Ray , what I meant was that 创East Europe创 is such a vague term . On one hand there are Ukraine , Georgia - both members of CIS , then on other end there are places like Slovenia , where living standards are nearing EU-s lower third . In fact , Slovenia is a very good example - prospering , democratic etc., then nearby is Albania - well , less said , the better. Well Asia for example has some very different countries - as Singapore and Myanmar for example. To state that this whole Asia is an unbelievable clusterf**k is not a very good analysis.
As for the thought that Russia has less to give - well people have seen what they have to give , that磗 exactly the point
. I磎 not SO gullible and a simpleton. I perfectly understand that there are no free lunches . It磗 simply the fact that some lunches are MUCH MORE expensive than others
.
Oh and BTW , many people think that EU was conceived as the counterbalance to US , not as it磗 political lapdog.
But - quote - 创Estonia is making the international scene on its own? Do elaborate as to which country of Eastern Europe does not require the US?创 - point taken . Totally agree .