# Is Russia more powerful than the United States? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [April 5, 2009, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-russia-more-powerful-than-the-united-states/492060 "2009-04-05T17:54:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2009, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-russia-more-powerful-than-the-united-states/492060/61 "2009-04-10T14:53:50Z")
> [@sailor](#): > > On the other hand, I think China and Russia and Iran tend to have a common view that it is in their interest to limit American expansion and imperialism in their part of the world. It is not that China and Iran blindly side with Russia for no good reason in spite that “the US has a lot more to offer” (which would need to be explained), it is that Russia, China and Iran have a common interest in curtailing American imperialism in their part of the world and so have a reason to act in the same way when it comes to dealing with America. It makes sense to me. Well, there’s that as well as the fact that China and Iran are two pretty big customers for Russian-made weaponry. Maybe the biggest. ---
**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2009, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-russia-more-powerful-than-the-united-states/492060/62 "2009-04-10T15:20:41Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > Well, there’s that as well as the fact that China and Iran are two pretty big customers for Russian-made weaponry. Maybe the biggest. Well, yes, but the reason they buy from Russia is that Russia is closer to them in their interests. America would not sell them arms and they would not want to buy from America anyway. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2009, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-russia-more-powerful-than-the-united-states/492060/63 "2009-04-10T15:41:50Z")
> [@sailor](#): > > Well, yes, but the reason they buy from Russia is that Russia is closer to them in their interests. America would not sell them arms and they would not want to buy from America anyway. I get the geography bit, but “they wouldn’t want to buy from America”? Really? I always assumed that they would prefer our weapons (as they are generally superior in every way) but we simply won’t sell to them. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2009, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-russia-more-powerful-than-the-united-states/492060/64 "2009-04-10T16:13:51Z")
> [@sailor](#): > > I > > I find it extremely simplistic, in fact rather stupid, when some Americans can only explain Europe not immediately supporting America in everything by saying Europeans are cowards. They did not support America in Iraq because they fear the terrorists. Is it not possible that Europeans have a different view? More nuanced? That they do not think being a confrontational and aggressive asshole is the best approach? No. That cannot be it. It has to be that they are cowards, deadly afraid and ready to submit to terrorists, Russia or Mickey Mouse. > > I see that kind of thinking fits neighborhood gangsters but I cannot see how it fits an intelligent people. > . I didn’t say Europeans were cowards- merely that, for reasons of their own (sometimes obvious rational reasons, sometimes not), Europeans have major qualms about antagonizing Russia, but NONE about antagonizing the US. In the same way, for reasons of their own (some rational, some not), MANY countries have historically chosen to embrace Russia as an ally, while thumbing their noses at the US. Regardless of these reasons, Russia has long managed to play a very weak hand extremely well, and has often been MUCH more effective than the US in achieving its goals. And that’s power. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-russia-more-powerful-than-the-united-states/492060.md?page=3)