[katana]

I like it. It is a graduated scale of relevancy.

Russia's at the top (with a few thousand nukes and covering 11 time zones, they are relevant), Germany in the middle (still the biggest country and economy in Europe and there's hope Schroeder's party will get its a** kicked out of office in a few years - worth saving), and at the bottom France (irrelevant, annoying, treacherous, and silly - perfect material to use in setting an example to the others).

Yeah, I think Condi knows what she's doing.

[Objective Reality]

Russia also stands the best chance of becoming like the U.S. over time (rejected communism, implemented a flat tax), and the greatest danger of becoming like Western Europe over time. They deserve special attention.

[Grampa Dave]

I trust Condi to have a lot more data than we have, and then she would know what to do with it.

If Putrid Vlad changes his behavior and behaves himself for the next 6 years, that would be good for our side.

[capitan_refugio]

If the Russians can ever shed themselves of the lingering shackles of communism, and adopt western-style republican democracy, watch out. They have the natural resources and the technological know-how to once again become an economic super-power.

What the Russians, as a whole, do not have in an entreprenuerial ethic. The American work ethic was born of our experience in exploring and taming the North American continent. We have traditionally been individualists. We have traditionally been a people who have admired the small businessman and the self-sufficient. (Admittedly, the socialist tendencies of the liberals have begun to sap the life's blood out of us, but the ethic of individual achievement remains.)

The Russians have a legacy of nearly 80 years of communism. Many Russians know nothing but the dole. But that may be changing before our eyes. They are developing a more friendly business climate and a burgeoning middle class. If it does change significantly, Russia can regain it's superpower status. On the other hand, the political left's socialist desires in this country may soon send up down the path of European socialism. Only time will tell.