Economy of the Russian Federation

sunny_10

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Russia's economic fortunes rise as West sinks

Despair, which is judged on the 'despair index' as inflation + unemployment + poverty, in the West is now higher than in Russia, says Ben Aris.

The traditional way of measuring pain in times of crisis is to look at the misery index: inflation + unemployment. But to really capture the pain people are feeling, you need to look at the despair index: inflation + unemployment + poverty.

The shocking fact is that despair in the West is now higher than in Russia.

In October, the US Census Bureau announced that one in seven Americans is living in poverty — the highest number since record-keeping began 53 years ago.

Two weeks later, the UK announced that the number of people out of work has reached its highest level in 17 years, and youth unemployment has hit a historic high at well over 20pc, according to the Office for National Statistics. Spain capped the round of bad news by announcing that unemployment there is 23pc — its highest figure ever and the highest in the EU. Even with the West's low inflation, the misery index is already very high.
:ranger:

But unemployment coupled with inflation alone doesn't really tell the whole story. What does it matter if the cost of an iPod rises by 10pc a year if you can't even put food on the table or heat your home? :sad:

The despair index allows a direct comparison between the West and emerging markets. The surprise is that central and eastern European states are doing better than the developed economies of the West.

And thanks to record low poverty and unemployment numbers in November, Russia's despair index score of 25.5 is now lower than that of the United States, which has a despair level of 28.1. :russia:

Russia's score highlights the transformation the country has been through since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Life for Russians at the start of the Nineties was truly horrible. Russia's misery and despair indices were into the thousands thanks to hyperinflation, but as the decade wore on, the despair index fell steadily from around 90 in 2000 to the current level.

It is easy to blame the rising despair on the current crisis, but the US Census says poverty levels in the US have been rising since well before the current crisis began. Economists say that most American families were worse off in 2000 than they were in 1990.

There are some problems with comparing poverty across countries. With a poverty line of $11,139 (£7,160) per annum, America's poor are a lot better off than most Russians, who earn an average of $9,600. However, the US Census Bureau says half of those living in poverty live in "deep poverty" with incomes half of the official poverty rate, which would make them poor even by Russian standards. :ranger:

The existence of poverty in the "rich" world only underscores the fact that western democracy is flawed and emphasises the increasingly desperate need for deep structural reform. There has been a lot of talk of emerging markets overtaking the West, but for the majority of people, the Brics have already caught up. If you are rich, then you are better off living in America, but if you are poor, then the chances of your life improving are now brighter in Russia. :thumb:

Ben Aris is the editor and publisher of Business New Europe.

Russia's economic fortunes rise as West sinks - Telegraph
 

sunny_10

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Russia's economy under Vladimir Putin

Vladimir Putin was elected President of Russia on March 26, 2000, and was re-elected to a second term on March 14, 2004. On May 8, 2008, he was appointed Prime Minister by presidential executive order.




16 May 2000

President of Russia


Economic history of the Russian Federation 2000-2007

Russia posted gross domestic product growth of 6.4% in 1999, 10% in 2000, 5.1% in 2001, 4.7% in 2002, 7.3% in 2003, 7.2% in 2004, 6.4% in 2005, 8.2% in 2006 and 8.5% in 2007[9] with industrial sector posting high growth figures as well.
Главная::Федеральная служба государственной статистики

Under the presidency of Vladimir Putin Russia's economy saw the nominal Gross Domestic Product (GDP) double, climbing from 22nd to 11th largest in the world.[/COLOR] The economy made real gains of an average 7% per year (2000: 10%, 2001: 5.1%, 2002: 4.7%, 2003: 7.3%, 2004: 7.2%, 2005: 6.4%, 2006: 8.2%, 2007: 8.5%, 2008: 5.6%), making it the 6th largest economy in the world in GDP(PPP). In 2007, Russia's GDP exceeded that of 1990, meaning it has overcome the devastating consequences of the Soviet era, 1998 financial crisis, and preceding recession in the 1990s. :russia: :thumb:

During Putin's eight years in office, industry grew by 75%, investments increased by 125%,[10] and agricultural production and construction increased as well. Real incomes more than doubled and the average salary increased eightfold from $80 to $640.[11][12][13]:tup: The volume of consumer credit between 2000–2006 increased 45 times,[14][15] and during that same time period, the middle class grew from 8 million to 55 million, an increase of 7 times. The number of people living below the poverty line also decreased from 30% in 2000 to 14% in 2008.[10][16][17] :ranger:

