Quote from: tvbcof on Today at 10:10:01 AM

Quote from: paxmao on Today at 08:47:08 AM

Interesting voting in the Duma. The RF seems to be doing so well and having so much success that from now on the citizens can be notified of them being mobilised by an "email" (short of) and, just in case, they are no longer allowed to remove or delete their account from the electronic system of the government (most have an account).

So... yes, they have played the "patriotic card", then the "good pay" card, then the "slave army" card, then the "pardon for criminals" card... and there it goes a new one "you cannot scape" card. Who knows, maybe even some of the people from Moscow and St Petersburg might be mobilised.

Needless to say that this is about the Kremlin psychos noticing that the Ukrainian offensive to recover their land may go as far as breaking the bridge to Crimea. Bad news is that modern warfare is not about throwing meat into the grinder.

BTW, this is a recognition of "being at war" since, none of this can be legally done unless at war.

The Russian leadership, in both strategy and tactics, seem to be very interested in preserving the lives of as many Russian servicemen as practicable. The exceptions seem to be localized where a regional commander wishes to make a name for themselves. In these cases the high command does seem to relieving the commanders of their commands.

Beyond that, there are very clear, direct, and demonstrable threats from the West to Russian values and life-ways. In other words, unlike anything which I (as an American) have seen in my lifetime, there is something worth fighting for/against and it goes beyond simply inflating profits for corporations and the political/economic elite.

Given the above two features, I cannot say what I would do as a Russian of an age group where I could be called upon. As someone with a history of 'getting my ass out of Dodge' in the face of a threat of being forced to 'defend' 'my nation', I very well might comply with a conscription order were I a Russian. There is even an outside chance that I might even volunteer...and especially if it might get me a more safe service position.

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There is a credible argument to be made that having 'tribal' oligarchs has been necessary under the dollar-based global economic system because they could more readily interface with their fellow tribalist bankers who dominate the West. After the fall of Ukraine (and consequently the USD system), that argument will not carry the same weight.

I will say that the ratio of Russian expenditures to arms production capacity is HIGHLY favorable compared to the West. That tells me that Putin managed to do a reasonable good job at quelling corruption at least as it relates to national defense.

Nah, there is no threat to the RF territory (the legitimate one, before invading Crimea that is), there is certainly no threat whatsoever to the "Russian way of life", you can live however you want, drink the same vodka , hate gays as usual and like your leaders riding horses half naked, write marvellous literature in Cyrillic and have the best classic dance schools in the world.

There is one clear threat though - to the current despots ruling the RF and the government, and they are alright sacrificing the "servicemen" to get yet another roll of dice at keeping power. People in the RF are right to question why do they have to get killed for a government they cannot choose, try to change pacifically and do not agree with.

If there is nothing similar to a victory or even something looking like defeat, the government may have serious problems with some of the "republics" and the "allies" may think that the RF is no longer a powerful partner. That is not a threat to a way of life, is a threat to power.

The arms production issues in the RF are not only related to corruption, they are related to the critical components and supplies you need for modern warfare - they are produced abroad and sanctions make it difficult or impossible to get.

On your argument about the oligarchs - yes, there are oligarchs all over the world, but in representative regimes you at least have a shot at having some control over what they can and cannot do. The argument "is not perfect" does not mean is not "better".

BTW, would it not be some of those Karma is a bitch if this location was hit by missile? The missiles programmer's lair.