this writer has some of the same questions as i do;

Everything you read and hear about sanctions in the current conflict focus on their impact on Russia. Trade to and from that country has indeed been drastically curtailed and without doubt the population will suffer. But Russians are used to suffering and previous sanctions initiatives have had minimal impact even when the ruble collapsed on the markets in 2014. What the West doesn’t understand is that the ruble is the currency the Russians use inside the country but the price of oil and gas is the Russian currency outside the country. In fact it’s plausible to suggest that the ensuing autarchy has strengthened the country in the medium to long term. Admittedly previous sanctions regimes have been much less draconian than those now being implemented. In fact when ‘the West’ (I use that term to describe the United States and its satraps) throws all restraint aside and resorts to downright piracy and gangsterism (Italy robbing a Russian billionaire’s yacht, America robbing Iranian and Venezuelan oil on the high seas, Libya’s and Iraq’s gold – the list is endless) maybe Russia will decide to respond in kind.

Much is made of the fact that Russia’s economy is only the size of Italy’s and thus of very limited influence. But crude GDP comparisons mask an interesting reality because were Russia finally to decide to respond in kind the impact on the West would be catastrophic but not for Russia. While the most obvious response would be to cut off oil and gas supplies to the West they could also cut off supplies of grain and fertilisers. Russia controls about half of world potash production and a quarter of its wheat. The combined impact would – in my opinion anyway – bring the West to its knees in quick order. Forking out the equivalent of $30 for a gallon of petrol and the same for a burger will concentrate the minds of the public very quickly. Or the Russians could demand payment for their exports in gold or silver. Either way the reaction could be epic.........read more.......