Not exactly. US keeps making up money, and invests heavily into military to get everyone accept USD “or else”. Russia thought it could coast on ex-USSR military, then skim off the top at every step of spending. They both need trade, but one has the means to enforce it, while the other doesn’t.
Sauerkraut@discuss.tchncs.de 4 weeks ago
The US oligarchs skim off the top of our military spending as well and every year it gets worse and worse. There are so many US soldiers living on food stamps while simultaneously their positions keep getting cut .
jarfil@beehaw.org 4 weeks ago
My understanding is in the US a contractor skims off the top, like 1000-30%=700, and little more, while in Russia every intermediate level skims off their top, like 1000-20%=800-20%=780-20%=580-20%… etc, until the last level bullies new recruits into selling out for money to buy some alcohol.