Twice over the past two years, the Russian president has asked the Federation Council for permission to use the Russian Armed Forces outside the country. To put it simply, at the beginning of hostilities, that is, war. In 2014 - in Crimea, in 2015 - in Syria. The war in Crimea, fortunately, did not involve any bloodshed, but logically developed into a bloodbath in the Donbass. No one understands what will happen in Syria yet.

Russia, which for many years criticized the United States for its “aggressive foreign policy” and “inappropriate use of force,” is now actively using bombers and special forces anywhere in the world. Forbes is not qualified to analyze the military and geopolitical prospects of our country, but it is obvious that the roar of shells is not the best accompaniment for business development.

Russia's active and vocal foreign policy looks especially intriguing against the backdrop of the growing economic crisis. In the first half of 2015, GDP decreased by 3.5% compared to the same period last year, and the industrial production index decreased by 2.7%. And for every calming report from the Ministry of Economy and the government, the Russian economy responds with a new decline. And the bottom promised by Alexey Ulyukaev four months ago is not yet visible.

The amazing combination of a crisis, shrinking economy, on the one hand, and actions of geopolitical proportions, on the other, finds many explanations among experts and analysts. War is an excellent way to distract people from economic problems, especially since once, a year ago, this technique worked successfully, critics of the regime explain. Geopolitics, in particular war, is a way to resolve economic problems, including moderate critics of the regime, because it allows Russia to enter into the complex diplomatic game of lifting sanctions. Terrorism and ISIS are a global threat to the entire world order, this is much more important than any economy, believe supporters of the latest military action.

Despite a fairly wide range of opinions, they have one thing in common: economics as such is not recognized as a self-sufficient value. In Russia, it is sacrificed for the sake of politics, lofty goals, geopolitical abstractions, even personal ambitions. If it is important for Russia to return to the track of economic growth, it must again integrate as much as possible into the world trading system and avoid external and internal political shocks, especially military conflicts, stimulate entrepreneurship and initiative...

But against the backdrop of news and government decisions of the last two years, this sounds dreary and boring. Especially in comparison with the bright pictures of supersonic bombers and marching paratroopers. Simple solutions are in fashion.

The temptation of simple solutions