"Russia's burgeoning oil and natural gas exports are underwriting Russian efforts to regain status as a world superpower
Russia, once an old foe, is again proving to be a major obstacle for America's foreign interests, and will continue to be a thorn in the country's side as long as oil prices remain high."
Oil Prices Fueling Russia's Disruption of U.S. Foreign Policy - Chicago Tribune
""Putin still aspires for Russia to be a superpower," says Steven Pifer, a former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine. "There are only two ways for Russia to achieve that: nuclear weapons, and oil and natural gas sales."
This is news from TODAY, not the 50's folks !!!