[pkpjamestown]

re-emerge as a major world player

Not as a country. A few Russian individuals will become richer. Russia as a world power is done, unless the communist party comes back to power. Highly unlikely.

[Don Joe]

The big question is will they develop a middle class. If not, your prediction is probably accurate. If they do, though, they've got the potential to duplicate what post-WWII Japan did.