Visegrad Group

[Xavier Lang]

http://www.stratfor.com/weekly/20110516-visegrad-new-european-military-force?utm_source=GWeekly&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=110517&utm_content=readmore&elq=8d9174807864439d8a556588d15309da

Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Hungary are banding together in a military sense because of uncertainties about NATO and other issues.

[Brynja]

well ...this should prove interesting

[Hatter]

It's probably in their interests to do so.

[Aloysius]

As Poland is the most influential of those four, I wonder if some will see that as the rebirth of the Poland of old...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_of_Horod%C5%82o

[Hatter]

They always get gobbled up by Lithuania and Bohemia in my EU3 games.

[Dr_Avalanche]

I'm sure the Russians are just thrilled to bits.

[Janos]

I'm sure the Russians are just thrilled to bits.

But really, how often are the Russians ever really happy?

[Aloysius]

But really, how often are the Russians ever really happy?

http://www.vodka-and-co.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/drinks-international-vodka-challenge-2008.jpg

That, and each time they get to slaughter the Poles or the Chechens.

[Janos]

That, and each time they get to slaughter the Poles or the Chechens.

Vodka and slaughtering Poles doesn't make them happy, just less sad. After all, they still have to live daily with the fact that they're Russian.

[Aloysius]

Vodka and slaughtering Poles doesn't make them happy, just less sad. After all, they still have to live daily with the fact that they're Russian.

And that may be a good thing !

http://en.rian.ru/russia/20100125/157675591.html


Happy Russians are threat to economic growth - research

Russia's economic development is being held back by the financial satisfaction of a large segment of the population, a state-owned insurer has said.

Research conducted by the Rosgosstrakh insurance company established a direct link between Russians' satisfaction with their living standards and economic growth.

"The more the consumers are unsatisfied with their lives, the higher their economic activity is... On the whole, today's state of affairs in the country satisfies Russians," the company said.

Russia's GDP growth is likely to reach 4-5% in 2010 and slow down to 2-3% in subsequent years, Rosgosstrakh said, after an analysis of consumer sentiments.

The insurer said that about 75% of residents of Russian cities are satisfied with their living standards.

The Russian Health and Social Development Ministry reported on Monday that 2.1 million people in Russia out of a total of 142 million have been officially registered as unemployed. However, in reality the figure may be much higher as many Russians do not claim state benefits, which are generally extremely low.

[Name Lips]

What, are they saying unhappy people go out and shop so they can feel better?

[Janos]

What, are they saying unhappy people go out and shop so they can feel better?

Or go out and buy education to get more, or look for a job to make more. Basically, happiness discourages mobility and consumption, and mobility and consumption are the keys to growth.

[Ancalagon]

http://www.stratfor.com/weekly/20110516-visegrad-new-european-military-force?utm_source=GWeekly&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=110517&utm_content=readmore&elq=8d9174807864439d8a556588d15309da

Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Hungary are banding together in a military sense because of uncertainties about NATO and other issues.

I will have to talk to my Czech friend about this. It does make a sort of sense. And from a historical perspective, this is a military alliance we can expect to be very defensive - ie not trouble other people. If Russia claims they are a threat, they are going to be laughed at...

Of course, it's very possible Russian *encouraged* this alliance to form. It means less influence on them, but all the countries east of the alliance are going to be even more under Russia's shadow...