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Culture War Roundup for the week of January 16, 2023

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Russia's primary money maker is exporting fuel and other natural resources. The parts of its industrial sector that rely on Western inputs are going to suffer from sanctions or, worse, be made unproductive.

Not a great environment.

Doesn't have to be a great environment by first world standards to be better than third world standards. Besides that, the sky isn't falling in Russia despite all the sanctions. I don't see the relevance of your objection.

Ukraine is unlikely to be a first world country for quite a while after its conquest by Russia, or for that matter after repelling the Russian invasion.

Central Asia may not be a very nice place to live, but it isn't Haiti level awful either. I'll buy that a lot of the stans are poor, but it's not like people moved to Ukraine for the economic prospects in the 2010's, let alone if it's a bombed out wreck ruled by a heavily sanctioned isolationist kleptocracy.

Ukraine is unlikely to be a first world country for quite a while after its conquest by Russia, or for that matter after repelling the Russian invasion.

Market speculators seem quite optimistic about the potential gains that can be made in Ukraine after the fighting dies down. Or so they say on the news. I don't see a reason to doubt that claim considering the wealth of resources in the region.

I'll buy that a lot of the stans are poor, but it's not like people moved to Ukraine for the economic prospects in the 2010's

The immigration conditions in the 2010's would not be the same as in the hypothetical where Russia is actively trying to repopulate the region. Considering the wild differences between those who live in cities and those who live in more isolated rural areas, I'd think the chance to move to a more centralized city with guaranteed employment would be quite enticing to many.

let alone if it's a bombed out wreck ruled by a heavily sanctioned isolationist kleptocracy.

This is counterfactual. Russia accepts immigrants from all of the countries I listed. I specifically listed them because they are some of the countries that have had the highest levels of immigration outside of Ukrainians into Russia. To reiterate, considering the prior condition that this would be an option Russia wanted to take advantage of I don't see the relevance of your objections.