Russia is a nation with a very big ego and huge taste for power. In the minds of Russian leaders the cold war never ended, and ever since they've been struggling to remain relevant in world politics. Russia has consistently made indirect threats to the United States and tried to form a sort of friendship with our strategic enemies. Most recently in a speech indirectly directed at the U.S, a Russian General said "to defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Russia and its allies, military forces will be used, including preventively, including with the use of nuclear weapons,".
Whether Russia likes it or not, it can't stand the military force of the United States. Since the end of the cold war, the U.S airforce has developed Jets that are many times as powerful; both manned and unmanned. Desert storm gave a taste of how advanced the US military has come; when Saddam was trusting in the land mines and jet fighters that had been sold to him by Russia. The United States moved over those mines with mine tracking and disarming technology. It was like a dream. But even since that war, the United States has developed in leaps and bounds. Russia is still in denial and i hope it just keeps talking the talk and never walks the walk.
Considering the fact that Russia is nearing a presidential election and candidates usually like to show the locals that they're the toughest on international policies. It is not surprising that loose words like these are being spoken by administration officials. I believe that Russian administration insiders understand that while attacking the US might mean the end of Russia as we know it today, threatening the U.S may be the best way for their toothless dog to bark and gnarl.
I hope Russia doesn't do something stupid, it would be unfortunate to have a great nation like that bombed back to the stone age!!
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