Trump congratulates Putin on election, leaders look to meet soon

[Thakkar]

Suggested next briefing note for Trump:

DO NOT CONFESS TO PERJURY, WITNESS TAMPERING, MONEY LAUNDERING, TAX EVASION, AND TREASON!!!!

[mikebike]

3 hours ago, BobBKK said:

Russia, you perceive, is a "gas station with an Army'?  how many times have you visited Russia?  worked there?  you are CLUELESS about this wonderful country and its wonderful people. And, yes, I would stand up for America if I heard such nonsense from a Russian.  Of course Russia is a super power along with USA and China.  Please keep the debate attached to even a modicum of reason otherwise the arguments look stupid.

Outside its sphere with its former satellites - NO - Russia is not a superpower. It is not even close to competing with the USA or China on the world stage of economics, power and influence.

[Jingthing]

9 minutes ago, mikebike said:

Outside its sphere with its former satellites - NO - Russia is not a superpower. It is not even close to competing with the USA or China on the world stage of economics, power and influence.

That's partly true. They aren't an economic powerhouse. However, due to their nuclear program they are still a major power. Also, Putin has played a weak hand very well as far as his adventures in Ukraine and Syria. The fact that Russia is now such a massive force in the Middle East is not to be sneezed at. 

[mikebike]

1 minute ago, Jingthing said:

That's partly true. They aren't an economic powerhouse. However, due to their nuclear program they are still a major power. Also, Putin has played a weak hand very well as far as his adventures in Ukraine and Syria. The fact that Russia is now such a massive force in the Middle East is not to be sneezed at. 

Yes Ukraine (former Soviet satellite as mentioned)... and Syria... not a bad start but no greater power and influence than the EU and no one is calling the EU a superpower...

 

 You can add their UN veto etc to their nuclear arsenal... still leaves Russia a microscopically distant 3rd when it comes to global power and influence. 

 

Playing some good hands as your post cold war pot dwindles is not being a superpower - it is doing the best with what you are dealt in a world which has mostly left you behind.

[Jingthing]

Agreed they are not a TOP power, but they are demanding respect and given their nuclear program there really isn't a choice. Other countries see that and want the same (Iran, North Korea, etc.). 

[mikebike]

12 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Agreed they are not a TOP power, but they are demanding respect and given their nuclear program there really isn't a choice. Other countries see that and want the same (Iran, North Korea, etc.). 

True dat!

 

Nuclear or near-nuclear states are gonna get more military respect. India, Pakistan, even Japan and the BRICS nations etc who could be n-armed very quickly garner respect militarily.

 

The key to the final step of "superpower" is that military might combined with unimaginable economic power, regional and global influence AND the ideological will and desire to use all of the above to tilt the table in your direction. Only two nations can claim that ground for the foreseeable future.

[Scott]

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