Russia - threadbanned users in OP

A BIG bang

https://twitter.com/MalcontentmentT/status/1689237795876028416?s=20

^^Would not have agreed (at the time) with the US policy of scrapping the nuclear agreement with Iran (JCPOA). In hindsight, it was probably correct.

Europe (EU) tried really, really hard to keep that agreement going in the face of wrecking by Trump and didn't implement the sanctions on Iran.

For that "we" got laughed at and bent over + f-cked by Iran (they were able to use the income/economic help to progress their drone programme, and are now helping Russia rain hundreds of these Shahed drones down on Ukraine's cities...).

Seems like trying to "deal" with regimes like the Iranian one is just a mug's game [and the EU/Europeans were the mug + got taken for a ride by Iran].

Maybe if Russia weren't sending working class men to die in Ukraine they wouldn't have to fill these factories with underskilled migrants.

In real terms does a falling ruble mean it's more expensive for Russia to buy things from outside Russia?

Top of the list when there are any discussions about discussions.... Sanction's must go, first!!

3 months ago or so, there were official complaints made by the Duma about the labour shortages, coming at a time when they had been ordered to increase production. The mobilization was given as the main reason. I think that the response was to get the staff to work harder, and for longer hours. Production targets must be increased and met...or else!!!

Good balanced article there from Time and some ISW folks which doesn't quite fit the whole "counter offensive is a failure" narrative that the misery mongers round here love.

I feel that no deal should be made with the 2021-date regime ... they are hardliners who are a product of Trump's withdrawal from the deal ... Hassan Rouhani was more moderate ... perhaps reaching out to moderates would have seen the gradually diminishing of the Khamenei/Paydari cult but withdrawal only played into their hands ....

All this inconsistent policy coming from the US has doomed moderates in Iran and emboldend hardliners ... then again the likes of Trump and his hardliners do not want moderates ... I always believe all these far right entities help each other .... Putin is behind Trump and behind Paydari too ...

Cosmopolitan Russians resigned to the fact that they are now "North Koreans" on the world stage.

Yes, that is a good point about Trump's actions (pulling out of the deal, assassinating Soleimani) cutting the ground from under moderates (in Iran).

Unfortunately the US is now very polarised and this is touching all aspects of politics, so there will be reduced consistency from them.

Unlike the post WW2 period, the 2 parties are in my opinion heading towards having incompatible foreign policies in many areas, which will create even more chaos if/when the Republicans take the presidency again (e.g. as gets discussed here sometimes, the US military aid to Ukraine will probably be greatly reduced + US engagement + interest in NATO and what is happening in Europe will wane again).

Anyway, with Iran's current rulers the relationship with the Russians [and poking the US in the eye, as they see it] is much more important to them than their relationship with the EU/Europe [we're just "collateral damage", like Ukraine is I think]. Really the EU may as well forget the "deal" & just mirror the US sanctions fully now.

Maybe it is, but for sure since soviet / communist times, Russians have developed it to a fine art...maybe Nth Korea. And its alive and well to this day in Russia and in the Republics. Old habits die hard.

Another day, another group of Russian soldiers complaining about not being paid

Russian government of releasing hardcore criminals early to go fight with mercenaries committing war crimes and then allowing them back into society after their 'tour' is completed.

What could go wrong?

Serves ye right u brain dead zombie

Belarusian voted 2/3 years ago for democracy barely a peep out of them now.

Ukrainians fighting to the last man when they win will be a force to be reckoned with, hope they get their children back and avenge all who participated in Russia's evil brutality.