"USA vs Russia" Topic

Is it plausible that in the future (near or far) if America was tied up in some serious conflicts around the world, that Russia might attempt to take Alaska back or start a second Cold War, or is that all in the past now?

Alaska, no. The Russians have no way to take it, let alone hold it.

Renewal of the Cold War? Possibly.

Russia denied Oil to Europe as a means to pressure it over the War over Ossetia a few years back (In the middle of winter, so some people almost certainly died due to freezing because of it.)

Russia is most likely to be involved in a reconquest of former Soviet Satellite states in attempt to restore the "good old days" of the USSR when they were a Military Power.

Also, remember that .

We are doomed to have serious problems, as we compete for remaining resources:

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Dan

It's probably not plausible, but it would make a helluva wargame campaign. Would you mind if I steal this idea for a Fistful of TOWs 3 scenario?

To listen to some of the Russian leaders and read their papers one could get the impression that the Cold War never ended. Also the South Ossetian War could have gone hot between the US and NATO. I seem to remember, somewhere, that the US considered launching a strike against an important tunnel that the Russians were using as an MSR. Also the US had aircraft flying into Georgia carrying Georgian troops back from Iraq. An excited MiG pilot… and don't forget the US command ship and the destroyer that sailed into a major South Ossetian port with the Russian Black Sea Fleet still being around and about.

Without cool heads on both sides this war could have really blown up.

So yes, there is a real chance, slim mind you, that the US and Russia could go to blows with each other in the future. But if I were the Russians the Americans would be the least of my concerns. There's a certain rising power to the south east that might be casting a wondering eye toward Russian territories in Siberia.

Now that would be really scary.

I cannot imagine a more miserable, thankless, unprofitable undertaking.

Besides as noted above:

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Shoo! Get Back!!!

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mjc

This has been covered in several threads over the years, but what would the Russians take it with? There are now more NATO tanks than there are Russian(for the first time since the early 50s) as most of them have been moved to storage. Their combat formations are way under strength, training is an issue as well as equipment. Their navy is a shell of its former self and several exercises have been cancelled as most of the ships couldn't make it out of port! Their combat pilots are only getting(depending upon the source) around 20 hours of flight time per year while USAF pilots get several hundred. All in all, the Russian forces are barely fit to do peacekeeping and garrison duties let alone take on a foreign adventure.

I think Russia is done as a world player as far as confronting us is concerned. They will never attack us.

They will continue attacking their break-away states. They are also shifting their focus east, toward China. But I can't see any direct confrontation there either.

The new Cold War will be with China. Notice how we no longer worry about stopping aid to a country because Russia (nee-USSR) would step in? Now we worry about China stepping in with their influence. This is plainly evident concerning Pakistan post-UBL's death.

How Russia's leaders, who like fueling cold war attitudes at home when they feel their power slipping away, will react as the third-wheel in the New Cold War era is an interesting proposition. I feel they'll turn on states like Georgia more than they already do. After all, bullies always pick on weaker kids to look strong.

So get out of the 1980s and join us in the 2010s! *<:0)

USAF pilots get several hundred

and not just training time either. don't forget the logistics giant that is currently supplying forces deployed by the us and allies around the world

Wasn't there a plan in the fifties to drive a tank division across the Bering Sea in winter? Read that someplace. God, I'm old…

To be a stick in the mud,Nato will never prevail in Russia,satellites maybe ,but short of thermonuclear exchange Nato isnt prepared for the intensity of war that it would mean.

Nato isnt prepared for the intensity of war that it would mean.

Neither side has the slightest desire for a military confrontation. The West has no concerns with the CIS to justify even a slight risk of armed conflict and as others have mentioned, at the moment the Russian military is a pale shadow of the old Soviet bogeyman (which we now know wasn't that good even back then). The Russians would be hard pressed to field, much less keep supplied, a full corps of even their ant divisions and their airforce is down to almost no significant deep or even medium strike capacity. Their navy is in worst shape of all as regards maintainence and training. The one potent arm left to Russia is their aging strategic (nuclear) force and fortunately, they are rational actors as is the West.

I guess after killing Ben Laden a vacancy is opened for new scarecrow?

No, Russia don't need Alaska.
No, there's no need for military interventions if you can influence macroeconomy of your neighbours.
No, Russia didn't cut oil supplies to Europe for its position during Ossetia conflict, and no, the conflict itself was in August – therefore closing the valve in middle of the winter due to these events would be useless.
Yes, there was a case when former Ukrainian goverment under USA state dep project Timoshenko and Yushenko went bankrupt and was stealing gas, that resulted in cut off of gas supplies. With finishing of North Stream transit countries problem will be eliminated.
Yes, unfortunately, the years of "democracy" (not that I dislike democracy, but 1) our state is not a true democracy anyway 2)for some reason some of our democrates thought that we'll be friends with all the world and made a lot of foolish things that were bordering treason) delivered a terrible blow to military industry and army. Hopefully, with increased military spendings and purchase of some western equipment that is taking place now, Russia is turning attention to its army again.
Anyway, I don't see another hot war conflict, though some bright ideas like establishing anti-ICBM systems on territory of former Warsaw pact countries will be causing tensions.
One thing that both US and Russia shall consider is growth of China. With state policy of securing resources worldwide they're gaining extraxtion rights all over the world, tied Central Asian countries with gas pipelines just in a couple of years to Western China. They're coming with money, and they'll take every resource you can offer….and they're also invest a lot in their military. I guess that is a reason that new Red Dawn will have….what? North Koreans to keep Chinese from getting nervous?

Is it plausible that in the future (near or far) if America was tied up in some serious conflicts around the world, that Russia might attempt to take Alaska back

What would they need it for? They already have more than enough similar, sparsely populated and resource-rich areas in Siberia and Russian far-east.

Wasn't there a plan in the fifties to drive a tank division across the Bering Sea in winter?

How would they manage to get the tank division in a good position on their side of the sea for that in the first place? Road networks in those areas are rather limited, AFAIK.

Would you mind if I steal this idea for a Fistful of TOWs 3 scenario?

Steal away, I'm not trying to keep it all to myself.

What would they need it for? They already have more than enough similar, sparsely populated and resource-rich areas in Siberia and Russian far-east.

For the reason Hitler invaded Poland and France, Meglomania. I'm not saying Putin's a meglomaniac, but say his future successor was and he just kept wanting more power and more land? What evil leader hasn't dreamed of one day controlling the entire world? America would probably be invaded after the old USSR satelite countries if Russia could some how build its armed forces back up like Germany did after World War One. I'm not saying it's likely to happen, but it'd make a good campaign.

If I were king for a day, I'd . I worked w/ Russians in Bosnia, I thought they were good guys to soldier with.

Anyone here been to Alaska? The Russkies (closer to their name for themselves than Russians) could take a RORO ship full of tanks up the Inside Passage, land in Juneau, and still not make it to Canada (or much of anywhere else) by a land route.

Perhaps the end of the cold war is good for all europeans.Mckinstry,you dont know Russia!

Hi

Oddly after the fall of the wall, I spent time with a russian army officer defector discussing this subject.

The significant part here is that they dismissed the idea of alaska out of hand….but then they thought anything to do with america on the ground because of gun ownership would make Stalingrad look like a picknic.

That said, as gamers we can do whatever we want!

Rocky