The State of Affairs in Russia

[Gups]

.

They're still more of a regional nuisance than a true international geopolitical threat--at least at this time

Somewhere inbtween I'd say. That veto fucks things up globally.

[CountDeMoney]

.

They're still more of a regional nuisance than a true international geopolitical threat--at least at this time

Somewhere inbtween I'd say. That veto fucks things up globally.

True, but "coalitions of the willing" have been in vogue, it's time-tested and it works now.  Going to the UNSC isn't the "or else" option it used to be.

[citizen k]

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/russian-spy-anna-chapman-stars-propaganda-video-n257271

   
 

[Eddie Teach]

I try to load that and it just skips to a clip of Al Roker interviewing some singer.

Ok, third time was a charm.

[Tonitrus]

That story is actually pretty silly.  I'm sure we've had a number of reality shows with some celeb making the rounds with our military, and we don't call it "bizarre" or "propaganda".

[Razgovory]

I missed out most of the first Cold War.  I really dig this constant stream of surreal statements coming from Russia.

[Sheilbh]

Do you know what'd be useful right now? An aircraft carrier

Russian warships pass through Channel
Conflicting reports about whether squadron was holding drills in strait of Dover or just waiting out a storm
Haroon Siddique and agencies
The Guardian, Friday 28 November 2014 13.20 GMT

A squadron of Russian warships has passed through the Channel.

State-owned Russian news agency Ria Novosti said crews on the vessels from the Russian navy's northern fleet were "holding drills" in the strait of Dover on Friday, citing the fleet's press service. But the Russian defence ministry was quoted by other Russian media as saying its ships entered the Channel to wait out a storm after a week of manoeuvres in the North Sea.

The ministry said in a statement carried by Russian news agencies that a naval destroyer, a landing craft, a rescue tugboat and a tank ship had to anchor in the international waters of the Bay of the Seine, off the coast of France. It said the ships had been conducting naval exercises in the North Sea since 20 November.

The ships' presence in British waters comes amid tension between the UK and Russia over Vladimir Putin's backing of separatist rebels in Ukraine. The European Union has imposed a number of sanctions on Russia, including asset freezes and travel bans on individuals.

At the G20 summit earlier this month David Cameron warned Putin that the west's relations with Russia had reached a crossroads. The prime minister was one of a number of world leaders to take Putin to task over Ukraine and warn him of the prospect of further economic sanctions.

Russia has conducted a variety of exercises since the Kremlin's annexation of Crimea and its involvement in eastern Ukraine. A recent thinktank report recorded a sharp rise in Russian-Nato military encounters since the annexation, including violations of national airspace and close encounters at sea.

The British Ministry of Defence tweeted on Friday afternoon: "Four Russian ships escorted through Dover Strait from North Sea by @RoyalNavy HMS Tyne this morning. Ships have left UK waters."

[Jacob]

How about of helicopter carriers? I think the French have a couple of spare ones.

[Admiral Yi]

Helicopter carriers aren't much use against surface ships.

[Sheilbh]

Helicopter carriers aren't much use against surface ships.

I think it's about the carriers the French were going to sell to the Russians

[Admiral Yi]

I got that.

[Syt]

Do you know what'd be useful right now? An aircraft carrier

NATO says it's not an exercise, and that they're waiting out bad weather in a spot where they show up relatively regularly, so nothing out of the ordinary.

http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/russian-warships-enter-english-channel-to-escape-storm/512005.html

NATO Denies Russia Conducting Military Exercises in English Channel

A squadron of Russian warships entered the English Channel on Friday but a NATO official dismissed a Russian media report that they were there to conduct military exercises.

Russian news agency RIA quoted the Northern Fleet as saying its vessels, led by anti-submarine ship Severomorsk, had passed through the Strait of Dover and were now in international waters in the Seine Bay to wait for a storm to pass.

"While it is anchored the crew are undertaking a series of exercises on how to tackle infiltrating submarine forces and are training on survival techniques in the case of flooding or fire," RIA quoted the Northern Fleet as saying in a statement.

The Russian Navy could not reached for comment and the Defense Ministry declined to comment on the report.

France's navy confirmed the location of the ships and said it was not unusual to have Russian warships in the Channel.

"They are not holding exercises. They're just waiting in a zone where they can be several times a year," said the French Navy's information service.

Lieutenant-Colonel Jay Janzen, NATO's military spokesman, also said the alliance was aware of the Russian ships' location.

"Our information indicates that the ships are transiting and have been delayed by weather conditions. They are not exercising in the Channel, as some Russian headlines would have us believe," he said.

Russia has flexed its military muscle recently, with the NATO military alliance reporting more incursions by Russian fighters and long-range bombers.

The Russian maneuvers followed months of tension over Ukraine, where Moscow has annexed the Crimean peninsula and has supported armed separatists opposed to the Kiev government

[Tonitrus]

I think our PR reaction to Russia's military movements is all wrong.  We're all "OMG, Russia is threatening the world", when we should be all "do whatever guys, we can blow that shit up anytime".

[Admiral Yi]

I like the cut of your jib Tonto.

That's why fast attack subs don't make good geopolitical weapons.  Gotta be visible.

[Zanza]

I think our PR reaction to Russia's military movements is all wrong.  We're all "OMG, Russia is threatening the world", when we should be all "do whatever guys, we can blow that shit up anytime".

That's what I think as well. Them flying with those vintage turboprop bombers close to our airspace? Who gives a shit?