Is modern Russia a superpower ?

[Aziel]

Is modern Russia a superpower ?

[Valentin the II]

Define "superpower".

[Aziel]

"An extremely powerful nation; specifically : one of a very few dominant states in an era when the world is divided politically into these states and their satellites." (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/superpower) I think this definition is fine.

[Valentin the II]

"An extremely powerful nation; specifically : one of a very few dominant states in an era when the world is divided politically into these states and their satellites." (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/superpower) I think this definition is fine.

Then, yes they are.
Not onely do they heavily influence almost everyone around them (usualy against their will), they also have a of nukes.

EDIT: whats with the smiley censoring the word "shite"

[Stalins Ghost]

A potential superpower yes, since it's sitting on some of the most vast remaining natural resource deposits in the world: One of the reasons the the West has held Russia at arms length the past decade despite rejecting Communism is that Putin has been slowly gearing up the Russian economy to utilise this; Western governments are basically afraid of what Russia could easily be.

At the moment though, Russia is one of the few countries with a declining population, and much of its industry is still 70s Soviet limbo. Again, Putin (and his likely successor) are likely to continue to improve on this, and that is why the West still holds apprehension towards Russia.

[Dracula]

It has always been a superpower,starting from the end of the Napoleonic Wars.

[PurpleScotch]

Agreed with Stalins Ghost.

[Astaroth]

No, Russia is not a superpower nowadays.

The only current superpower that deserves the name is the USA.

[removeduser_426582376423734]

If we define superpowers as a few equal or near equal countries sitting at the top, Russia is not a superpower - America is the only one. But on the next level you'll find Russia along with several others.

[Farnan]

Tier One (Superpowers) - United States
Tier Two (Great Powers) - China, India, Russia, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Japan (though not militarily), Australia, Canada, and a few others

[Heinz Guderian]

Tier One (Superpowers) - United States
Tier Two (Great Powers) - China, India, Russia, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Japan (though not militarily), Australia, Canada, and a few others

I disagree sir. I only think China and Russia could be included in the Great Power league. Individually, the euro countries could probably not impose their will on medium tier countries. eg, the Falklands, we only could conduct operations after the French gave us the codes for the exocet missiles. Or when Iran took our marines hostage, nothing we could really do on our own. But as a unified EU, thats a different story.

[Farnan]

I disagree sir. I only think China and Russia could be included in the Great Power league. Individually, the euro countries could probably not impose their will on medium tier countries. eg, the Falklands, we only could conduct operations after the French gave us the codes for the exocet missiles. Or when Iran took our marines hostage, nothing we could really do on our own. But as a unified EU, thats a different story.

That is due mostly to political will. Should Britain, France and Germany have the political will they could really fark up most countries. They have the economic base, the force project capabilities, and military power to do so. They are also economic giants. I'm not sure about Australia and Canada, I think they may be tier 3 (which would include Israel and most European nations not Tier Two), while nations like Saudi Arabia, Iran, Jordan, South Africa would be tier 4 and then the very poor nations would be around tier 5.

[Heinz Guderian]

That is due mostly to political will. Should Britain, France and Germany have the political will they could really fark up most countries. They have the economic base, the force project capabilities, and military power to do so. They are also economic giants..

Thats a good point sir. Perhaps after full mobilisation (which hasnt happened since 1945) these countries could tear rogues a new one, but in todays Int Relations environment, i think this would only happen if the country is at threat of invasion. Therefore, the UK's chances of duffing up someone like Pakistan, Iran, or even Malaysia on its own, is questionable. I think only the US alone could do this, maybe Russia and probably China. Economically we couldnt affect their economies on our own either.

I do believe in a one on one fight, the Aussies couldnt beat the Indonesians, or vice versa due to lack of secure naval transport.

[Scar Face]

That is due mostly to political will. Should Britain, France and Germany have the political will they could really fark up most countries. They have the economic base, the force project capabilities, and military power to do so. They are also economic giants. I'm not sure about Australia and Canada, I think they may be tier 3 (which would include Israel and most European nations not Tier Two), while nations like Saudi Arabia, Iran, Jordan, South Africa would be tier 4 and then the very poor nations would be around tier 5.

Agreed for the most part. I wouldn't really say Canada is a tier 3 nation, nor a tier two. We have more influence globally than Isreal does, but not as much as Germany does. Generally speaking I see Great powers as being any nation with a strong economy. That would be, for the most part, the group of 8. A complete tier system like yours can only be so accurate. Canada does not have the influence and economy as much as the other g8 nations, but it has much more importance than Israel, Spain, and Poland. No offense to those nations of course, but their economies are smaller, and are generally just regional powers.

Anyways. Russia is no Superpower. That alone is for America.

[PooFoo]

Agreed for the most part. I wouldn't really say Canada is a tier 3 nation, nor a tier two. We have more influence globally than Isreal does, but not as much as Germany does. Generally speaking I see Great powers as being any nation with a strong economy. That would be, for the most part, the group of 8. A complete tier system like yours can only be so accurate. Canada does not have the influence and economy as much as the other g8 nations, but it has much more importance than Israel, Spain, and Poland. No offense to those nations of course, but their economies are smaller, and are generally just regional powers.

Anyways. Russia is no Superpower. That alone is for America.

Spanish economy is virtually the same size as the Canadian economy. See the list I provided earlier.

[Twfan55]

+1 to Stalins Ghost.

[gaius valerius]

We live in a world were there are no more genuine single superpowers. The EU has the economy, China as well, the USA has the army, etc etc etc. We have multiple states each excelling in a certain field and with potential. Russia is one of those states with the potential, and at the moment are mainly a regional superpower with as their biggest weapon the weapon of energy.

[Dracula]

Whoever said UK is a superpower is 100 years back. This is questionable even for the whole EU... One can however take NATO as a superpower. Same would go for an Indostan powers alliance-if there exists one,more likely not.
As the configuration is set today,it is more NATO vs. Russia and the Asian powers together,each block having the features of a superpower.

The curious thing about Russia is that it has been an Empire along with all the others that orchestrated the world order for centuries. But unlike the others,it still keeps today some 70-80% of the territories it once had,making it currently the biggest landmass country in the world. It is alone a cornerstone for power,regardless of the negative processess that it underwent in the communism.

[Nick_Since_1985]

+Rep for Dracula, intresting, I actually nevert thought about it "Russia still having most of it's lands in contrary to the western powers"...

[Cavalier]

How long will USA be considered a Superpower, since it borrows a of money and the dollar is going down?