Hi Phil. Yes, I exaggerate. If there's one thing I've learned in the past 100 days it's that Russia is no superpower. From the military to the defense industry, it's a game of racketeering with no thought given to keeping young Russian tech talent in Russia. I don't believe most Russians would fight for anything, let alone Putin's regime. Over 20 years Putin has made most of them fat, dumb and happy. The rest he uses as canon fodder.

China under Mao was a different story. Or even Russians during the Soviet Union. Those days are gone for both, I believe.

The West has already coerced Russia, which brought on the collapse of the Soviet Union. I believe the Ukraine war will lead to another shrinking of Russian power. Putin will eventually be replaced. If not a democracy (I can hope can't I?) then another Tsar who will do business with the West on the same terms as Saudi Arabia.

My guess is your next argument will be nothing goes to plan, I'm dreaming, and it will get a whole lot worse. If so, I agree :)