[akkartik]

My only quibble with this article: it fails to apply its own conclusions to the US. The balance of evidence (Pentagon procurement processes and cost overruns of major projects) shows the US military too has a significant paper component.

[AbrahamParangi]

While possibly true, the US has been nearly continuously engaged in conflict somewhere in the world since WWII.

[akkartik]

Hence the word "component". It certainly seems more real than other paper tigers.

[pdonis]

Where does the article claim this is not the case?

[akkartik]

For one, it's alluding to other countries but not really holding up the US in much of the article.

Second, this quote at the end:

> Consequently, I suspect Russia is not the only paper tiger out there; the forest is likely to be full of them.. the exceptions are likely to be.. or because they form the backbone of an international system which requires that someone carry a big stick (the United States).

[pdonis]

Ah, I see; you're not sure the big stick is actually as big as the article assumes. Yes, fair point.