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Originally Posted by Skybird
Currently, russian investements are buying off Western corporation shares like crazy, with incredible sums of money. Only the Gulf states and china surpass them. They seem to follow the same tactic like the Gulf States and Saudi Arabia: biting off a big enough share of western industry to have a word in its control and in the future, when they run thin on oil and gas (we are talking 20, 30 years btw), they will shave off the cream from industrial profits they make with ex-western companies that are not so exclusively western-owned, then. Then WE will work for THEM, and for the Arabs. Serves us right, stupidly bragging as we do.
So let's see who will grin wider in the end. I don't bet my money on the West. We need them more than they need us - and that is a bad start to begin a match with.
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The interesting thing is, ultimately, we don't really need them for crap. Other than to behave themselves that is. Towards the end of the Cold War, it was heartily apparent who needed who more...ya think. The dynamics have only changed to decrease their influence and absolute military power in total. Now you Euros certainly have a problem though. But as I explained earlier, Russia cannot afford to really screw you guys over, and you guys can realign your energy sector all the same if push comes to shove. Not just in alternatives either. But it will cost you. In the end, I believe you guys will do what's right. Even if there are folks who think like you in Europe. BTW, Chinese debt ownership only approaches 6% of our debt. Russian investments in Western ventures doesn't even bring up a total of 1% yet. What you say here is the same horsepucky I heard throughout the 80's, but only Japan would be our Masters. Japoan is still buying, yet they ain't exactly our masters. What you "Chalmers Johnson" guys who chalk this stuff up fail to take into account are things like ventures that merge, grow, go under, and a continually expanding economy in terms of GDP and total capital investment expenditures. It's constantly shifting and not static like you believe it to be. Russia can continue to throw their money our way if they please, but it ain't gonna turn into the Master and Slave relationship that you envision for us any time soon. :p Foreign investment is good for us as well...as long as it's not against the interests of National Security. Russia will not control Raytheon or Lockheed my friend. Sky, try not to believe every tragic book and internet article written for the fatalist.