How to Think About Vladimir Putin

An alliance with Russia (at least while it is under Putin), would be like an alliance with a rattlesnake. You know it will turn on you at some point in time, you just don't know when.

Putin is an EU tool. He creates "sensationalism" and "controversy" all the while, providing natural gas to the EU via German pumping and technology. If Britain goes through with her exit (highly likely) there will be no American-centric voice in Europe anymore. This will cause a shift in a "pushing-out" of America as an influencing force in Europe. America will be like Abania. Yes they are a European country, but the EU doesn't listen to them. American purchases, business endeavors in the EU will no doubt go to the higher tier option like - again - Albania. Yes, they are European, but they pay higher taxes than the EU countries of Europe.

China? Well guess what? They have contracted to repair/update/improve Russia's Asian rail network. This would be the trains that drive on the Asian side of Russia. That would enable Russia's European and Asian rail networks to link which would give the ability of Russian gas to be sold in Asia with China being the broker, much like Germany is the conduit for Russian gas in Europe. As China is looking for clean energy as well as cheap energy, natural gas would be a boon. Also, as this cheap source of energy is being consumed by China, whats to stop other nations from wanting to get on board? An Asian "EU" perhaps with China as the central player?

My opinion of course...

In just 30 years time, neither China nor Russia will be as big of threat as they are now and both will be declining powers by then. We just need to hold out another 30 years, in my opinion. Both countries face significant population issues and neither admits a lot of immigrants to offset as the United States does.