[alloysteel]

A power vacuum does not exist for long.

The Russian Federation may be almost prostrate economically, but they still have a clear vision of how to drag themselves back up. Just occupy the “world’s policeman” post that is now being vacated by the regime now in control of the territory once known as “the United States of America”.

Projection of military power is still one of the defining characteristics of a first-tier national focus. China is well on the way to acquiring a blue-water navy as well.

[Greetings_Puny_Humans]

Russkie soldiers routinely beat and rape each other to death and have been responsible for massive crimes everywhere they go. The idea of the Russkie as a “guarantee” of safety is a joke.

[Ben Ficklin]

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization began in 2001 and the CSTO in 2002.

[McGruff]

Afghan local authorities claim has seen the Taliban link up with jihadists from the Islamic State group battling in Syria and Iraq.

We have a common threat here, too bad we can't work together to exterminate it.