Lucius

The ex-communist countries of Europe are regaining their rightful places in the world. Progress would have been inevitable in any case once they dumped the "we pretend to work and they pretend to pay us" theory of economics.

Here's one take on the situation in Russia today -

http://www.exile.ru/2006-December-29..._the_west.html

I think the existence of the EU counters any possibility of Russia regaining the position of relative power it held in 1812, 1848, 1914. But what do you think? Is it really all about the ICBMs? How should the West proceed vis-a-vis Russia?

Belisarius

Russia has vast energy reserves and has already flexed its muscles in this regard. As the West becomes more energy dependent, so Russia will exercise greater influence in western politics. The ICBMs just stop the Americans from "doing an Iraq".

Lucius

Belisaurius,

I think you are right. And even after we're all plugging our electric cars in every night, Russia will still have more nuclear power capacity than the rest of Europe.

Nikd

EU was founded at first as an economic association between the 6 major countries of Europe, in no way the founding members seek to counter USSR, NATO already existed and all the founding countries were already members of it.
Russia is still a great power, maybe the army is not so big numerous as in the days of USSR, but still they have many resources, an excellent education system, good scientists and people that love their country.
It is normal for a country that live 70 years in communism to need time to regain her strength.
Soon or later Russia will find her way back as world power, history show us that.

Silverghost

So, is it good or bad? What do you think?

Belisarius

For Russians, or their neighbours?

In the past, Russia has been a bit too acquisative.

Silverghost

Just like any other Empire in the past. Or like any other megalomaniacal country now. Except now, It called "protecting democracy", or "securing national interests". You know, what I mean.

Dr Realism

Well, the complete collapse of Russia into anarchy wouldn't benefit the West. There would be thousands of nuclear weapons and armaments for terrorists, mafia types, and arms dealers to get a hold of.
Once the Soviet Union imploded in 1991, the West's biggest fear changed from nuclear war, to nuclear proliferation. So instead of aiming our missiles at Russia, we had to start bailing them out financially. Also, if Russia were to collapse again, China might try and take over Siberia. I'd prefer Russia and China to balance each other's interests in Central Asia and the Far East.
Though I consider Russia to be an enemy of the US, I don't think we'll be threatening each other with armaggedon anytime soon. Both countries have a big problem with the Islamic extremists, and I think that in the future, China will become the bigger trouble for both Russia and the US.

Nikd

Good or bad are relative terms. Russia was, is and always will be a strong country that will influence world politic. Personally it's good that we don't have the communists on our back and i am happy that the Russians benefit now from a democracy like all of us.

Silverghost

And as I see, how many Chinees we have now (to the East from the Ural), they will try to get all this territory, even if Russia were not broken aparts.
But much more - for Russia.
Don't you think, it sounds like Churchill's (mid. 30th): "I'd prefer Russia and Germany to destroy each other", or smth. like that...