what things does Russian really have?

[GGGGG]

The OP started with natural resources, so let me expand on that.

True, Russia has a lot of oil and gas and exports of it is a lion's share of foreign currency income. An interesting aside: Russian budget for 2015 takes oil price of $80 as a reference. The government said, though, that for 2016 the state budget will take oil price of $40 as a reference, and will rely on other things to continue keeping Russian economy at a growing trend.

But there are more resources in Russia. Palladium is only prospected for there, and the current world price is kept low (a hint for those who invest in precious metals). Russian gold reserve is replenished not only from buying, but also from active prospecting. The biggest finds, are, by the way, not melted, but are kept on display (see the documentary below).

Russian gold reserve is kept in what is known as "The Diamond Fund", indicating, an even more important resource. By the way, the following documentary about it is a must-watch: it has an interesting narrative, but even if you don't understand Russian, skim through it - it has footage from many vaults and place, previously closed to the cameras.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGOtFphPLzc

But the main, and most important thing that Russia has, are its people - friendly, open-hearted, ready to help, often naïve, but with the perseverence that has Russia going despite everything that history had thrown at it.

This comment really makes sense. Russia has been deep in the shit too many times last century. It keeps going still.

Russia has muscle and is not afraid to flex it.

The muscle can't help the fall of the Ruble and the economy of Russian.

Trust me, Russians aren't scared of the falling ruble. They've been through several global and local wars, years of widespread famine, broad tyranny and destroying economic crisis of 90s, so the fall of ruble can't do much to this country.

[coinits]

For thinking individuals: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Un5rsKFo7Xo

For trolls: http://natribu.org/en/

Thanks for that. I've been trying to talk this into other's heads without much success. People in Western Canada are losing their jobs en mass because of oil prices falling yet believe the western government narrative on the Ukraine and that Saudi Arabia is responsible for falling oil prices.

The truth is the problem is that the USA is a world bully hell bent of keeping the US Dollar as the reserve currency at all costs.

This was all predicted by Joel Skousen and he gives it approximately 6 years before we have full blown WW3 with nukes. I hope that he is wrong but he saw this coming before it started. He also says that China will form a strategic alliance with Russia against the West in the next couple of years.

[panju1]

Russia has muscle and is not afraid to flex it.

The muscle can't help the fall of the Ruble and the economy of Russian.

That doesn't worry the people. Putin's support among his people hasn't fallen because of this.

[sickhouse]

Russia has muscle and is not afraid to flex it.

The muscle can't help the fall of the Ruble and the economy of Russian.

Not that easy to maintain an economy when you are being frozen out of trading with the European Union and the US. Maybe they will do what US did when their economy started to fail and invade country after country? 

[EvilPanda]

Russia has muscle and is not afraid to flex it.

The muscle can't help the fall of the Ruble and the economy of Russian.

Not that easy to maintain an economy when you are being frozen out of trading with the European Union and the US. Maybe they will do what US did when their economy started to fail and invade country after country? 

Maintaining an army as big as theirs is expensive. They probably can't wait to use, that's why they're flexing, flying their bombers to Britain, pushing on Ukrakine and performing maneuvers near the border.

[Agestorzrxx]

Russia has muscle and is not afraid to flex it.

The muscle can't help the fall of the Ruble and the economy of Russian.

That doesn't worry the people. Putin's support among his people hasn't fallen because of this.

Don't forget how the Soviet Union collapse.

[Inotanewbie]

Russia has muscle and is not afraid to flex it.

The muscle can't help the fall of the Ruble and the economy of Russian.

Not that easy to maintain an economy when you are being frozen out of trading with the European Union and the US. Maybe they will do what US did when their economy started to fail and invade country after country? 

Military invasions are very expensive and will not necessarily work. The fact that they are largely shut out of the global market means they will have difficulty funding and gathering the necessary resources to supply their war machine

[pattu1]

Russia has muscle and is not afraid to flex it.

The muscle can't help the fall of the Ruble and the economy of Russian.

Not that easy to maintain an economy when you are being frozen out of trading with the European Union and the US. Maybe they will do what US did when their economy started to fail and invade country after country? 

Military invasions are very expensive and will not necessarily work. The fact that they are largely shut out of the global market means they will have difficulty funding and gathering the necessary resources to supply their war machine

A veto in the UN Security Council can work wonders.

[Nemo1024]

Military invasions are very expensive and will not necessarily work. The fact that they are largely shut out of the global market means they will have difficulty funding and gathering the necessary resources to supply their war machine

Should that become necessary, can you point out which resources Russia would lack and would need gathering? As for funding...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGOtFphPLzc

Maintaining an army as big as theirs is expensive. They probably can't wait to use, that's why they're flexing, flying their bombers to Britain, pushing on Ukrakine and performing maneuvers near the border.

