[wuschel]

I think the problem is that there is not much data presented in this article - or other articles of that kind.

Systems are resilient - until they are not, and exhibit sudden factures and fast collapse.

The question is not whether Russia collapses or not, but who would be making profit from such a scenario, and who is keen on keeping the current state of affairs.

[ivan_gammel]

Russia is a glimpse into the future of America if nothing changes substantially in American political system. It’s a digital surveillance state, an oligarchy which co-opted technocratic elites into a ruling class and exploits mildly oppressed population without going to extremes. It has the technology and resources to maintain status quo for a very long time and absorb moderate shocks like this war.

[shevy-java]

Yes. A few get rich. This has always been the case - see Smedley Butler's old analysis about this.