Re <<amerikkka never thought of Russia as an able opponent similar to China>>
... am agnostic w/r to whether Russia and / or China are able opponent of USA. Time shall tell us that without equivocation, perhaps as soon as 2026 - 2032.
However, do observe that between Russia and China, USA is full-spectrum engaged, from battle-space to econo-domain, and whilst the struggles do not yet feel existential, is beginning to feel like prologue to whatever, if any, transition 2026 - 2032 might be all about.
On the western front the de-movements, them featuring de-industrialization and a lot of other de-'s continuing at speed, especially in Germany, and perhaps not coincidentally bullionbypost.eu

whilst on the eastern front, specifically in Japan, we have breakout of the big handle and <<yuggggggge>> cup (1979!), portending much goodness but only for the 'lucky' stackers of Japan zerohedge.com
 whereas the word 'thunderdome' easily comes to mind as the RMB gold's cup & handle looks different from but still as indeterminate as the Dollar gold's handle and cup.
winner in the struggle, in suspicion, might be the domain where gold drills up the least even as all get drilled.
goldprice.org

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