>>>And the think-tanks you refer to are very realistic about Russia and are not bogged down in cold-war thinking. The issues are natural resources, banking and currency, and arms proliferation. There is nothing ideological about it. (and certainly nothing ideological about Putin. This would be the same game if Peter the Great were running the show)
>>
>>Agree. There is nothing new or ideological in a shadowy world of harward educated paid pens.
>>Only problem with all that, is that Think Tanks should be all about ideas, about progressive thinking, about intelectual/moral
>>dignity and integrity. However, when it comes to this 'Elvis has left the building' long time ago.
>>What is left is very sad state of affairs.
>
>They aren't sad. They are being paid progressively for thinking... thinking up the new theoretical reasons with which to convince the masses that no matter how much plain robbery, theft and looting is done, we have a moral right to do that. If you get the masses to believe that that's done for some words like freedom, democracy and human rights, the more you get paid, then they lock you back in that tank to think more and get more money.

Yeah...
...It is hard to fight for Democracy & Freedom, but it has to be done!
'People of the word demand that from us!'
'History will judge us, not you fools!'
'Extraordinary (greed) times command extraordinary measures! '
'We are on the mission from God!'

Did I miss something ? (while I was looking at my bank statement for transfers...)
Oh yes. 'Ideals come first!'

But these guys are just art-deco in busy 'Adams Family' restaurant {g}
I wander how much it costs to prepare and serve 'creative chaos' theory inspired 'house speciall' ;
You need nasty dictators to overtake countries, spontaneous uprisings, velvet revolutions,
guerillas , democracy movements , militias, terror/instability caterers, media networks, politicians, cucumbers ,
honey glazed carrots, non-profit peace organisations, shrimps ...

Quiet complicated cuisine which ends up with live table presentation.
Voila! Whoom! (Great ball of fire burning everybody's eyebrows)
Ta daaam - There comes 'Grilled & Flambed World Region Steak - ala Shatobriand' {g}
Bon ap...
...Oh my Good...

Fester!!!!!!!!!!! Told you to stop munching on Balcan fries!
That is decades old! Get over here and have dinner with our friends!