CrazyIvan wrote:

Officials said on Friday that underground shelters had been built which could house 12 milion people – enough for the entire population of Moscow.

Pull the other one, mate! (And I left the misspelling for the frustrated editors here)

So, quick question: If the Ruskies dropped a bomb somewhere in one of the 'stans or Syria, do you think we would retaliate?

But all of this is just attention whoring. The Ruskies remember that they used to be a super power and want a little FUD of their own. After all, what use is it being a first world country if you can't get some third world states to quaver every now and then?

Actually, I respect the Russians for managing to avoid the worst of militaristic nationalism or religious extremism that seems to plague most declining super powers, and except for the lingering mafia control, which was really just a last chance at domestic order, they seem to be getting most of their house in order. It's the "hipster" generation there that is demanding organization and avoiding or circumventing intimidation by the old guard. Who knows, within another generation they may be able to count on the rule of law there. I wish my outlook was as rosy for us.