[actionfromafar]

The model seems to be Russia, which does not bode well for anyone.

[breezybottom]

In what way is Russia doing better than China?

[apothegm]

They’re not, but a certain faction of the US right is taking them as a model nonetheless — I’m assuming they covet the sort of power the oligarchs there enjoy.

[protocolture]

Whenever I see Russias ratty old aircraft carrier I kind of feel bad for them.