Is Russia no longer a superpower ?

[Vikrant]

Well, according to the U.S., the answer would be a yes.

---

SHINGTON: Russia is no longer a superpower as its deteriorating economy is ranked "somewhere behind Spain", the White House on Thursday said and stressed that Moscow's influence is limited compared to the erstwhile Soviet Union.

"Russia is no longer a superpower. Observed in the last couple of weeks that the condition of Russia's economy is weak and further deteriorating," White House press secretary Josh Earnest told reporters.

"They are now the 15th-largest economy in the world, and they rank somewhere behind Spain," he said.
Earnest said Russia does not have the kind of influence that the Soviet Union once did and it does not have the kind of economic power that the Soviet Union once was able to flex.

"Their economy is getting worse, and Russia is isolated in a significant way. Not just from countries in Europe, but, as they get further engaged in a sectarian quagmire inside of Syria, they're finding that the only friends that they have there to fight in a difficult fight with them is a floundering Syrian government and the Iranian regime," he said.
Earnest also earlier said that the US Navy scrambled four fighter jets to intercept Russian warplanes earlier this week near a US aircraft carrier operating off the Korean peninsula in the Sea of Japan.

Two Russian planes flew close to the USS Ronald Reagan, prompting the mobilisation of four FA-18s, he said.

"There were four FA-18 firers from the carrier airwing five that were launched to intercept the bombers and the US Navy aircraft did escort the Russian aircraft until they departed the area where the carrier, the USS Ronald Reagan was operating," he said.

...

Russia no longer a superpower: US - Times of India

 

[Delta4Embassy]

Neither are we if economy is part of the definition. If you're $18 trillion in debt you don't have any standing as an economic anything.

 

[Correll]

Neither are we if economy is part of the definition. If you're $18 trillion in debt you don't have any standing as an economic anything.

THat would be more valid if the rest of the First World was not in the same situation.

 

[Delta4Embassy]

World Debt Clock :: National Debt Clocks From Around The World

"United States

GDP: $17,418,000,000,000
Population: 320,450,960


United Kingdom

GDP: $2,840,890,000,000
Population: 64,600,000


Russia

GDP: $2,116,800,000,000
Population: 143,300,000


Pakistan

GDP: $229,100,000,000
Population: 176,700,000


Mexico

GDP: $1,266,300,000,000
Population: 115,323,000


Japan

GDP: $5,081,000,000,000
Population: 127,240,000


India

GDP: $1,848,000,000,000
Population: 1,269,000,000
"

Relative to population, we're much more in the hole.

 

[Vikrant]

U.S. dollar is the trading currency of the world. As long as that remains true, U.S. will always be a rich country. Russia and other nations including "first world" countries do not have that luxury. This dominance of the U.S. can only be altered through protracted military campaigns on all continents. I think that is what Russia is attempting to do but the number of Russian allies is much smaller than the number of U.S. allies at the moment. This provides another advantage to the U.S.

 

[Correll]

World Debt Clock :: National Debt Clocks From Around The World

"United States

GDP: $17,418,000,000,000
Population: 320,450,960


United Kingdom

GDP: $2,840,890,000,000
Population: 64,600,000


Russia

GDP: $2,116,800,000,000
Population: 143,300,000


Pakistan

GDP: $229,100,000,000
Population: 176,700,000


Mexico

GDP: $1,266,300,000,000
Population: 115,323,000


Japan

GDP: $5,081,000,000,000
Population: 127,240,000


India

GDP: $1,848,000,000,000
Population: 1,269,000,000
"

Relative to population, we're much more in the hole.

GDP generally means Gross Domestic Product.

All FIrst World Nations have similar debt and unfunded entitlement issues.

 

[Delta4Embassy]

World Debt Clock :: National Debt Clocks From Around The World

"United States

GDP: $17,418,000,000,000
Population: 320,450,960


United Kingdom

GDP: $2,840,890,000,000
Population: 64,600,000


Russia

GDP: $2,116,800,000,000
Population: 143,300,000


Pakistan

GDP: $229,100,000,000
Population: 176,700,000


Mexico

GDP: $1,266,300,000,000
Population: 115,323,000


Japan

GDP: $5,081,000,000,000
Population: 127,240,000


India

GDP: $1,848,000,000,000
Population: 1,269,000,000
"

Relative to population, we're much more in the hole.

GDP generally means Gross Domestic Product.

All FIrst World Nations have similar debt and unfunded entitlement issues.

Wondered at that myself, why I included our's to confirm it's the right number.

 

[Correll]

World Debt Clock :: National Debt Clocks From Around The World

"United States

GDP: $17,418,000,000,000
Population: 320,450,960


United Kingdom

GDP: $2,840,890,000,000
Population: 64,600,000


Russia

GDP: $2,116,800,000,000
Population: 143,300,000


Pakistan

GDP: $229,100,000,000
Population: 176,700,000


Mexico

GDP: $1,266,300,000,000
Population: 115,323,000


Japan

GDP: $5,081,000,000,000
Population: 127,240,000


India

GDP: $1,848,000,000,000
Population: 1,269,000,000
"

Relative to population, we're much more in the hole.

