Russia's at it again

[Buster15]

Really, when did you go to the country called Soviet Union then?

I will be interested in the answer to this....

 

[Classical Mechanic]

One thing you can say that in Russia is that you rarely get someone going crazy in a mall or a school and shooting up a bunch of innocent people.

The murder rate is nearly twice as high as the US though and about 10 times higher than the UK.

 

[Red Defence]

I will be interested in the answer to this....

Answer is in post 2198.

 

[Buster15]

Answer is in post 2198.

Now I am being really dim but how do I find that post as I can not see any post numbers.

 

[Red Defence]

Now I am being really dim but how do I find that post as I can not see any post numbers.

Top right hand corner of each post (on the red bar) but the reply is the one following my post.

 

[Buster15]

Top right hand corner of each post but the reply is the one following my post.

Much appreciated.

 

[maniak]

You gotta admire these russian youths that week after week keep getting beaten and arrested for protesting against the government.

 

[Raoul]

You gotta admire these russian youths that week after week keep getting beaten and arrested for protesting against the government.

They will bring the government down sooner or later. You can't run a police state indefinitely in the age of social media.

 

[maniak]

They will bring the government down sooner or later. You can't run a police state indefinitely in the age of social media.

Let's hope so.

 

[Foxbatt]

Nothing will happen. Putin will sacrifice Sobyanin and the protest will become the pro Navanly protest once again. Most of the majority of the Russians and especially outside Moscow do not want another Yeltsin scenario and that is why nothing much will happen till Putin retires in 2024.

 

[Grinner]

What's going on with this nuclear missile explosion thing then?

 

[Cheesy]

Nothing will happen. Putin will sacrifice Sobyanin and the protest will become the pro Navanly protest once again. Most of the majority of the Russians and especially outside Moscow do not want another Yeltsin scenario and that is why nothing much will happen till Putin retires in 2024.

Very optimistic...

 

[Red Defence]

What's going on with this nuclear missile explosion thing then?

Came across this earlier.

 

[Grinner]

It is all a bit Stranger Things, isn't it?

 

[Classical Mechanic]

Russia can’t be trusted with nuclear stuff can they.

 

[Raoul]

Nothing will happen. Putin will sacrifice Sobyanin and the protest will become the pro Navanly protest once again. Most of the majority of the Russians and especially outside Moscow do not want another Yeltsin scenario and that is why nothing much will happen till Putin retires in 2024.

He can't retire since abdicating power would make him vulnerable to revenge from any one of the litany of enemies he's amassed during his reign as dictator. He will therefore make up another excuse to prolong his reign.

 

[The Firestarter]

Russia can’t be trusted with nuclear stuff can they.

Klaus Fuchs had different ideas.

 

[Stookie]

Russia can’t be trusted with nuclear stuff can they.

Or most stuff.

 

[Red Defence]

Russia can’t be trusted with nuclear stuff can they.

“Can’t be trusted” is all you need.

 

[Hanks]

Russia is introducing free e-visas for St. Petersburg and Leningrad region starting October 1. You can stay there for up to 8 days, all it takes is an online registration.

All EU countries included (even Poland whose gov't is perhaps the most anti-Kremlin gov't in the world right now), plus several Asian countries included (I assume it'll be the same list as the Kaliningrad free e-visa list).

Notable exclusions: US, Canada, UK, Australia and NZ .....which is perfectly fair enough given the demeaning and patronizing attitude most Anglosphere has towards Russia and Russians.

Looks like they are really serious for their Tourism push to open up the country to foreign visitors! ...Far East E-Visa last summer, Kaliningrad this summer, and now St. Petersburg region! ...and the 2021 plan for the whole country

https://ria.ru/20190815/1557544538.html

***it's clear as day that Russia is trying to strengthen its European ties as the Trans-Atlantic relations between Europe-UK and US sour. a potential Russo-German alliance (well, good relations) especially is one that Atlanticists (AKA Americans) fear the most, hence the huge pushback and complaints of Trump and Grenell re: Nordstream 2 gas pipeline.

 

[2cents]

Russia is introducing free e-visas for St. Petersburg and Leningrad region starting October 1. You can stay there for up to 8 days, all it takes is an online registration.

All EU countries included (even Poland whose gov't is perhaps the most anti-Kremlin gov't in the world right now), plus several Asian countries included (I assume it'll be the same list as the Kaliningrad free e-visa list).

Notable exclusions: US, Canada, UK, Australia and NZ .....which is perfectly fair enough given the demeaning and patronizing attitude most Anglosphere has towards Russia and Russians.

Looks like they are really serious for their Tourism push to open up the country to foreign visitors! ...Far East E-Visa last summer, Kaliningrad this summer, and now St. Petersburg region! ...and the 2021 plan for the whole country

https://ria.ru/20190815/1557544538.html

Really good news.

