In some ways, Putin's smarter than Napoleon, because he's learned that face to face confrontations are costly and uncertain, even when the target is overmatched. Perhaps that's an advantage intel service training has over artillery training.
He's already likely the richest guy on the planet, and unless he suddenly overcomes his selfishness about this and begins addressing the social cancers that are devouring Russia instead of actively pretending they'll jut go away, I feel he's no equal to Napoleon, because he clearly doesn't care about what's going on domestically. I guess you need way less infrastructure reform to collect enough resources and soldiers for electronic invasions.
Pieces of Europe should be very worried, but he doesn't want to massacre people, he wants to steal their assets and exert control, so he can continue to steal assets.
I used Spain because of its former importance, to everything. I think it's a fair comparison given Russia's actual structural integrity.
Oil is very important, right now, it's true. Going into the 21st century, I think it's done for. Even if he bleeds the new arctic reserves. Maybe he can hold on for his lifetime, but China's move to renewable signals a shift that's over a quarter century late (coulda been us), and they will set the agenda for energy. If huge interests hadn't made a huge effort to stop that shift worldwide, we'd be there already, and the only thing oil would really be good for is plastic (oops, that's eventually going to turn too.)
So, to recap:
Putin is rich and smart and scary, but he won't come here with tanks.
Can't say the same for folks who live in Poland.
It's our fault, sorry Poland.
Our fear of him is a scam to make us not watch theft and lying here at home.Statistics: Posted by bralbovsky — Wed Sep 05, 2018 9:56 am
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