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Let's see how things go in Russia when it's cuts off natural gas sales for political reasons.

So, making eurothreats to Russia is cool, getting ones in return - not cool. Interesting.

Russia's resurgence is specifically because of the level of integration with the West that it has achieved so far. If that level of integration collapses then the "resurgence" will collapse with it.....and those KGB billionaire thugs will find themselves very unpopular again very quickly.

Won't happen.

The Chinese government has managed to find a way to suck off the capitalist tit while still being brutes at home. The Russians seem to think they can suck off the capitalist tit while being brutes internationally.

Say, like ... the US in the Balkans?

So, making eurothreats to Russia is cool, getting ones in return - not cool. Interesting.

My statement was in regard to the fact that selling goes both ways. Try bullying your customer when they come into your store to buy something. No matter how much they need your product, they will start doing whatever they can to find another store to shop in. Just a capitalist fact...not a threat.

Won't happen.

Not over Georgia. Russia will lose G8 and maybe WTO unless they spend some time pretending to kiss ass. Which they probably will. But continued efforts to reestablish a Soviet style intimidation over Europe will over time erode willingness to invest in Russia or deal with them. That will probably happen also. Russia has not had this economic resurgence in a vacuum.....and will not be able to maintain it when they create a vacuum.

Say, like ... the US in the Balkans?

Clinton is an example of short term thinking. Kosovo was an example of Clintonesque short term thinking. I am not sure its a good idea for Russia to emulate Clintonian strategy as a revenge for Clintonian strategy.

Take me for instance...I fully supported Russia in the efforts against Chechnyan fanatics and was irritated that the West was not more supportive of Russia. Now, after the Georgia episode, I will not be mustering any support for Russia.

For a long time I was on here advocating that Russia should fully integrate into the West and become a Western frontline leader nation. There is much to admire about the Russian people, religion, culture and their geographical position. Unfortunately they were not able to integrate into the West which is a loss for the West and a loss for Russia. They are now going to be sort of hanging out there on their own with a shrinking population and a lot of resource hungry neighbors with growing populations.