[TrumpCard]

In a recent post here, Goose said that losing Crimea would force the Stans back into Russia’s control. Would Russia want the Stans?  As poor as Ukraine is, at least it has useful ports and farming land. What do the Stans offer?  Are the people sufficiently Russian in their culture to support Putin’s goal of reunifying the Russian people?  I was under the impression that the Stans are different because they’re decidedly non-European and because they’re all majority Muslim. The biggest areas of conflict - Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine - are not at all like the Stans. But maybe they are just the first step. Interested in your thoughts on this.

[TrumpCard]

In a recent post here, Goose said that losing Crimea would force the Stans back into Russia’s control. Would Russia want the Stans?  As poor as Ukraine is, at least it has useful ports and farming land. What do the Stans offer?  Are the people sufficiently Russian in their culture to support Putin’s goal of reunifying the Russian people?  I was under the impression that the Stans are different because they’re decidedly non-European and because they’re all majority Muslim. The biggest areas of conflict - Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine - are not at all like the Stans. But maybe they are just the first step. Interested in your thoughts on this.