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Well, Russia has a boom while other major economy is in a serious downturn. As a result, Russia suddenly looks attractive as a place to invest. In this kind of atmosphere, you suddenly get a better press.

I remember that Japan(20 years ago) and China (pretty recently) also got the same treatment. I am sure there are many sectors of economy growing well in addition to natural resource sector.

The question is how Russia use this opportunity. It is a question of where you invest newly acquired money. Would it go more into political project(regaining empire stature)? What about state control of economy, which in the increase?

My worry is that (1) this new riches will be spent more according to political priorities than economic priorities, and (2) state bureaucracy would grow to feed on new found riches.

I know Russia has a economic boom and Russia's beef with Serbia has a point. However, I am not sure that Russia can resist the two main urges mentioned above. Russia had better not get carried away by the current upsurge.