[cloudmountain]

I read the article.
Russia is a huge place with tons of natural resources. There has to be incredible thievery going on, mass corruption and an attitude that escapes me.

Have I got it wrong?

[AdmSmith]

No you are right, but it is even worse: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/30/books/review/putins-kleptocracy-by-karen-dawisha.html