Will the collapse of the Russian economy make them more aggressive?

SSgt Alex Robinson — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 08:33:37 -0400

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-08-10/russian-economy-shrinks-4-6-as-oil-slump-risks-deeper-recession

Russia’s economy shrank the most since 2009 after a currency crisis jolted consumer demand, while a selloff in oil threatens to drag the country into a deeper recession.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 11 at 2015 8:50 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 08:50:04 -0400

Our POTUS is playing chicken with a madman who is far more dangerous than ISIS. Who would go into a Lion's cage and poke that Lion?

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 11 at 2015 10:42 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 10:42:36 -0400

No, it will go the other way. Russia is very reliant on petroleum, gas, and mineral extraction for much of its budget. Unfortunately for them, much of this wealth is locked away in far-flung and difficult to reach locations. They need this money in order to rebuild and update their military which had been neglected for decades.
For the home audience, Putin will propagandize that it is the "west's" fault, if only to divert attention away from his disastrous policies.
I noticed that Russia has been very cozy with Iran of late, no doubt looking forward to some arms trade once that embargo is lifted.