What do we know about Russia?

[CCS]

What are their economic policies, laws, etc like? Jobs?
Does Russia want to expand?

How strongly anti-religious are the people over there? Do they wish they could have religion? Is it legal? Or would they be the representatives of secularism if a missionary talked to them?

If you think about it, ******** is kind of like communism: it is illegal for you to get married or have kids if the theo***** does not like you. Also illegal to abort a 5 week zigot if the theoc**** had its way. Some leaders even hate condoms. I'm sure there are other dumb laws too if I thought more about it. And many c******s want your money too.

I'm terrified by Obama having so much power. If I knew he'd use it for good, I would not mind. But giving tax credits for hybrid cars that cost more energy to make than they save in the life of the car, and have so little utility, is just dumb. I hope he just said that to get into office, and then acts more responsible once itn.

 

[mulder]

http://faraiq.com/pics/it-can-only-happ ... ussia.html

 

[ali777]

I don't know what you mean by *******, and I don't understand what Russia has to do with your government but I'll make a comment anyway....

As far as I know Russia is a secular country, with high percentage of people being atheists. The ethnic Russians are traditionally Orthodox Christians but 80 years of anti-religion policies of the communist USSR turned them into atheists. Since the fall of the Iron Curtain they've been free to practice their religion.

I remember reading an article that claims the Muslims in Russia will outnumber the Christians in the near future. I presume the author only considered those who believe and practice their religion. In other words, the ethnic Russians will probably still be the majority but as they don't practice their religion they do not count in those statistics.

As for the expansion policies of Russia, I think Putin has been very successful in using the natural resources as means to blackmail other countries and get the necessary bargaining chips in the international arena. In contrast to the Cold War times, Russia isn't trying to expand but they are trying to get back in the race and they are doing anything they can to get there. Thanks to the natural resources they are one of the major powers again.

There was a story about the UK foreign affairs minister being told to fu*k off by his Russian counterpart. TBH, the British minister is an arrogant twit and I can imagine him saying something annoying to deserve such a treatment. The point I'm trying to make is that the Russians aren't push overs.

 

[omgstfuty2]

I cant stand a man that tries to make post points.


Dreadfull little weird little man that he is ..........

 

[goata007]

Russia is same as it's always been. It's Iran that we should worry about.

Iran is just another Iraq waiting to happen. It's been depicted as something it totally isn't, and that's why I like Obama because he actually wants to talk to these people rather than fight them.

 

[HughJass]

Russia has all the hallmarks of a fascist state. Governments get elected when they're the only party running. Journalists who write critically of the government end up dead in mysterious circumstances (more than 200 killed since fall of soviet union). Foreign critics keel over in equally mysterious circumstances. Government officials own and control the biggest earners in the economy (Putin is rumored to be one of the wealthiest men in the world). War dead don't get reported in their entirety. Worst of all, a lot of people in Russia seem to have no problem with this.


And they have a shrinking population. And a fairly tiny economy I believe. And a massive alcohol problem. And a huge racism problem.


That's all I know.

 

[HughJass]

Iran is majority shia

AQ is made up of Sunni's. They consider Shia to be apostates, hence the sectarian violence in Iraq

Sunni Baluchi tribes in Iran at war with the Tehran government, not in partnership with them.

 

[goata007]

The Iranians will smile in his face while building nukes for Al Quada, that may ultimately be launched at the United States.

You are paranoid & delusional!

 

[EasyEd]

 

[ali777]

Russia is already testing Obama. As of today the Russians are threatening action against US missiles in Poland. Russia today accused the US of the world's economic crisis. They also blamed th US for the Georgian crisis.

Day One: Russia has already challenged Obama.

My question is: What will Iran do, when Obama takes office? It should be interesting. :whistle:

Russians are really fast :smack:

I was watching the news today, and some expert on Russia-USA relations was saying that the relations between the two countries are at the lowest point since 1970s. Obama will have to work hard there...

