They are the most efficient way of transporting goods on land. Using huge cargo ships si still the most efficient way, once the distance is far enough and the volume high enough.

With the Guano Act the US “acquired” lots of islands all over the world. Choose one of those bird shit covered rocks and put him on there

There might be one party looking from the outside, but on the inside there are many currents, and as soon as there’s a power vacuum, those currents will infight to gain power.

Thing is, we don’t really know what’s the reason for the current worldwide trend in much, much lower natality rate. We’ve observed in rich countries and poor countries, religious and atheist countries, capitalist and communist countries (both USSR and PRC, who have had very different economic systems), in countries with no safety nets but also in countries with large social programs, in western countries, but also in eastern countries.

The only thing I can think of these days is education level. Is it possible that education is inversely correlated with natality rates? Or maybe women in the workforce. I’m not arguing for either point, I’m just thinking about what the cause of a world-wide issue might be, because it’s happening everywhere and seemingly without any clear common cause.

It’s not that they will run out of people. They have people, but to keep recruitment levels so high and equipment manufacturing so high they are overcharging their economy. Right now in Russia there are three types of jobs if you want to make money afaik, work in the military complex (arms manufacturing), in the gas extraction industry or directly in the military.

It’s Dutch disease x100, if the state at some point stops being able to fund the war machine, their economy collapses.

Arabia went from being under Ottoman rule to being under the house of Al Saud, it’s never been colonized by a western “liberal” country.

Their rules are still insane.

If there’s no government and no police you get mafia. Ask me how I know

^(Hint: look at my instance)