GDP generally means Gross Domestic Product.

All FIrst World Nations have similar debt and unfunded entitlement issues.

Wondered at that myself, why I included our's to confirm it's the right number.

Those numbers are comparing size of economies, not size of debts.

 

[Delta4Embassy]

World Debt Clock :: National Debt Clocks From Around The World

"United States

GDP: $17,418,000,000,000
Population: 320,450,960


United Kingdom

GDP: $2,840,890,000,000
Population: 64,600,000


Russia

GDP: $2,116,800,000,000
Population: 143,300,000


Pakistan

GDP: $229,100,000,000
Population: 176,700,000


Mexico

GDP: $1,266,300,000,000
Population: 115,323,000


Japan

GDP: $5,081,000,000,000
Population: 127,240,000


India

GDP: $1,848,000,000,000
Population: 1,269,000,000
"

Relative to population, we're much more in the hole.

GDP generally means Gross Domestic Product.

All FIrst World Nations have similar debt and unfunded entitlement issues.

Wondered at that myself, why I included our's to confirm it's the right number.

Those numbers are comparing size of economies, not size of debts.

No, it's the debt as per our's being the national debt. Legend below at link explains it.

 

[Correll]

World Debt Clock :: National Debt Clocks From Around The World

"United States

GDP: $17,418,000,000,000
Population: 320,450,960


United Kingdom

GDP: $2,840,890,000,000
Population: 64,600,000


Russia

GDP: $2,116,800,000,000
Population: 143,300,000


Pakistan

GDP: $229,100,000,000
Population: 176,700,000


Mexico

GDP: $1,266,300,000,000
Population: 115,323,000


Japan

GDP: $5,081,000,000,000
Population: 127,240,000


India

GDP: $1,848,000,000,000
Population: 1,269,000,000
"

Relative to population, we're much more in the hole.

GDP generally means Gross Domestic Product.

All FIrst World Nations have similar debt and unfunded entitlement issues.

Wondered at that myself, why I included our's to confirm it's the right number.

Those numbers are comparing size of economies, not size of debts.

No, it's the debt as per our's being the national debt. Legend below at link explains it.

Here is a better one.


http://www.economist.com/content/global_debt_clock

 

[Wyatt earp]

World Debt Clock :: National Debt Clocks From Around The World

"United States

GDP: $17,418,000,000,000
Population: 320,450,960


United Kingdom

GDP: $2,840,890,000,000
Population: 64,600,000


Russia

GDP: $2,116,800,000,000
Population: 143,300,000


Pakistan

GDP: $229,100,000,000
Population: 176,700,000


Mexico

GDP: $1,266,300,000,000
Population: 115,323,000


Japan

GDP: $5,081,000,000,000
Population: 127,240,000


India

GDP: $1,848,000,000,000
Population: 1,269,000,000
"

Relative to population, we're much more in the hole.

GDP generally means Gross Domestic Product.

All FIrst World Nations have similar debt and unfunded entitlement issues.

Wondered at that myself, why I included our's to confirm it's the right number.

Those numbers are comparing size of economies, not size of debts.

No, it's the debt as per our's being the national debt. Legend below at link explains it.

It is still confusing why they used GDP

 

[Vikrant]

When measuring the wealth of a country other than the U.S., dollar is not an accurate means to measure that. I think Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) is more accurate means to accomplish that. It is so because those countries who export more to the U.S. have more dollar currency and those who do not export as much to the U.S. have less dollar currency.

Under current world order, there are only two ways for a country to acquire international purchasing power:
a) export to U.S. like crazy, e.g., China
b) toe Washington's line and have your currency valued, e.g., UK

Russia finds itself in a bind where it does not have none of the above mentioned options. Russia is not the only one though as there are a number of other countries whose currencies are seriously undervalued.

 

[Tehon]

U.S. dollar is the trading currency of the world. As long as that remains true, U.S. will always be a rich country. Russia and other nations including "first world" countries do not have that luxury. This dominance of the U.S. can only be altered through protracted military campaigns on all continents. I think that is what Russia is attempting to do but the number of Russian allies is much smaller than the number of U.S. allies at the moment. This provides another advantage to the U.S.

This dominance of the U.S. can only be altered through protracted military campaigns on all continents.

Vikrant, what do you mean by this? Altered how?

 

[Vikrant]

U.S. dollar is the trading currency of the world. As long as that remains true, U.S. will always be a rich country. Russia and other nations including "first world" countries do not have that luxury. This dominance of the U.S. can only be altered through protracted military campaigns on all continents. I think that is what Russia is attempting to do but the number of Russian allies is much smaller than the number of U.S. allies at the moment. This provides another advantage to the U.S.

This dominance of the U.S. can only be altered through protracted military campaigns on all continents.

Vikrant, what do you mean by this? Altered how?

The answer to your question can be derived from examining events that are taking place in Syria and also by looking at previous Iraq wars.

