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2021-05-27 Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia
The Soviet Origins of Putin’s Mercenaries
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Posted by badanov 2021-05-27 00:00|| || Front Page|| [17 views ]  Top

#1 So, let me see if I got it right. Russia uses state supported mercenary companies, while USA uses it's regular military. Russia spends 1% of what USA does and actually gains influence instead of losing it (the local vermin in Afghanistan & ME used to fear USA - and then they found out that they can kill Americans with impunity).

And, do "Soviet Origins" in the title refers to the fact that Russia continues some of Soviet Union's foreign policies (which themselves were continuation of the Tsarist Russian Empire policies) - or are simply the author's way of expressing his disapproval?
Posted by g(r)omgoru 2021-05-27 04:16||   2021-05-27 04:16|| Front Page Top

#2 ^ About a minute in
Posted by g(r)omgoru 2021-05-27 04:20||   2021-05-27 04:20|| Front Page Top

#3 So they're not really as Soviet as they're capitalist? Anyway, PMCs are not thugs. They're professionals, mostly ex-military and bound by rules and agreements. Using professionals you can squeeze later is way better policy than lighting a fuse in some moslem buttholes and managing expectations later.

The state of democracy and the ineptitude of civv leaderships being what it is, I would say PMCs are the future. Hell, neighbourhoods in liberal democracies one day will contract PMCs to protect themselves.
Posted by Dron66046 2021-05-27 12:57||   2021-05-27 12:57|| Front Page Top

#4 ...In this corner, a retired KGB colonel. In this corner, Joe Biden.

Place your bets.

Mike
Posted by Mike Kozlowski 2021-05-27 17:16||   2021-05-27 17:16|| Front Page Top

#5 In this corner, a retired KGB colonel.

You don't retire from Cosa Nostra, and you don't retire from KGB.
Posted by g(r)omgoru 2021-05-27 17:21||   2021-05-27 17:21|| Front Page Top

#6 
#5 In this corner, a retired KGB colonel.

You don't retire from Cosa Nostra, and you don't retire from KGB.
Posted by: g(r)omgoru 2021-05-27 17:21



....Truth.

Mike
Posted by Mike Kozlowski 2021-05-27 19:26||   2021-05-27 19:26|| Front Page Top

#7  In this corner, Joe Biden.

Varsity vs. JV, and that's being generous.
Posted by Clem 2021-05-27 22:17||   2021-05-27 22:17|| Front Page Top

#8 Varsity vs Pop Warner Pee Wee T-ball
Posted by Omusoger Shurt1875 2021-05-27 22:42||   2021-05-27 22:42|| Front Page Top

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