This essay appeared at Naked Capitalism way back on March 7, so I’m assuming it’s OK to republish it rather than allow it to slip down the memory hole.
Following a lunchroom discussion largely centered on this and other of your writings that I've shared with co-workers lately, a colleague sent me this piece (along similar geopolitical/global-economy lines) illustrating the difference between (and associated perils involving) "playing the game" (the West) and "playing for keeps" (the rest):
Sort of reminiscent (especially in light of the '90s looting you reference here) of this quote, attributed to Otto von Bismarck:
"Do not expect that once taking advantage of Russia's weakness, you will receive dividends forever. Russian has always come for their money. And when they come - do not rely on an agreement signed by you, you are supposed to justify. They are not worth the paper it is written. Therefore, with the Russian is to play fair, or do not play."
I always learn something new here, this time it is a new word: Putinversteher . . . I am probably a Putinversteher! Is it really king dollar or is it emperor dollar, I opine it is the latter.
EXCELLENT synopsis of events/realities here.
Following a lunchroom discussion largely centered on this and other of your writings that I've shared with co-workers lately, a colleague sent me this piece (along similar geopolitical/global-economy lines) illustrating the difference between (and associated perils involving) "playing the game" (the West) and "playing for keeps" (the rest):
https://www.unz.com/mwhitney/the-war-in-ukraine-marks-the-end-of-the-american-century/
Sort of reminiscent (especially in light of the '90s looting you reference here) of this quote, attributed to Otto von Bismarck:
"Do not expect that once taking advantage of Russia's weakness, you will receive dividends forever. Russian has always come for their money. And when they come - do not rely on an agreement signed by you, you are supposed to justify. They are not worth the paper it is written. Therefore, with the Russian is to play fair, or do not play."
Read it and weep.
I always learn something new here, this time it is a new word: Putinversteher . . . I am probably a Putinversteher! Is it really king dollar or is it emperor dollar, I opine it is the latter.