well, it's probably time to assign blame over Soviet breakup isn't it?

quote:

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It follows a surge of patriotism since Russia's annexation of Crimea from Ukraine last month, which has revived nostalgia among some Russians for the Soviet Union and boosted President Vladimir Putin's popularity ratings.

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The reports out of Russia about just how deep and ubiquitous the propaganda is these days is staggering. If Putin finally runs into any kind of wall where he can't do as he pleases so easily or actual sanctions are enacted that severely hurt the Russian economy, I could see the state-run TV and newspapers slip even further down the Orwellian slope towards North Korea levels of brainwashing. The "patriotism" reported in the news is a pretty shady paradigm.

It absolutely shutters me we were in a Cold War for 50 years with these absolute shitholes.

Google streetview of Kharkiv, Ukraine: Wow...

more Soviet housing:

American media will not help. They identify Gorby as the sole reason the Cold War came to an end.

Putting the band back together in mother russia

Boris for the last five years of his life =/= "sober". This is spin but Gorby (unfortunately for him?) is still alive and some folks are looking for a scapegoat.

It came as the mildest surprise to me just because it was the first thing covered by NPR when the radio woke me up. I had been telling people mostly friends or other Poli Sci peeps that the Soviet Union was going to implode at some point "in the near future"

Looks like Gorbachev better go pay more homage to Putin if he wants to stay out of jail.

I could post US HOUSING HERE:














I'm not sure how that is on topic with what is going on.

quote:

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I still like the read of Anatoliy Mikhaylovich Golitsyn. As Putin moves, it looks as if his 148 predictions continue to be proven. 139 so far have been accurate.

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if i understand The Perestroika Deception correctly, the premise here is to befriend the west, and hide your strength while lulling your opponent in to sense of security to the point wher youve overpowered them without notice.

Looking at Putin's actions, it could easily be interpreted that this is in fact what hes attempting to do. Look at some of the moves: modifying Russian constitution so he can run for president again, insterts himself in Syria and Iran, becomes member of G8, builds European dependance on Russian energy... all signs that he's participating responsibly in the international community to build trust.


perhaps he feels the deception has matured and its time to assert Russian power. Or maybe the oustering of the Russian-allied Ukrainian president forced his hand a little early?

Either way, i think he blew his wad early, if deception was even possible to achieve.

The premise is built upon strength, of which Russia has very little due to its limited economy, not to mention the lack of appeal from former soviet staters to re-join a new USSR.

When this strategy was conceived, a globally interconnected economy was likely beyond imagination. It likely makes The Perestroika Deception difficult if not impossible to implement with an economy limited to gas exports.

Putin is playing a losing hand. Unfortunately it will take some time to play out unless hes willing to risk WWIII.