Voice of America: Why be nice in relations with Russia?
At a round table discussion in Moscow the other evening, two of my
American reporter colleagues argued that the United States needs Russia
more than Russia needs United States.
At the risk of sounding rude, I am afraid my friends may be suffering from a mild case of…err…localitis.
Here is a reality check:
— Population: Over the next 25 years, the American advantage is to go
from two-to-one today, to three-to-one in 2038. That would be 400
million Americans versus 133 million Russians.
— Economy: The U.S. economy is eight times bigger than Russia’s.
— Military: The U.S. outspends Russia 10-to-one.