Economic history of the Russian Federation - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia



=> The Putin's Era of Russia is highlighted as below: :ranger:

 

sunny_10

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and something which matters the most in today's world as below :ranger:

before you increase GDP size, how much do you really have to pay back to the debtors? and here, we do know, 110% Debt to GDP ratio of US means for $55,000 debt per civilians to date. while 8% Debt to GDP of Russia means for hardly around $2,000 Debt per Russian civilian :thumb:

=> Government Debt To GDP - Countries - List







 
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Russia makes huge investment

An ambitious programme in Russia to remake or modernise the crumbling Soviet-era roads, railways, bridges and ports is under way.

Between $60bn (£39bn) and $65bn (£42bn) is being invested each year on major renovation projects across the country – not that you'd notice if you visit Russia's regional capitals, which still look drab and run-down, bar a few brightly coloured billboards. That's because most of the money is going into transport and power systems – the lifeblood of this vast but largely empty country.

Infrastructure investment in Russia in 2010 reached $111bn (£72bn), according to a report by Morgan Stanley, a 10-fold increase from the $7bn spent in 1999. :thumb:

Commentators regularly attack the Kremlin's "spending frenzy", claiming it has driven up the oil price needed to balance the budget to over $125 a barrel – from $21 in 2007, based on Citigroup figures.

But they don't seem to acknowledge that, rather than propping up struggling factories or paying public servants, the money is going on much-needed infrastructure projects.

And, when set against the rapidly expanding economy, the spending splurge is not that much: as a share of GDP it has doubled from 3.5pc of GDP in 1999 to 7pc in 2010 – slightly ahead of India's 6pc, but well behind China's 11pc. :thumb:

What's more, it isn't just the federal government making the investment, but state-owned companies, many of which are now on the privatisation list. Over half of all infrastructure investment (3.7pc of GDP) was made by just eight large state-owned companies, while federal budget spending accounted for only 1.8pc, according to Morgan Stanley.

The real boom in infrastructure spending, though, has not even begun. A host of mega-projects are being prepared that will push the spending even higher over the next couple of years.

Among the biggest projects planned are the development of the Vankor oil and gas field, the biggest find in Russia in the past 25 years; the Ust-Luga port in the Gulf of Finland that will be the biggest warm-water port in Russia; the reconstruction of the Black Sea resort of Sochi ahead of the 2014 Winter Olympics; and the construction of the East Siberia-Pacific Ocean (Espo) oil pipeline.

Morgan Stanley estimates that a total of $500bn worth of infrastructure projects are underway or about to start.

"Based on our major projects database, we see a steady $60bn-$65bn [per year] flow of infrastructure capital expenditure on major projects, and a new generation of mega-projects under development, including high- speed rail, new federal highways, the Moscow transport hub and further development of the Yamal oil and gas province," says Jacob Nell, chief economist of Morgan Stanley and author of the report.

To sustain this high level of development, Mr Nell estimates state-owned companies will have to raise another $28bn a year to finance the work – about as much as Russia attracts in foreign "¨direct investment.

What is odd is that much of this work has gone unnoticed. This is partly because the spending has not had much impact on the country's growth or overall investment – both are now lower than before the financial crisis began. And because the more opaque state-owned companies are in the front line, their spending is harder to see than federal budget spending or privately funded investment.

But perhaps the biggest factor is that, unlike China and India, which were both largely agrarian economies, Russia inherited a lot of serviceable infrastructure from the Soviet era. :cool: In the boom years of the Seventies, when the workers' paradise looked like it might actually happen, Kremlin spending on infrastructure averaged 40pc of GDP a year. It was only in the Nineties that it fell away to next to nothing. :ranger:

"Russia inherited significant elements of a modern industrial infrastructure from the Soviet Union, including an oil and gas industry, a mining industry, a railway network, a power network, and urban transport and municipal services. However, the infrastructure was often inefficient, and there were notable gaps, particularly in telecommunications and transport," says Mr Nell.

Russia makes huge investment in transport networks - Telegraph
 

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Putin: Russia not aspiring to be superpower, or teach others how to live
December 12, 2013


Russia does not seek the role of a regional or global hegemony, but will defend its core values and interests, Russian President Vladimir Putin said. All attempts to impose on other nations have failed, he added.

