Putin is restoring the old regime and removing the liberal democratic elements setup by Yeltsin. Russian is the richest country in the world for resources. The oil and gas money has been used to pay off debt, Europe depends more on Russian than the Middle East for energy. Putin is using the new money to build his great power nationalism and ambitions. Russian lost its status as a super power after the economic crash of the Cold War despite the fact Russia has 16000 missile. However, many of the missiles are very old and dangerous. Since 1990, Russia's economy has grown at 7 percent. Russia had the third largest reserve currency. Russian believes it is in the driver seat of Europe and uses energy as a lever to get it demands . Russian is buying up European assets. Russia is modernizing its nuclear arsenal. Russia military strength is a fraction of the us strength. America is very strong due to carriers, destroyers,submarine, and air power. Russia pays for a million man army for ground assault capability.. Russia maintains troops in Chechnya, Georgia, and Moldova. Russian manipulates the UN Security Council to affect oil politics in Europe and Central Asia. Russian is uncomfortable with NATO enlargement and us intervention in Europe calling the Cold War, a castrophe shocking liberal Europe. Russia want to regain much of the global power and respect it lost. Russia wants equal say with the us and china on global affairs. Russia is proud how the Russian federation crushed Chechnya revolt. Russia remorse the history of Kosovo and wishes to repair lost glory. Russia is bent on prevent Ukraine and Georgia from joining NATO. Russia is extending power into Poland and Czech Republic. Russia wants Poland and is oil rich shale deposits under strategic grasp. Europeans have bet that soft power would appease Russia, they miscalculated. Europe depends on the American security guarantee for protectin. What would Europe and the United States do if Russia played hardball in Ukraine or Georgia? [Learn More ...]

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