You are putting the cart before the horse here. First, Russian military expenses are not that large, and the end-year reports were that they will be further reduced in 2015 - the military would be made more efficient by utilising the resources better.

Second, the "flexing" as you call it, is a standard military procedure for all countries designed to see how the opponents are doing. What do you think American military planes doing near the Russian border, and sometimes venturing into Russian airspace over the Pacific? Sightseeing? (A relevant read showing what this can lead to) Another such example is Georgian invasion of South Ossetia - one of its missions was for NATO to test Russian defences and response-readiness.

It's when Western MSM start blaring about these routine fly-bys is that you know that NATO/US is looking to an excuse to increase its military spendings...

And as for Ukraine... The anniversary of the US-lead violent coup d'etat is close, and the sooner USA gets the hell out of Ukraine, the better. Or does Russia need to start getting involved in Mexico?

[Inotanewbie]

Russia has muscle and is not afraid to flex it.

The muscle can't help the fall of the Ruble and the economy of Russian.

Not that easy to maintain an economy when you are being frozen out of trading with the European Union and the US. Maybe they will do what US did when their economy started to fail and invade country after country? 

Maintaining an army as big as theirs is expensive. They probably can't wait to use, that's why they're flexing, flying their bombers to Britain, pushing on Ukrakine and performing maneuvers near the border.

Using their army is even more expensive. I think they would probably quickly run out of resources if they were to invade any major country, especially considering the trade sanctions that has recently been put upon them

[Nemo1024]

Using their army is even more expensive. I think they would probably quickly run out of resources if they were to invade any major country, especially considering the trade sanctions that has recently been put upon them

I see that the sanctions hype is working for the Western audience, so the main goal is achieved by the US.

Oh, and a newsflash: Russia was not and still is not planning to invade anyone. Even in the face of the American/Nazi aggression in Ukraine, Russia still prefers diplomatic solutions, as was demonstrated by her actions over the last year.

As for resources, see my post above.

[Agestorzrxx]

Using their army is even more expensive. I think they would probably quickly run out of resources if they were to invade any major country, especially considering the trade sanctions that has recently been put upon them

I see that the sanctions hype is working for the Western audience, so the main goal is achieved by the US.

Oh, and a newsflash: Russia was not and still is not planning to invade anyone. Even in the face of the American/Nazi aggression in Ukraine, Russia still prefers diplomatic solutions, as was demonstrated by her actions over the last year.

As for resources, see my post above.

Russian want invade all other country.
Fortunately, Russian is not strong anymore, and it has no ability to invade other country .
With the continues low price of oil, Russian may collapse again.
That is good for everyone.

[Nemo1024]

Russian want invade all other country.
Fortunately, Russian is not strong anymore, and it has no ability to invade other country .
With the continues low price of oil, Russian may collapse again.
That is good for everyone.

You just keep on believing it...  

Norwegian Defence minister reported to the Parliament yesterday that Russia is not intending to do harm to Norway, despite the increased power, responsiveness and manoeuvrability of its army, whereas before Russian army was considered to be rather slow.

So those, who are in charge in the West are taking Russia seriously - why else do you think all this howling was raised in Natostan?

And I get a feeling that it is Russia that is driving the oil price down, with its increased domestic production...

[bellicose]

Land



1/6 of total The Earth's Land is Russia.

[pitham1]

Land
1/6 of total The Earth's Land is Russia.

Unfortunately it is not fertile/cultivated.
Russia still depends on the EU for importing food.

[Nemo1024]

Land
1/6 of total The Earth's Land is Russia.

Unfortunately it is not fertile/cultivated.
Russia still depends on the EU for importing food.

A lot of it is fertile, but not cultivated, and something is done about it now, reverting the destructive agricultural policy, inherited from Yeltsin era.
Russia depends on import, yes, but not from EU. Whatever it imported from EU is easily replaced by imports from other countries. It is more of a case of EU being dependent on exports to Russia - why else would Russia be beating away smuggling attempts from EU?
Btw, you'll notice quite a large number of foodstuff on EU store shelves to be imported as well.

[laitela]

Gold?
I think I read from somewhere that they have bought a lot gold.

[Balthazar]

They don't need to buy it anywhere, while mining is cheaper than buying.

[Pagan]

Russian really have only 2 things - duraki & dorogi  























[/url][/img]

[galbros]

u all miss one important thing that you always seem to forget

VODKA 

This was the first thing I thought of as well.  Girls and oil is also a good.  Kind of a bad ass "president" as well.

Lots of minerals in Siberia and a growing relationship with China.

I think they'll be okay.