Russia's a bit of a failed state, squandering economic opportunity for its citizens and opportunities to develop through trade. Russia is also militarily power

Russia's a bit of a failed state, squandering economic opportunity for its citizens and opportunities to develop through trade. Russia is also militarily powerful and with enough resources and cleverness to take everyone else down the drain with them. This is a particularly bad combination-- being successful or weak takes away much of your menace to your neighbors... being failed and strong is the scariest combo.