Ask yourself few questions:
Why is Russia resisting U.S. attempt to overthrow Assad? What does U.S. have to gain from the ouster of Assad? What did Russia lose from the ouster of Saddam? What did U.S. gain from the ouster of Saddam?

 

[Correll]

When measuring the wealth of a country other than the U.S., dollar is not an accurate means to measure that. I think Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) is more accurate means to accomplish that. It is so because those countries who export more to the U.S. have more dollar currency and those who do not export as much to the U.S. have less dollar currency.

Under current world order, there are only two ways for a country to acquire international purchasing power:
a) export to U.S. like crazy, e.g., China
b) toe Washington's line and have your currency valued, e.g., UK

Russia finds itself in a bind where it does not have none of the above mentioned options. Russia is not the only one though as there are a number of other countries whose currencies are seriously undervalued.

I think you are being confused by the use of the Dollar as unit of measurement. It is not tracking in any way the amount of dollars they have.

Also, the UK's currency is NOT based on it's relationship with the US.

 

[Tehon]

U.S. dollar is the trading currency of the world. As long as that remains true, U.S. will always be a rich country. Russia and other nations including "first world" countries do not have that luxury. This dominance of the U.S. can only be altered through protracted military campaigns on all continents. I think that is what Russia is attempting to do but the number of Russian allies is much smaller than the number of U.S. allies at the moment. This provides another advantage to the U.S.

This dominance of the U.S. can only be altered through protracted military campaigns on all continents.

Vikrant, what do you mean by this? Altered how?

The answer to your question can be derived from examining events that are taking place in Syria and also by looking at previous Iraq wars.

Ask yourself few questions:
Why is Russia resisting U.S. attempt to overthrow Assad? What does U.S. have to gain from the ouster of Assad? What did Russia lose from the ouster of Saddam? What did U.S. gain from the ouster of Saddam?

Ok, I see now, thanks. Now that I think about it, I'm not sure how I missed it. You think the Russian campaign in Syria is an attempt to weaken the US through a protracted war. I would however respectfully disagree with your characterization. If anything I think the Russians are attempting to counter the US drive to strengthen dollar hegemony. But mostly I think the Russians are sincere in their desire to counter the terrorist threat that ISIS poses.

 

[Igrok_]

Why is Russia resisting U.S. attempt to overthrow Assad? What does U.S. have to gain from the ouster of Assad? What did Russia lose from the ouster of Saddam? What did U.S. gain from the ouster of Saddam?

As for me, every country (Russia and US) tend to have governments which would be their allies. Assad is an ally for russia, not for US, so US wants him gone. So was Saddam, he didn't want to be an ally for US (nor for Russia, i suppose), and he was killed. If US and NATO take control over the Syria, Russia would lose all its friends in middle east.

 

[Igrok_]

and saying about the subject, the financial system of the world is based on trust in america. During the crisis 2008 investors were buying dollars, nontheless that USA was the reason of financial problems. Once the trust gets smaller, it could crash the dollar and lead to big changes in financial world.
by the way, Russia has one of the biggest gold reserves.

 

[IsaacNewton]

Russia hasn't been a Superpower for 20 years.

US defense spending a year around 650 billion. China 130 billion, Russia 80 billion.

One of these things is not like the others, one of these things does not belong...

The fact that any American citizen can be frightened into believing we aren't spending enough on defense and that WE need to be worried simply proves how easily people are manipulated with fear.

 

[Vikrant]

U.S. dollar is the trading currency of the world. As long as that remains true, U.S. will always be a rich country. Russia and other nations including "first world" countries do not have that luxury. This dominance of the U.S. can only be altered through protracted military campaigns on all continents. I think that is what Russia is attempting to do but the number of Russian allies is much smaller than the number of U.S. allies at the moment. This provides another advantage to the U.S.

This dominance of the U.S. can only be altered through protracted military campaigns on all continents.

Vikrant, what do you mean by this? Altered how?

The answer to your question can be derived from examining events that are taking place in Syria and also by looking at previous Iraq wars.

Ask yourself few questions:
Why is Russia resisting U.S. attempt to overthrow Assad? What does U.S. have to gain from the ouster of Assad? What did Russia lose from the ouster of Saddam? What did U.S. gain from the ouster of Saddam?

Ok, I see now, thanks. Now that I think about it, I'm not sure how I missed it. You think the Russian campaign in Syria is an attempt to weaken the US through a protracted war. I would however respectfully disagree with your characterization. If anything I think the Russians are attempting to counter the US drive to strengthen dollar hegemony. But mostly I think the Russians are sincere in their desire to counter the terrorist threat that ISIS poses.

I will avoid getting into who is right vs who is wrong. The simple fact is that current world order does not suit Russia.

So, Russia has two choices:

a. Sit back and do nothing
or,
b. Get proactive and start building a network of allies

It seems like Russia is going for option b. If Assad falls then Russia will have to deal with a world which has one less Russian ally. This means one less nation who will honor Russian currency. This has far reaching implications. Syria is just one example. If Russians sit back and do nothing in Syria then this same tactics will be repeated in Iran and so on.