So in those terms they are a threat to the US in a non-conventional sense.

But in a conventional sense they are not a threat at all

And on top of that Putin has his own political problems in Russia, and while Russia is still a player in world politics, it's not the power house it used to be.

Well they are a threat to their neighbors........

@Comando The Russians aren't trying to win by force, they are trying to starve you out of your financial and military power.

Slowly starve you out of your resources and the respect for you.

It's their long term plan.

Again seem like a bad plan. They're a petrostate and that's a resource the US can surpass them in. Not only do they have less economic and military power but they are also in demographic decline. So that model is dependent on the leadership in Russia being very stupid.....

Not stupid.

Narcissistic.

Greedy.

Proud.

Those sort of things.

The problem is that any time the US gets weaker, they will give it a try and now is such a time, and they are giving it a try and they are actually winning.

But the problem is that the new American administration is just fine with it as long as the Russians aren't a direct threat to them.

But once time passes and Kremlin has the chance to actually expand its influence enough it WILL become a problem.

But by that time it would be too late.

But the US is not getting weaker, Russia is. Maybe I have a higher opinion of the Russian leadership than you do? I think they can read a map. I think they can do math.

In what way is the USA getting stronger and Russia weaker?

Syria, Venezuela, what's next?

Turkey?

Hong Kong?

Who knows?

The thing is Russia has its ways of always testing the level of commitment the Americans are willing to go to.

And when they see the Americans loosing their shit,

they DO act.

Like their doing nowadays.

Actually Russia knows it can't win an open war.

Define 'winning'

It could 'win' in the Baltics.

That's why instead of trying to win by force they are trying to rally as many countries, tribes and soever as allies against America, rather than try to fight them directly.

And then, when the Yankees come to reclaim the price to show up with a minimum amount of force.

Not so much as to trigger a war, but just enough to deny American influence in the region.

@Weez Yeah, the Baltics could be a win, if they play it right.

Blitz in, then hold until the UN intervenes

Threaten to go nuclear to protect your new territory

Question there is how gay would the EU be and would the Americans really act if triggered?

Same can happen in Turkey, I fear.

They'd sent troops to Poland and a quick reaction to the Baltics

In a prolonged war, they'd push the Russians back

But the war won't be prolonged