The Russian leader gave an assurance that Russia wants to respect the sovereignty and stability of other countries, as he was addressing the Federal Assembly, the collective of the two houses of the Russian parliament.
:ranger:

"We will seek leadership by defending international law, advocating respect for national sovereignty, independence and the uniqueness of peoples," Putin said. :truestory:

"We have always been proud of our country, but we do not aspire to the title of superpower, which is understood to be pretense for global or regional hegemony. We do not impinge on anyone's interests, do not impose our patronage, do not attempt to lecture anyone on how they should live," he added. :ranger:

Putin did not directly mention the United States in his speech, but the reference to Washington's military actions in countries like Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya was hard to overlook. :ranger:

Those and less direct interventions, like the support of the rebel forces in Syria, have led to regress for the respective nations, Putin stated.

On the other hand Russia's approach, which rejects the use of force and promotes political dialogue and compromise, have been fruitful in both Syria and Iran, the Russian president said.



"In Syria the world community had to make a joint and fateful decision. It was either the continuation of the degradation of the world order, the rule of the right of might, the right of the fist, the multiplication of chaos. Or to collectively take responsible decisions," Putin explained, praising the world, Russia included, for taking the second path.

It was Russia's involvement that to a large degree helped to prevent military intervention in Syria and paved the way for the deal involving the destruction of Syria's chemical weapons arsenal.

If this hadn't happened, the Syrian conflict might have escalated and impacted countries far away from the Middle East, Putin said.

"We acted in a firm, thoughtful and measured manner. At no time did we endanger either our own interests and security or global stability. I believe that this is the way a mature and responsible nation should act," he stated.

The Syrian precedent was reinforced by the recent breakthrough in the conflict over Iran's nuclear program.

"We need to continue a patient search for a broader solution, which would ensure the inalienable right of Iran to develop its peaceful nuclear energy industry and the security of all countries in the region, including Israel," Putin said.

Iran and the P5+1 group have signed an interim agreement, which lifts some of sanctions issued against Iran over its controversial nuclear program in exchange for a temporary slowdown of Tehran's nuclear development.

The deal is hoped to lead to a permanent accord, which would settle the decades-long conflict.

Putin: Russia not aspiring to be superpower, or teach others how to live. RT News
 
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sunny_10

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.
but i have my one "direct" statement about Western War Champions as below. "Teaching Others How to Live", as discussed by Mr Putin in the above post, is explained by me as below, which is mainly in terms of Cultural Wars, Religious Wars, Racial Wars, Language Wars, Belief Conflicts, Identity Conflicts etc., along with Capitalism as the prime concern. and these wars are mainly of the concerns for the Western nations in different parts of the world.....

Different Wars by US and its Allies to form the "World Government"

further to my posts, "India needs to learn from Chinese modal", and "US's World government Vs Russia's Multi-Polar World", i would like to explain this "problem" in few points as below: :tup:

1st, there is always a war by US and their allies in terms of Cultural Wars, Religious Wars, Racial Wars, Language Wars, Belief Wars, Identity Clashes, mainly "the Capitalism" to maintain flow of money from the developing countries in either way.

2nd, their different wars of first point will never end until they form this so called World Government, as there is always an issue related to identity, religion, culture, language, belief, while keeping Capitalism, as the prime issue, to maintain flow of money from different countries in either way.

3rd, for example, if Russia had a follower government in Afghanistan during 80s, it even had a seat in UN also. while the same US and its allies have many issues in Afghan, which also includes fighting for racism and Christianity, Capitalism, efforts to take over local oil reserves of Iraq etc as below too :facepalm:
(we even openly used to discuss during 90s that until SU was present in Afghan, it wasn't at least terrorised, like how the US's ally Taliban+Al Qaeda took over the Afghan by 1990 and started the militia culture in this certain region... as, fall of SU in Afghan in 1990, directly resulted in arm struggle in Kashmir since then, when many most wanted Kashmiri militant like Ilyas Kashmiri then came to Indian Kashmir, after gaining training and arms from US during their war against Soviet in Afghan till 1990. the first terrorist attack in Indian Kashmir occurred in 1990 itself, the year SU left Afghan. Kashmir was one of the most peaceful region of the world before 1990.......)

Christianity Grows in Afghanistan, Despite Islamists' Threat


4th, They always have someone on their gun point and others in waiting, as there is always something to do in different parts of the world on the name of religion, race, culture, identity, belief, language, with main issue of Capitalism.

