State TV says Russia could turn USA into Radioactive Ash

Don't worry, it'll be okay: the Russians love their children, too.

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/wHylQRVN2Qs" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

You think those are freaky? I was up all night coming up with these.

Putin = 5 letters; WW3 = WW (2 ws)+ 3= 2+3 = 5... I was shocked.

Barack Obama = 12...1+2=3...WW3

Here is the scariest one of all..

Barack (6 letters) Russia (6 letters) Crimea (6 letters) = 666

 

But this time the conservatives root for the Russkies!

 

Umm, economies taht are mostly dependent on high commodity prices, like Russia's are not really in great shape; but anyway, since you're the expert, why don't you list the successful economic reforms that Putin implemented?

In terms of economics as far as I can tell - all he did was strip wealth from one group of gangster cronies and consolidate it into his own. The energy boom and subsequent bust really had nothing to do with that.

 

I give Putin no credit. (I give Rick Perry no credit).

Russia could have been as stable and prosperous as Norway if there were an equitable distribution of the nations natural wealth among it's people. But the despot chose to favor a select few cronies and political allies. He could have used the profits to invest in modern infrastructure, diversified industries, scientific research and innovation but fostered only a culture of corruption and exploitation.

 

Yes but now they have conquered the Crimea!

....which ceased being economically relevant after the slave trade petered out in the 18th c. But good job! Thanks Obama!

 

There are plenty of economies dependent on oil & natural gas exports, but none of them experienced the level of economic growth as Russia did during the 2000s boom times.

What successful reforms did he bring? Reversing Yeltsin's reforms, finally bringing stability to Russia and controlling inflation.

 

I thought they already had Crimea as a naval station?

 

PBOF duh

 

Reversing the trend toward democracy and back to State tyranny is a success?

 

I really don't get the strategic value of the Crimea naval base. It's 2500 miles to the open ocean, through a narrow strait controlled by a NATO country, and then past Gibraltar. Sure it's warm water and you can control the Black Sea but you wouldn't be projecting any power from it.

 

Come and take it.

 

Sorry to disappoint you but not even close.

I think you are overestimating the strategic importance of Crimea. Turkey controls the Bosporus strait, a very narrow strait, and it's the only way to get in & out of the Black Sea. Turkey can easily close off the strait to the Russians. There's a reason why even during the Soviet times the Black Sea fleet is by far the smallest & weakest of the 4 Soviet fleets. Also the Russians already constructed a naval base in Novorossiysk as the alternative base for the Black Sea fleet in case the Ukrainians didn't extend the lease in 2010.

 

That'll be very difficult even for the Russians to accomplish. Even ignoring the fact that Turkey is a part of NATO, unlike Ukraine Turkey have a fairly modern and decent sized military. It's not capable of much power projection, but it's highly credible as a defensive force.

 

lol fearmongering