Techno you raise a valid point. I believe the world will shift over the next 50 years and the east will be the major powerhouse. China and India will be number 1 and 2 economic drivers and USA and Europe will be 3 and 4. Russia will be 5th. China may be number one in 3 years. Thank god I will be be dust in my grave before that happens.
russia will be alot higher than 5th on that list. alot.
everyone thinks, and russia is quite happy to go along with the charade, that they have been left broke and crippled financially.
truth is they are steadily re-gaining superpower status, not with thier military, but thru their financial endeavours.
they are the world's second leading petroleum producer and have extensive banking interests all thru europe.
the majority of thier population may be eating black bread, seeing how the majoirty of wealth in the counrty is held by 10% of the population, but the country itself is poised for a great resurgence.