5th, and the "Multi Polar World", is also meant for maintaining a "Balance" among different religions, identity, belief, language, culture, while to mainly resist Capitalism. i mean, no part of the world would accept English as the language, Christianity as the religion, Western Culture, Belief in West only, considering White as the superior race, always, as this is what the US and its allies may establish in India and other developing countries on gun-point :nono:. while making a society in which, all would dream to go to US/West only as the capitalism is mainly intended to keep Western countries superior only, to make every wealth/ talent of developing countries to dream for those western places only. :rofl:

6th, for example, if Capitalism efforts are successfully established in India, all the Indian high talents would dream to go to US/West only, take money to invest only in those countries which are always better than India. hence they would also wish to adopt their culture/ religion as this is what the superiority means for. always keep inferiority complex as White is always a superior race, even if you are the person doing a professional job while the locals are hardly labors, but its they who feed you, always keep in your mind while even sitting on the top floor of your firm as a slave.....
(here, i do remember, when too many horns on the road i saw during a week, once i even proposed to take my laptops, files etc and move to the workshop among the local kings, if this may solve the "problem". it was the time of 2008-09, while working for WMA Ltd and my cabin was on the top floor but on the side of the road.)

7th, and those who want to fight their different wars, as stated above, they have a certain characteristic. that is, they first become friends of those parts of the world, they target. and then they start picking all those, who resist the intentions of these Western War Champions. they first try to prove that they are in fact friends of a part of the world, like India, and then they start buying/ taking over the high position owing people who may help these intentions of Western War Champions in India type countries, with keep targeting all those who may resist these Western Intentions....

in sum, "they are always 'friends' and at the same time they always attack on back."

8th, and one of the main technique of these efforts is, "Divide and Rule". and giving wrong information to common public to divide them is their main arm. they mainly target your those friends who may help you, by making misunderstanding among them by wrong information/ organizing bluffs. hence fight with each others, so that these Western War Champions may do their work in an easier way. :coffee:

9th, its simply dealing with those drug addicted societies of world, US+UK, having no educational background, who can't build their societies but want to help Indians in India, :tsk:. those who can't help themselves, want to get something done in other parts of the world. its similar to my experience in Australia, the labors sitting outside want to enslave the officers sitting in. one more example of post#10, the under high school passed locals attacking the International students doing Master level engineering/ medicines/ management studies during 2009-10, while half of them take drugs also. one more example of this same post#10, when Indian economy became 3rd largest on PPP by end 2007, they changed the way of measuring GDP on PPP to bring down India to the 5th place by 2008, under their White/ Western/ Christian belief :facepalm:
(even their institutions have technologies made by high qualified migrants of developing countries who helped the US's firms have technologies by hard work. people like Mr B.Gates are the richest not because they sold the technologies developed by Americans :no:. ask Mr Gates in this regard too, the richest person of the planet, he made his wealth by using talents of migrant professionals, mainly Indians, not by their own people :coffee:)

10th, and the very first "characteristic" of these Western War Champions is, "you are either with them or against them. there is no third option to take side." if you don't "co-operate" with them, then its simply means that you want to fight with them, no opportunity to avoid their efforts, once you are caught. means, your non-corporation may simply categorize you as their enemy :wave:

in sum, even if you have conflicts with China, then its a border issue, and even Russia and China have fought wars in past, in 60s itself. but the above "geo-political" issue is totally different than border conflicts. while being threatened with China, you just can't surrender your "sovereignty" to these drug addicted western societies, who just want to take drugs, no proper educational background, and then make slaves in different parts of the world :nono:

and as always, i do most of the works by my own experience and hence i do need few questions to improve the above post too thanks
 
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sunny_10

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India needs to learn from Chinese modal (revised)

while being a democratic country itself :india:

The problem with immature Indians here, if they want to go against fanatic Islam then they find themselves with Western group. and if they want to resist western aggression, then they find themselves moving towards the Islamic Jihadi groups who fight with christian religious Western dominance. while your main ground would be to resist both of that side and put your stand clearly. and on my side, I always keep space for any credible change in society etc also, which may benefit the society as a whole, but first it would prove itself worth/good for the common people, the society.........

