My observation is the world appears to be bifurcating, a fancy way of saying splitting in two. China's 5G will be Russia's, with surveillance baked-in. Other countries will be forced to choose between two economic systems, West and East, generally. The West will do the same thing, with ISPs and the law (to some extent) as intermediaries.

China and Russia have long ties, not always good. But they both like money. A lot. The fewer questions asked, the better. They both seem to like that too. IMO China needs energy, Russia will be their gas station in the future, not ours. Fine, call them "permanent sanctions" and create that new reality. Prices will settle long term. It has to be done.

Meanwhile, Europe will largely align further with current "legal" financial systems. Bad time to invest in commie countries. You got a shit poker hand.

Thus, "The West and the Rest." I registered thewestandtherest.com last night. Please prove me wrong.

"Permanent sanctions" is an idiotic concept. Do we want to change the reality or not? Stupid Wordthink (see @ScottAdamsSays' LoserThink.) The economic equivalent of shooting yourself in the foot. Or giving a weapon to Alec Baldwin, just to hold. Don't do those things.