“this is not to say that russia hasn’t been able to squeeze advantage out of false friendship in the past. but china is a different case entirely —much less prone to altruism and accommodation, proud, self-reliant, ambitious, and patient. why should china help cure russia’s complexes, or give its elite the means to secure their vanity or personal wealth? in this new entente, the kremlin has but two choices: play the role of lap dog, or get ready to whine about how it is being humiliated all over again. the west, in treating the russian elite with kid gloves, failed to teach it a lesson; china is much less likely to err on the side of lenience.”
We’re partners. (CONT’D) He’s thunder, I’m lightning. He makes all the noise, I do all the damage.
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