few days before I was talking that Indian rulers/diplomats gotto learn from Chinese model. you always have to understand that US/West always trying to give you disadvantage on the different businesses, hiding the facts/truth, and trying to cheat the nation, India. even if IT companies have export orders from west, they pay very high tax and deliver the best projects at a very less cost? India, in fact, suffer Trade Deficit with US+EU. you gotto think to the level that, "no business was ever done to benefit other side and if you down yourself on any issue then it simply means that you want to benefit the other side." India just need to stick with the norms of WTO and keep kicking US/West, who want to first give losses to India on different businesses. and at the same time they want to involve india in their different wars, which they have mainly organized to solve their 1000s Christian religious issues with Islam. first India won't become an arm of Christianity against Islam and at the same time Indian diplomacy gotto be well prepared to handle those western champions, mainly British and British origins of US/Australia/Canada, who always want some space to give losses to India, on the business side, political side and also doing wrong publicity about India, about indian society as whole.......

if india sell products to US then India buy from them also and in fact India suffer trade deficit from US+EU? and no business was done to benefit other side and if western firms recruit high qualified professionals then they do this after a long process of selection and then they pick only their people of interest, who may develop new techs for them, and improve the existing technologies also. as, why would they bring people from overseas while their own unemployment rate is very high? and in fact, whenever US's president and UK's PM visit India, they mainly beg for jobs in India? and if they want high skilled migration then its in very limited number and to select the best people they may find from India or an indian origin from a foreign institute based in US/West itself? India needs to stick with norms of WTO/UN and keep kicking those foreigners who just want to destroy your country..........

Indians gotto learn to handle to different sides in different ways. if you talk to a pakistani national then present every aspect in front of him and if you then get to face a US's national then you then have to talk in a different way, considering that side of politics. with always taking care that a western citizen will only serve his nation, whether he/she is an Indian origin or not. an Indian American will only defend his nation and you have to defend your own country you are based in, the India. as, every good and bad of India is concerned with Indian nationals only, regardless what an American Indian say here to defend US/UK/Australia/Canada. if infrastructure of India is good, it will benefit/ improve life of its people based here. if Indian companies pay high taxes/ employ more and generate technologies then Indian government will use that tax money in India to benefit the people based in India, not the NRIs?????

in short, India needs to learn from Chinese model and get very high growth like China, like how China achieved the highest growth during last 30 years on its geo-political stand, much higher than India :china:

and why India has so much worries on the CAD side, check this news as below too :tsk:

India's exports to European countries increased by about 16 per cent to USD 57.7 billion in 2011-12, while imports rose by about 29 per cent year-on-year to USD 91.5 billion.

Exports to Europe up 16%; imports 29% - Financial Express

why this gentleman comes to India in behalf of his voters, whose 90% civilians would like to move from Britain, in fact. check..... (similar news we have when Mr Obama visit India too...) :coffee:

David Cameron delivers address at Infosys Bangalore: Full Text
July 28, 2010

The Tata Group is now the largest manufacturing employer in Britain. And more than 180 Indian companies have invested in our IT sector.

Indian companies employ 90,000 people in the UK. Many more jobs in Britain exist thanks to the activities of British companies in India. Now I want to see thousands more jobs created in Britain :ranger:, and of course in India through trade in the months and years ahead. That is the core purpose of my visit :facepalm:

David Cameron delivers address at Infosys Bangalore: Full Text | NDTV.com

Check these news as below too :tup:

=> India Creating U.S. Jobs: Employ 60,000 - Careers Articles

=> Indian investment in US touches $11 billion creates 100, 000 jobs - The Times of India :tup:


=> its a simple case that those who can't help themselves, want to help Indians in India, as below :tsk:

Almost 90% would 'consider moving abroad' for better financial prospects - Telegraph
 

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You see every time we discuss development, how everything points out that everything that is wrong with this country is because this government. Of course the Chinese model is not applicable, a section of their society never truly understands what freedom is, they are just happy the way they are. Brainwashed to free state owned labor. but still they as nation have pulled off a feat.
I said, India needs to 'learn' from the Chinese Model, you don't have to copy it. :nono:

India is a proud democratic country, not a communist country. and with that, there is a difference between values of Indian Democracy and the Western ones, its also true. and being a democratic country mustn't be a reason to allow these Western War Champions in India to help them destroy this part of the world, and we do have enough to learn from China in this regard :ranger:

and yes, while being a communist country itself, there is enough China has done, in terms of the highest growth rate during last 30 years to improve life of its people, defended its country successfully from US/West, (the topic of this thread), high level of industrialization and development of infrastructure etc. there is enough to learn from them, isn't it???????? :what:
and my above post was just an effort to put few key points in this regard altogether :thumb:


