Russia/Georgia Thoughts

Putin had mentioned many times while he was the President of the Russian Federation his goal was the unifacation of what was the old Soviet Union into a soveriegn nation again. Now as PM with a puppet President to take the heat, as well as the pro west stance of Georgia, the pretense of the two break away regions of Georgia wanting to return to the Russian Sphere, the "preplanned" operation was initiated. The level and speed of this assault is not an kneejerk response but a well rehearsed pre-planned invasion/occupation to return one of the old Soviet States back into the sphere. Also being in the Caucuses oil rich area (light crude) it is in Russia's best interest to occupy the oil fields for thier increasing domestic needs. Russian military expansion is still happening, new weapon systems coming on line, Russian Nationalism returning, and a leadership still trying to return Russia to the level of power of the old Soviet Union days.

An example of a Russian Airborne recruiting "Commercial"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rAHrHd2lcw

Return to pride in Russian military service and recruitment over conscription.

In Soviet Russia...

Edited by PaiNTbALLfReNzY - 12 August 2008 at 11:12am

I agree with Tolgak, and I don't mean to put words in your mouth, but here's how I see it. Nationalism isn't evil, it's they way they (the Russian government) promotes and uses it to their advantage. Restoring faith and confidence in your country is one thing, but attempting to reunite the Soviet Union is too far.

And I know someone in here is going to say something along the lines of, "The U.S. did the same thing to Iraq, blah blah blah." Just because the U.S. did it doesn't mean it was a right or wrong decision and that other countries are allowed to follow suit to what the U.S. does.

Edited by PaiNTbALLfReNzY - 12 August 2008 at 11:46am

Russian Nationalism is a tad bit differant than most other forms of Nationalism. More akin to National Socialism, we all remmember that historical exercise. Russians traditionally prefere a Czar, Commissar or Dictatorship any other form of leadership, that is when Russia has its most powerfull periods. After the recent Soviet experiment, the idea of Mother Russia being a world power if not the world power is re-emerging. Russia has a resurgent military and with many units returning to thier historical roots a Guards Units, etc. Do not underestimate Russia and thier Nationalism, another Soviet Union styled assembly of Eurasian states will have learned from its initial mistakes and a true world power with a distinct military theme will be seen again.

Edited by oldsoldier - 12 August 2008 at 1:16pm

Sadly, that godawful song in that video wouldn't inspire me nearly as much as "Полюшко Поле" would.

No, nationalism isn't bad per se, but the Russians have always had a very hard time of it when it comes to nationalism. You have to understand that what we call "Russia" these days is a federation of 83 federal subjects. You've got 21 Republics, 46 Oblasti (provinces), 9 krais (territories), 4 autonomous Okrugs (districts which are more autonomous than oblasts, but not as much as republics), 2 federal cities (St. Petersburg and Moscow), and one Autonomous Oblast which is the "Jewish Autonomous Oblast" which is a sad bit of irony that the name still remains considering Stalin sent all of them out there to die.

Most of the Oblasts were divided along cultural lines the further south and east from Moscow you got. Ultimately that presents the problem of defining exactly what a "Russian" is. My Tatar friends consider themselves Russian. They speak Russian, they go to Russian universities in Kazan, but by many ethnic slavic Russians, they are considered to be second-class citizens due to their Tatar heritage. The same goes for the ethnic Kazakhs, Moldovans, Ukranians, Karelians, etc etc. that were uprooted and moved throughout Russia to populate it's sparse interior, the ethnic Russians despise most of them and treat them very poorly. This is what causes Russians to have such odd nationalistic habits. Due to the militaristic government that the nation has endured from day one, they are born followers that tend to be extremely jingoistic and supportive of the state no matter how badly they are treated. The Russian mindset is just unexplainable to anyone who hasn't studied them or sat down to have conversations with them.

Nothing beats our video music recruitment video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdT7njoka68


Edited by impulse! - 12 August 2008 at 2:18pm

I prefer the older videos:
link

Styro Folme wrote: tallen702 wrote: I prefer the older videos: link hahaha.

Not sure why a second thread was needed....

I feel something brewing.