Even as Rome was under attack from outside forces, it was also crumbling from within thanks to a severe financial crisis. Constant wars and overspending had significantly lightened imperial coffers, and oppressive taxation and inflation had widened the gap between rich and poor. In the hope of avoiding the taxman, many members of the wealthy classes had even fled to the countryside and set up independent fiefdoms. At the same time, the empire was rocked by a labor deficit. Rome’s economy depended on slaves to till its fields and work as craftsmen, and its military might had traditionally provided a fresh influx of conquered peoples to put to work. But when expansion ground to a halt in the second century, Rome’s supply of slaves and other war treasures began to dry up. A further blow came in the fifth century, when the Vandals claimed North Africa and began disrupting the empire’s trade by prowling the Mediterranean as pirates. With its economy faltering and its commercial and agricultural production in decline, the Empire began to lose its grip on Europe.

PSD-Kiwi wrote: ↑Sun Aug 19, 2018 9:39 pm

newkidontheblock wrote: ↑Sun Aug 19, 2018 8:50 pm Just went through passport control today. Officer in the passport booth was sporting a new pin on his lapel. Instead of crosses rifles (infantry), pin was in the shape of a jumbo jet.

Does the RCAF have a bomber force? Or is this just a new insignia is being a member of the passport service?

newkidontheblock wrote: ↑Sun Aug 19, 2018 8:50 pm Does the RCAF have a bomber force?

John Bingham wrote: ↑Tue Aug 21, 2018 9:58 am

newkidontheblock wrote: ↑Sun Aug 19, 2018 8:50 pm Does the RCAF have a bomber force?

Here's the Phnom Penh Military Air Base. I don't believe any of those Mig 21s are operational. The Mi 26 and Mi 17 helicopters might be though

newkidontheblock wrote: ↑Tue Aug 21, 2018 8:59 am Like this ...

https://goo.gl/images/XYDQKy

Except it was all gold.