Is Russia back in the game?

NATO's (essentially, the US') attempts to isolate Russia with economic sanctions hasn't really materialized.  If anything, it's emboldened China's resolve to increase its strategic and trade ties with Russia.

One factor could be Russia's low debt-to-GDP ratio of 13%.  The US, on the other hand, has a debt-to-GDP ratio of 102%.

“There is surely something odd about the world’s greatest power being the world’s greatest debtor,” - Lawrence Summers, former US Treasury Secretary

http://www.cnbc.com/id/102540390