Russia has failed, but will come back - Ben Wallace

[TexasTowelie]

"I don't think you should ever underestimate Russia. History shows that Russia comes back time and time again."

Defense secretary Ben Wallace says Russia has failed their objectives, but warns against underestimating Russia on #TimesRadio.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

1. Putin's ego is not interchangeable with Russian aspirations and goals

Russian aspirations are to be part of Europe, not Asia -- which is to say that ethnic (white) Russians only care about Asian Russia for strategic purposes. But many times they get rebuffed for what we might derisively characterize as neanderthal behaviour, such as invading neighbours. Then they can nurse a grudge that the West is holding Russia down because it is so great that the West fears it. (note: did not watch vid)

In Catherine the Great's time, they sent for and paid for Western intellectuals and musicians.

Pre-revolution, the Tsars wanted to westernize, but could not or would not or didn't think to shake the feudal land system.

By 1999, post-breakup of the SU, Russia was on its way to integration.

But then Putin took over in 1999/2000.

[samsingh]

2. i think they are a continued threat to the world. Who can trust them again?

[Pantagruel]

3. They haven't gone back to Afghanistan?