colleen says:
"Putin is obviously seeking to split Saudi Arabia, a major source of crude oil for the U.S. and, as such, a major bulwark against Russian blackmail, away from the American orbit."
Yeah, like we are trying to split Central Asia, Eastern Europe, and the Caucasus from Russia's orbit, successfully during the 90s, less successfully now.
Maybe the US should bargain with Russia to identify spheres of influence if it doesn't want competition over allies it considers vital like Saudi Arabia.
Otherwise be prepared for fierce competition. Russia can and should compete for influence not just in its neighborhood, but also in strategic regions of the worlds. And, like it or not, Russia will be able to replace America's preeminent political and economic role in many countries, including many American allies (this has started already).
For example, many American companies have a bad reputation around the world; of savagely exploiting natural resource-rich countries, usually bribing corrupt officials to land lucrative deals at the expense of the people and the environment. Slave-like employment conditions are often found.
Meanwhile, the United States' arrogant idea that it possesses an obligation to tell countries what to do has rubbed many the wrong way. It constantly oversteps its bounds in every way (and it doesn't matter if a donkey or an elephant is in the White House, interference is a constant American policy whoever is in charge).
As a result, we see a divided NATO (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain have decided that American imperialism shall not be "in their name") and off-the-charts animosity for the US in much of the developing world. Indirectly, we see disruptions in the flow of oil in Nigeria and sky-high energy prices.
Anyway, regarding Russia-Saudi Arabia, I think there's something there.
In general, a pick-up in talks between Russia and Arab states has been occurred since the Munich speech. Then and there, the reluctant became certain that Putin is their man - that he does possesses the courage to unmask the United States for the savage empire it is trying to be.
At the same time, Russia has strengthened its alliance with Israel and relations between the countries have become so good that they agreed last month to open-up travel by eliminating visa requirements.
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