The world economic landscape is rapidly changing and a very different world is emerging. It is perhaps too early to tell whether the US and the EU will head down toward geopolitical rivalry, but the warning signs are certainly present. The rise of euro and the resulting competition with the American dollar will have geopolitical consequences.

On 16 March 2006, the Bush administration, updating a national security strategy that laid the groundwork for invading Iraq in 2003, singled out Iran as the greatest single current danger, alleging that Iran's nuclear threat is the biggest future challenge to the U.S. For over a year, the administration has been working on the revision of its original strategy, issued in September 2002

Oil is not just the most important commodity traded internationally. It is the key industrial mineral, without which no modern economy works. If you don't have oil, you have to buy it, and if you want to buy it on the world markets, you commonly have to purchase it with dollars. Other countries buy and hold dollars like they buy and hold gold because they cannot purchase oil without dollars

Throughout history, empires and their civilisations have come and gone. During the first part of the last century, the US quietly built its empire, first in the North and Central Americas and in South America. Soon after the Second World War, the US worked to maximise the advantages it gained, and the power it assumed, between 1943 and 1945, from its victory over Germany and Japan, and as a consequence of massive Soviet casualties, and large British debt and financial burden caused by the war

At present the USA has practically no influence on Iran and its economy. In turn Iran does not have the potential to influence USA politics. Therefore, from the Iranian perspective, they are prepared to make their different political declarations and gestures. The end, however, is easy to miscalculate. It could lead to the liquidation of Iran’s atomic aspirations

Oil prices have reached a record level, as for the first time they have risen above 70 dollars per barrel. Russia is smothered with petrodollars, however it could all end sorrowfully for Russia's economy when the bubble starts to burst.

Exchange rate of the dollar (and the euro) has been stable only because of the large-scale ruble injections by the Central Bank
Central Bank was ready to stop operating at the foreign exchange market and cease currency exchange regulation with regard to the ruble. The foreign currency exchange rate will immediately go gown once the injections dry out. On the other hand, the ruble exchange rate will increase. Experts believe that the dollar may drop to 15 rubles within the forthcoming two years. Those who have their savings in foreign currency had better start thinking about using some other way of saving up

The volume of the Russian stabilization fund may increase up to 2.3 trillion rubles by the end of 2008
Russia has too much money. Incredibly high world prices on fuel gives Russia a perfect opportunity to fill the treasury with petrodollars. The excessive funds become a problem, which may put an end to the relative stability of Russia's economy. The population and sectoral ministers demand the saved petrodollars should be spent on social needs and various investments projects.

Russia ranks second on the oil list, leaving Norway, Venezuela and Iran behind
When OPEC, a powerful oil cartel, gathers for a meeting in Vienna, sheikhs will not be smiling that much as they did before. The organization of oil exporters is currently suffering from two problems: the resumption of the export of the Iraqi oil and the continuing mess within the cartel

Russia sold Alaska for seven million dollars
Alaska was sold. This piece of news arrived in St.Petersburg 136 years ago. It arrived as a piece of wireless information – that-era technical wonder. When the news about selling Alaska became known in Russia, people refused to believe it. Newspapers would write that it was nothing but a mean, disgusting joke upon the Russian society. The reaction was rather indignant and emotional, until the government made its point of view public