you're welcome. i saw a story on tv a couple of days ago saying brazil had now become energy independent. the race would appear to be on to lessen the importance of oil and gas with alternative sources before it can be used as a foreign policy knock-out blow. oil and gas revenues are already embolding dictatorial regimes and ideologies around the world. if the major producers were smart, they would realize they need to keep their oil and gas assets attractive and not drive everyone to alternative sources; unlikely to happen however. their idea of attractive would seem to be buy it or starve.
Amazing now that the Soviet Union has collapsed, there is no more restriction on Western investment--and that is exactly what enabled Russia to develop and grow to levels undreamt of 30 years ago.
It's that very investment which Russia now uses to gain and consolidate more power (economic) and poses a greater threat to Western Europe than it ever did under the Soviets.
Oh, ironies of ironies.