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15 Feb ’12
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well, at least priorities are straight
Vodka prices: Putin calls for cap amid economic crisis
Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered his government to curb rising vodka prices.
Mr Putin, who has been hit by increasing economic woes, said that high prices encouraged the consumption of illegal and possibly unsafe alcohol.
Russia's currency, the rouble, has lost value recently due to falling oil prices and Western sanctions.
The country's former finance minister warned that Russia would enter recession next year.
Contributing factorMr Putin, who promotes a healthy lifestyle, asked "relevant agencies" to think about what he said, adding that the government should fight against the illegal trafficking of alcohol.
According to a leading university study last year, 25% of Russian men die before reaching their mid-50s, Reuters reports.
Alcohol was found to be a contributing factor in some of these early deaths.
Since last year, the government-regulated minimum price of half a litre (17 oz) of vodka has increased by around 30% to 220 roubles ($4.10; £2.64), Reuters adds.
It is not just vodka that has seen a price rise. Annual inflation in Russia currently stands at 9.4%.
19 Feb ’12
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So I'm not real smart when it comes to issues like this. Will the economic collapse cause the Soviet Union to become more aggressive and possibly attack neighboring countries for resources or will it cause them to completely crumble and withdraw back into themselves?
4 Mar ’12
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I believe they will restructure their money system. Possibly go with a gold based system and be better off than they were before. China will help them, so I dont believe they will collapse completely.
I'm looking at the build up of US weapons inside of Ukraine as the beginnings of WW3. I hope I'm wrong.
15 Feb ’12
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easytapper said
So I'm not real smart when it comes to issues like this. Will the economic collapse cause the Soviet Union to become more aggressive and possibly attack neighboring countries for resources or will it cause them to completely crumble and withdraw back into themselves?
with Putins track record, I wouldn't be surprised by an expanded aggression policy
18 Feb ’12
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sorry, already posted
15 Feb ’12
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more posturing
A new military doctrine signed by President Vladimir Putin identified NATO as Russia's number one military threat and raised the possibility of a broader use of precision conventional weapons to deter foreign aggression.
The new doctrine was signed on Friday, and it maintains the provisions of the 2010 edition of the military doctrine regarding the use of nuclear weapons.
The doctrine, which came amid tensions over Ukraine, reflected the Kremlin's readiness to take a stronger posture in response to what it sees as US-led efforts to isolate and weaken Russia.
Russia's relations with the West have plummeted to their lowest level since Cold War times, and NATO cut off ties to Moscow after it annexed Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula in March.
The doctrine says Russia could employ nuclear weapons in retaliation for the use of nuclear or other weapons of mass destruction against the country or its allies, and also in the case of aggression involving conventional weapons that "threatens the very existence'' of the Russian state.
For the first time, the new doctrine says Russia could use precision weapons "as part of strategic deterrent measures", the Associated Press reported.
Examples of precision conventional weapons include ground-to-ground missiles, air- and submarine-launched cruise missiles, guided bombs and artillery shells.
The document does not spell out when and how Moscow could resort to such weapons.
NATO 'poses no threat'
The doctrine places "a build-up of NATO military potential and its empowerment with global functions implemented in violation of international law, the expansion of NATO's military infrastructure to the Russian borders'' atop the list of military threats to Russia.
NATO spokeswoman Oana Lungescu responded by saying in a statement that the alliance "poses no threat to Russia or to any nation".
"Any steps taken by NATO to ensure the security of its members are clearly defensive in nature, proportionate and in compliance with international law.
"In fact, it is Russia's actions, including currently in Ukraine, which are breaking international law and undermining European security," she said.
The doctrine also mentions the need to protect Russia's interest in the Arctic, where the global competition for its vast oil and other resources has been heating up as the Arctic ice melts.
7 Mar ’12
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I've worked over there a ton, and it's a tough environment. They don't have any industries that can buffer the revenue losses from oil and gas sales. They've been trying to implement commodity exchanges with China and other countries, but that's only a fraction of the GDP and has limited impact on the general economy.
The everyday Joe's in Russia are very capable of surviving this kind of trouble. This winter will be hard though because they didn't have much time to prepare. This spring, there will be a movement like in the 90's where there's massive homesteading style gardening and self-sufficiency efforts. They know how to survive crappy times. I'm always intrigued by the Russian people and their "distance" from the government. Their attitude is much more detached from the Fed Gov than ours is, and they just believe that the government will do what it does, and they will do whatever it takes to survive.
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