That's why America will never stop "declaring WAR on somebody"... it's the "acceptable" rationale/excuse for ever greater amounts of deficit spending and "economic stimulus/inflation" which politicians covet so dearly.
Let 'em close the doors. Toc is right. I lived in Moscow for several years. Traveled all over the country. With the exception of a small part of St. Pete, everything outside of Moscow is a third world cesspool of no infrastructure, no employment, and life essentially exists as it did under Soviet rule with the exception of the mafia running everything. Russia exports energy, weaponry, crime and women. And in that order.
'life essentially exists as it did under Soviet rule with the exception of the mafia running everything.' countries that controlled the 'mafia' elements, like Poland, Czech etc. have done much better despite not having oil and other natural resources to rely upon.
Was a long time ago, but I read an excellent article comparing Poland and the Ukraine in everything from life expectancy to quality of living, wages, etc. And that is exactly what they summarized: Despite both countries being a part of the Former Soviet Union, one made an effort to stomp out corruption, and the other did not. It's really horrible. I've known business owners, expat and Russian alike, who have had their business whisked away from them in the drop of a hat because they were profitable. One Brit I knew ran a great Indian restaurant and cafe. One day, some men showed up at his place and presented him with papers - legalized and everything - that said they now owned the place and he was fired. He lost everything he put into the place, and they ended up running the business into the ground (either purposely or because they had no idea how to run a successful enterprise). There is a word in Russian that, loosely translated, means "roof". It's spoken like criche'. Essentially it is the term given to an "organization" that is paid to be a company or firm's "security service" and protect them from hostile actions of sorts. But sometimes the same security firms turn on those who hired them because they have the inside info on how to get the money. No, Russia might be "back" because of a resurgance in windfall profits from the energy industry, but it will still be the same third-world cesspool where crime runs rampant, everyone is bribed and full of corruption, and xenophobia rules the populace.
From 1990 to 1998, the Russian economy sunk by 80%, worst form of depression any major country has ever seen, so all the new oil profits are barely able to recoup that loss. There was a study which said the Oil Boom of 70s financed Braznev's cold war for another 15 years but by 1985 the treasury was hollow again and Afgan war was exposing the glorious Red Army and Reagan was beating his chest in hostility, faster and harder than any US president in the past. Commies decided that they have to change but lost control over the 'change process' and then before anyone knew it, Mafia had already looted fourth of the country via oligarchs like Berezovsky, Several who fled to Israel and West and ofcourse Gazprom dude Kadrovsky. Wonder this oil boom, predicted to last till 2015-2020 will finance another 30 years of Russian strong arm. Only difference is now they are not blowing up $300B a year in fighting off the cold war and other military nonsense.
I know a bit about FSU, I have Czech relatives and my buddy that trades lives Harkov Ukraine. I had no idea it was that bad. His friend, an American also, owns a software company and eveyone demands to be paid in USD cash, they don't have as much faith in the Grievna ( spelling? )and don't want to pay tax. His son was shooting some soft porn nude photos and gets a visit from the police. They tell him he must pay big $$$ or things will be bad. He will be charged with crimes and sent to jail. So next week he gives them about 8k, I believe, for a "permit", and they tell him he can beat women if he wants, which he doesn't want to! :eek: He was just taking nude photos of college women and posting them on the net. I am really surprised if it's like that there are more killings. Come to steal my biz and Smith and Wesson will greet you.
Tell me what is the other way for a country to rake up more debts in very short time other than wars? Poor; hungry smacks can be easily motivated to do anything. Debts/credits are the greatest invention of capitalist.
'Tell me what is the other way for a country to rake up more debts in very short time other than wars? Poor; hungry smacks can be easily motivated to do anything.' Do not understand what you are trying to say here.