However, these guys aren’t random terrorists clutching their rusty AKs, but a regulated Coast Guard enforcing their sovereign maritime borders. Any attempt to resist legal arrest while in their borders would be interpreted as an act of war and be a death sentence for many fine men on both sides.

You would sail into Iranian waters and start gunning down their coast guardsmen? And this is not an act of war how?

Glad each side handled this matter so well!

With friends like Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, who needs enemies!

“We are not the U.S. Marines and we DO leave a man behind...”

Yes, eventually, but it is doubtful their economy will continue to struggle for much longer. There is little desire in Europe to continue sanctions.

You seem to be pretty spot on. As I said somewhere else, the sky is not falling (at least not soon) but it isn’t good for them.

Russia is pretty good at only spending money where they need it. Hence they have a really strong defensive force (a need) but their conventional offensive power is severely lacking (being just a want).

Yah, go do some serious off-roading before the world ends, those trucks are beast so why not?

Russia’s nuclear forces are the single most important part of their military, and will always get full funding. A good example of something flashy is the Admiral Kuznetsov. It's the Flagship, but they don't put much money into it at all.

I actually do know how an economy works, which is why I know that a 5% decrease is bad, it is far from the “sky is falling" situations everyone seems to have been predicting for the past several years.

It's all about how much buying power your dollar actually has for where you live. 8.50/hr in rural Texas is substantially more money than 12.00/hr in NYC

That just means you are smart

A lot of people don't realize how the economy works. For example, if you get a 5% pay cut this year, does that mean you can't afford food, rent, your car, or any other bills? It means there is not the extra money you are accustomed to, which is inconvenient, however, the sky did not fall.

Yes, it's cheaper. It's part of having a good high/low mix.

Is it a propaganda campaign? Certainly, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have practical goals though

Agreed, I think he was also saying don't underestimate them. They do, after all, have nukes.

That they have different roles?

So, a Pelican!

True, they are totalitarian, because I see no effort to share wealth or any common good thinking there!