The USA thinks it can continue to dictate and threaten countries as they like. Those days are over. Now even Saudi Arabia and UAE are not unduly threatened, and wants to sell oil in other currencies. The USA can withdraw its military support for the Saudis, but it is afraid of Russia moving in to take its place. After all, Iran the perpetual enemy of the Saudis, is an ally of Russia, and if the Saudis are under Russian protection, Iran is not going to upset its alliance with Russia by attacking the Saudis.
Other than that, who else is threatening the Saudis? Yemen is incapable of inflicting serious damage to the Saudis even if it tries to as before, initiating sneak attacks at best. That was when Saudi Arabia was still under USA patriot missile cover and yet suffered damage to their oil installations. The patriots failed to protect and the Saudis were reported to have decided to buy the S400 anti missile system from Russia instead.
North Korea showed the USA its middle finger and would not care less what the USA wants to say, using the UN to say it to make it more convincing for the doggies. Kim just fired his crackers as he likes and makes Japan and South Korea go on a haywire dance and do not know how to deal with it.
Iran is another that cares two hoots about what the USA is threatening them, with more sanctions being considered. It is just a matter of time for Iran to go nuclear.
Russia meanwhile says, just bring it on and do not stop sanctioning and wait for our retaliation. The EU is still discreetly buying Russian oil on the sly. All that talk about being able to do without Russian energy is just horseshit or more commonly called bullshit.
And that brings us to China, which the USA is now working on sanctioning as well, using the excuse that China is helping Russia by buying Russian energy and on ther verge of supplying lethal weapons to them. India is buying even more Russian oil, but does not face USA and Western sanctions. Isn't it stupid trying to stop China buying Russian energy, but left a big yawning loophole to be exploited by the Indians.
Well, Russia being less significant to the USA, but more instrumental to the EU in terms of trade, is already enough of a hot potato for the USA and Nato to handle. Chinese products fill the shelves of Walmart and others and without them, the USA people will revolt with inflation about to escalate with more interest rate hikes. Interesting days ahead for USA consumers.
Anonymous