Despite Putin's swagger, Russia struggles to modernize its navy

Russian MIC is feeble. Once they get beyond the simple they're screwed. And while in WW 2 the simple worked wonders -- the T-34 is the classic instance -- post USSR the simple is wholly inadequate and insufficient.

Russian Federation high tech platforms of every sort are always a tangle of tech that never gets out of the ditch or never gets off the ground. Russians anyway quit on a significant navy after the Japanese demolished their fleet in 1905 which was the first time an Asian navy defeated a supposedly formidable European one. Russian subs have killed more Russian sailors than all Russia's opponents combined.

And Putin is just another Prince of Muscovy corrupt and grandiose. Putin is the classic Crazy Ivan and nothing but.

Both Putin and Xi Jinpingpong have not named a successor nor will either name one. Each of 'em is nuts enough to think they will live forever. This historic answer of each and its culture is the standard formula of national failure. That is, the more problems that occur and the more difficulty the country encounters, give more authority to the ruler. It's the recipe for the disaster in China of every dynasty's failure and in Russia the cycle of collapse and misery without end.

We learn in youth baseball league not to defeat yourself. Make the other team come at you with all they got and beat 'em fair and square. These cultures continue to prove however they don't play ball and that it's because they can't.

Batter up.

ecofarm said:

A fair point but we're both aware that will not make North Korea a world power. Kim seeks delivery for the security of his regime.

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The only reason Kim wants ICBM's is he believes he can make more threats to use them and get concessions. The man is insane he just doesn't understand that we can destroy him in a matter of days. This isn't the American Army of the 50's plus I'm not sure China would help him.

Old Sarge said:

The only reason Kim wants ICBM's is he believes he can make more threats to use them and get concessions. The man is insane he just doesn't understand that we can destroy him in a matter of days. This isn't the American Army of the 50's plus I'm not sure China would help him.

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IIRC, Xi said China would assist NK if attacked, but would not if NK attacked first.

Rogue Valley said:

IIRC, Xi said China would assist NK if attacked, but would not if NK attacked first.

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Which is diplomatic speech for shut up and sit down Kim.

CCP Dictators in Beijing are not going to fight WW III over NK and or the Kim dynasty. This is so no matter what Xi says and it is open anyway as to what Xi means in what he's said. It is more than obvious Xi who finally met with Kim in their mutual detestation told Kim to STFU and stop it. Xi made clear to Kim that Trump is even wackier than Kim himself is and that both Kim and Xi can use that to their advantage, which they're doing.

Pentagon was in fact reaching for the green light switch when Trump crashed in to muck up the works. Now we'll need to wait until after the 2020 election to see what, to include Xi and Kim having to wait it out while playing footsie with Trump. Xi is anyway more afraid of Kim's nukes than Trump is. Beijing knows Trump won't hit China with nukes but that Kim would. Xi likes these Kim-Trump summit meetings cause it keeps 'em both dancing. CCP Boys in Beijing couldn't have asked for better in both Kim and Trump concerning Beijing and Pyongyang and Beijing and Washington. Mostly Beijing.

Old Sarge said:

The only reason Kim wants ICBM's is he believes he can make more threats to use them and get concessions. The man is insane he just doesn't understand that we can destroy him in a matter of days. This isn't the American Army of the 50's plus I'm not sure China would help him.

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I see his push for delivery more about preservation of the regime. That includes the ability to make demands, but I'm not familiar with NK being a ransom sort of nightmare.

That China-North Korea Military Alliance Treaty (1961) is China's only formal military alliance treaty signed with another country that has not been deep-sixed since the founding of the People's Republic. The treaty's Section II stipulates that the defensive military aid will be provided only when either nation "is invaded by" a third country. The treaty does not obligate China to aid North Korea when the latter invades South Korea or any other country, and vice versa. Xi was reminding Kim to "play it safe" and not to escalate Korean tensions to the brink of warfare.

ecofarm said:

I see his push for delivery more about preservation of the regime. That includes the ability to make demands, but I'm not familiar with NK being a ransom sort of nightmare.

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NK has always been a rogue country who is known to push the limit. They threaten war at the drop of a hat.
In January of 1968 NK captured the USS Publeo and held the crew for 11 months. Causing a dangerous Cold War incident that strained tensions between the west, USSR, and China.