http://www.theoildrum.com/story/2006/1/8/162915/0867#more.............
Regarding Russia's recent use of its energy clout to raise natural gas prices for many of its neighbors:
" Yes, I cannot help but laugh at the shock and dismay over Russia using its energy wealth to further its own interests. How dare they! We're the only ones who should be able to use our muscle to get what we want! There are many aspects to power, military, economic, energy, etc., and we are not powerful enough to push everyone around. In the decades to come I suspect we're going to learn what it means to have been the playground bully after the other kids get bigger than you. We're gonna loose some lunch money.
I do think it's going to get dangerous though, as countries form new alliances around new centers of power, which will be focused on energy. "