Taichiliberal, you said: "
Right now, Russia is not in an economically good position to start venturing into a proxy war in the Middle East, so that may be a good thing. But, they won't sit idle while the US gains Iran via an Israel throw down....nor will Syria or Egypt for that matter. What exactly will they do and to what degree will determine if there is a quasi-WWIII in the Middle East. And remember, China is the gorilla leaning against the door."
You need to do more reading internationally. About 18 or so months ago, Russia claimed all the oil in the Arctic Circle, and they're actively seeking to extract it and will, as there is so much oil under the seabed there. They'll be right off the Alaskan coast, right up to the last kilometer of the median line, their UN claim is in.
You need to stop assuming so much....this has been a point of contention for over 2 years now Arctic ownership claims - Geopolitical Monitor
So if you think Mother Russia is on the brink of destitution, you go to St. Petersburg. Go to St. Peter's big Cathedral. Note the columns of solid lapis lazuli and other larger ones of malachite. Note how there are probably a hundred thousand tons of semiprecious rocks there, which they bought centuries back. A typical 36" bead chain that weighs less than 4 ounces retails around $1200, more if you go to a big city and can find one. The stuff is precious, and they are cataloging it in tonnage, not ounces. That's just the tease. They're loaded. They're smart. And they're picky, picky, picky about involving themselves in endless wars with other nations. They have uses for us.
But if you think Russia is having the slightest financial issues, head over to the Hermitage while you're in St. Pete's. You will see 2 of a small handful of original Leonardo da Vinci paintings and one sculpture, of which there are fewer left than his paintings. (14). The place is one bazillion square feet of astonishing treasures, and don't forget, the Russians are teases. They don't show their hand to rivals, but I assure, the Russians are formidable, worthy competitors, who do not lose anything they wish to keep.
It's we bad, they bad. Not much else to say on the subject, except we lose opportunities to be friends when they want it that way. It's Twilight Zone with them--they are in control of the horizontal, the vertical, etc.
Might as well just be glad they condescend to let a few of us in to view their treasures, and forget the small snubs. That wouldn't happen if we treated them with a little more grace than we do. I wouldn't know how to do that. I'm just a seamstress who has an eye for art and a total passionate heart for the fine arts. We could learn a thing or two just by looking at Russia for who they claim to be--"Mother Russia"--yet be guided by the wisdom that we, too, are worthy competitors by virtue and through our amazing, longsuffering founders who forged the best system of living this world has ever seen or will ever see again, unless duplicated somewhere else.