=>
Chinese model is autocratic and they were willing to make any sacrifice necessary to ensure stability and growth. That meant even if it was necessary to massacre a rebellion they would do it instantly, and we have seen this consistently. At the same time it has allowed them to mobilize their resources will enough to achieve unprecedented growth.
thats what i was discussing right now. when there is a class, we find 10 students and 40 monkeys. with the example as below:

=> once a king brought a monkey for his protection and gave him a Sword with an advise, "if someone attack on me while sleeping, kill him." and on night, a mosquito was sitting on his nose and then that 'loyal' monkey attacked on that mosquito and killed the king itself. :tsk:

i hope, 'learning' from China won't result in removal/death of Indian Democracy itself, and the "Loyal Indian Monkeys" are the main concern in this regard


2nd Example: i just gave about Lord Ram, when he ordered his younger brother to go and get some lessons from Rawan when he was about to die, as, even if Rawan was a very wrong person, he was a very knowledgeable person. even the epics have many good examples to 'learn'.
(similarly one more example of the same epic, Lord Ram never hesitated to eat half eaten fruits of a dalit woman while his less knowledgeable same younger brother, Laksham, refused to eat that fruits on caste basis so he couldn't resist an attack during that war, for what Hanuman had to visit Himalaya's for medicines one time.)
 
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Rise of Russia

Russia's turnaround in the Middle East

Ukraine has briefly become a Near Eastern country for us. The failure of the European Union's hopes that an agreement on an association between Ukraine and the EU would be signed in Vilnius on Nov. 28 is regarded by all as a success for Russia and Russian President Vladimir Putin, who fiercely fought against Ukraine's "departure" for the West. This success is now viewed against the backdrop of Moscow's active and successful approach in the Near East, and it adds to the feeling of Russia's power and influence in the international arena on the part of many Russian observers. Syria and Ukraine have little in common, except that Russia had been considered an obvious and irreversible "loser" in both places, but it turned out to be — at least for now — the winner. :ranger:

However, truth be told, there is another parallel. Ukraine is actively being invited into the Customs Union — an association that Moscow is initiating in the territory of the former Soviet Union for the purposes of integration. A couple of weeks ago, Kazakhstan's President Nursultan Nazarbayev said that it would be a good idea to invite Syria and Turkey into this organization so that the project would not look like a restoration of the USSR. But this, of course, was something of a political joke. :ranger:

In general, Russia is actually becoming a most important participant in all political processes in the Near East. Only in the past few days, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, were in Moscow on separate occasions, one after the other. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is participating in the final round of negotiations of the six major powers on Iran. At the same time, Russian diplomats are still trying to break the deadlock in the Syrian Geneva II conference, communicating with Damascus and representatives of the opposition, and continue to work on the destruction of chemical weapons in Syria. On Nov. 14-15, a Russian-Egyptian meeting was held in Cairo in the form of "2+2" (the ministers of defense and foreign affairs), with arms contracts expected as a result of this meeting. :ranger:

This situation is unexpected. Just several months ago, it was believed that Moscow was hopelessly losing ground in the Near East. The last clients inherited from the Soviet past are losing power in their respective countries, new ones have not developed and Russian policy provokes hostility and rejection from most capitals and religious and ethnic groups in the region.

What is the reason for such a turnaround? We should give credit to the move in respect to chemical weapons, whose elegance was appreciated by all and which is likely to go down in diplomatic history. But we have to recognize that the success of Russia is largely derived from the failure of others. Against the backdrop of a mindless imitation of policy that the EU is pursuing in the Near East and the flip-flopping of the United States (China, as always, is deliberately on the sidelines), Russia looks strong, primarily due to its consistency with respect to Syria and — oddly enough — its slow pace on other issues.

