Originally Posted by Halifax

It's hard for me to comment on all of this because I have a great deal of personal affection for Russian language and culture, but I really, honestly believe that when it comes to the two other superpowers in the world, (or at least soon-to-be superpowers)—Russia and China—it is the Russians with whom we Americans have the closest kinship. They're our sort of people: industrious, resourceful, lovers of life, capable of profound friendship and warmth though at times headstrong or boorish, even reckless. We ought to be friends with these people, but even after 16 post-Soviet years it seems that all we can do is antagonize. And all the while, we try to cuddle up to China despite all their abuses and oppression. The only reason I can see for it is that the latter has us by the balls financially while the former doesn't.