As for the Iranians, the impression I got from the news is that the Iranians are happy that Obama won the elections. I think they are looking for a dialog.

 

[ali777]

Wasn't the Shah pro-American? I thought the Iranian revolution was in essence similar to the Cuban revolution where "the people" wanted to get rid off the imperialists (read as the USA if you wish)? The difference is that the former was organised by the Islamists and the latter was organised by the Communists.

Don't get me wrong, I don't support Iran and its crazy government, but you have to understand the whole process that lead to the revolution. Iran used to have a democratically elect government that was overthrown partly with American help. I mean, when you overthrow a democratically elect government "the people" go underground and the extreme fractions gain strength. That's exactly what happened there. In a way, it was US' actions that lead to the Islamic reaction.

Besides, the hostage crisis was after the revolution... You have your facts wrong.

 

[HughJass]

Sure they're "happy" Obama won. Now they can take over Iraq, and slaughter all the Iraqis who were on the American side, once Obama pulls all the troops out.

Either Iran or Russia will invade Iraq as soon as all American troops are out. Then, we will have to go back - and fight for the same territories all over again - against the Russians possibly. This could lead to WWIII.

step away from the bong....

 

[The Gardener]

I'll have to disagree with you there. The LAST thing that Russia wants is a nuclear armed Iran.

Stepping back in history, Iran has a long history of antagonism with Russia, as they have some ethnic ties with those "Islamic troublemakers" in the ex-Soviet Caucasus.

But, in a shorter term, the Russians are masters of geopolitical triangulation and will use Iran as a tool against us. And frankly, I think the US needs to take a firm stance with Iran. No threatening, no invasions, etc... but just a constant political pressure applied, along with occasional economic pressure when practical, to keep the screws on Iran tight. Over time, with consistency, the Islamic regime in Iran will crack. Iran is not an historically theocratic country. They are actually quite cosmopolitan and have an element of affinity for Western culture. Let the conservatives there run their course, they will dig their own grave, over time, with their internal civilian populace IMHO.

 

[ali777]

Speaking of communists, Ahmedinajad (sp?) is actually Turkish, and I believe was brought up through the ranks by the communist party, with the help - of course - of the former Soviet Union.

The two countries have strong ties. Now they have stormed the US embassy in Tehran - I believe, and are burning the American flag - not like they havn't always. They want the US out of the middle east.

Why would that be? HHHMMMM...... :whistle:

So they can invade Iraq and build nuclear bombs of course, - with the help of ... you guessed it .......

RUSSIA! :whistle:

But, whatever Obama decides to do, I support it 100% because our fate is now in his hands, and we have to stand behind him regardless.

You use "communist" to mean Russian imperialist?

Also, can you explain what you mean by "they want America out of Middle East"? The last time I checked it wasn't officially an American territory...

I'll agree with you on one point though... Russians should stay the hell away from there as well...

 

[Bryan]

I'm sure obama knows that the Iranians have not been very trustworthy in past with the US. Take the hostage crisis situation of 1979 for example. Jimmy Carter tried to "talk" with the Shah, and the Ayatollah Komeini, and he got nowhere for over 400 days. As soon as Reagan took office in 1980, those prisoners were released in a matter of hours.

Are you hinting or implying that the Iranians released the hostages at that specific time because they were somehow scared of Ronald Reagan? I hope you're joking!

Ross Perot was the guy who actually struck that deal.

Huh? Where one earth did you get THAT idea?? :mrgreen:

But, the thing is: the Iranians knew the 'ole Ronnie wasn't going to play games. They knew they had no choice BUT to release the hostages.

Oh come on, dude!! They waited for the EXACT second that Reagan began his inauguration (they were literally looking at their watches, just to know EXACTLY when to start the release process), just as a final slap at President Carter. It was just a final childish "gotcha" on their part, nothing more than that.

Either Iran or Russia will invade Iraq as soon as all American troops are out. Then, we will have to go back - and fight for the same territories all over again - against the Russians possibly. This could lead to WWIII.

