NYT: Russia's Military, Once Creaky, Is Modern and Lethal

[Xolodno]

39. Hubris and arrogance have always been the USA's largest weakness.

All too often analysts use the past to compare to the present and future. And think the other side has not learned, changed and developed. Sure, Russia shows off its hardware in parades...but, it seems no one asks the question, "is there stuff they aren't showing off?".

Most here don't even know that it was the Soviets who developed stealth technology initially. They didn't have a high interest in it because its an ability to project power and their military doctrine has been for defense. But you can bet your ass they have to have some shit somewhere, just not in large numbers.

And our biggest problem, we spend tons on military programs the Pentagon says are useless. But since it greases certain politicians hands (usually GOP), they keep ramming it down their throat. Russia and China don't have that problem and can devote their budgets strictly to what their needs are and gives them the most bang for the buck (yeah, I know, bad pun).

But its easy to say, we are absolutely superior in every way because we spend ten times more on certain equipment. You could spend 100 times more on muskets but a smaller army with Kalashnikov's are still going to mow you down like nothing.

And sanctions don't work either. We've been doing it to Cuba which is a puddle jump plane south of us for decades and they have survived. And in some cases, such as medical care, their doctors have taught ours a thing or two when they work together on humanitarian missions in other countries. The threat to take them off the SWIFT system is a wet paper sack. Both Russia and China have already set up alternative systems. And Germany is going to get deliveries from the Nordstream 2 pipeline, eventually, they will be very quiet about it with limited amount at first, but ramp it up when there is another crisis that causes the West to say "Squirrel!".

I don't think I've visited Europe enough, but, its given me enough insight to know they will not die over a hill that's called Ukraine. Sure I walked past a statue of Thomas Jefferson in Paris...then crossed a street named after Joseph Stalin, while I was on my way to a museum that had a display proudly showing off Russian military artifacts that helped defeat Napoleon.

Our perspective of the world is often too small.