 

[Red Defence]

Russia is introducing free e-visas for St. Petersburg and Leningrad region starting October 1. You can stay there for up to 8 days, all it takes is an online registration.

Notable exclusions: US, Canada, UK, Australia and NZ .....

I notice FVEY member countries are excluded.

 

[2cents]

I notice FVEY member countries are excluded.

Too bad for them, hopefully relations can improve in the future to the point where they can be included.

 

[Red Defence]

Too bad for them, hopefully relations can improve in the future to the point where they can be included.

Not to sure we’re bothered about being included. Russia will want the favour returned re visas and that’s not something that’s beneficial to any country while Putin reigns.

 

[2cents]

Vladimir Putin is the most significant world figure if the 21st century. Agree/disagree?

 

[JPRouve]

Vladimir Putin is the most significant world figure if the 21st century. Agree/disagree?

Intituively I want to agree because he is one of the rare mainstay and plays a major role geopolitically and economically. But in reality I wonder if Hu Jintao and Xi Jinping aren't the most significant figures.

 

[adexkola]

Vladimir Putin is the most significant world figure if the 21st century. Agree/disagree?

You think he beats Osama?

 

[Raoul]

Vladimir Putin is the most significant world figure if the 21st century. Agree/disagree?

He’s the only significant one who has been in office for the entire 21st century.

 

[Red Defence]

Vladimir Putin is the most significant world figure if the 21st century. Agree/disagree?

If he is it’s for all the wrong reasons.

 

[Red Dreams]

A proper president will contain him.
Tighten the country up with so many sanctions till they bust.

 

[Brwned]

If he is it’s for all the wrong reasons.

Don't you think some of your views are shaped by Western propaganda?

 

[Red Defence]

Don't you think some of your views are shaped by Western propaganda?

No.

 

[Brwned]

No.

Because Western propaganda doesn't exist or because you're immune to it?

 

[Organic Potatoes]

Vladimir Putin is the most significant world figure if the 21st century. Agree/disagree?

Unfortunately, I’d go with Dubya. He’s the embodiment and/or a starting point for everything wrong with the 21st century up to this point.

 

[Red Defence]

Because Western propaganda doesn't exist or because you're immune to it?

I’m retired now. From being a teenager the two areas of the world that have always interested me are Russia and the Middle East. I read everything that I could on both areas, both negative and positive. I never travelled to Russia but I did manage to visit 4 countries in the ME. I can think for myself too.

 

[PedroMendez]

Vladimir Putin is the most significant world figure if the 21st century. Agree/disagree?

No

 

[MTF]

Vladimir Putin is the most significant world figure if the 21st century. Agree/disagree?

To-date either him, Xi Jinping, GWB, Obama... or I dare even say, UBL?

But Xi Jinping will probably surpass them all if he stays in power another 15-20 years.

 

[2cents]

Intituively I want to agree because he is one of the rare mainstay and plays a major role geopolitically and economically. But in reality I wonder if Hu Jintao and Xi Jinping aren't the most significant figures.

To-date either him, Xi Jinping, GWB, Obama... or I dare even say, UBL?

But Xi Jinping will probably surpass them all if he stays in power another 15-20 years.

Interesting. I don’t really know anything about China, but my impression has been that China’s current path has been kind of set in motion since the 80s. Is there something Xi has done to make his individual mark on China’s general trajectory, something that an alternative Chinese leader may not have achieved?

Putin has brought one of the great nations back from the dead, defied the greatest military alliance that has ever existed (at least twice), and become something of a figurehead for an illiberal/conservative realignment of global politics. His personal stamp is all over these developments.

You think he beats Osama?

Unfortunately, I’d go with Dubya. He’s the embodiment and/or a starting point for everything wrong with the 21st century up to this point.

These two have a case. I was thinking today how astonishing Russia’s re-emergence as a major Middle Eastern power has been. 10 years ago everyone would have laughed if you’d suggested that conflicts involving Syria, Turkey, Iran and Israel would very soon be mediated by Moscow and not Washington. But I guess it can be argued that this is just as much if not more a consequence of 9/11 / War on Terror / Iraq War then anything Putin’s done.

No

Any other candidates? Obviously I tend to focus on one particular region which probably skews my focus.

 

[Redplane]

Vladimir Putin is the most significant world figure if the 21st century. Agree/disagree?

Considering we still have another freaking 80 years to go in this century it seems a bit premature to slap that label on anyone.

 

[antihenry]

Any other candidates? Obviously I tend to focus on one particular region which probably skews my focus.

Merkel? She's been a Chancellor since 2005 and is certainly one of the world's most influential politicians.