Lie down in a nice quiet place, and try to get some rest. Put a cold compress on your forehead. Take a nice Valiumâ„¢.

 

[ali777]

Speaking of communists, Ahmedinajad (sp?) is actually Turkish, and I believe was brought up through the ranks by the communist party, with the help - of course - of the former Soviet Union.

The two countries have strong ties. Now they have stormed the US embassy in Tehran - I believe, and are burning the American flag - not like they havn't always. They want the US out of the middle east.

Why would that be? HHHMMMM...... :whistle:

So they can invade Iraq and build nuclear bombs of course, - with the help of ... you guessed it .......

RUSSIA! :whistle:

But, whatever Obama decides to do, I support it 100% because our fate is now in his hands, and we have to stand behind him regardless.

You use "communist" to mean Russian imperialist?

Also, can you explain what you mean by "they want America out of Middle East"? The last time I checked it wasn't officially an American territory...

I'll agree with you on one point though... Russians should stay the hell away from there as well...

I was talking about when Russia were still socialists (communists). If the US leaves the middle east, other world super powers (China, Russia, etc...) will rush in and take over. Thinking that wouldn't happen is like saying a bear doesn't sh*t in the woods.

Don't forget the USSR invaded Afghanistan in the 80's and were there for 10 years. They didn't leave until the US backed (Osama Bin Laden) to push the Ruskies out. I could easily see the same type of things happening again - on a larger scale.

Iran and Iraq have also been fighting each other for thousands of years - off and on. The US has gone there many times to help them make peace with each other.

Oh, by the way, the whole WORLD has oil intrests in the middle east. Not just the US!

Basically, what you are saying is that it's America's divine right to police the area and get all the oil contracts??

What's the duty of UN?

 

[Bryan]

A long, detailed article on Wikipedia about the Afghan war during the 1980's states that Osama Bin Laden never had ANY connection at all with the American CIA forces who were arming the mujahideen.

 

[Bryan]

A long, detailed article on Wikipedia about the Afghan war during the 1980's states that Osama Bin Laden never had ANY connection at all with the American CIA forces who were arming the mujahideen.

Wiki sometimes is wrong.

Here's an article I pulled from Illuminati:

"Osama bin Laden, one of 20 sons of a billionaire construction magnate, arrived in Afghanistan to join the jihad in 1980. An austere religious fanatic and business tycoon, bin Laden specialized in recruiting, financing and training the estimated 35,000 non-Afghan mercenaries who joined the mujaheddin."

???

What's your point? There's nothing in that statement which contradicts what Wikipedia said.

 

[ali777]

The UN is worthless, powerless, and useless.

The US BUYS more oil than any other country in the world. In fact, Arab countries receive $700 billion per year from the US for oil. It's not like the US is stealing oil there. Like I said, just about every country in the world buys oil from the middle east - not just the US.

If the US doesn't keep the peace in the middle east, who else will? .....HMMMMM....... :whistle:

RUSSIA! :mrgreen:

Who will control the world's oil supply then........ RUSSIA!

Do you think Russia will play nice with the rest of the world with all of their oil? ....HHHMMM......No way! :smack:

So it all boils down to consumerism and your desire to drive gas guzzlers? Also, to ensure the continuity of that life style, you keep the peace as well?

I also don't understand your concept of keeping peace. You started talking about Iran, and I told you how you overthrew a democratically elect government, which ultimately lead to the whole revolution process. So, maybe the whole problem is with the external forces disturbing the balance in the region?

I've said this in another thread. The current war on terror is a war against Al-Qaida, who are essentially America's biggest allies in the region, ie, the Saudis. If you are looking for peace, that's the first country to invade.

 

[HughJass]

Iran and Iraq have also been fighting each other for thousands of years - off and on. The US has gone there many times to help them make peace with each other.

lol dudemon, I wonder what books you've been reading!

The US took sides in the last Iran/Iraq war, and will continue to do so whenever it's strategically convenient for it. Same as any other superpower would.