Halls of Shrewd'm / US Policy❤
No. of Recommendations: 8
"...staff shortages in technical enterprises such as Russian Railways – many of their engineers and locomotive crews have either been mobilised or left the country to avoid the draft, resulting in a shortfall of almost 5,000 personnel required to run its extensive transport network. This naturally has an impact on Russia’s ability to boost its trade with allies such as China and Iran."
(russia is among the most rail-dependent nations on earth ; has low viable\strategic coastline per land area)
unsure what level of bribes trump is\was seeking, but russia's economy just needs simple but coordinated hardball against china and india.
putin seem unable to afford reconstruction in ukraine adjacent and formerly occupied regions. and those 'rescued from nazis' in russia-claimed ukraine are getting pennies for survival.
other tidbits :
'...Russia’s previous GDP expansions since 2022 were driven by Kremlin-mandated wartime spending, giving a false impression of growth – this was not due to stimulation by investment or a particularly thriving business climate. The illusion of growth, stimulated by high defence spending, likely conceals more structural problems."
"...Minister for Economic Development Maxim Reshetnikov, who maintained that Russia is on the brink of recession." [balcony visit pending]
rusi.org
No. of Recommendations: 3
Putin may yet incite another revolution against the USSR (i.e. Putin). Russian people did it once.
His ill-advised war has hurt Russia tremendously. Obviously, a terrible toll in casualties. Two new NATO members (which he didn't want). Europe rearming to counter the potential threat from Putin. Degrading his own forces with loss of materiel and experienced personnel. Expending pretty much all of the Soviet-era reserves (i.e. their boneyards are almost empty now, based on satellite imagery...they've been reactivating stuff from the 50s and 60s, and even artillery from WWII).
Combined, Europe and NATO -even without the USA- is more than a match for the Russian military. I'm sure that isn't what Putin anticipated.
And now this...not enough people to do the work to keep his nation running.
The clock is running out for Russia/Putin. He's going to have to capitulate, or face utter ruin.
No. of Recommendations: 2
vaunted 'dudes' found !
except they are not russians.that's right, being unable to find sufficient enthusiasm for the miltary nor to rebuild their own country, russia has resorted to increasing north korea's cheapest export.
it is likely there are more than twice as many n.korean workers than fighters, and plans are to make this 5X. no doubt some will get re-assigned to 'work' near the front lines.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c2077gwjlvxoi wonder if putin let trump in on this insider biz business tip...what's another sanctions violation among soul brothers?
No. of Recommendations: 4
... what's another sanctions violation among soul brothers?
Shouldn't that be, "...what's another sanctions violation among soulless brothers?"