The line of people that is emerging to meet with Russian authorities is not surprising. Few people have liked, or like, Moscow's position on the events in Syria, but it is consistent, and in essence remains unchanged from the beginning. A feeling is forming that Russia knows exactly what it is doing and what it wants — unlike the United States and the rest. And, if real interests are understood, that there is something to agree upon with Russia, then it is possible to move forward on the Syrian issue. In any case, it seems that way. As for other countries that underwent their "spring," such as Egypt, the lack of haste after the first revolution, for which many reproached Moscow, as well as the restraint after the second revolution, allowed it to avoid the mistakes made by the United States, for example, which cast about between "the sides of history." :ranger:

The irony is that Moscow's success in the Near East is something of a side effect. Russia is not the Soviet Union, and it never again will be. So, the panicked arguments in the US press — to the extent that the United States suffers failures and is actually beginning to leave the Near East — Russia will take over this vacant position, are groundless. The Kremlin is simply not pursuing this, and it does not have the resources to play the role of a major patron state. Clearly, no one will refuse additional opportunities in important countries and their markets. But the approach that has been advanced in the region since 2011 is primarily dictated by the desire to protect itself from even larger shocks, which as Moscow believes, are the result of foreign interference in the affairs of the Near East, similar to how it disowned any "collaboration" in the Libyan campaign.

Russia's consent to the operation against former Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi (or more precisely, its unwillingness to prevent it) was apparently explained by what former President Dmitry Medvedev had assumed: In this way, Moscow could thus distance itself from those not very important to it. It turned out to be the opposite — inactivity deepened the crisis, a precedent was set for an absolutely devastating "humanitarian intervention," and Russia ended up at the center of mostly hostile attention from all sides.

The Near East proves that the international system is a single, interconnected organism, subject to certain laws. This heterogeneous and volatile region has always been a target for external forces, which also posed as regulators. And when the United States, which had performed this function after the Cold War "declined," a vacuum emerged, demanding to be filled. Russia refused to have a regulatory role after the collapse of the USSR, limiting itself to protecting its remaining commercial interests. But the logic of international relations pushes Moscow back (since there are no other contenders), in essence, against its own will. And Russia is expected — intentionally or not — to take on the burden of responsibility, in return for some dividends, of course. :ranger:

This is a heavy burden, and considering the ongoing processes — a thankless and pointless one. Moscow is not ready for this, as it realizes — it is one thing to point out the US' failure and quite another to achieve the necessary result in the Near East. But, on the other hand, it is necessary to justify expectations, and for this reason the stream of visitors to the Russian capital hoping to enlist the support of the Kremlin will not dry up.

What is the reason for the success of Russian diplomacy? As the leading Russian specialist in international affairs Sergei Karaganov notes, it largely plays by the rules established by the geopolitical patterns of the past centuries and the state-centered Westphalian international system. In today's world, nothing is clear, and contradictory processes occur simultaneously: globalization and a return to the role of nation states, the erosion of borders and attempts by governments to control domestic affairs using new methods, the emergence of new forms of force and rapidly growing ungovernability. And in such a world, "Russian diplomacy, preserving and developing mastery, but unencumbered by ideology, feels like a fish in water," writes Karaganov. "It is guided by values that are associated with an unconditional defense of sovereignty and, arguably, that have been rooted for the past 300 years in the national identity of a great power and the desire to be among the leaders." :truestory:

In general, it turns out that a simpler policy that is guided by clear instincts and aspirations, but that at the same time does not pretend to know a universal recipe, seems more effective. This does not bring solutions any closer, but it adds points in the wider political game. A policy that pretends to know the solutions and that is guided by ideological and moral values provides neither one nor the other. :thumb:

Russia's turnaround in the Middle East - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

http://defenceforumindia.com/forum/europe-russia/56251-rise-russia.html
 
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sunny_10

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Trends in U.S. Military Spending

the U.S. budget, which separates defense spending from spending on overseas operations.

In calendar year 2012, military spending declined from $711 billion to $668 billion.

In dollar terms, this was the largest decline since 1991. :ranger:




Democracies are generally regarded as friendly to the United States, and this chart delivers a similar verdict to the last one.



In 2012, U.S. military spending fell faster than overall military spending by democracies.

Trends in U.S. Military Spending - Council on Foreign Relations
 
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Statistics from the Russian Federal Statistics Service have confirmed continued industrial growth expansion in the month of October, and that average wages have kept up with inflation.
MOSCOW, November 22 (Sputnik) — Russia's Federal State Statistics Service (Rosstat) has found that industrial growth is continuing to expand, and that average monthly salaries have continued to grow, keeping pace with rising inflation rates.

Rosstat statistics indicate that industrial output grew by 2.9 percent in the month of October year-on-year compared with 2013; this figure was at 5.1 percent in September. The International Center for the Study of Institutions and Development at the Higher School of Economics has noted that industrial growth is largely related to government orders, including orders in the defense sector, Rossiyskaya Gazeta explained.

