Insightful piece that argues Russia should spend less time worrying about the western powers and more about the resurgent and ever growing power of their neighbor to the East, China .  While there is a tactical alliance forming between Russia and China (see all the posts regarding the SCO), a longer perspective might yield surprising results for those looking.  It will be hard for a nation with a declining population to defend its sparse areas from a growing juggernaut.  This is why I think Russia is an important player in the short term relative to the grand stage of Sino-American relations, but over time, it will be Sino-American relations with other nations like India and Japan involved that will be determinative of the course of the 21^st Century.  Russia will not be a major player beyond the first half a century even with natural resource wealth unless it radically alters course.  Russia has a great tradition and it would be sad to see it some day be sublimated to a junior partner in an anti-western coalition.  Russia should reexamine its orientation soon, it is certainly not too late to pack away its own quasi-imperialistic aims for its long term security.  Don’t use today as a chance to alienate those you might need in the future.