do? Attack us in a row boat?

To me, the only thing the US needs to do is maintain the top Navy and Airforce in the world and we've got it whipped on defense. There are two oceans that either are going to have to cross to get here.

[Varshna]

I wouldn't trust Russia, Russian people in general like to do as munch as they can to gain personal benefit. Trust me on that, I know I dated a russian before. I mean it's good for them but remember who we were against in the cold war. China I think is a bigger threat, they are wanting a bigger Navy and they have air craft carriers now so yeah. It's sort of tied I think, but the U.S. owes China money from the loans they gave the U.S.