Russia adding 40 ICBMs into service by end of year

[JohnStone]

As Putin Talks More Missiles and Might, Cost Tells Another Story

Analysts see the increasing emphasis on military matters as a sign that the changes wrought by the Ukraine crisis are cementing a more confrontational relationship between Russia and the West, something of a new arms race. Yet as races go, it is a slow-motion contest, with little appetite to invest in the kind of Cold War arsenals that had assured mutual destruction.

For one thing, Russia, given its economic problems, probably cannot afford even the weapons that Mr. Putin has pledged to deliver by 2020. Six months ago, he said the country would add 50 ballistic missiles to its nuclear arsenal this year, and at least one senior Russian military official has indicated publicly that the Kremlin’s appetite exceeds its wallet.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/17/world/europe/putin-40-new-missiles-russian-nuclear-arsenal.html

As I recall from school, the great depression ended with the start of WW2, the US didn't exactly have much money then either. Countries can always find the money for war. Heck, even the gear Russia already has is enough to pose a great risk. In fact, not being able to invest in more tested or conventional weapons, would just give a guy like Putin more reason to perform a first strike if he feels he gets back into a corner...making him even more dangerous. Russia cannot really afford a conventional war against NATO, but they got nukes and they got a lot of them...and if I was fighting a war and that's all that I had at my disposal, it would get used.

Putin has his people, they love him, this isn't about political gain anymore I don't think, because he can easily stand down and send some false story down through his propaganda machine to end the problem...his people would still love him. It seems more personal to him now, which makes him a very dangerous world leader. Sure we expect nuclear threats from North Korea, but coming from a world superpower, that's almost unheard of. Considering his control of the media, the propaganda and the aggressive moves that he's been making, it appears as though he's all in...not that unlike others who instigated pin pricks that lead to a world war. We have to remember that if WW3 happens, it'll likely be totally different then the previous two...nuclear weapons being the key factor. We shouldn't underestimate putin, even in everyday society, those without money are the ones who grow desperate and are more likely to do something stupid.

Russia is probably the only country in the world that can deal a crippling blow to the US, we know it and so do they. They may take an equal blow, but we shouldn't underestimate our enemy. They are not ISIS, who is a joke in comparison, but US media makes them to be the gods of evil.

 

[matty1053]

Really if a war broke out between RU and US... IF the US were nuked, what effect would it have on Russia? As, the economy of Russia isn't highly dependent on USA.... unlike China. For sure it would be like a massive ripple effect. Especially if it happened during stock exchange is open.... woah, imagine that dip.

Russia would only take a major blow on their civilians and military assets. America on the other hand... the economy would be in a DEAD standstill, probably collapse. (Depends on how many nukes went off), the worlds economy would fall quickly... damn that would be more brutal than anything.

Well, I'll say this... if we are in a nuclear war... I hope the entire earth blows up and no one has to suffer. (Only the politicians! )

 

[monkeywrench24]

Really if a war broke out between RU and US... IF the US were nuked, what effect would it have on Russia? As, the economy of Russia isn't highly dependent on USA.... unlike China. For sure it would be like a massive ripple effect. Especially if it happened during stock exchange is open.... woah, imagine that dip.

Russia would only take a major blow on their civilians and military assets. America on the other hand... the economy would be in a DEAD standstill, probably collapse. (Depends on how many nukes went off), the worlds economy would fall quickly... damn that would be more brutal than anything.

Well, I'll say this... if we are in a nuclear war... I hope the entire earth blows up and no one has to suffer. (Only the politicians! )

Thing is of the US economy went down it would mean a massive trading partner is out of the game.

Any country Russia trades with that is of large value has some sort of tie/another partner associated and reliant of the US as a trading partner.

It is things like this that are a powder keg in our world.