Not only Russia, but even Latin America is looking for ways to free itself from the economic dependence on the US. Chinese President's visit to the region last month(?) was a significant event in growing Sino-Latino ties and their respective desires to catch up to the US fast. Billions of dollars of deals were made, particularly with Brazil on steel and gas resources, while the Americans could only watch in awe. The bottom line is: The old concept of superpower as a military giant is rapidly fading away. The new era of superpower(ship) based on economic hegemony has already begun, and I strongly believe that that will be the way of the future. This not to undermine the economic clout that the US still possess. However, with increasing desires among other nations -- even among US' old allies -- to free themselves from economic dependence on US will eventually alienate US and dethrone it as the only superpower in the world. The decision to invade Iraq has added more fuel towards the downfall of the US, I believe. This (mis)adventure has not only made the US lose respect (everyone can see the inadaquacies of supposedly the mightiest army on earth!), but the cost of this war, which will run into hundreds of billions of dollars, will definitely have an adverse effect on US economy, further devastating the stature of economic powerhouse that the US once was.