I'm not doubting what you say about Russia and Putin channeling money for himself. I do know Russian history well enough to know what happened after the collapse of Soviet Union. (By the way, the rise of Russian mafia during the 90s is very interesting topic). But you do still understand the harm that US interventions have brought to middle east? Overthrowing dictators just to prolong the ongoing profitable situation. Funding the terrorist groups. And all that because of Russia?

Everything about Russia and its economy seems to be linked to gas. (English term "sweet gas" was new for me). In the middle east and in Ukraine for example (European dependency of Russian gas, US intervention there and so on...) And everything about USA seems to be linked to oil.

But I don't think that Russia could be a real threat for US, not economically not militarily. These two are in the whole different league. Russia is not a superpower, like USSR was. But of course Russia has financial interests in the area.

It takes two to play this game... I don't think that everything has something to do with only Putin...