At 32,250 rubles (about $705 US), average monthly salaries have also shown growth, up 8.6 percent compared to last time this year, Rosstat has found.

The statistics service has also found that unemployment has fallen by 6.6 percent compared to last year, although between September and October 2014 it rose by 4.1 percent, and is presently at 3.9 million people, or 5.1 percent. According to the data, 75.9 million people (53 percent of the population) are currently economically active, Rossiyskaya Gazeta noted.

Economic growth in the third quarter has slowed to 0.7 percent; continually rising consumer demand and a boom in housing construction are holding off a dip into negative growth rates. The Russian Ministry of Economic Development had earlier projected growth of 0.5 percent for the year, while the Central Bank recently lowered its estimate from 0.4 to 0.3 percent. Retail trade turnover in the first 10 months of 2014 grew by 2.2 percent compared with 2013, totaling 22.3 trillion rubles ($487 billion).

New housing construction jumped by 18.3 percent this year, with 7.9 million square meters of new housing sold. Investments in fixed capital fell by 2.9 percent year-on-year, but jumped nearly 20 percent in October month-on-month.

The data follows the Russian Ministry of Economic Development's statement about a week ago that inflation would reach about 9 percent for the year, and presently sits at about 8.5 percent.

Earlier this month, the Russian Central Bank made the decision to drastically decrease its support for the country's currency, scaling down currency interventions and announcing a move to a floating exchange rate. Elvira Nabiullina noted earlier this week that the country's financial system is strong, and is "prepared for considerable fluctuations in the prices of oil or other outside factors."

Russia's economy has showed signs of a slowdown this year; this has been attributed to present geopolitical tension and the continuing decline in oil prices. President Vladimir Putin and Finance Minister Anton Siluanov have repeatedly noted that the country's budget for next year will be implemented regardless of inflation, oil prices and other factors, with no decline in social sector expenditures.
Industrial Growth Up, Wages Keep Pace With Inflation: Rosstat / Sputnik International
 

jouni

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Re: Russian Industrial Growth up, Wages keep pace with Inflation: Ross

Interesting table of how different countries have developed since fall of the soviet union. Poland and Ukraine started the same level...looks like Russias "friendship" with Ukraine has been pretty cold hug...

 
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militarysta

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Re: Russian Industrial Growth up, Wages keep pace with Inflation: Ross

In Poland there was very very harsh for peoples reform in 90'. More or less most '"social" subsydies where cut in 90' and pepoles where educated to live in capitalism. What was good IMHO couse whole coutry was preapered to go to UE and...take a profit form UE money. Of course there is a lot to do but it's mucht better then was.
Poland and Belarus where on simmilar level in 1990 (Belarus where slighty higher) now we can see what lost after 25 yers. Maybe capitalism have it's ugly face but when citizens are determinated to do something whit their own live then result is amazing. For my perspective all is still changing for better and better.
And Poland is seriously good place to visit as tourist place.
 

pmaitra

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Re: Russian Industrial Growth up, Wages keep pace with Inflation: Ross

@спецназ, what about agriculture? What is Russia planning to do to avoid having to import food?
 
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militarysta

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Re: Russian Industrial Growth up, Wages keep pace with Inflation: Ross

RTS:
 

amoy

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Re: Russian Industrial Growth up, Wages keep pace with Inflation: Ross

European integration indeed is quite an inspiration, from a vision to reality. East Asia shall pursue a similar path. CJK plus a resource-rich Mongolia, over 20% of the world's GDP at present, may be able to catch up with EU one day.
 
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militarysta

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Re: Russian Industrial Growth up, Wages keep pace with Inflation: Ross

European integration indeed is quite an inspiration, from a vision to reality. East Asia shall pursue a similar path. CJK plus a resource-rich Mongolia, over 20% of the world's GDP at present, may be able to catch up with EU one day.
Yes, but UE is not monolyth. In some countries there are voices that paying for PIGS (Portugal Italy Greece Spain) mistakes is not worth those countries in UE. While other countries make real reform and try to move on PIGS are staing in the same circle of pseudo social welfarestate and ruined budget. Why? Becouse they work not so hard, and heve completly starnge rules about employes and market. Anyway - propably UE will be soon in "two speed" model. What is positive and negative in same time...
 

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