I didn't say I liked Putin. But he's better than El'tsin, in my book. He looks out for his own, and maybe Russia's, interests: that makes him largely predictable, maybe a challenge, but a reasonable challenge. I don't think he's necessarily like the French (although the Iraq escapades certainly give me pause), anti-US at all costs. I honestly don't think his Russia would try to destabilize big hunks of the globe; maybe influence people and make friends, but not sponsor revolution. Then again he's KGB, so I could be wrong.
And there's no hint on my part that to be anti-Putin is to be pro-al-Qa'eda. There are good reasons to be anti-Putin. But Putin's Russia isn't the USSR, and can't be.
Russia screwed up its privatization (I like how the Czech Republic did theirs). Maybe in 20 years it'll be a challenge to the US, but that assumes they fix their demographic disaster.
No, Russia is NO challenge to the USA. I am not writing this cause I like them. In fact, I wish them no ill will but I feel first and foremost, that I am FOR AMERICA, the REPUBLIC.
Russia will not cure their all their ills and I really believe that.
EU is the new threat. Their only population growth will be with transplanted and home grown/born islamics not the moderate-type muslims. They will be our future problem and the problem of Russia as well.
I am old and most likely will not see this happen. But I really think the EU is out to get US.