[TrumpCard]

I've read a number of statements about the war similar to the one Mark Hertling makes in this article:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/...n-victory/

"It will remain difficult for Russia to change — simply because it can’t. A nation’s army is drawn from its people, and a nation’s army reflects the character and values of the society. While equipment, doctrine, training and leadership are important qualities of any army, the essence of a fighting force comes from what the nation represents. Putin’s autocratic kleptocracy is thus far proving no match for Ukraine’s agile democracy." --MH

Question for those with deeper knowledge of Russia than I have:

Is there actually a shared character and value system for all of Russia?  Russia is an enormous country with geography that could/should support, among other things, different ways of life in different regions.  The US is diverse in values and ideology, maybe even more so now than in the recent past.  Is that diversity not present in Russia due to the closed nature of their society?  Is Hertling just spouting US talking points about Russia's supposed inherent flaws?  I'm interested in your input.

[TrumpCard]

I've read a number of statements about the war similar to the one Mark Hertling makes in this article:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/...n-victory/

"It will remain difficult for Russia to change — simply because it can’t. A nation’s army is drawn from its people, and a nation’s army reflects the character and values of the society. While equipment, doctrine, training and leadership are important qualities of any army, the essence of a fighting force comes from what the nation represents. Putin’s autocratic kleptocracy is thus far proving no match for Ukraine’s agile democracy." --MH

Question for those with deeper knowledge of Russia than I have:

Is there actually a shared character and value system for all of Russia?  Russia is an enormous country with geography that could/should support, among other things, different ways of life in different regions.  The US is diverse in values and ideology, maybe even more so now than in the recent past.  Is that diversity not present in Russia due to the closed nature of their society?  Is Hertling just spouting US talking points about Russia's supposed inherent flaws?  I'm interested in your input.