Usage of "To be 'buff'"

[SkiIucK]

Hey guys,

I'm struggling with a translation here, so I'd be grateful if you assisted some.

'The economic crisis will be over. For the Russians, however, 2011 is the year that Russia’s military will be thoroughly “buff”. To their way of thinking, the economic crisis will not be over. Rather, the Americans will be ripe.'

Russia will be disarmed? But that doesn't fit the context... Here it is:

http://www.financialsense.com/stormwatch/geo/pastanalysis/2009/0320.html (last paragraph)

Also, '... the Americans will be ripe.' What should that read? That they will be ready?

Best regards

[Shyone]

I looked up the online dictionary

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/buff

Hope that one of the definitions helps you.
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[SkiIucK]

Thank you for the effort, Shyone, but don't you think I have already tried to look it up?

[Shyone]

One who is enthusiastic and knowledgeable about a subject

this seemed to be fitting, that's why I posted the link
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[English With David]

My feeling is that the most relevant meaning of, "buff", in this particular context would be, "well-muscled". I don't recall ever seeing the word, "ripe", in such a context, but my suspicion is that here it is short for the colloquialism, "ripe for the picking", as in fruit which is ready (or past ready) to be harvested, and thus is probably intended to mean here, "defenseless". (That's a guess, though.)

-- David Beroff
FREE English Videos, Private Lessons, and more at http://EnglishWithDavid.com !!

[SkiIucK]

Many thanks to both of you! It makes sense now.

[English With David]

I ended up writing the article's author, who confirmed my explanation (above). :)

-- David Beroff
FREE English Videos, Private Lessons, and more at http://EnglishWithDavid.com !!

[SkiIucK]

Really nice. :)