Is Russia a real threat to the UK? or should I say, Putin.
I know we had to escort 2 Russian planes, flying near England recently.
I was also chatting with some lads in the pub about the sanctions imposed, I don't think that is the reason the Russian economy is going down, as much as the media try to say it is.
With the demand for oil decreasing, due to alternative energy, the oil producing nations got together and asked to slow down production to throttle supply and keep the price of barrels high.
The UAE ignored this and said they would continue to produce the same amount, which has decreased the price of an oil barrel which is probably hitting the Russian economy more than any sanctions US\UK\EU have hit them with.
Anyway looking at whats happening in the Ukraine,and potential threat to surrounding neighbors, could Russia be more of a threat to the UK than even IS??
It does seem they are doing exactly what they want..ignoring any international pleas.
The above may not be correct, I have not google'd any of this to confirm...it was just a chat over a pint...
Russian Roulette??
posted on 6/3/15
Saudi can still function at $9-$12 per barrel.
Agreed that they want to keep world price low so as to make other oil exploration unprofitable.
It's what any cartel would do.
posted on 6/3/15
comment by righteous1 (U7048)
posted 30 minutes ago
I am not sure thats true.
Saddam didn't really press ahead with any designs on expanding outside of Iraq's borders, beyond Kuwait, and the '45 minute' threat thing was obviously a load of guff.
IS clearly have designs on getting as far as they can. Now obviously that is nowhere near the UK currently and is unlikely to be in the forseeable future but that's not to say it will always be the case and with other Islamic death cults like Boko Haram propping up elsewhere in the world, they can't just be ignored
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All are constrained to their point of origin. That's why they declared themselves IS - Islamic State. Stating that's the place to be for like minded people. They have designs on expansion of course, but certainly not going across continents and invading the UK.
Too many people unconscious of what threats are real.
posted on 6/3/15
Is are not a threat as an army, nobody claims that, but they now have large support from weak minded individuals and are as dangerous as al qaeda.
No nation will ever be a threat again to us in terms of all out war, it will never happen.
The only danger is a lunatic getting hold of nukes.
posted on 6/3/15
comment by Brennie Babes (U8994)
posted 45 minutes ago
I hate to say it, but pretty much everything in the OP is incorrect.
The russian economy is facked mainly because of sanctions. Intenrational money markets and investors have been taking all their money out of russia due to the instability and pressure from western govts (capital flight) causing the rouble to plummet in value and other things such as imports have been ceased. Add to that the huge difficulties russian companies have borrowing credit and it's really messed their economy.
The demand for oil has decreased due to a slowdown in the global economy, particularly in china. At the same time, OPEc who traditionally cut production to increase prices can't do it as they still wouldn't sell enough. They're trying to stop production of expensive hydrocarbons like shale gas and tar sands so they get their market dominance back. The US is currently self sufficient with regards to oil/ gas, and OPEC are hoping to price the shale producers out of the market by making production unprofitable. In doing so they are also hurting themselves in the short term and further scréwing russia over, so there might be other political motives there too
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This
if you look at data for oil production OPECs production has gradually sloped off while americas has skyrocketed.
OPEC have deliberately undercut them in the market because their oil reserves are declining and its all that makes those countries relevant.
increasing amounts of renewable energy have also had an effect though, the UK is set to build 5 tidal lagoons that will provide 8% of our power, oil markets took a hit on that news as when they are proven to be of equal economic value per MW/h as a nuclear plant, as well as having major environmental benefits including a boost to marine life, a lot more countries will be building them...
posted on 6/3/15
I want to read up on these lagoon power plants now
Sounds cool
posted on 6/3/15
The lagoons are really cool. Made by a five mile circumference sea wall they operate either side of the tidal cycles. The barrier is closed as the sea level builds.. until it reaches the highest level and they open the sluices, the water flows in rapidly generating loads of power. Then once the water is in, they close the sluices and wait until low tide... and then they open them again.
Very good projects, can be used for recreation etc as well.
posted on 6/3/15
So simple
Giant water slides that save the planet
posted on 6/3/15
comment by Redinthehead - FreeGaza - فلسطين (U1860)
posted 51 minutes ago
Saudi can still function at $9-$12 per barrel.
Agreed that they want to keep world price low so as to make other oil exploration unprofitable.
It's what any cartel would do.
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Surprisingly enough that's not really true. A lot of oil producing countries are really struggling at the moment. In the gulf it's only really Qatar that can afford such low prices long term. In the UAE for example they've had to cancel a lot of projects as a result
posted on 6/3/15
comment by The Kaiser's Trainers (U5676)
posted 4 hours, 22 minutes ago
comment by RenegadeOF (U9457)
posted 37 seconds ago
Russia's not the bad guy, the US and the West are just as to blame as Russia. The Ukraine government was overthrown, is recognised, the same thing happened in Crimea, not recognised.
The US surrounding the Russian nuclear sub station in Crimea prior to it being anexed etc.
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PMSL
OK fair enough the West isn't all good and Russia aren't pure evil......
but one realistically may want to attack and invade it's neighbours to conquer and keep, the other inadvisably gets involved in the odd 3rd world skirmish and desperately wants out
you really need to rethink the whole good guy bad guy thing
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You may want to rethink both your points or explain how you've came to the conclusion Russia may invade?
If they wanted to invade Ukraine already they would.
Wheareas the US only the odd skirmish? When were they last not involved in conflict? You might want to check up on your own facts, and try reading actual news other than reading US propaganda.
posted on 6/3/15
comment by Redinthehead - FreeGaza - فلسطين (U1860)
posted 1 hour, 1 minute ago
The lagoons are really cool. Made by a five mile circumference sea wall they operate either side of the tidal cycles. The barrier is closed as the sea level builds.. until it reaches the highest level and they open the sluices, the water flows in rapidly generating loads of power. Then once the water is in, they close the sluices and wait until low tide... and then they open them again.
Very good projects, can be used for recreation etc as well.
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the walls act as reefs too, and its hoped they will provide safe nesting ground for sea life to breed, which could help with an increase in fishies!!
as you said it wall also provide leisure facilities, one report i read suggested that after a few years the walls might make for good diving lessons etc,
Hopefully they can incorporate some above sea level solar too, would certainly help with the energy generation, or perhaps they could replace the pavement on the top with one of the experimental solar roadway/footpath projects!
either way, the first lagoon will be heavily subsidised,and then the others are expected to operate at values just below the cost of the chinese owned, french profit producing nuclear reactor thats going to be built..